O. A. BERRY, foreman of the blacksmith shops of the Rock Island and St. Louis division of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad, located at Beardstown, was born in Medina, Ohio, February 12, 1852. He came when five years of age to Aurora, Illinois, with his parents. He grew up there and received a common school education and learned his trade. His father, Thomas E. Berry, had come from England to Medina, Ohio, there learned the carpenter's trade and was married to Anna Pierce, who was also of English birth. In 1857, Thomas Berry, wife and four children settled in Aurora, where he still lives, aged seventy-three years, and is still hearty enough to work at his trade. His wife died in 1887. They were both members of the Congregational Church.

Mr. Berry came here from Aurora and was for one year foreman of the Chicago division of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad. He has been twenty-six years with this company and has never lost a month's time, nor been suspended. He won his promotion by attending strictly to business.

He was married in Aurora, to Ella Irwin, who was born and reared and educated in the same place. She was the daughter of Jerry Irwin, a prominent and successful tailor of Aurora, who died in 1881. His wife still lives in Aurora. They were both Roman Catholics. Mr. and Mrs. Berry have one child, Maude. He is a member of the Masonic order. He is a sound Republican, but not an office-seeker.