My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography from the book, History of Kentucky, Edition 7 by J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin and G. C. Kniffin and published by F. A. Battey Publishing Company in 1887.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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HON. ALBERT S. BERRY, of Newport, Ky., a progressive statesman, able debater and effective orator, was born in Campbell County in 1837, and is the second in a family of eight children born to James T. and Virginia (Wise) Berry. James T. Berry was born in 1806, a son of Washington and Alice (Taylor) Berry, the latter a daughter of Gen. James Taylor, who was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was one of the largest land owners in Kentucky. Washington Berry, a native of Virginia, was the first judge of Campbell County, and was one of the trustees who laid out the city of Newport. James T. Berry was a farmer by occupation, owning a large farm in Campbell County, where our subject was born. He died in 1864. His wife, Virginia (Wise) Berry, was born at Alexandria, Va., a daughter of Nathaniel Wise, a leading attorney at Washington, Va., where he died in 1826, his wife being a Miss McKeney. Albert S. Berry was educated at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, began the study of law, attended the Cincinnati Law School, and was admitted to the bar in due time. He then began practice in Newport, where his career has been one of unbroken success. In 1851 he was superintendent of public instruction, city attorney in 1858, president of the school board, and has been mayor of Newport three times; he has served as State senator two terms, and is the present member from his district. At the outbreak of the late war he enlisted in the Confederate Army, where he served four years, and three days before the surrender of Lee at Appomattox, he was captured in the retreat from Richmond and imprisoned at Johnston’s Island two months. In 1887 he was candidate for the nomination of governor, but was defeated by reason of circumstances over which he had no control; however he behaved nobly on the field and acknowledged the situation gracefully, winning the applause of many. In 1867 he was united in marriage to Miss Annie Shaler, daughter of Nathaniel B. and Ann (Southgate) Shaler, natives of New York; five children have blessed their union, viz.: Alice, Shaler, Anna, Albert, Jr., and Robert. Mrs. Berry is a member of the Episcopal Church.

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This family biography is one of 41 biographies included in the Campbell County, Kentucky section of the book, The History of Kentucky, Edition 7 published in 1887 by F. A. Battey Publishing Company.  For the complete description, click here: History of Kentucky, Edition 7

View additional Campbell County, Kentucky family biographies here: Campbell County, Kentucky Biographies

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