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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Hot Spring County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  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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Daniel N. Berry, one of the leading citizens of Ouachita Township, Hot Spring County, Ark., was born in Tallapoosa County, Ala., on September 5, 1842. His parents were Joseph and Hollon (Berry) Berry, natives, respectively, of Georgia and Alabama. Joseph Berry was born in 1817, and his wife in 1818. They were married in 1836 or 1837, in the State of Alabama, where they resided until 1847 or 1848, then moving to Chickasaw County, Miss., and one year later to Dallas County, Ark. After another year in that locality, Hot Spring County became their home, and here they have since resided. They are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, Mr. Berry belonging to the Masonic order, and he always votes the Democratic ticket. He was a soldier in the war with the Indians in 1836, and during the late war served in the Eighteenth Arkansas Infantry Regiment, Confederate Army, participating in the battle of Corinth. When about forty-five years old he learned the wagon-wright and coopers’ trade, at which he has since worked, building a great many houses and gins. In addition to farming, he serves his neighbors as a general mechanic. By his first marriage he became the father of fourteen children, of whom three sons and four daughters are living; our subject being the third child. The latter received his education at the home schools, and in July, 1861, left his home and cast his lot with the Confederacy, enlisting in Company E, Twelfth Arkansas Infantry. He served in this company till after the fall of Port Hudson, when he was paroled and taken into Cook’s battalion. After the Price raid through Missouri, he found and joined his old command, in which he served until May, 1865. He participated in many battles, among them being Belmont and Island No. 10, on the Mississippi River. At the latter place he was taken prisoner and transported to Camp Douglas, Chicago, where he was confined for six months, then one month at Cairo. From the latter place he was taken to the parole camps at Jackson, Miss., and was soon again in active service. He was captured the second time at Port Hudson, July 8, 1863, paroled, and after being exchanged joined Price. He took part in all the engagements in that famous march. When the war closed, he returned to Hot Spring County, where he attended school at Pleasant Hill for the next few months, then turning his attention to farming, he has followed that branch of industry ever since. He now owns 494 acres of land, 254 of which are in the Washitaw River bottom. On December 20, 1866, he married Miss Kizzie A. Matthews, daughter of Granville and Mary G. Matthews, and a native of Hardeman County, Tenn. She was born January 11, 1844, and died December 14, 1877. By her marriage to Mr. Berry, she became the mother of six children, five now living: Emily T. (wife of I. H. West, farmer of Texas), Charles F. (a farmer of this county), Mary H. (at home), Robert T., Laura A., Joseph A. (died when ten years of age). On February 20, 1879, Mr. Berry married Miss Louvinia C. Harkins, daughter of Robert Harkins, born in Tallapoosa County, Ala., September 21, 1851. Four children were born to them: Bertha A., Thomas H, Cora J. and Asa M. Mr. Berry and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. He is also a member of the Masonic order, and politically a strong Democrat. When he began in life he had nothing but a good constitution and an ability to manage. To this he attributes his success. He has always advocated education and religion, and is a warm friend of all public and benevolent enterprises. He was elected justice of the peace in 1872, in Ouachita Township, Hot Spring County, Ark., and has served ever since in that official capacity.

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This family biography is one of 52 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Hot Spring County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Hot Spring County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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