THOMAS BERRY, of what is now Rawlins Township, was born and reared at the homestead on which he now resides, on section 15. It comprises eighty acres of good land, and Mr. Berry also has nearly twenty-nine acres on section 16, besides an interest in 205 acres in West Galena Township.

Mr. Berry was born Nov. 3, 1850, and lived upon the farm with his father until after reaching his majority. He is the eldest son and third child of his parents, whose family consisted of four children, all of whom are living, namely: Emily, the wife of M. Manley, who lives on a farm at Vinegar Hill; Kittie, the wife of Michael McGuire, a farmer of Rawlins Township; Thomas, our subject; and John E. who is married, and resides at Modoc, in the southern part of the State.

John Berry, the father of our subject, was born in County Fermanagh, Ireland, about 1812, and came of Irish and Scotch ancestry. His parents died in Ireland when he was quite young. He lived in his native county until reaching man’s estate and was there first married to Miss Maggie Shield, who died there after the birth of one child, a daughter, Mary. This daughter is now a teacher in the convent at Ottawa, Ill., and is known as Sister Mary Louise. The elder Berry came to America early in the forties and purchased land in this county in what was then West Galena Township. He was successful in his farming operations, and spent the balance of his life upon the homestead which he had built up. He was married in 1844 to Miss Mary Martin; she was a native of Ireland, of the same county as her husband, and was born in the year 1825. She came to America with her parents when a young woman, and died at the homestead in Rawlins Township, Sept. 4, 1853. Both she and her husband were devout members of the Catholic Church – honest, upright people, who enjoyed the esteem of all who knew them. John Berry, politically, was a stanch Democrat.

Our subject continued to reside at the homestead until reaching a marriageable age, and early in 1879 brought a bride to the old roof-tree, being married February 18, of that year, to Miss Mary Ella McGuire. This lady was born in West Galena Township, in 1849, and is the daughter of Michael and Mary (Smith) McGuire, who were natives of County Fermanagh, Ireland, the father born in 1807, and the mother about 1812. They were of pure Irish ancestry, and, like their forefathers, were carefully reared in the doctrines of the Catholic Church, to which they piously adhered all their lives. In the spring of 1837 Michael McGuire and his young wife set out for America, taking passage at Dublin on the sailing-vessel “Phoebe”, which landed them, after a rough and stormy passage, sixteen weeks later, in New York City. Many of the passengers had suffered from illness, and were nearly starved, and the vessel lay in quarantine some time before the passengers were permitted to land. The Captain was little better than a pirate, his ambition seeming to be to exact from the passengers all the money he could secure – having provisions which he wished to get rid of, but for which he charged a high price. For this course he was afterward prosecuted, and never allowed to sail another ship.

The McGuires were detained in New York City for some time on account of the ill-health of the husband, but finally set out for their destination in this county. Mr. McGuire took up a Government claim, which he purchased when it came into the market in 1847. He effected good improvements, and this continued his home until his death, which occurred July 24, 1888, after he had reached the advanced age of eighty-one years. In the meantime, in addition to farming, he operated many years as a mason and contractor, and built a number of mills in this State and Wisconsin. Both he and his excellent wife were members of the Catholic Church.

Mrs. McGuire is still living and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Berry. Although quite aged she is smart, active and intelligent, and can tell many an interesting tale of her experiences, both in coming to America, and of pioneer life in Northern Illinois. Mrs. Berry was the second daughter and fourth child of her parents. Her brother John died when a promising young man of thirty years; Ann married B. Duningan, who is now deceased, and she lives on a farm in Rawlins Township; James is farming in Washington; Michael married Miss Kittie A. Berry, and resides on a farm in Rawlins Township. To Mr. and Mrs. Berry there have been born two children only, sons, John M. and Thomas. Like their forefathers, they are identified with the Catholic Church, and Mr. Berry, politically, affiliates with the Democratic party.

From Portraits and Biographical Pg 618, Transcribed & Contributed by Carol Parrish