William H. Berry

William Harvey Berry (September 9, 1852 – June 19, 1928) was an American politician who served as Mayor of Chester, Pennsylvania for one year in 1905 and as the Pennsylvania State Treasurer from 1906 to 1908. As Treasurer, Berry identified misappropriations in the graft scandal related to furnishing of the Pennsylvania State Capitol.[1] Berry was President of the Berry Engineering Company, worked as Collector of the Port of Philadelphia and authored multiple books on economic policy.

William H. Berry
Mayor of Chester, Pennsylvania
In office February 10, 1905 – December 30, 1905
Preceded by	Howard H. Huston
Succeeded by	Samuel E. Turner
Treasurer of Pennsylvania
In office January 1, 1907 – November 30, 1908
Governor	Edwin S. Stuart
Preceded by	William L. Mathues
Succeeded by	John O. Sheatz
Personal details
Born	(1852-09-09)September 9, 1852 Edwardsville, Illinois
Died	June 19, 1928(1928-06-19) (aged 75) Chester, Pennsylvania
Political party	Democratic

Early life

Berry was born on September 9, 1852 in Edwardsville, Illinois to Benjamin D. and Mary F. Berry. His father Benjamin was and early pioneer of Illinois and a skilled mechanic having developed several useful inventions.[2]

As a young man, Berry took an apprenticeship in the machine shops of George W. Tifts Sons & Co. in Buffalo, New York.[3] Berry also took a scientific mechanical course at the Mechanics' Institute in Buffalo.[4]

Career

In 1873, after receiving his degree, Berry relocated to Chester, Pennsylvania and was placed in charge of the brick yard of the Eddystone Manufacturing Company. He was appointed master mechanic and held the position for 17 years.[4]

In 1903, Berry established and became President of the Berry Engineering Company in Chester, Pennsylvania[3] which produced a high pressure, super heating boiler.[2]. Berry was also treasurer of the Fields Brick Company in Chester, Pennsylvania.[5]

Berry served as mayor of Chester, Pennsylvania from February 1905 to December 1905. He resigned to run for treasurer of Pennsylvania and was the only Democrat to win a statewide election between 1893 and 1931.[6] Berry served as treasurer from 1906 to 1908.[7]

During his tenure as Treasurer, Berry discovered misappropriations of state funds related to the furnishing of the new Pennsylvania State Capitol building in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.[8] While an additional $700,000 had been appropriated for furnishings, flooring and ceilings, oak wainscoting and artwork - the actual additional unappropriated costs were $7.7 million. Questionable charges such as charging by the pound for chandeliers and charging for the "air space under furniture" were discovered upon investigation. Convictions on charges of conspiracy and false pretense were obtained against architect Joseph Huston, lead contractor John Sanderson, former Auditor General William P. Snyder and former state treasurer William L. Mathues.[9]

In 1910, Berry was a candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania as a member of the independent Keystone Party but lost to the Republican candidate John Kinley Tener.[10]

Berry was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1912 and 1924.[7]

Personal life

William H. Berry gravestone in Chester Rural Cemetery

His son, US Marine Major Benjamin S. Berry, served in World War I, and for his actions on June 6, 1918 in the Battle of Belleau Wood was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, and the Croix de Guerre from the government of France.[11]

Berry died on June 19, 1928[1] and is interred at the Chester Rural Cemetery in Chester, Pennsylvania.[12]

Bibliography

• Our Economic Troubles and the Way Out: An Answer to Socialism, John Spencer, Printer and Bookbinder, 1912
• Restricted Industry: Its Effect, Its Cause, the Remedy, The Schulte Publishing Company, 1900

See also

• List of mayors of Chester, Pennsylvania

References

1. "William H. Berry dies in Pennsylvania home". New York Times. June 20, 1928. p. 17.
2. Cochran, Thomas B. Smull's Legislative Hand Book and Manual of the State of Pennsylvania. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Harrisburg Publishing Company. p. 139. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
3. "Berry, William H." www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
4. Cope, Gilbert (1904). Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of Chester and Delaware Counties, Pennsylvania. New York: The Lewis Publishing Company. p. 96. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
5. Jordan, John W. (1914). A History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania and Its People. New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company. p. 1117. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
6. Beers, Paul B. (1980). Pennsylvania Politics Today and Yesterday: The Terrible Accommodation. University Park, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania State University Press. p. 30. ISBN 0-271-00238-7. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
7. "Berry, William H." www.politicalgraveyard.com. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
8. "Governor John Stuchell Fischer". www.phmc.state.pa.us. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
9. "Governor Samuel Whitaker Pennypacker". Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Archived from the original on April 17, 2008. Retrieved March 1, 2009.
10. "Governor John Kinley Tener". www.phmc.state.pa.us. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
11. "Major Berry Won Promotion Abroad". New York Times. June 15, 1918.
12. "William Harvey Berry (1852-1928(". www.findagrave.com. Retrieved 6 May 2018.

Preceded by Howard H. Houston	Mayor of Chester 1905–1905	Succeeded by Samuel E. Turner
Political offices
Preceded by William L. Mathues	Treasurer of Pennsylvania 1906–1908	Succeeded by John O. Sheatz