John C. Berry, a popular, intelligent and genial gentleman, is one of the leading agriculturists of the vicinity of Summit, owning an estate right at the post office. He has displayed excellent wisdom and industry in his labors and his worthy achievements and steady increase of goods are but the proper result of this endeavor.
John C. Berry was born in Sullivan County, Tennessee, on February 11, 1855, being the son of James O. and Martha (Crumley) Berry, natives of Tennessee. The father is now living with our subject. John C. was raised in Tennessee until twenty-two, being educated in the district schools. He then married and went to Texas, where he was engaged in ranching for seven years. The next journey was to Washington, where he did gardening near Walla Walla for about seven years.
In 1889 Mr. Berry came to the Potlatch Country and gardened for three years and then took his present place. He was on his land the opening day of the reservation and has given his undivided attention to cultivating it and the Indian land which he has leased since that time. Mr. Berry had four horses, one wagon and no cattle when he came, but is now one of the prosperous men of this vicinity. He lived in a tent the first year and had all the hardships of the pioneer to endure. He owns seventy-five hogs, has good improvements and a valuable and well tilled farm. Mr. Berry has the following brothers and sisters: William T., a Methodist preacher; Robert E., Elbert E., Fleming J., Murray, Martha E., widow of Robert Hall; Nannie C. Maynard, Jane Cash, Eliza Hall, Sophie Henry.
On August 16, 1876, Mr. Berry married Miss Sarah J., daughter of Thomas and Anna (King) Dyer, natives of Tennessee. The mother died in October, 1893, and the father lives with one daughter near Milton, Oregon. Mrs. Berry has two brothers and two sisters, John S., William A., Martha A. Taylor, Mary O. Bishop. Mr. and Mrs. Berry have one adopted child.
Mr. Berry is a member of the M. W. A., Lewiston Camp. They are both members of the Methodist Church, South. In political matters, Mr. Berry is allied with the Democrats and is frequently in the County conventions. He is school director and is a stirring advocate of good roads.
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Source: An Illustrated History of Northern Idaho, Embracing Nez Perce, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone Counties, Western Historical Publishing Company, 1903