The Berry family of Gloversville, New York, descend from John Berry, who was born and married in Ireland. He came to the United States in 1793, and settled first in Albany, New York. He was accompanied by a brother Thomas and a sister Nancy. After a short time spent in Albany, John Berry removed to the town of Mayfield, Fulton county, New York, where he bought a farm and made his permanent home. He was a hardworking man, and became one of the prosperous farmers of Mayfield. He married, in Ireland, Nancy Mackett, who bore him ten children, all born in Mayfield. John, see forward; Thomas, Benjamin, James, Margaret, Rachel, Betsey, Mary Ann, Sarah and Agnes.
(II) John (2), son of John (1) and Nancy (Mackett) Berry, was born in Mayfield, Fulton county, New York. He was reared to farm labor, and remained a farmer all his days. After his marriage, he purchased a farm and there reared his family. He was in comfortable circumstances and held a good position in his town. He married Lucinda Stanton. Children:
- Rachel, married Alexander Scriminger.
- John R., see forward.
- Hiram, married, January 12, 1848, Sarah Christie, born May 21, 1828, died June 20, 1888; children:
- Janet, born August 21, 1849;
- Charles Hiram, June 7, 1852, died December 6, 1908;
- William Edward, September 11, 1856;
- Mary Ella, October 23, 1859;
- George Christie, August 5, 1864, married, August 4, 1891, Ada Van Sickle, and has one child,
- Hiram George, born May 11, 1898.
- Ann Eliza, married John A. Wells.
- Benjamin, married Jane Van Allen; children:
- John R., married Agnes Schermerhorn; children: Ralph, Thomas, Edgar, Rachel;
- Florence, married Marvin Pixley;
- Isabel, married William Warner, children: Ralph, Helen and Ruth;
- Susanna, married Charles Reitmeyer and has a son Stanton;
- Nancy S.;
- Jessie.
- Thomas, married Ophelia Briggs; children: Willard; Ethel; Hazel.
- Frances, married Michael Van Schoick [Van Schaick?]; children: Maggie, Jessie, George.
- Louise, married James Swartout; children: Louis and Jennie.
- Sarah Jane, married James B. Cooke.
(III) John Richard, eldest son of John (2) and Lucinda (Stanton) Berry, was born in Mayfield, Fulton county, New York, December 1, 1818, died in Johnstown, New York, April 30, 1890. He was educated in the public schools, and when a very young man went to Gloversville, New York, where he learned the trade of glove making. For several years he was employed as a salesman by W. J. and J. S. Heacock, and later became a member of the firm of Benjamin Heacock & Company, glove manufacturers. After the solution of that firm, he entered into partnership with John C. Allen, and as Berry & Allen continued in the same business until his death. He was a man of high business ideals, upright in all his dealings, public-spirited and progressive. He supported all enterprises for the advancement of his city with financial and personal effort. He was a devout member of the Presbyterian church, which he served as trustee. He was a member of the Masonic order, and voted with the Republican party. He married, March 1, 1867, Sarah J. Allen, born January 2, 1840. She survives her husband, and is a resident of Gloversville, New York. Children:
- Lucinda Stanton, born February 4, 1874, died October 4, 1898; married, June 6, 1894, Edward S. Parkhurst. She was the mother of two children:
- John R. B., died aged one year, and
- Edward S., Jr., born July 14, 1898.
- Catherine Allen, born May 18, 1875, died April 17, 1902.