Biography - Spartan Berry

OBITUARY The Dawson Herald October 6, 1939; Vol. 35, No. 3, page 1, Col 2

Native Dawson Pioneer Died Monday Afternoon

Spartan Berry died at his home in Dawson at 3:45 p.m. Monday, after a week of critical illness. Mr. Berry had been in ill health a number of years, but was able to be up and about until Monday of last week, when he suffered a slight stroke of paralysis, which with complications caused his death.

Mr. Berry, a son of G. M. D. and Mary Walker Berry, was born Feb. 27, 1871, near where Dawson now stands, and has lived in and around Dawson all his life. The major part of his life was spent in farming and dealing in livestock, buying cotton and for a time was associated with his brother-in-law in the drug business. He had been a member of the Methodist church many years, and was also a member of the Masonic and W. O. W. lodges. In his younger days and before his health began to fail him, he was very active in political and civic activities of his county and town, it being his keen delight to get behind any event the town wished to have and was always tireless in his efforts to make such things successful. He served as Mayor of Dawson a number of years.

On Sept. 2, 1891, he was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Mae Wyrick, and to the union six children were born, two of whom died in infancy. Those surviving, together with his wife, are Curtis Berry of this place, Mrs. R. M. Franklin and Miss Agnes Berry of Childress and Mrs. W. H. Utley of Magnolia, Ark.

The funeral service was held at the Methodist church Tuesday afternoon at 4 o'clock, conducted by

Rev. J. Virgil Davis, after which burial was made in the Dawson cemetery, in charge of local undertakers Wolfe & Dobson. Active pall bearers were Joe Keitt, Robert Hill, J. W. Norman, Ward Berry, Clint Lawrence and George Mount. Honorary pall bearers: Henry Farmer, D. G. Simms, J. B. Hargis. J. F. Hagle, C.O. Weaver, J. R. Graham, C. M. Newton, Edgar Davis, Joe Wheelock, Jim Garner.

Notes:

Grandson of William Walker, Civil War Veteran
Submitted by Harold Walker of Milwaukee.

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FORMER MAYOR OF DAWSON, S. BERRY, BURIED ON TUESDAY

DAWSON, Oct. 6.—Funeral services were held here Tuesday afternoon for S. Berry, aged 68 years, who died Monday. He was a native of Dawson and was well-known, having served as mayor of this community and was democratic precinct chairman for many years.

Surviving are his wife, a son, Curtis Berry, Dawson; three daughters, Mrs. R. M. Franklin and Miss Agnes Berry of Childress and Mrs. W. H. Utley, Magnolia, Ark.

Notes:

The Corsicana Daily Sun - Fri., Oct 6, 1939
Submitted by Diane Richards