Biographical Sketches

ALVIN BERRY

Among the young men who in recent years have identified themselves with the progressive activities of Montana and gained influential position in business and citizenship is Mr. Alvin Berry, of Basin, the proprietor of the largest and busiest hardware store of that town.

Until recently Mr. Berry was a banker and had been engaged in that business from the beginning of his career.  He was born in Winona county, Minnesota, December 16, 1873, a son of James P. and Emma Josephine (Thyson) Berry.  His father, who was a pioneer of Minnesota and a substantial farmer, was a veteran of the Civil war, having served his full time as a member of Company D, Fifth Minnesota Infantry.  He was wounded during his service.  His death occurred in 1883.  The mother, who was born in Minnesota, is now living with her son at Basin, Montana.  The one daughter, Francis May, is now the wife of Carl D. Mutchler, of Winnipeg.

Alvin Berry attended the public schools at Winona and at La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he was graduated in the class of 1892, and then took a full course in the business college at La Crosse.  His business career began as clerk in a national bank at La Crosse, and during ten years with that institution he became one of the trusted and efficient young bankers of the city.  The only important interruption to his banking career occurred during the Spanish-American war of 1898, when he enlisted with the Third Wisconsin Volunteers and saw service in Porto Rico, being mustered out at the close of the war at La Crosse.

On leaving that city he went to the southwest and took a place as bookkeeper in the bank of Globe, Arizona, where he remained one year.  In 1907 he was offered the position of cashier and business manager of the bank at Basin, Montana, and was the executive head of this financial institution four years.  In June, 1911, Mr. Berry, with Eugene Picot as partner, established the hardware and general merchandise store which they have developed into the largest and most important mercantile concern of the town.  In Jefferson county, now one of the leading counties of the state in mineral resources, Mr. Berry has some sound investments, and is a loyal citizen of his adopted state.  His success in life has come about through his own efforts, and he has won the thorough esteem of his fellow citizens.  Fraternally he is a Mason and Shriner, and has filled the chairs of the lodge of Knights of Pythias.  In politics he is a Republican.

Mr. Berry was married at La Crosse in 1900 to Miss Lilly C. Becker, of that city.  They are the parents of three children: Robert Alvin, Charlotte Josephine and Dorothy Ann.

Source: Transcription from the book, A History of Montana, volune III, by Helen Fitzgerald Sanders, published in 1913; located on the website, Hathitrust Digital Library (http://www.hathitrust.org), accessed 4 August 2023.

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