Ansel Berry

Ansel Berry was born 28 November 1805 in Norwich, Connecticut, and was an infant when both of his parents died. At that time he went to live with his eldest sister, Mrs. Nathaniel [Hannah] Ufford, whose family soon removed to the Black River country, thence to Onondaga county, and finally to Tompkins County.

In 1826 he married (1) Miss Lorinda Gage, the daughter of Benjamin Gage and Susannah (Johnson) Gage. She was born 12 March 1799 in Enfield, Grafton County, New Hampshire. They immediately removed to Norwich, Chenango, New York where he resided until his death July 10, 1870. He had two children, both by his first wife, Edwin R. Berry, born 22 May 1828 and died Dec. 10, 1870, and B. Gage Berry (see below). After the death of his first wife, Lorinda Gage, July 27, 1835, at the age of 33, he married (2) her sister, Hannah Gage. Hannah Gage was born 21 Oct. 1809 in Enfield, Grafton County, New Hampshire.

• The National Bank of Norwich was organized under the general banking laws of the State, as The Bank of Norwich, July 15, 1856, at which time it commenced business. Its capital was $125,000, divided into one hundred and twenty-five shares of $100 each. There were thirty-nine stockholders. The first directors were James H. Smith, Jonathan Wells, Theodore Miller, Nelson B. Hale, Burr B. Andrews, Ansel Berry, Harvey Thompson, Charles Lewis, William Packer, Charles H. Wheeler and Warren Newton. Twenty-four of the original stockholders, including seven of the above name directors are dead.

• 1850 Fed. Census, Norwich, NY lists Ancil Berry age 44, a Hatter, with wife Hannah J. age 38, Benj. G. Berry, age 18 and Louisa Williams, his grandniece, age 8.

• 1860 Fed. Census NY, Chenango Co, Norwich lists Ansel Berry, age 54, born in CT, Hatter, and wife Hannah, age 46 born in NH with Sarah L. Berry, age 18 (1842), scholar, born in NY.

• 1870 Fed. Census, NY, Chenango Co, Norwich lists Ansel Berry, age 64, born in CT, wife Hannah age 56 and two others in household including 1 servant; enumerated 18 Jul 1870.

Ansel Berry co-owned a hat store in Norwich Village. In 1856 he was elected to the Assembly of his county. Ansel Berry died 10 July 1870 in Norwich, Chenango County, New York; his second wife, Hannah (Gage) Berry died 13 July 1890. Ansel Berry and his wives, Lorinda (Gage) Berry and Hannah (Gage) Berry are all buried in the Mt. Hope Cemetery, Norwich, New York.

Benjamin Gage Berry

Benjamin Gage Berry was born 10 October 1830 in Norwich, Chenango County, New York. He was the son of Ansel Berry and Lorinda (Gage) Berry. He married Adeline M. Wheeler. She was the daughter of Giles and Hannah (Avery) Wheeler. He was also known as B. Gage Berry. He was a cousin to Sarah Louise Williams.

• 1860 Fed. Census, NY, Chenango, Norwich lists Gage B. Berry, age 29, Lawyer and wife Adeline age 28 and 1 servant.
• 1870 Fed. Census, NY, Chenango, Norwich lists B.G. Berry, age 39, Editor, born in NY, wife Adda W. age 38, and son, Charles A. age 7 and one servant.
• 1880 Fed. Census NY Chenango, Norwich lists B. Gage Berry, age 49, born in NY, Editor; wife Adeline W. Berry, age 46, born in CT with son Charles A. Berry age 17 and 1 servant.

• From Rootsweb/Ancestry: B. Gage Berry was born in Norwich, Oct. 10, 1830, his father, Ansel Berry, having removed to this town from Dansville in 1826. He was educated at Norwich Academy and Cazenovia Seminary, and in 1852 commenced the study of law with Benjamin F. Rexford, of Norwich, with whom he remained two years, and with whom he practiced one year after his admission, in 1854. Failing health induced him to go to Sing Sing, where he received an appointment as clerk in the prison at that place. After the expiration of a year, he returned to Norwich and formed a law partnership with John Wait (who was admitted Feb. 10, 1836,) which continued under the name of Wait & Berry till 1861, when Mr. Berry acquired a half interest in the Chenango Telegraph. In 1864 he acquired the remaining interest, and has since been its publisher, having been associated since Jan. 1, 1876, with John R. Blair, of Cambridge, N. Y. He was for four years Secretary of the New York and Oswego Midland Railroad; and for six years Clerk of the Board of Supervisors of Chenango county. He was a member of the Executive Committee of the Senatorial District Committee in 1862; and was Deputy Provost Marshal in 1863-'64. He has often represented his party in State conventions; was a member of the Republican State Committee in 1862; and alternate delegate to the National Republican convention at Philadelphia which nominated Grant for the Presidency in 1872. He represented Chenango county in the Assembly in 1878.