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was the Democratic candidate for Governor of the Reports evidence the fidelity, industry, of the State, but was defeated by Governor and learning with which he discharged the duties of his high office. His influence in Merriam. John McDonough Berry was born at Pitts- moulding the jurisprudence of the State has field, in Merrimac County, New Hampshire, been greater than that of any other one man. on the 18th day of September, 1827, and Patient, judicial, impartial, and clear-sighted, died at Minneapolis on the 8th day of No he was a safe and a wise judge. He was vember, 1887, after twenty-three years of always careful and painstaking in the exami continuous service as an Associate Justice nation of cases before him, and devoted to

their consideration of the Supreme Court. great labor and re Judge Berry was pre search. pared for college at i He was a diligent Phillips (Andover) and careful student, Academy, and grad not only of the books uated from Yale Col of the law, but also lege with the Class of general literature. of 1847. Three years Having received the later he was admitted best classical educa to the bar, and began tion the country could practice at Alton, Bel give, he never lost knap County, where his love for what is he remained for two best in ancient and years. After a short stay at modern literature. Judge Berry took the Janesville, Wisconsin, State Law Library he located at Fari bault in 1853, where under his personal su he continued to reside pervision, and devoted until his removal to much time and atten Minneapolis in 1879. tion to the selection He served as a mem and classification of ber of the lower house its books. In ancient of the territorial Leg Egypt the president of S. J. R. MCMILLAN islature in 1856, and the judges wore sus pended about his neck of the State Senate in by a gold chain a small image made of pre 1862, being chairman of the Judiciary Com mittee each term. During the years 1860 and cious stones. The name of this image was 1 86 1 he was a member of the Board of Re Truth, and the decisions of the court bore gents of the State University. In 1864 he its impress. Although Mr. Justice Berry was elected a Justice of the Supreme Court, wore no outward emblem of precious stones, and qualified and took his seat in 1865. he too placed the stamp of truth and justice His first reported opinion is in the case of upon his work. Bidwell vs. Madison, 10 Minn. 1 (13); and Upon the resignation of Chief-Justice the last in Wyvelle vs. Jones, 37 Minn. 68, Wilson in July, 1869, James Gilfillan was filed June 8, 1887. appointed as his successor, with the general Judge Berry's term of service was longer by understanding that he should be the candi many years than that of any other member date of his party at the next election; but of the court, and the twenty-seven volumes the Republican convention which met in