BERRYHILL, James G.

BERRYHILL

Posted By: Debbie Clough Gerischer
Date: 11/19/2002 at 19:38:05

JAMES G. BERRYHILL was born in Iowa City on the 5th of November, 1852. His
father, Charles H. Berryhill, became a resident of Johnson County in 1838,
before Iowa City had an existence, Iowa Territory having been organized that
year. The son attended the public schools and took the collegiate course in
the State University, graduating in 1873. He then entered the Law Department
from which he graduated in 1876. Removing to Des Moines in 1877, Mr.
Berryhill engaged in the practice of his profession. In 1885 Mr. Berryhill
was elected a Representative in the Twenty-first General Assembly, and became
chairman of the committee on appropriations in which position he did
excellent service. He was reelected at the close of his term and in the
Twenty-seventh General Assembly organized and led the movement which resulted
in the enactment of laws exercising control over railroad corporations in the
interest of the people. A full account of this legislation will be found in
Volume III of this history. Mr. Berryhill is a man of affairs, having large
business enterprises under his management. In politics he is an active
Republican and at one time was strongly supported for Represenative in
Congress in the Seventh District.