ANDREW BERRYHILL (Died 1845)

BERRYHILL

Posted By: jh (email)
Date: 3/17/2023 at 16:02:10

MELANCHOLY OCCURRENCE. – A cloud of gloom was cast over our city on the morning of the 30th ult., by the news of the death of Mr. Andrew Berryhill, who was drowned in attempting to cross the Cedar River, at a point about sixteen miles north of town, on the evening of the day previous. Mr. Berryhill, who was a merchant of this city, was a young man of amiable disposition and gentlemanly deportment, and had endeared himself to our citizens by a practice of those virtues which ennoble human nature and insensibly command the love and respect of mankind. He had many friends, and he deserved them, for a warm and ardent disposition which guided all his actions gave evidence of a soul not formed to exist for itself alone. He has left several brothers in this city, as well as a numerous circle of relatives at the east to lament his loss.

Since the above was in type the following, giving a more minute account of the catastrophy[sic], has been handed in by a friend of the deceased.

Mournful Occurrence.

Mr. ANDREW BERRYHILL, on his way to Dubuque from this place, on last Wednesday, Oct. 28th, while attempting to ford the Cedar River, became alarmed at the sinking of the horses in quicksand, leaped from the carriage into the water and was drowned. Mr. Johnson, who was driving the horses, while striving to extricate them from their difficulty, looked around for Mr. Berryhill and discovered him within a few feet of the shore. He then gave all his attention to his team, and by great efforts, saved one of his horses; he then looked for his friend, Mr. Berryhill, again, but saw him not. He called for him, but no answer came – he searched for him, but could not find him – Mr. B., in his alarm, had sunk to rise no more. The heedless waters alone heard his cries, mocked and hurried on. On the next day the dead body was taken up and brought to Mr. Swan’s Hotel, where his numerous friends and acquaintances paid to his memory their last tribute of respect.

An appropriate funeral discourse was delivered by the Rev. Doct. Woods, from the 7th chapter of Paul’s 1st Epistle to the Corinthians, 29, 30 and 31st verses, to a large and attentive audience. Mr. Berryhill, by the mildness of his disposition, suavity of his manners and integrity in business, had gained the confidence and the affections of all who knew him. But in the midst of life we are in death:

“The grave is near the cradle scene,
How swift the moments fly between!”
Let the living remember,
“The Lord of Nature only knows
Whether another year shall close.
Ere we expire in death.”

Source: Iowa Capital Reporter (Iowa City, Iowa) / Wednesday, 5 November 1845 / digital page 2, col 5.