Abbie Howe Berry

Abbie Howe Berry

• Father: James Micajah Berry b. March 1862, d. 12 May 1909
• Mother: Abbie Howe Bell b. circa 20 September 1858, d. circa 23 February 1891

• Abbie Howe Berry was born in February 1884 in Bedford, Virginia.
• Her name was recorded as Effie H. in the 1900 census.
• James Micajah Berry and Emeline L. Campbell appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Bedford, Virginia, at Bedford Avenue. Other members of the household included Abbie Howe Berry, James Micajah Berry, Thomas D. Berry, Eloise Douglas Berry, Mary Annis Berry and John Clarke Berry.
• The following appeared on 19 April 1905 in The Times-Dispatch: Invitations have been received by relatives in Richmond for the marriage of Miss Abbie Berry to Mr. George Miles, of Bedford City, son of Mr. George Miles, of Appomattox, Va.
       Recent bereavement in the bride's family has changed the plans for the marriage, which will be celebrated quietly at 9 o'clock, on the evening of June first, in the Episcopal Church at Bedford City. Miss Berry is a niece of Mr. Benjamin H. Berry, of this city, and a granddaughter of the late W. W. Berry, of Bedford City, for many years prominently identified with journalistic and political life in Virginia. Mr. Edmund Miles, Mr. George Miles's brother, will attend him as best man.
• She married George Miles, son of George Miles and Martha Elizabeth (?), on 1 June 1905 in Bedford, Virginia, at St. John's Episcopal Church.
• The following appeared on 2 June 1905 in The Times-Dispatch: (Bedford City, June 1) The marriage of Miss Abbie Howe Berry, the eldest daughter of Mr. James M. Berry, to Mr. George Miles, Jr., was solemnized at St. John's Episcopal Church this evening at 9:30 o'clock in the presence of a large assemblage of friends and relatives, Rev. Dallas Tucker, the rector of the church, officiating.
       The church was very tastefully decorated with potted Boston ferns, boughs of the beautiful shell-tinted mountain ivy and daisies forming a flowry background within the chancel for the impressive service of matrimony. Many electric lights shed a mellow glow upon the fair scene. Professor W. Saunders Adams, of Lynchburg, gave a delightful organ recital prior to the arrival of the bridal party and rendered the wedding marches and played softly during the ceremony.
       The ushers advanced first and took positions on either side of the rostrum. They were in full evening dress and wore boutonniers of lilies of the valley. They were Messrs. Hans Suhling and H. T. Nicholas, of Lynchburg; Robert L. Scott, of Norfolk; Miles Faggart, of Roanoke; S. S. Lambeth, Jr., T. W. Richardson, O. C. Bell and E. C. Burks, of Bedford City.
       Then came the matron of honor, Mrs. O. C. Bell, arrayed in a lovely costume of figured heliotrope silk mulle with trimmings of German Val lace, satin girdle of two shades of heliotrope and wearing a coronet of heliotrope; in her hand she carried a bouquet of heliotrope with long ribbons of smilax; after whom came the little maid of honor and sister of the bride, Miss Ellaoise Berry, in a lovely frock of white silk, white shoes and hose and carrying white roses. Last came the bride, very charming and lovely, clad in an exquisite creation of white crepe and German Val lace, over white taffeta with white girdle; over the fair form fell in filmy folds the long veil of tulle. In her hand she held a shower bouquet of lilies of the valley. She was escorted by her father, Mr. James M. Berry, to the foot of the rostrum, where she was met by the groom and his best man and brother, Mr. Edmund Miles, of Pittsburg, Pa., both in full dress. Then the betrothal service took place. The remainder of the ceremony was performed in front of the chancel.
       The party left the church in reversed order and repaired to the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Berry, where a reception was held to the relatives and immediate friends of the two families.
       The house was beautifully decked with roses and other flowers, upon which many lights glowed with pleasing effect. These, with the beautiful evening costumes of the ladies, and evening dress of the men, all conspired to form a memorable scene, of which the fair young bride was the center. Tempting and dainty substantial refreshments followed by frozen dainties, strawberries and cake were dispensed in graceful style.
       Rarely has there been so valuable and handsome an array here of bridal presents as was presented these fortunate young people, who enter upon life's united journey under such auspicious circumstances.
       Mr. and Mrs. Miles left on the midnight east-bound train for an extended journey to Nova Scotia and other points.
       The going away gown of the bride was a very handsome blue silk walking costume, with hat and gloves to correspond. The bride is a very accomplished, handsome young lady, of sparkling wit and brightness and a devotee of music, being an exceptionally gifted pianist. She is a greatniece of Mr. B. H. Berry, Mrs. James Poindexter and Miss Ophelia Berry, of Richmond.
       The groom is a young business man of fine ability, and very successful, who, during his nearly four years' residence in Bedford City, has won many friends. He is a member of the largte and prosperous firm of the Berry, Suhling Tobacco Company, and the agent of the Alberti Company, leaf exporters.
       Among guests from other points, who attended the marriage, were Mr. and Mrs. George Miles, of Appomattox, the parents of the groom;p Mr. and Mrs. William S. Carroll, of Lynchburg, the latter the sister of the groom, and their children; Mrs. Harold O. Smith, of Indianapolis, Ind., and Miss Clara Carroll, of Lynchburg; Mrs. Dr. John Mahoney, of Richmond; Mrs. Norton R. Savage, Richmond; Mrs. Harvey Moore, Mrs. Frank Dorsey and Miss Kittie Leyman, of Indianapolis; Mr. and Mrs. Gerhard Suhling, Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Adams, Miss Elizabeth J. Nicholas, Mrs. John L. Caskie, Miss Lucy Jackson, Miss Louise Jackson and Mr. W. W. Dickerson, all of Lynchburg.
• The following appeared on 30 January 1908 in The Times-Dispatch: (Bedford City, Jan. 29) The funeral services of Mrs. Em. Campbell Berry took place this morning from the home of her husband, Mr. James M. Berry, on Bedford Avenue, conducted by Rev. Dallas Tucker, rector of St. John's Episcopal Church, of which she was a devoted and valued member, being also a most efficient and useful member of the Woman's Auxiliary Missionary Society and Guild of the church. There was a large assemblage of relatives and friends to testify to their love and admiration.
       Mrs. Berry was a native of Galveston, Tex., whence about fifteen years ago she came as the bride of Mr. James M. Berry, and by her attractive person, rare intelligence, culture and loveliness of character soon won her way to the hearts of all those with whom she came in contact. She is survived by her husband and six children, who are Ellaoise, Mary, Clark, Edmonia, Nellie and Georgia, the two last twin infants, only ten weeks old. Scarce less devoted to her are the children of Mr. Berry's first marriage, who are Mrs. George Miles, Jr., James and Tom Berry.
• The following appeared on 13 May 1909 in The Times-Dispatch: (Bedford City, May 12) James M. Berry died this afternoon after an illness of many months, aged forty-eight years. He was engaged in the tobacco business until ill health compelled his retiring. He is survived by the following children: Mrs. George Miles, Jr., J. M. Berry, Jr., Thomas D. Berry, Eloise, Mary, Clark and Edmonia Betty; a sister, Mrs. J. F. Spencer, of Brookneal; two brothers, T. D. and W. W. Berry. He was a nephew of B. H. Berry, Miss Ophelia and Mrs. James Poindexter, of Richmond.
• George Miles and Abbie Howe Berry appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Bedford, Virginia, at 420 Bedford Avenue and one female domestic servant.. Other members of the household included Eloise Douglas Berry and Edmonia S. Berry.
• George Miles and Abbie Howe Berry appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Bedford, Virginia, at 703 Baltimore Avenue. Other members of the household included George Miles and Edmonia S. Berry.
• Abbie Howe Berry became a widow at the between 1920 and 1930 death of her husband George Miles.
• The following appeared on 28 June 1925 in the Richmond Times-Dispatch: (Bedford, June 27) Mrs. John Gregg and two daughters, of Fort Worth, Tex., and Miss Eloise Berry, of Austin, are visiting Mrs. George Miles and other relatives in Bedford.
• Abbie Howe Berry appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Bedford, Virginia, at 708 Baltimore Avenue. Other members of the household included George Miles and Edmonia S. Berry.

• Last Edited: 9 Apr 2012