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William Jasper Berry was born February 16, 1858, in Wayne County, Tennessee. He was the eldest of three children born to Joseph George Berry and Elmira Jane Cypert.
The 1860 Wayne County census shows William, age 2, with his parents.
The 1870 Wayne County census shows 12 year old William living at home with his parents and two sisters.
Jasper married Lucy Dora Mae Ramsey on October 23, 1877, in Maury County, Tennessee.
The Goodspeed Histories of Lawrence, Wayne, Perry, Hickman & Lewis Counties, TN states that "in 1876, he engaged as a retail dealer in the liquor business in Waynesboro, and remained there until 1881, when he removed his business to Clifton. He has met with good success in his undertakings, and conducts a strictly first class saloon. He keeps a fine stock of pure whiskies, wines, beer, etc......Mr. Berry is a stanch Republican, and was city recorder of Clifton two terms."
Information from Ronald G. Berry indicates William Jasper moved his family to Tecumseh, Oklahoma, near Shawnee, about 1893. William became a deputy for Sheriff Joe Dickerson, who was a cousin of his and was also from Tennessee. At one time Jasper was Postmaster at Quay, Oklahoma, and engaged in real estate and insurance.
Jasper and Dora Mae later moved to Stroud, Payne County, Oklahoma. Dora died June 4, 1901 and is buried in Stroud Cemetery. Jasper died August 16, 1927 and is also buried in Stroud Cemetery.
Children of William Jasper Berry and Lucy Dora Mae Ramsey
1. Kate Berry, b. 1879, TN; d. 1891
2. Joseph Claiborn Berry, b. 1880, TN; d. 1903; bur. Stroud, OK; m. Edna Newton
3. Ralph Millard Berry, b. 1883, TN
4. Clarence Berry, b. 1885, TN, d. in infancy
5. Willie Lou Berry, b. 1889, TN; d. 1972, OK; m. Earl Evans Waters
6. Marguerite Lesta Berry, b. 1892, TN; m. Frank Hamilton Logan
7. Lucille Nan Berry, b. 1895, OK; m. Samuel Stubbs
8. Louis Henri Berry, b. 1895, OK; d. 1968, KS; m. Ethel Bunker