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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Fulton County
Munsell Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908

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The Biography of James W. BERKEY 

[Surnames: BERKEY, DAILEY, DORNS, FOUTZ, KEITHLEY] 

BERKEY, JAMES W. 

    
His whole life has been spent in Fulton County, IL., and where beginning as a hired farm hand, he has progressed to the ownership of a highly productive farm in Fairview Twp. 
    
He was born in Deerfield Twp., Oct. 1, 1860, a son of Josiah and Catherine (Dailey) Berkey, natives of Ohio and Penn., respectively, the father being born in the former state Nov. 23, 1834. Josiah Berkey moved from Ohio to Illinois at an early period, locating in Deerfield Twp., where he purchased a small farm. This he cleared and improved, and on it was engaged in general farming until the time of his death, which occurred on Sept. 13, 1864. He was a man of diligence and scrupulous honesty, and was favorably regarded by all who knew him. He and his worthy wife were the parents of four children, namely:
Charles F., James W., Eliza A., and Catherine A. 
    
James W. Berkey, our subject, was reared to farm life and during the winter season attended the district school. On approaching his maturity he hired out as a farm hand for some time. He commenced farming on his own, having bought from Joseph Keithley 80 acres in Sect. 12, Fairview Twp. To his first purchase he added five years later, sixty acres adjoining, which were a part of the Zook estate. He has since conducted general farming with successful results. He is also the owner of 120 acres in the State of Minnesota. 
    
On Oct. 20, 1887, Mr. Berkey married in Fairview Twp. with Mattie Foutz, who was born in that twp., July 11, 1863. She is a daughter of William H. H. and Barbara A. (Dorns) Foutz, natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Berkey became the parents of two children, namely:
Archie and William. 
    
The political opinions of Mr. Berkey are in accordance with the Republican party, and he is an adherent of the Methodist Church.