Berry was born in Paddock, Holt County, Nebraska, and attended public school in O\'Neill, Nebraska. He was married to Lorena McLain and they had four children.\n', '

Berry moved to South Dakota in 1897. He homesteaded in Gregory County, moved to Todd County, and finally settled in Mellette County south of Belvidere. He built up a 30,000 acre (120 km²) ranch raising Hereford cattle and saddle horses. Berry served in the House of Representatives of the South Dakota Legislature from 1925 to 1931, and was a member of the Custer State Park Board.\n', '

Elected governor twice, in 1932 and 1934, Berry assisted in South Dakota\'s recovery from the Great Depression. As Governor, he acted as Federal Relief Administrator and helped secure federal aid. He called the legislature into special session to legalize 3.2 percent beer and again to enact unemployment insurance. During his tenure, state property tax was abolished, replaced by gross income tax which was replaced by a state sales tax.\n', '

Return to Tom Berry Autograph Profile