Susan Jane (Spicklemire) Berry (1833 - 1910)

In 1854 William's wife, Drucilla, died. He was left with 9 children. It must have been quite a job raising the children as the oldest was only 12 and the youngest 1 month. In 1858 he married Susan Jane Spickelmire (Spickelmier). In later years someone asked Susan why she married a man with all those children. Her reply was she felt sorry for the children and there was not one that she didn't think as much of as her own. William's oldest daughter, Ann Weir, married his new wife's brother, John Calvin Spickelmire, in 1858. Captain W.P. Berry was mustered in to Company C, 10 Iowa Regiment in 1859. He organized Company D at Camp Fremont, Iowa City, in August 1861 and embarked for St. Louis the 24th, arriving the 27th, where it was armed, clothed and equipped. October 1st it moved to Cape Girardeau Point, where it did scouting, general and picket duty until March 1st. Captain Berry resigned March 1862 because of poor health. Neighbors later recalled that his farm was never the same after he returned and he was ill a great deal. In 1872, William and some of his children and their families left for Nebraska in 23 wagons. The first winter was spent near Niobrara, then later they settled near Paddock which is near the Niobrara River. William Preston Berry is buried in the cemetery in Niobrara City.

Susan Jane Spicklemire Berry (1833-1910)

Susan Jane Spicklemire Berry (1833 - 1910), Spouse #2, Marriage: 1 Apr 1858, Boone, Iowa Children: Phoebe Jane (1859-1932), Martha Abigail (1862-1940), Emily Ophelia (1864-),John McCutchen (1866-~1914), Charles Preston (1869-1954), Harriet Telula (1871-1956), Effie (1874-1901), Ettie (1874-1910)