Berry, Ira 23.sep.1801-20.sep.1891 USA New Hampshire, New Durham - Maine, Portland
poet, musician, printer, publisher, freemason, 1831 moved to Augusta Maine, publisher of Maine newspapers in Augusta, Norway and Portland, 1837 of the Gospel Banner Augusta, he published many of Elbridge Locke's Civil War songs, 1834-1891 residing in Portland, charter member of the Portland Beethoven Society and the Haydn Association, honorary member of the Ladies' Rossini Club Portland and a constant attendant at their rehearsals and recitals, politicians like James W Bradbury and Governor Dunlap used to speak with delight of his talent at singing comic songs, he was frequently called upon for poems and songs for public celebrations, an accomplished musical scholar and critic and active supporter of the musical enterprises of Portland, 1856-1891 grand secretary of the Maine masonic Grand Chapter, Lodge, Council and Commandery, died at his home on 72 Brown Street and was buried on the 90th anniversary of his birth 23.sep.1891 at Evergreen Cemetery ; son of Stephen Berry (NH, Rochester 13.jul.1771-23.aug.1836 Maine, Exeter) and Alice Chamberlain (NH, Alton 11.jul.1780-24.mar.1851 Maine, Garland) ; 1.dec.1831 in Massachusetts he married Lydia Marsh Hobart (Massachusetts, Hingham 4.aug.1804-3.dec.1893 Portland) ; they had 9 children, Stephen (Augusta 24.sep.1833-1.feb.1919 Portland) continued the printing business in 1863