John Stoughton Newberry


John Stoughton Newberry was an American industrialist and politician. He served as the first provost marshal for the State of Michigan and as a U.S. Representative from the state of Michigan.

Early life

Newberry was born in Waterville, New York, the son of Elihu Newberry and Rhoda Newberry. He moved with his parents to Michigan when a child, residing in Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Romeo. He completed preparatory studies at Romeo Academy and graduated from the University of Michigan in 1847. He spent two years in civil engineering working with the Michigan Central Railroad, then studied law in Detroit. He was admitted to the bar in 1853, and specialized in maritime law. He played with the Detroit Base Ball Club for a short time.

Career

He published the first volume of admiralty reports of decisions of cases arising on western lakes and rivers. In the early 1860s, Newberry joined the railroad car manufacturing firm of Dean and Eaton, renaming it Newberry, Dean and Eaton Manufacturing Co. When James McMillan joined the firm in 1864, the company was reorganized as the Michigan Car Company. With McMillan, Newberry also established the Detroit Car Wheel Company. He was appointed the first provost marshal for the State of Michigan by U.S. President Abraham Lincoln in 1862 with the rank of captain of Cavalry. Newberry resigned in 1864 and engaged in several large manufacturing and railroad enterprises.
Newberry was elected as a Republican candidate to the Forty-sixth United States Congress, serving Michigan's 1st congressional district from March 4, 1879 to March 3, 1881. He declined to be a candidate for reelection in 1880. He served as director of The Detroit and Cleveland Steam Company, Detroit, Bay City and Alpena Railroad and the Detroit National Bank.

Death and legacy

Newberry died in Detroit on January 2, 1887, and is interred in Elmwood Cemetery.
The town of Newberry, Michigan is named after Newberry, as a consequence of the congressman's business interest in the Detroit, Mackinac and Marquette Railroad.
An impressive Romanesque building was built from native fieldstone on the campus of the University of Michigan between 1888 and 1891. Nearly half of the building's cost was covered by a gift from Helen H. Newberry, and in recognition the building was named Newberry Hall in honor of her husband.
The landmark Newberry Memorial Organ was constructed in his honor at Yale University, where his son Truman graduated in 1885.

Family life

Newberry was the nephew of Walter Loomis Newberry and Oliver Newberry.
Newberry was married in 1855 to Harriet N. Robinson. She died the following year, 10 days after giving birth to their son Harrie R. Newberry. On October 6, 1859 he married Helen P. Handy, the daughter of Truman P. Handy, a well-known financier and banker in Cleveland. They had three children, Truman Handy Newberry, John S. Newberry and Helen H. Newberry. His daughter was married to Henry Bourne Joy, President of the Packard Motor Car Company.