John Stoughton Newberry

John Stoughton Newberry
From Volume 2 (1915) of History of Michigan by Charles Moore
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan's 1st district
In office March 4, 1879 – March 3, 1881
Preceded by	Alpheus S. Williams
Succeeded by	Henry W. Lord
Personal details
Born	(1826-11-18)November 18, 1826 Truman Handy Newberry John S. Newberry Helen H. Newberry
Alma mater	University of Michigan
Profession	Industrialist Politician
Signature

John Stoughton Newberry (November 18, 1826 – January 2, 1887) was an American

Upon his return Newberry abandons any more immediate railroad work in favor of studying maritime law in the Detroit law offices of Emmons and Van Dyke. In no time he becomes the acknowledged Midwestern maritime expert, publishing Reports of Admiralty Cases in the Several District Courts of the United States. Newberry wins his first important case, defending Captain Sam Ward, owner of the Ogdenburg, in his case against the Atlantic. He proves himself as the paramount admiralty law litigator in the Midwest and establishes his own law practice in Detroit. While in Buffalo on legal matters, he meets Harriet Newell Robinson, whom he weds in 1856. A son, Harrie, is born the same year. Tragically, ten days later, his wife of less than a year dies. He moved to a downtown hotel and played with the Detroit Base Ball Club for a short time.[1] Three years later while on business in Cleveland, Newberry meets Helen Parmelee Handy, the daughter of prominent banker, Truman Handy. Marrying in 1859, they return to Detroit. Two sons, Truman Handy and John Stoughton Jr., and one daughter, Helen Hall, are born to that union.

Career

He published the first volume of

Newberry died in Detroit on January 2, 1887, and was interred in Elmwood Cemetery. His funeral was the occasion for many tributes, but the one offered by his old Romeo friend and university classmate was probably the best. Judge J. Logan Chipman eulogized, "With Mr. Newberry, as with all great men, there was indomitable will, energy, the great iron power that characterized his whole life." His estate was worth approximately $4.5 million, with investments in more than fifty different companies. To charitable organizations, he left $650,000.

The village of Newberry, Michigan, is named after Newberry, as a consequence of the congressman's business interest in the Detroit, Mackinac and Marquette Railroad.^[6] Several streets within the Village were named after members of Newberry's family.

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.^[7]

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.^[8][9]

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.