Arthur Berry (politician)

Arthur Ritchie Berry (November 28, 1879^[1]—July 23, 1943^[2]) was a politician in Manitoba, Canada. He served in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 1922 to 1936.^[1]

Berry was born in Owen Sound, Ontario and came to the Manitou district with his parents as an infant. They later emigrated to North Dakota. In 1895, Berry settled on a homestead in the Umatilla district in the Grandview area. He married Hilda Longmuir in 1910. He worked as a farmer. Berry also served as a member of the Grandview town council.^[2]

He was first elected to the Manitoba legislature in the 1922 provincial election, as a candidate of the United Farmers of Manitoba (UFM) in the Gilbert Plains constituency.^[1] The UFM unexpectedly won a majority of seats in this election, and formed government as the Progressive Party.

Berry was re-elected by a secure majority in the 1927 election. In 1932, the Progressives formed an alliance with the Manitoba Liberal Party, and government members became known as "Liberal-Progressives". Berry was re-elected under this banner in the 1932 campaign,^[1] defeating Conservative candidate H.A. Alley by 289 votes. He lost the nomination to G.D. Shortread in 1936.^[2]

Throughout his time in the legislature, Berry served as a backbench supporter of John Bracken's government.

He died in the Winnipeg General Hospital after being ill for two weeks.^[2]

References