Colonel Berkey was born in Somerset, Perry county, Ohio, January 5, 1842, and there resided until his emigration to the west, his identification with the Pacific coast dating from June 25, 1869, at which time he arrived in Sacramento, where he has been engaged in various important business ventures.  His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, often called him to public office, where he has manifested his loyalty to the general good by faithfully and promptly executing his duties.  He was elected the county clerk of Sacramento county in 1877, and after capably filling the position for two years, was re-elected in 1879, serving for a second term of three years, so that he filled the office for five consecutive years.

      On his retirement from office he turned his attention to the real-estate and insurance business and soon secured a good clientage along that line, handling some important realty transactions.  In 1894 his fellow townsmen again called him to office and he was elected assessor for a term of four years.  In 1898 he was again elected, so that he is now serving for the second term, which will terminate January 1, 1903. While undoubtedly he has not been without that honorable ambition which is so powerful an incentive to activity in public affairs, he is one that has subordinated personal ambition to the public good and sought rather to benefit his county than the aggrandizement of self.

Source: “A Volume Of Memoirs And Genealogy of Representative Citizens Of Northern California” Standard Genealogical Publishing Co. Chicago. 1901. Page 87-88.

Submitted by: Betty Tartas.

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