History of the Town of Berry
Berry’s location in the Northwest quarter of Dane County marks the furthest extent of the glacial advance during the last Ice Age, accounting for the Town’s distinctive and diverse topography. The Southern and Western portions have steeply sloping hills and bluffs typical of "driftless" areas of the state. The Northeastern third is marked by ground moraines, Indian Lake, and other glacial remnants.
The lands encompassing the Township of Berry were originally part of the Sauk and Fox Indian Nations. Surveyed in the 1830's and settled by English, German, and other immigrant groups seeking agricultural lands, the Town was organized on April 2, 1850 with 24 votes being recorded at its first formal meeting.
During the late 1800’s, Marxville (formerly Halfway Prairie) served as the town’s commercial center, boasting a store, several blacksmith shops and other establishments. Marxville is believed to be named after a German immigrant, Johann Marx, who, although not the area's first settler, was one of the largest landowners. The name is said to have been decided when the resourceful Mr. Marx showed up at the settlers' feast with a barrel of beer.
Three "Civil War" trees still stand at the junction of Highway 19 and Old Settlers Road, the only survivors of the 38 fir trees planted in 1861 by the Women's Club of Berry as men joined the Union Army and went off to fight in the Civil War. Unfortunately, many of the trees surrendered to construction of Highway 19.
Nearby, Sunning Hill, the first "established" burial ground in the Town of Berry, is the final resting place of many of the original settlers. Nine Civil War veterans are buried in the cemetery, along with a Civil War nurse, Annie Roberts Taylor, who died in 1870.
For much of its history, the Town of Berry remained primarily an agricultural community. Agriculture remains the primary land use in the township to this day.
