John Stoughton Newberry (November 18, 1826-January 2, 1887) was a U.S. Representative and industrialist from the state of Michigan. Newberry was born in Waterville, New York and moved with his parents to Michigan when a child, residing successively in Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Romeo. He completed preparatory studies in Romeo Academy and graduated from University of Michigan in 1847. He spent two years in civil engineering on railroads, then studied law in Detroit and was admitted to the bar in 1853. He published the first volume of admiralty reports of decisions of cases arising on western lakes and rivers.
Along with James McMillan, he established the Michigan Car Company of Detroit in 1863 and later 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 enterprises.
Newberry was elected as a Republican to the Forty-sixth Congress, serving from March 4, 1879-March 3, 1881. He was not a candidate for reelection in 1880. Newberry died in Detroit and is interred in Elmwood Cemetery in Detroit.
Newberry was the father of Truman Handy Newberry, by his second wife, Helen P. Handy, the daughter of Truman P. Handy, a well known financier and banker in Cleveland.
This article incorporates facts obtained from the public domain Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
