Hiram Gregory Berry was born on August 27, 1824, on his parents' farm in the Meadows of Thomaston (now the City of Rockland), Maine.

[1] Hiram G. Berry was born in Rockland, Maine, where he worked as a carpenter and a navigator.

He also originated and commanded the "Rockland Guard," a volunteer militia company, which held a reputation for drill and discipline.

[1] After being elected on October 8, 1853, Berry was a director of the Lime Rock National Bank in Rockland.

[1] At the beginning of the Civil War, he went to Augusta and offered his services to the Governor and was given orders to recruit a regiment.".