Berkley, John W.

1840 - 1903

Dry Goods Merchant and Banker.

John W. Berkley was born around 1840 in Montgomery County, Kentucky and moved to Lexington when he was seventeen to clerk for his brother.  During the next few years, he was associated with a number of firms engaged in the dry goods business and during the 1870s, he formed J. W. Berkley & Company, a dry goods merchant.  In addition, at one time he operated a gentlemen's clothing and furnishing store.  From 1878 to 1882 Mr. Berkley was the founding Vice President of the National Exchange Bank and in 1883 President of the Third National Bank.  He remained in that position until a few weeks before his death in 1903.