Berry Ellis Finch was born in Campbell County, Georgia, on April 11, 1841, where the town of Douglassville now stands. He was reared on a farm, and under his father's teaching learned the rules and principles pertaining to farm-life. At an early date in his life his father moved to Carroll County, and bought a farm at Villa Rica, Georgia. On March 28, 1858, he was married to Miss Susan Dovey Smith. She made him a faithful companion for forty-six years, when the Lord called her to her reward.

January 1, 1860, he moved to Franklin County, Alabama, making that his adopted home. On March 12, 1862, from a call of his country, he enlisted in the Confederate Army, joining the Thirty-fifth Regiment, Alabama Volunteers, and served in that command until paroled May 16, 1865. He took part in the various fights from Atlanta, Ga. to Baton Rogue, La., Corinth, Holly Springs, Vicksburg, Baker's Creek, Port Hudson, and several others.

When he entered the service as a soldier he promised God that if He would spare his life through the war and let him safely return to his home, he would serve Him the rest of his life.

During a great army revival he was converted and joined the M.E. Church, South, In the year 1870, he was licensed to preach. Sometime in the eighties he joined the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, assigning as a reason for so doing he liked the government and doctrine of the latter church better.

He has made a faithful and loyal minister, having all the time been actively engaged in pastoral work. He has served the same group of churches for twenty-three years.

He says, according to the laws of nature, he hasn't long to stay in this world; but is prepared, and listening for the long roll to call him away, where the Savior has gone to prepare for him a mansion not made with hands.

[Source: Our Senior Soldiers: The Biographies and Autobiographies of Eighty Cumberland Presbyterian Preachers. Compiled by The Cumberland Presbyterian Board of Publication. Nashville, Tenn.: Cumberland Presbyterian Board of Publication, 1915, pages 40-41]

[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1921, page 311]