Nathan O'Berry was born in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, on January 26, 1856. O'Berry was a prominent businessman, lumber executive, and public official. He was the president of the Whiteville Lumber Company in Goldsboro (Wayne County), North Carolina. O'Berry held a variety of public positions in Goldsboro, but upon his death there on January 6, 1932, he was best remembered for his service as State Treasurer during the administration of Governor O. Max Gardner.