The Beery Family of Henry County, Iowa

LEVI L. BEERY, a farmer and dairyman of Baltimore Township, is prominent among the [L agriculturists and business men of Henry County, and his name has been for years a familiar one. He was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1814, and is the son of Isaac and Mary (Cridlebaugh) Beery, who came to this county in 1842. Isaac Beery was born in Rockingham County, Va., and his wife in Reading, Pa., their marriage being celebrated in Ohio. Mr. Beery built a flatboat for the purpose of emigration, and on it made the journey to Ohio, where he was one of the first settlers. He was a minister of the Dunkard faith, also a farmer, and after living for many- years lives worthy of emulation, the parents were called to their final home. They reared a family of twelve children: Delilah, Catherine, George, Andrew, Elizabeth, Levi L., Maria, Elijah, Jesse, Isaac, Enoch and Priseilla. Eight of these children are now living, but our subject is the only one residing in this county. In Ohio Levi L. Beery was wedded to Miss Margaret Short, in 1839. He came to this county, as before stated, in 1842, and the next year brought his young wife, selecting this for a permanent home. He was present at the treaty made with the Indians, at the time of the second purchase, and the land selected by Mr. Beery was upon the Black Hawk purchase, and the fertile valley that produces such bountiful crops was the favorite luinting-ground of the Indians, wIki had two considerable villages not far from his present homestead. Mr. Beery made a first purchase of 1C2 acres, which was occupied by a squatter who had built a small cal)in upon the site of his present home. With his young wife, Mr. Beery moved into the cabin, and after twelve months of pioneer life he erected a more commodious house.

Mr. Beery is an example of a typical self-made ______ man, and was in straightened circumstances when he first came to this county. He erected a mill in 1844, which lie operated for perhaps a score of years. Later, putting in an engine and boiler, he added a gristmill, and this was also operated for several years, Mr. Beery having learned the miller's trade while engaged in the business. The ruins now serve as a landmark. This mill was the principal source of Mr. Beery's good fortune, and from that investment his possessions have increased with his years, until he now owns nearly a section of the finest land in Baltimore Township, stocked with flocks and herds, and the bottom lands are of the most productive character. His buildings are in keeping with his enterprise, and in addition to his farming interests he has a cheese factory with a capacity of 700 pounds weekly. His own cows supply the milk, and the products find a ready sale in the home markets: in fact, the demand is greater than the supply. Aside from the industries mentioned, Mr. Beery has done a large business for years in both grain and stock, which has been also a source of profit and pleasure.

Mr. and Mrs. Beery have seven children: Jane, now the wife of A. L. Micksell, a resident of Covington, Miami Co., Ohio: AVilliam H., wedded to Lizzie Briton: Isaac, husband of Nellie IMoul; Enoch, married to Susie Rains; Mary, Delilah and Angeline, at home with their parents. In addition, Mr. and Mrs. Beery are rearing as carefully as their own, a niece, Gertie Beery, a daughter of Jefferson and Martha Beery.

This household has ever been noted for its courtesy and kindness, and as host and hostess the names of L. L. Beery and his estimable wife are known far and wide. The first family reunion occurred Oct. 15, 1887, at which all the children were present with their respective husbands and wives. Mr. Beery has lived a life worthy of emulation, and as his years increase, his love and veneration for the Republican party increase, and although nut a candidate forollicial position, he isan ardent worker, and at the last county convention, held at Mt. Pleasant, he was Chairman. His children have been carefully educated, and all have certificates entitling them to teach, and some of them have taught in this county; Delilah and Angeline have been teachers in Nebraska, and Jane in Ohio. The same teacher that was preceptor wlieii Mr. Beery was a student, was the instructor of his children— Prof. S. L. Howe, who founded the academy which bears his name, and which has given an education to many people of note from this and other States.

Mr. Beery was a schoolmate with Gen. W. T. and.Tohn Siierman, Tom Ewing and other noted men, and in their boyhood days their debates grew ardent in their literary societies. Men grow old in years, but their good deeds and their virtues are left for examples for future generations, and to such men as Mr. Beery Henry County owes much of the fame she possesses as a leading county in the State of Iowa.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

WILLIAM H. BEERY.

William H. Beery, one of the trustees of Center township, who is extensively engaged in farming and is also a director of the Henry County Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company, was born in Baltimore township, this county, on the 12th of March, 1846, a son of Levi L. and Margaret (Short) Beery. The father, a pioneer settler of this state, was born in Lancaster county, Ohio, in 1814, and was a son of Isaac Beery, a native of Germany, who came to Ohio on crossing the Atlantic to America. Levi Beery was reared in the Buckeye state and there wedded Miss Margaret Short, who was a native of Pennsylvania. He was a tanner by trade and followed that pursuit until 1840, when he visited Iowa on a prospecting tour and purchased land in Henry county. In 1842 he removed with his family to his farm in Baltimore township, transforming the wild and unimproved land into a rich and productive tract. In the course of years his place became a valuable farm and remained his home up to the time of his death. He also had one of the first saw and grist mills of the county on Big Creek and vas a promoter of the substantial improvement and material welfare of the county for many years. As his financial resources increased he made judicious investment in property until he owned between seven and eight hundred acres of land at the time of his demise. He held different township offices, the duties of which he discharged in a capable manner and his death, which occurred in 1892, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. His wife, a most estimable lady, passed away in 1890.

William H. Beery is indebted to the district schools of Baltimore township for the early education he acquired but later he attended Howe's Academv in Mount

I'pleasant, then one of the leading academic schools of the country. When he put aside his text-books he gave his attention to farm work on the old homestead until twenty-one years of age. when he made a trip through the west, visiting.California, Nevada, the Black Hills and other districts. He was one of the first in the Black Hills country, where he engaged in prospecting and mining. He opened up a mine there and was very successful in its operation. He was also in Colorado and subsequently in New Mexico and on selling his interests there he returned to Henry county and purchased a farm in Center township comprising" two hundred and fifty acres of land and constituting one of the best farm properties here. He has prospered in his management of his agricultural interests and in addition to the home place he owns eighty acres of land in Bath township. All of the improvements upon his property have been made by him and in 1904 he erected a beautiful residence with all modern equipments. It is lighted by gas and he has his own gas and water plant upon the place. The home is conveniently situated two miles from the city and is a most desirable and attractive residence. Mr. Beery is an extensive stock-feeder as well as general agriculturist and both branches of his business are proving profitable.

In 1882 Mr. Beery was married to Lillie A. Brittain, a native of Baltimore township and a daughter of Robert Brittain. They now have two children: Agnes, a student in Iowa Wesleyan University; and Wilbur H., at home. Mr. Beery has been an active republican and has served on both the township and county central committees, acting on the latter when President McKinley was elected. He has frequently been a delegate to party conventions and has been called to public office, serving now as township trustee, in which office he has been the incumbent for fifteen consecutive years. During that time many permanent improvements have been made in the roads and in installing cement culverts. He has likewise been the champion of advancement along educational lines and the schools find in him a stalwart friend. He belongs to Mount Pleasant Lodge, No. 8, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of which he was senior warden for a number of years and he affiliates with Mystic Lodge, Independent Order Odd Fellows. For twenty years he has been an officer and director of the Henry County Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company, of which his father was one of the charter members and Mr. Beery is now serving as vice president. His work in behalf of public progress has been of a practical and beneficial character, while in his business life he has achieved prosperity and at the same time has made an honorable name.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Enoch Beery is the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land in Salem township, located on section 22 and as a general agriculturist and stock-raiser he has become well known by reason of his practical enterprising methods and his enviable success. He was born in Baltimore township. Henry county, on the 6th of October, 1856, and is a son of Levi L. and margaret (Short) Beery, both of whom were natives of Fairfield county, Ohio. The paternal grandfather was Isaac Beery. It was the year 1842 that Levi L. Beery came to this county and had located, after which his wife and two children joined him, he having been married in Fairfield county, Ohio. He purchased land in Baltimore township, securing a tract of timber situated on Big Creek. Only- a few acres had been cleared and he at once began the difficult task of cutting away the timber, clearing out the Ijrush and grubbing out the stumps. He cleared many acres and thus aided in subduing the wilderness and transforming a wild tract into a valuable possession. His first purchase comprised one hundred and sixty acres of land, but as he prospered in his undertakings and his financial resources were increased he also increased his acreage until he had about one thousand acres in Henry county. He also made judicious investments in real estate in Nebraska, having one thousand acres in Fillmore and Valley counties. He died in the year 1893, having for about, two years survived his wife, who died in 1891.

Enoch Beery was the youngest in a family of seven children, three of whom were sons. He pursued his early education in the district schools and afterward attended. Howe's Academy at Mount Pleasant, thus acquiring a good English education which well equipped him for the performance of life's practical and responsible duties. He spent his boyhood days in Baltimore township, living with his parents until twenty-eight years of age, when he was married and established a home of his own. It was on the 27th of November, 1883, that he wedded Miss Susan Rains, who was born in New London township and was a student in the public schools in her girlhood days. Her parents were Zebbedee and Phebe (Hamell) Rains, both of whom were natives of Indiana and her paternal grandfather was Samuel Rains and her maternal grandmother Dorcas Hamell. Three children were born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Beery; Levi L., born September 7, 1888; Floyd R., born November 26, 1891; and Mary H., August 2/, 1894.

Following his marriage Enoch Beery took up his above upon a farm of two hundred and twenty acres on section 22, Salem township. He came into possession of this tract at his father's death and later he added one hundred acres, so that he now has a valuable farm of three hundred and twenty acres. This tract, like much of Iowa's land, is very productive, responding readily to cultivation and he carries on general farming and stock-raising, keeping horses, cattle, hogs and sheep upon his place. 'Sir. Beery is an extensive and successful stock-dealer, his principal business being buying and selling stock cattle, selling to the feeders mainly.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.