Levi L. Beery

As printed in 1888

EVI 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 j-ear 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 Portrait and biographical album of Henry County, Iowa, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and biog (1888). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.