My Genealogy Hound

Reuben Beary, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Lehigh County, Penn., October 19, 1810, is of German descent, and a son of Abraham and Sarah (Barkhalder) Beary, natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia, respectively. The father was a carpenter by trade, and built and contracted quite extensively, erecting churches, school-houses and other public buildings. He engaged in this business until his death, which occurred in Lehigh County. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in his native county, and at the age of sixteen, having learned the carpentering business from his father, he engaged in that pursuit, which he followed for several years, sometimes employing from four to six men. In 1856 he came to Missouri, and pre-empted and entered land where he now lives. He at first entered but 160 acres, but afterward bought 160 acres more across the road, in Section 32, and forty acres in Section 34, and, although he presented his son with eighty acres, still owns at present 240 acres of improved meadow and pasture, upon which is a good house, barn, etc. He was married in New York, in 1837, to Miss Ann Shad, a native of that State. Mrs. Beary died in 1846, leaving a family of four children: Sophia (wife of Peter Bucher), Caroline (wife of David Lamme, of Idaho), J. D. S. (see sketch) and Polly (who died aged ten). Mr. Beary afterward was married in Indiana to Simiria Miller, by whom he had four children, all deceased. His second wife died in Indiana,and he was married April 8, 1864, in Putnam County, to Mary Miller, nee McNealy, daughter of John McNealy. This lady was born in Pennsylvania, and is the mother of five children by this marriage, four of whom are living: Isabell (wife of F. Reese), Armenia (wife of Grant Alexander), Rosell and Rosa, twins, living at home. In 1839 Mr. Beary moved from New York to Ohio and in 1839 located in Summit County, and practiced his trade in Akron two years. He moved to Whitley County, Ind., in 1841, where he cleared and improved land, and followed his trade. In 1856 he sold out and moved to Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Beary and a daughter are members of the United Brethren Church. Mr. Beary is a liberal gentleman, and contributes largely to public enterprises.