BEERY ~ BIERE Family

From Switzerland to Holland to America 1727
Settled in Rockingham Co., Shenandoah Valley, Virginia

Beery Family Researcher's Links

Abraham Beery b. 1736 and Elizabeth Gochenour
Henry L. Bumgardner, Jr. reprinted the History of the Decendants of Abraham Beery, by Joseph H. Wenger, Pub.1905, 317 Pages. An original book in posession of his father, H.L.Bumgardner,Sr. was in deteriating condition and out of print for years. Thx for saving the book Cuz!
Henry L. Bumgardner, Jr.
Claude M. Shawbell III
Raymond Beery
Magdalena Beery b. 1732 and Johnannes Hunziker b. 1728 (Hunsaker):
Kimbley A. Clair
Nicholas Beery, Jr. b. 1739 and 1st wife Barbara Miller:
John 'Red John' Beery b. 1765 and Margaret Shaver: Rochelle R. Phillips
Abraham b. 1773 and Catherine Fast: John L. Poling.
Sarah Beery m. Henry Swartz / Rebecca Swartz m. John Washington Beery
Henry L. Bumgardner, Jr.
Claude M. Shawbell III
Nicholas Beery,Jr. b. 1739 and 2nd wife Mary Good:
Mark William Hill
George Beery b.1743 and Mary MNUknown:
Catherine Barton
Beery Ancestor's in the American Civil War Many Beery names other than my direct lineage is listed here. Your Beery ancestor may be here! Contact me if your Beery ancestor served and is not listed.Claude M. Shawbell III

NOTE - Two books on the history of the Beery Family were written:
  • (1) 'History of the Decendants of Abraham Beery' by Joseph H. Wenger, Pub.1905. Much of Mr. Wenger's material was obtained from Alphaeus W. Dupler, and there have since been found several errors in the genealogical records of both men.
  • (2) 'A Beery Family History' by William Beery and Judith Beery Garber. Printed by the Brethren Publishing House, Elgin, Illinois; 1957. A far more accurate, well documented, and detailed Beery Family record, however there are no more copies of this excellent book available.



  • Origin: Switzerland
  • Religion: Mennonite
  • Earliest Date Known: 1620
  • Arrived in America: Nicholas: 1727 ~ Abraham: 1736 ~ Peter: 1748

Michael BIERE b. abt 1620. He married Magaret B_TLER /BULER. He lived at Diessbach, Bern in 1645, and at Buchholderberg from 1649 to1664.
Children of Michael Biere and Margaret:
  • Catherina b. 30 Aug 1645, Oberdiessbach.
  • Peter b. 5 Dec 1647, Oberdiessbach.
  • Anna b. 16 Dec 1649, Oberdiessbach.
  • Hans b. 31 Oct 1652, Oberdiessbach.
  • Elsbeth, b. 25 Feb 1655, Oberdiessbach.
  • Catherina, b. 21 May 1657, Oberdiessbach. She married Christian TSCHANZ.They lived at Buchholderberg and may have been Anabaptists.
  • Margretha, b. 1 May 1659, Oberdiessbach.
  • Peter, b. 1 Jan 1664, Oberdiessbach.
Hans BIERI, b. 31 Oct 1652, Oberdiessbach. m. abt. 1681Madlena ROHT b. c 1663. They lived at Buchholderberg in Oberdiessbach. He may have been the Hans Bieri who was a follower of Jakob Amman but asked to return the Reist group in 1700. His son Nicholas may be the Mennonite who came to Pennsylvania.

Children of Hans Bieri and Madlena:

  • Anna b. 2 Jun 1682, Oberdiessbach.
  • Margretha b. 17 May 1683, Oberdiessbach.
  • Madlena b. 29 Aug 1684, Oberdiessbach.
  • Michael b. 13 Dec 1685, Oberdiessbach.
  • Catherina b. 5 Jun 1687, Oberdiessbach.
  • Hans b. 18 Apr 1689, Oberdiessbach.
  • Peter b. 18 Oct 1691, Oberdiessbach. Died by 1695.
  • Barbara b. 19 Feb 1693, Oberdiessbach.
  • Peter b. 31 Mar 1695, Oberdiessbach.
  • Elsbeth b. 9 Aug 1696, Oberdiessbach.
  • Verena b. 8 May 1698, Oberdiessbach.
  • Christina b. 3 Apr 1701, Oberdiessbach. Died by 1705.
  • Nicholas b. 6 Apr 1704, Oberdiessbach.
  • Christina b. 21 Jun 1705, Oberdiessbach.
  • Maria b. 12 Aug 1708, Oberdiessbach.
Nicholas Biere (Beery) ~ The Immigrant 1727
Nicholas BIERE (BEERY) b. c. 1704 Berne, Switzerland d. 1 Oct 1762, Shrewsbury twp., York Co.PA. m. Barbara MILLER b.1707 Switzerland d. 27 Jul 1788 York Co.,PA.
**Barbara m. Jacob KEGY between Jul 1766 / Jun 1767.
He arrived on the Ship Friendship in Philadelphia on 16 Oct 1727 with a large group of Mennonites. He settled in York County shortly after his arrival and was granted a patent for 200 acres on 11 Oct 1736 along Codorus Creek. He patented more land in York County in 1742 and 1755. His land was sold to son Abraham Beery in 1767 by his wife Barbara and stepfather Jacob Kegy.

Children of Nicholas Biere and Barbara Miller:

  • John b. abt 1722 Ger. m. Catherina HUNZIKER
  • Magdalena, b. 3 Jan 1732 PA d. 9 Aug 1796 PA m. Johannes HUNZIKER (John HUNTZICKER)-(HUNSAKER) b. 22 May 1728 Baden, Germ. d. Jul 1815 IL (only Son of John HUNZIKER).
  • Barbara b. 3 Jan 1733. m. John GOCHENAUER (KOCKINHAUER)
  • Catharina b. abt 1735. m. John BLASER
  • Susanna b. abt 1737. m. John BIXLER (BICKSLER)
  • Abraham b. abt 1736 PA d.26 May 1799 PA. m. Elizabeth GOCHENOUR (probably a sister of John KOCHENHAUER)
  • Nicholas, Jr. b. June 16, 1739 PA d. 16 Feb 1812 OH. m. 1st: Mary KELLER. 2nd: Mrs. Mary GOOD (GROW).
  • Margaret b. abt 1741. m. John FORRER (FURRY) m.2nd: Jacob BURKHART.
  • George b. 1743. m. MARY.
John BEERY (BIERE) b. abt 1722 Germ. m. Catherina HUNZIKER. John and his mother were appointed on Oct. 22, 1762, as administrators of his father's estate in York County. John was a farmer.
Children of John Beery and Catherina Hunziker:
  • Jacob Beery
  • Daniel Beery
  • Anna Beery m. SEITZ.
    Magdalena BEERY, b. 3 Jan 1732, East Manchester, York Co. PA d. 9 Aug 1796, Springhill, Fayette Co. PA on 15 May 1750 m.Johannes HUNZIKER (HUNSAKER) b. 22 May 1728, Weisbaden, E.Baden, Germany d. Jul 1815, Jonesboro, Union Co., IL.

    Children of Johannes Hunsaker and Magdalena Beery:

    • Abraham b.13 Jun 1751. Died infantcy.
    • John Jr. b. 16 Sept 1752. m. Elizabeth HUBER. Elizabeth and one child were killed by Indians 18 Apr 1792 traveling to settle in Illinios.
    • Barbara b. 6 May 1754
    • Nicholas b. 3 Feb 1756
    • Hartmann b. 20 Aug 1757
    • Jacob b. 6 May 1759
    • Joseph b. 20 May 1761
    • Abraham b.20 Apr 1764 (2nd so named)
    • George b. 12 Mar 1766
    • Catherine b. 5 Mar 1769
    • Magdalena b. 24 Mar 1770
    • Andrew b. 5 Jul 1772
    • Samuel b. 22 Nov 1777
    Magdalena Beery and Johnannes Hunziker (Hunsaker)
    Kimbley A.Clair


    Abraham BEERY, b. 1736, Springettsbury Manor, York Co., PA d. 26 May 1799, buried in Massanutten Cross Keys Presbyterian Church Cemetery. m. Elizabeth (Mary) GOCHENOUR, born? died ?1800, buried in Lindale Mennonite Church Cemetery near Edom, VA . d/o Jacob Gochenauerof Manheim twp.

    Children of Abraham Beery and Elizabeth Gochenour:

    • Abraham b. 1762. m. 1st: Magdalena REIFF (d/o John Rife) on 28 Sep 1786 at Rockingham County, Va. m. 2nd: Barbara GOOD.
    • John b. 1767 m.Barbara KAGY ~ *cousin of his brother Nicholas' wife, also named Barbara KAGY.
    • Nicholas b. 1764. d.1815. He was taxed at Shrewsbury Twp., York County in 1781 as a single man. He moved to Rockingham County, Virginia by 1783 where he was taxed in 1783 as Nicholas Bieri, Jr. m. Barbara KAGY
    • Jacob b. 11 Sep 1769 d. 2 Apr 1842 in Lancaster, Ohio. m. Mary GOOD b. 12 May 1777 (d/o Jacob and Frances Good.) Moved to Rockingham County, Virginia by 1792.
    • George b. 1773. Moved to Rockingham County by 1792. He moved to Perry County, Ohio in 1816 and later to Fairfield County. He married Susan FUNK in 1796.
    • Magdalena (twin) b. 26 Jun 1777. She married Abraham BURNER.
    • Christian (twin) b. 26 Jun 1777. d.15 Oct 1836 at Fairfield County,OH. m. Catherine FUNK 25 Feb 1799 at Rockingham County. Moved to Rockingham County and then to Fairfield County, OH.

    On 9 Jun 1767 his mother, stepfather, and his 8 siblings and their wives and husbands deeded to Abraham all right to the estate of his father's property in Manchester Township. On 14 Nov 1768 Abraham bought two tracts of land in Shrewsbury Township, York Co. from Abraham Weldi (Weldy) of Maryland. On 23 Jan 1769 Abraham and his wife Elizabeth sold to his brother, Nicholas Beery, Jr. the land.
    Nicholas Beery b. 1764 PA d.Rockingham Co. VA m. Barbara KAGY b.York Co.PA d. Apr 1815 Rockingham Co. VA. She was said to be a first cousin to John Beery's wife of the same given and surname-Barbara Kagy.
      Children
    • Abraham 'Brush Abe' b.30 Sep 1786
    • Nicholas Jr. b. Aft 1786 went West in 1815.
    • Christian b.Aft 1786 never married died old age
    • Elisabeth b.Aft 1786 m. Joseph FRY
    • Susanna b Aft 1786 never married died old age

    Abraham 'Brush Abe' Beery b. 1786 Rockingham Co. VA. d. 12 Feb 1870 Rockingham Co. VA m. 1st: Unknown 2nd: Mrs. Hannah Robinson-ALLEBAUGH b. 26 May 1799 d. 6 Aug 1874 Because of so many Beery Abraham given names he took 'Brush Abe' from the fact he lived in the Brush Country. He died 50 yards from where he was born.

      1st wife: Unknown Children:
    • Josiah Beery b. 30 May 1818 (Claude M. Shawbell III direct)
      2nd wife: Hannah Robinson-Allebaugh Children:
    • Henry N. b. 11 Nov 1843

    Josiah Beery b. 30 May 1818 Edom, VA d. 20 Apr 1882 m. Anna S. JACOBS b. 7 Nov 1819 Fauquier Co. VA d. 4 May 1905 South English, Iowa.

      Children of Josiah and Anna S. Beery
    • Elisabeth b. 1840
    • Sarah b.1841
    • Hannah M. b. 1842
    • John W. b. 9 Sep 1844 m. Rebecca Swartz
    • Josiah b. 1846
    • Margaret b. 1848
    • Martha J. b.1850
    • George E. b. 1851
    • Frances V. b.1853
    • Franklin T. b.1855
    • Samuel N. b.1857
    • Mary A. b.1859
    • Charles C. b. 1861

    John Washington Beery b. 9 Sep 1844 Edom, VA d. 1927 Arkansas City, Sumner Co. KS m. Rebecca SWARTZ b. 22 Feb 1847 Fairfield Co. OH.

      d/o Henry Swartz and Sarah Beery.
    • Sarah Beery is the daughter of Abraham Beery and Catherine Fast (John Poling direct)
      Rebecca Swartz is their granddaughter. (Claude M. Shawbell III direct)
    John moved from Edom,VA to Lancaster, OH in 1864. He and Rebecca moved to Shelby Co. IL where he engaged in farming. In Dec. 1892 the family moved to Sumner Co.,KS where John was engaged in the grain and coal business at Ashton, KS.
      Children of John Washington and Rebecca
    • Thomas C. Beery b. 6 July 1870 Fairfield Co. OH
    • Mary A. b.1872 Shelby Co. IL
    • Laura K. b. 1875
    • Elmer C. b. 1877
    • Docia L. b. 1879
    • Emma L. b. 1881
    • John O. b. 1885
    • Onie B. b. 1888


    Thomas Calvin Beery
    Ruth Estella Beery
    Ruth Estella Beery

    Thomas Calvin Beery b. 6 July 1870 Fairfield Co. OH d. 22 March 1938 Arkansas City, Sumner Co.,KS m. Cora Belle DAVIS b. 23 Apr 1875 d. 24 May 1946 St. Louis, MO. Married: 19 Nov 1892 at Ashton, Sumner Co.,KS
      Children of Thomas Calvin and Cora Belle Beery
    • Son Beery b. stillborn 1893
    • Ruth Estella b. 8 Aug 1894
    • John W. b. 1906 d. 1972 Texas City, TX no children

    Ruth Estella Beery b. 8 Aug 1894 Ashton, Sumner Co.,KS d. 27 Apr 1932 Arkansas City, Cowley Co.,KS. m. Henry Ernest BUMGARDNER
    Ruth died of complications after appendictomy operaton.


    Henry L. Bumgardner,Jr.
    Claude M.Shawbell, III




    Nicholas BEERY, Jr. (BIERE) b. 16 June 1739, York Co., PA m. 1st: Mary KELLER.in Pennsylvania. m. 2nd: Mrs. Mary GOOD (GROW) in Virginia in 1789.
    Nicholas lived in Manchester twp., and then moved to Shrewsbury twp., by 1763. He then moved to Rockingham County, Virginia in 1780. He was taxed at Rockingham County, Virginia in 1783. He signed a Mennonite petition as Nicholas Biri in Rockingham Co., Virginia in 1784. He bought a large tract of land in Ruch Creek twp., Fairfield County, Ohio where he died on 16 Feb 1812.
    Children of Nicholas Beery and Mary Keller:
    • Barbara b. 6 Apr 1764. d. 1788.
    • John 'Red John' b. 4 Nov 1765. He died 31 May 1850 at Fairfield County, Ohio. m. Margaret SHAVER, 15 Mar 1788. (d/o Nicholas Shaver .
    • Jacob b. 1766. He died 12 Feb 1842 at Fairfield County, Ohio. m. Nancy GEIL, (d/o Jacob Geil.
    • Elizabeth b. 11 Apr 1771. m. Jacob GEIL. They moved to Fairfield County, Ohio from Virginia.
    • Abraham b. 20 Jul 1773 d. 15 Jun 1845 at Fairfield County, Ohio. m. Catherine FAST on 7 Mar 1802. Son: Joel Beery daughter Susannah m. Poling Daughter: Sarah Beery m. Henry Swartz and their daughter, Rebbeca Swartz m. John Washington Beery. (Claude M. Shawbell III direct)
    • Mary b. 4 Sep 1775. m. Henry STEMEN
    • Isaac b. 10 Jun 1777 d. 7 Mar 1850. m. Mary CRADLEBAUGH 13 May 1806 at Fairfield County, Ohio.
    • Nicholas b. c 1779. He died in infancy.
    • Henry b. 30 Apr 1781 d. 18 Jan 1860 at Fairfield County, Ohio. m. ELIZABETH_________.
    • George b. 4 Apr 1783 d.10 Apr 1856 Fairfield County, Ohio. .m Catherine CRADLEBAUGH on 22 Jan 1811. He moved to Ohio in 1800.
    • Susan b. 4 Oct 1786 m. Abraham BEERY on 6 Nov 1809 Fairfield County, Ohio.
    • Martha b. 1787. She married Isaac BLOSSER

    Children of Nicholas Beery and Mary Good:
    • Joseph b. 8 Feb 1790 d. 31 Jan 1848, Mercer County, Ohio. m. Barbara MILLER. He lived in Fairfield County.
    • Christian b. 1 Aug 1792. m. Elizabeth MILLER
    • Margaret b. 15 Jun 1795. m. KECKLER
    • Fanny b. 1797. m. Joseph HITE

    John L. Poling.




    George BEERYb. 1743. m. MARY.
    Children of George Beery and Mary_______:
    • John b. 3 Mar 1779 m. Catherine PARKINSON. (d/o Daniel Parkison and Catherine Overmyer).
    • Elizabeth b. 22 Sep 1804 m. Thomas MURPHY ( 1822 in St. Louis, MO)
    • Margaret b. 1 Jun 1807 d. 1810 in OH.
    • Syntha b. 5 Jul 1809
    • Hannah b. 7 Sep 1810 OH d. 1899 (in Iola,KS) m. James Washington NICHOLS.
    • Daniel Parkinson b. 30 Apr 1813 m. Harriet Atwood BRACE (d/o Joseph Brace and Rachel Turner.)
    • Noah b. 12 Jun 1815
    • Clement b. 18 Feb 1819
    • Esther b. 26 Jul 1821 d. 1822 (on the Ohio River)

    Catherine Barton