An American Family History

Barbara Kessler Beary was born on March 30, 1780 in York County, Pennsylvania. Her parents were Henry Kessler and Barbara Kneyer. She was christened on May 5, 1780 at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in York County, Pennsylvania.

She married Joseph Beary (Beeri, Berry, Peary, Bearey) in 1798 in Rockingham County, Virginia. Her father was listed in the church record of the marriage. Joseph was born about 1773 in Pennsylvania.

Barbara and Joseph's children included Elizabeth Beary Shierling (1801, married Philip Shierling), Catherine Beary Ballentine (1805, married Robert Balentine), John Beary (1809), Barbara Beary Rupert Mellott (1816, married Moses Rupert and George Mellott), and Anna Beary Schreckengast (1820, married William Schreckengast).

Joseph was a soldier in the war of 1812.

The 1820 census shows Joseph Bearey in Green Township. The household consisted of a man over 45, a woman between 26 and 44, a girl between 16 and 25, a boy and a girl between 10 and 15, and two girls and a boy under 10.

The 1830 census shows Joseph Beeri in German Township.

In 1840 they were in Ward Township, Randolph County, Indiana. The household consisted of a man and woman between 60 and 39, a woman between 20 and 29 and a boy under 5.

In 1850 Joseph Berry age 68 and Barbara Berry age 68 were in Ward Township, Randolph County, Indiana. They remained there in 1860.

Joseph died September 3, 1862 and Barbara died a year later on September 9, 1863 in Randolph. They are buried together in Ritenour's cemetery in Ward Township.

John Beary, farmer, P.O. Saratoga was born in Virginia August 16, 1809, and is a son of Joseph and Barbara Beary (deceased). Joseph Beary was a soldier in the war of 1812.

Our subject was married in February, 1839 to Miss Susanna Overhulser, and the following fall emigrated to this country and located in the woods where by hard labor he made a farm. He had two children by his first wife--John H. (deceased) and Barbara A.

Mrs. Beary died and he again married January 22, 1845: this time to Miss Susannah Grow by whome he had nine children, seven living--Isabella, Catherine, Sarah Elizabeth, Emeline F., Josephine S. and Daniel F. Mr. Beary was a member of the German Reformed Church. Sarah died June 18, 1882. Subject died August 15, 1881. (from the History of Randolph County, Indiana by E. Tucker)