Page 96 - WPA Book
P. 96
Works Project Administration – Articles from Rockingham County
HOUSES
1. SUBJECT:
Lyle M. Armentrout Home, also known as the Noah W. Beery Home.
2, LOCATION:
Five miles northwest of Harrisonburg, Virginia, on the east side of Edom, Linville Road, Route 260, not far
from the village of Edom, Virginia.
3. DATE:
About 1837, house probably built by John K. Beery about this time.
4. OWNERS:
Burnt Records, first owners obscured.
John K. Beery.
Noah W. Beery from John K. Beery, various conveyances, 1865, $17,427.
Walter N. Deputy from Noah W. Beery, March 15, 1917, 28,800.192 acres plus, D.B. 107, page 249.
Robert H. Swank from Walter N. Deputy, January 10, 1918, $30,480; 217.1 acres, D.B. 109, page 249.
Walter N. Deputy from Ward Swank, Executor, July 31, 1926, $29,308.50 for 217.1 acres, D.B. 136, page
517.
Lyle M. Armentrout, present owner, from Walter N. Deputy, April 30, 1936, $19,000; 217.1 acres, D.B.
164, page 482.
5. DESCRIPTION:
L shape, brick of Flemish bond.
See form 3686, attached.
6. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Noah W. Beery, eldest son of John K. Beery, grandson of John Beery and great grandson of Abraham Beery.
The Beerys came into the Valley of Virginia from Adams County, Pennsylvania, sometime in the 1770s,
possibly a little earlier or maybe a little later. Abraham and Nicholas were the first to come to the Valley.
Nicholas later migrated to Fairfield County, Ohio, and Abraham became the progenitor of the family in the
Valley.
They had emigrated to America from Switzerland via Holland, on account of religious persecution, being
Mennonites, through many of the family became attached to other denominations in later years. They have
always been a plain people, plain spoken, industrious and hard working, upright in their dealings, and, in the
course of the years, accumulating large properties. In most instances, especially with the earlier members of the
family, they have been tillers of the soil and considered good farmers, though many of the family have devoted
their energies to other vocations, filling many responsible places in the ministry, in medicine, in law, and in
various other professions, and in many parts of the country.
John K. Beery, was born near Edom, Rockingham County, Virginia, June 4th, 1801, and died October 11, 1885.
He married Magdalana Wenger, born near Edom, Virginia, November 6, 1800, and died April 12, 1876.
Mr. Beery was a man of robust constitution and like many of his descendents started in business at a time which
could be termed the close of the pioneer life in the forests of Rockingham County. He engaged in farming and
in other business pursuits. He was very energetic in business and, while he suffered some severe losses,
accumulated quite an amount of property. He was positive in his convictions and when once a question was
settled in his own mind, it was well nigh impossible to change his opinion.
Page 95 of 482
HOUSES
1. SUBJECT:
Lyle M. Armentrout Home, also known as the Noah W. Beery Home.
2, LOCATION:
Five miles northwest of Harrisonburg, Virginia, on the east side of Edom, Linville Road, Route 260, not far
from the village of Edom, Virginia.
3. DATE:
About 1837, house probably built by John K. Beery about this time.
4. OWNERS:
Burnt Records, first owners obscured.
John K. Beery.
Noah W. Beery from John K. Beery, various conveyances, 1865, $17,427.
Walter N. Deputy from Noah W. Beery, March 15, 1917, 28,800.192 acres plus, D.B. 107, page 249.
Robert H. Swank from Walter N. Deputy, January 10, 1918, $30,480; 217.1 acres, D.B. 109, page 249.
Walter N. Deputy from Ward Swank, Executor, July 31, 1926, $29,308.50 for 217.1 acres, D.B. 136, page
517.
Lyle M. Armentrout, present owner, from Walter N. Deputy, April 30, 1936, $19,000; 217.1 acres, D.B.
164, page 482.
5. DESCRIPTION:
L shape, brick of Flemish bond.
See form 3686, attached.
6. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Noah W. Beery, eldest son of John K. Beery, grandson of John Beery and great grandson of Abraham Beery.
The Beerys came into the Valley of Virginia from Adams County, Pennsylvania, sometime in the 1770s,
possibly a little earlier or maybe a little later. Abraham and Nicholas were the first to come to the Valley.
Nicholas later migrated to Fairfield County, Ohio, and Abraham became the progenitor of the family in the
Valley.
They had emigrated to America from Switzerland via Holland, on account of religious persecution, being
Mennonites, through many of the family became attached to other denominations in later years. They have
always been a plain people, plain spoken, industrious and hard working, upright in their dealings, and, in the
course of the years, accumulating large properties. In most instances, especially with the earlier members of the
family, they have been tillers of the soil and considered good farmers, though many of the family have devoted
their energies to other vocations, filling many responsible places in the ministry, in medicine, in law, and in
various other professions, and in many parts of the country.
John K. Beery, was born near Edom, Rockingham County, Virginia, June 4th, 1801, and died October 11, 1885.
He married Magdalana Wenger, born near Edom, Virginia, November 6, 1800, and died April 12, 1876.
Mr. Beery was a man of robust constitution and like many of his descendents started in business at a time which
could be termed the close of the pioneer life in the forests of Rockingham County. He engaged in farming and
in other business pursuits. He was very energetic in business and, while he suffered some severe losses,
accumulated quite an amount of property. He was positive in his convictions and when once a question was
settled in his own mind, it was well nigh impossible to change his opinion.
Page 95 of 482
