attention:
BAR CODE IS LOCATED
INSIDE OF BOOK
AU.EN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
REYNC
Gc 929.2 M9917mw
Myers, William S,
Myers history
Gc
929.2
M9917MW
149b3Ji
C^
The Myers History
CX;k//Mf< ■
SBo,„ffi„. 27 ,860 ^ a,,„-..„e.„?)n.3 2/09
7149539
Preface
1 have always desired a family record of our people, and finally
undertook the task of compiling- same, I have lived away from my
people since a small boy, and no family record having been kept, I found
it very difficult to secure complete information, and more difficult and
often impossible to give a sketch of their lives, their accomplishments,
characteristics and attainments; and I realize fully that many worthy
accomplishments, many noble deeds, many patient sacrifices, manv bril-
liant attainments, many grand achievements, many kind, loving and
charitable acts are unrecorded herein. I regret this very much, and vou
will never fully realize how difficult is the task until you undertake to
produce a similar work under like conditions.
I had neither time nor opportunity to gather facts for such a history
as we would all like, but have made considerable effort to collect names,
dates, etc., tog-ether with such history of the family as I could secure,
trusting that it will be accepted and appreciated in the spirit it is writ-
ten, and that it will at least preserve a record and assist some relative
in writing a better history. My only request and greatest reward will
be granted if each of you will carefully preserve this book and keep up
your family record. Blank pages are placed opposite the names of the
younger generations for that purpose.
I have done this work in a spirit of lo\e. and present you this book
as a token of the affection and esteem I hold for all my relatives.
With my very best wishes for your welfare, success and happiness.
I am always
Sincerely yours,
WiM. S. Myers.
Dali-.as. Texas, Tune, 1909.
An Appreciation
By the Friends, Partners and Associates of Wm. S. Myers
Having noticed the modest comments Mr. Myers has given on his
life in this genealogy, his partners, friends and associates feel that a
fuller account of his life, character and achievements should be contained
herein. Therefore we have, with much effort, secured his consent to
place herein a photogravure of himself and allow us to give a more
complete sketch of his character and attainments, feeling that the author's
modesty should not be barrier to his being justly represented in these
pages, as great credit is due him for compiling and presenting this
valuable record to his relatives.
Though born in humble circumstances, Mr. Myers, by his indomi-
table will and perseverance was able to overcome all obstacles, after ex-
periencing more than his share of the trials and vicissitudes of life, has,
by his own eft'orts and industry, placed himself in a position of promi-
nence amongst manufacturers, financiers and his fellow men.
He labored and saved for many years as only a man with an iron
will and constitution could, always with the one object in view, that he
might some day become a manufacturer and jobber. His first experi-
ence in merchandising was peddling and canvassing while a young man,
then in a small retail store, then a larger one, until in the year 1899,
at the age of 39, with a small capital, every dollar of which he had made
and saved himself by the hardest kind of work and most rigid economy,
he sought a location where he might fulfill his long-cherish hope. After
looking over nearly all the territory west of the Mississippi River, lie
decided to locate in Texas, believing the opportunity for "small capital
and large energy" was better there than anywhere else in the United
States. Acting on this belief he purchased for fourteen thousand dollars
a small spring-bed and mattress factory in the City of Dallas, taking
with him Mr. Ed R. Olive, his former partner in Iowa. The purchase
sum represented more than their combined capital at that time. Mr.
Olive remained with the company as Secretary until his death in De-
cember, 1905. Mr. Myers was an entire stranger in the State ci Texas,
as well as inexperienced in the manufacturing business, and it required
supreme nerve and the utmost confidence in his judgment to risk all his
hard-earned capital in the new venture. He met many discouragements,
but was always happiest when overcoming hard obstacles. He worked,
managed and saved with all the power contained in his being, sacrificing
every pleasure to the success of his business, but always with a spirit
of fairness and consideration for his friends and associates. Under his
absolute control and guidance he rapidly built up the original company.
Olive & Myers Mfg. Co.. at Dallas, dictating and establishing the policies,
planning and building the buildings, always improving and enlarging,
until today the Dallas plant is one of the best built, most complete and
conveniently arranged and best organized plants of its kind in the United
States, representing an investment of more than a half million dollars,
and still growing.
In June, 1904, Mr. Myers purchased two small plants in the City
of Houston. Texas (266 miles south of Dallas), organized a stock com-
pany (now Myers-Spalti Mfg. Co.), and proceeded to build up and en-
large that plant, until today it is practically a duplicate of the Dallas plant,
and still enlarging.
In 1906 Mr. Myers purchased an interest in a small machine shop
in Dallas, built and added perhaps the finest foundry in the State of
Texas, and now representing an investment of more than one hundred
thousand dollars. The three companies represent an investment of more
than one million dollars, Mr. Myers being the heaviest stockholder in
each, as well as the President and General Manager. The principal
business consists of manufacturing and jobbing furniture and household
furnishings.
\A^illiam S. Myers could not be other than he is, a leader of men.
a teacher and organizer, a most capable executive and manager ; indeed
his very physical appearance indicates the ruler and not the ser\ant. A
massive head set on a powerful frame, indicative of a strong constitution,
the broad forehead of the thinker, the strong Roman nose, ever asso-
ciated with the idea of mastery, the keen eye of the obser\-er, the broad,
powerful jaws with the firm yet mobile lips, all those added to a full
back head, supposed to be the seat of force, impress one strongly that
this man was born to lead and not to follow. Those who know him
best respect him most. They appreciate his absolute honesty of pur-
pose, his unquestioned ability, and a spirit of fairness in all his dealings,
which he inherited from a long line of honorable ancestors
With his hundreds of employes he acts with justice tempered with
kindness. Amongst them he is known as "the old man." and many of
them have learned that his charity equals his iron will. With his asso-
ciates he is ever courteous. thoue;-h brooking no opposition where his
judgment convinces him he is right. In the years of association they
have learned to respect his decisions, as ahnost invariably they have
proved correct.
Realizing how important an education is, from his own lack of it,
Mr. Myers has spared no expense in the education of his only son, Jay S.,
who at the age of 16 graduated from the Dallas (Texas) High School,
then spent two years at Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, N. H., gradu-
ating there at the age of eighteen. He then entered Harvard Uni-
versity, and graduated in June, 1909, receiving his A. B. degree at the
age of twenty-one. He is a young man of fine ability, with sterling
character and has proved worthy of his opportunities, and now intends
taking a complete law course at Harvard. He is an honor to liis parents,
and has every prospect of making a mark in the world.
W. S. Myers' greatest pleasure, outside of business, is in traveling,
seeing the world and its people. While taking enforced rest and recrea-
tion he has, with his family, toured practically all of the United States,
as well as a large part of Canada, and ten countries of Europe, and
hopes to visit every country in the world.
Though having but a limited education, he has been a great reader
and thinker, when time permitted. His library consists mainly of prac-
tical books and works on the occult or the science of life and nature, such
as "Yogi Philosophy," "The Laws of Mentalism,'' etc.
In religion he believes thoroughly in evolution and reincarnation
and the Yogi Philosophy. The broad gauge of his mind, however,
makes him tolerant of all religions. He teaches and practices the Golden
Rule — "Do unto others as you would that they should do unto you :"
believing that "As ye sow, so shall ve also reap." His religion or phi-
losophy teaches him to practice the great moral law. "Love thy neighbor
as thvself." and one of his greatest pleasures and ambitions is to assist
and be of benefit to his relatives, friends and humanity in general, be-
lieving that the only true happiness in life and the advancement there-
after comes from the helping ni others.
^-^/tlX*^^
Secretarv Olive & Mvers Mfg. Co., Dallas. Texas.
Introduction
Look into fJie rock from ivhcncc thou art hcivn. — Isaiah.
In the cradle of European liberty, among the lakes and waterfalls,
mountains arid valleys of beautiful Switzerland, w^e find the rock from
whicli is hewn the family these pages seek to honor.
Allemannic tribes dwelling along the Upper Rhine in the fifth cen-
tury were defeated by the Franks and driven into Switzerland. Ca?sar
describes these races as vigorous, war -like and of gigantic stature, with
fierce blue eyes and yellow hair. They were inspired with a spirit of
liberty. They were an agricultural people, and had a democratic system
of government. Later these races attained a high degree of intelligence.
Their skill in ae;riculture made every land they inhabited a very garden
spot. There were many car\Trs of wood, weaxers of silk and fine linen
among them. They were an industrious, religious and kindly race
throughout all their history, setting a good exam])le to mankind.
The liberty-loving and independent spirit of the Swiss people is
exemplified in the lives and deeds of Arnold Voss W'inkelried and Wil-
liam Tell. The Swiss spirit of independence threw off the tyrannical
Austrian yoke, resisted foreign invasions and established a glorious
republic.
Swiss diligence built the cities of Zurich and Berne. Zurich, the
"heart and brain," the literary center, the "Athens" of Switzerland, be-
cause of its institutions of learning. On every hand you find schools,
primary, secondary, supplementary, day and evening schools, schools
for the blind, the deaf, industrial schools, commercial schools, colleges,
the university, the polytechnic, the cantonal and burger schools, schools
of science and law, academies of art, reading clubs, agricultural clubs,
public libraries, museums, and a society of public usefulness. Through
patient labor and agricultural skill the Canton Zurich is a perfectly
ordered garden spot. Every tree is trimmed, every plant is watered, and
every vine is trained, every Zuricher owns his own home, none are beg-
gars, for each man enjoys an independent place.
Berne — the Citv of Bears — was founded in 1101, a characteristically
MYERS HISTORY
Swiss city, a city of churches. The bear is everywhere in evidence.
It appears on the town's coat-of-arms. Berne abounds in trophies of
battle, Hbraries and museums containing manuscripts taken from con-
vents and monasteries that were suppressed during- the Reformation.
There are beautiful gardens and fine examples of Swiss arts and crafts,
splendid views and romantic paths through forest and field. Goethe
once wrote: "It is the most beautiful town we have ever seen."
The Swiss people in character are true-hearted, practical and patient,
stubborn only in matters of justice and freedom; proud without being
governed by pride, simple in manner and pure in spirit. The language
particularly of North Switzerland is High German in the colleges. Low
German in the streets, with the Allemannic idiom mainly as spoken in
the Rhineland.
The Swiss Mennonite.
Our interest centers chiefly in the Mennonites of Switzerland.
The Mennonites take their name from their greatest leader, Menno
Simon, though they had existed long before his day. Many authorities
now claim that they were the successors of the ancient Waldenses of
the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. They arose in the same com-
munities and with the same doctrines. Kuhn says : "If this historical
connection were capable of proof, it would indeed be an inspiring thought,
and one fraught with profound belief in the workings of Providence
that through the dark and middle ages, in the days of ignorance,, cor-
ruption, sin, tyranny and persecution the true church of God, composed
of those who worshiped Him in spirit and in truth should be carried
along, first openly, then in secret for long centuries, then finally at the
outbreak of the Reformation once more coming forth and claiming that
true religion consists not in form, or ceremony, not in magnificent
cathedrals built by man, but in the heart and in the life of the followers
of the meek and lowly Jesus."
The Mennonites took the life and teachings of Christ as their ex-
ample. They contended for separation of church and state. They be-
lieved in freedom of conscience. They believed war un-Christian. refused
to bear arms or take oath. In their doctrines they were centuries in
advance of the times, and we have seen many of their principles become
10
MYERS HIS T O R Y
universally dominant. They were the ''torch-bearers of relij^ions lib-
erty." The Quakers and Baptists of England were the logical outgrowth
of their teachings.
American Colonization.
Causes leading to the colonization of these people in America go
back to the period following the Reformation, when Europe was torn with
bitter political and religious wars which threatened annihilation. It should
be a subject of great pride to their descendants that in all their troubles
they could not be crushed. They were driven up and down the Rhine
for years, were imprisoned, stoned, drawn asunder and drowned, but
their faith rose clearer than before. Besides persecutions by civil au-
thorities, thousands were martyred by other religious bodies because
they rejected infant baptism. The Mennonite martyr Mirror, published
by Van Braught in Holland about one hundred years before Fox. Penn
or Roger Williams lived, is a history of these martyrdoms. The record
of the Puritan suffering is but a drop in the bucket compared with these
accounts. Almost without exception the Mennonite colonists in Penn-
sylvania had ancestors mentioned in this book of martyrs. We read of
Hans Mever of Zurich, who lived and suffered about 1527.
Meyer Family.
Meyer, ]VIyer or Mayer is a name common in Europe. It is sup-
posed to be derived from Mayor, chief magistrate of a city or town.
Americanized, the name has become "Myers." During the lull in the
devastation by wars in the Palatinate many exiled Swiss emigrated
there. Among those from Zurich was Hans Meyer, born 1684. son of
Vincent Meyer, a Mennonite preacher, who died in 1700.
There was little peace in the Palatinate, and through the efforts of
William Penn immigration to America took place, which resulted in the
establishment of Mennonite colonies in Pennsylvania, the first in 1671.
Accounts of this new and free country were sent back to the Fatherland.
The prospects of religious freedom, together with their innate wander-
lust propensity, brought others in large numbers. These large numl)ers
of arrivals caused alarm. That the experience of England in the time
of the Anglo-Saxon invaders might not be repeated, the I'rovincial Coun-
11
MYERS HISTORY
cil prepared resolutions of allegiance and fidelity to be signed by all
foreigners. Hans Meyer was among the first to sign this declaration.
They sought religious freedom, not for themselves alone, but also
for those who differed from them ; often many sects, including the Quak-
ers, worshiping in the same building. The Mennonite colonists were
the first body to protest against slavery. In April, 1688, they sent a
signed protest to the monthly meeting of Quakers.
Though agricultural people, there were, as in their Fatherland, men
of education among them. Whittier refers to them as "The German-born
pilgrim who first dared to brave the scorn of the proud in the cause of
the slave."
The following is a verbatim copy from a history of Pennsylvania :
"Hans Meyer, with many other persecuted Mennonites, fled from
his home in Switzerland to Erlangen in the Palatinate (Pflatz). There
in 1709 he married Barbara Landis, daughter of a Mennonite preacher.
They had three children, and in 1720, with many others, left Europe and
a tyrannical priesthood for America, settling at a fine spring near New
Holland, Earl Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania."
Here in 1721 another son was born to them, whom they named
Vincent, after his grandfather in Switzerland.
This Vincent in 1740 married Anna Hoover, to whom were born
three sons and five daughters — John, Christian (our great grandfather),
Benjamin, Maria, Anna, Saloma, Barbara and Christianna.
Christian, our great grandfather who married Mattie Hoover, was
born 1761, died 1802. His family consisted of Maria (Myers) Winger,
Martin Myers, Magdalena Myers, Anna (Myers) Bushong. Christian
Myers, Daniel TNIyers. John Mvers, Joseph Mvers and Isaac ]\Iyers.
The religion of the Mennonite colonists taught them to live mod-
estly, honestly, peaceably, and to avoid participation in political affairs.
They diligently cultivated the soil. Their inherited agricultural skill
converted their farms into fields, orchards and gardens of beauty, from
which they filled their spacious barns and stone dwelling houses Vvn'th
stores of plenty from which they unstintingly furnished supplies for
the soldiers during the wars in which their religion forbade them to
participate. However inactive the German may have been in the French,
and Indian war, as well as the Revolutionary, there can be no doubt about
the Swiss patriotism. "A love for independence and a hatred of tyranny"
12
MYERS HISTORY
has ever been a distinguishing trait of the Palatine and Swiss. Though
they were faithful to the crown of England before the war, there was
no particular reason for attachment. Large numbers of Quakers and
Mennonites who were so closely akin renounced their church vows and
engaged in active service.
The Germans, the Swiss Mennonites of Pennsylvania nor their
descendants claim for them the credit due. In 1753 Dr. William Smith,
who disliked the Mennonites. said of them that they imported many for-
eign books and had printing presses and newspapers. Christopher
Sauer printed the German Bible, and the colonists were reading it long
before the English Bible \vas printed in America.
Peter Miller, who directed the translation of the Martyr book from
the Dutch language, was employed by the new government to translate
the Declaration of Independence into seven different languages to be
sent to the courts of Europe.
The first book on teaching, printed in America in 1770, was written
by Christopher Dock, a Pennsylvania German. The first paper mill in
America was established by William Rittenhouse, a Mennonite preacher.
We are deeply indebted to Miss Minnie E. Myers, of Youngstown,
Ohio, who kindly furnished the above history of our ancestors, Joseph
Myers being her grandfather, anrl his brother. John Myers, my grand-
father. Wm. S. Myers.
The following are the living nieces and nephews of grandfatiier
John Myers :
Mrs. Louise Myers Mishler, 81 years old. Magadore, Ohio.
Hon. Frank W. Myers. 78 years old, Magadore, Ohio.
Mrs. Susan Myers Longnecher, Hiram, Ohio.
Martin Winger (astronomer). Dover Street, Cleveland, Ohio.
13
IVI Y E R S HISTORY
CHRISTIAN MYERS, FATHER OF JOHN MYERS.
Christian Myers, who married Mattie Hoover, was born in
Grovesdale, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 1761, and died in 1802.
To this union was born three daughters and six sons, all of whom lived
to be men and women, married and raised families.
The daughters were :
Mrs. Maria Myers Winger.
Mrs. Anna Mvers Bushong.
Mrs. Magdalena Myers Myers.
The sons' names were :
Martin
Christian
Daniel
John
Joseph
Isaac.
All born in Lancaster Countv. Pennsvlvania.
15
('ftc/<ef .?/ /79Sf
^
'ji t^'-r/^j^e^i
3i^ ^c^o^ef /G, /,S77
16
JOHN MYERS.
John, son of Christian and Mattie Myers, was born October 31,
1799. in Grovesdale, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Married a Miss
Bear in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, .
To this union five children were bOrn.
Silas Born May 16, 1824.
Mary Born December 5, 1825.
George B. Born April 9, 1830.
ChristiaxV H. • Born April 8, 1833.
Louise Born October 21, 1836.
Soon after this date Mattie Myers died, and in 1838 John Myers
and his brother Joseph Myers and their families moved to Wayne
County, Ohio, and in 1841 John Myers married Miss Katherine Hoover.
He lived in Wayne County, Ohio, until 1877 and died at Bryan. Ohio.
October 16. 1877, while visiting- at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Levi
Stauffer. and is btu-ied in the Bryan (Ohio) Cemetery.
To this union three cliildren were born
Anna Born May 12. 1842.
Wesley J. Born March 15, 1844.
Leah Born June 7, 1846.
For some years thev lived on a farm, and later moved to Smithville,
Ohio, w^here Katherine Hoover Myers died in May, 1877.
The writer remembers grandfather John Myers as a tall, stately,
dignified, scholarly gentleman, of a reserved, quiet disposition. He had
a good education for his time. Taught school in his younger days, and
was considered a fine mathematician. Was a kind, noble and highly
honorable man. His ancestors were of the Mennonite faith, were non-
resistents, and were exempted from duty as soldiers in the Revolutionary
War, but volunteered as nurses and rendered all the assistance in their
power to the sick and w^ounded.
17
MYERS HISTORY
John Myers was for more than thirty years before his death a
member of the United Brethren Church. Was a faithful and consistent
Christian. He, like both his first and second wives, was blessed with a
fine mind and a charitable disposition.
The Myers family, so far as we are able to trace, were of a modest,
quiet, reserved, genteel temperament, exceedingly honest and honorable,
but not aggressive or money-makers, and were from the earliest history
to the present time an agricultural people.
Katherine Hoover Myers possessed a fine voice and was noted for
her sweet singing. She was a lovely woman, and the writer as a young
l)oy fondly remembers grandfather and grandmother Myers, and the
gentle influence of the noble lives they lived, and the good principles
they taught can still be traced in the younger generations. We shall not
endeavor to trace any of the Myers family except the descendants of
John Myers.
IS
MYERS HISTORY
CHILDREN OF JOHN MYERS
SILAS MYERS.
Silas, first son of John Myers, was born May 16. 1824, in Lan-
caster County, Pennsylvania, and married Caroline December
6, 1849, at Wooster, Ohio. Moved to Black Hawk County, Iowa, April
5, 1869. Raised a family of eight children. His wife, Caroline ,
was born October 6, 1826, in Bark County, Pennsylvania. Silas Myers
died April 30, 1874, at Dysart, Iowa.
ChUdroi of Silas and Caroline Myers.
John Born October 30, 1850.
Samuel Born September 15, 1853.
Susan Born August 12, 1855.
Mary Born November 5, 1858.
Francis Born April 20, 1861. Died September 3, 1863.
Rebecca Born March 9, 1864.
Alice Born November 4, 1866. Died February 22, 1881.
Frank Born July 1, 1869.
Silas Myers, with his esteemed wife and family, emigrated to Black
Hawk County, Iowa, in 1869. Like most of his relatives, he was a
farmer by occupation, and chose well in locating on the rich prairies of
Iowa. He raised a large and respected family, and was a successful and
honored citizen. His good wife and most of his family are still living
near Dvsart, Black Llawk Countv, Iowa.
19
MYERS HISTORY
MARY (MYERS) STAUFFER.
Mary, first daughter of John Myers, was born December 5, 1825,
in Grovesdale, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and married Levi Stauf-
fer, October 2, 1845, in Wayne County, Ohio. Mary Stauffer died
November 28, 1899; Levi Stauffer died March 22, 1899.
Children of Levi and Mary Stauifer.
Caroline Born August 17, 1846.
Elizabeth Born December 13, 1847.
Anna Born June 7, 1849.
Margaret Born May 11, 1852.
Wilson Born February 6, 1855.
Lydia Born October 22, 1858.
Levi and Mary Stauffer emigrated to Bryan, Ohio, in the year
1875, where they and their family hved the rest of their lives.
The writer as a child remembers Mary Stauffer as a kind, pleasant,
good-natured lady, a kind wife and a devoted mother, a faithful Christian
and a charitable neighbor. She lived a beautiful and useful life, and
died in full faith of blessed immortality.
Aunt Mary and uncle Levi were a bright, intelligent, pious and
highly respected couple and raised a noble family, w^ho have emulated
the good principles taught them by their parents. They were all kind,
dutiful children, loved and highly respected citizens.
20
MYERS HISTORY
GEORGE B. MYERS.
George B., second son of John Myers, was born in Lancaster
County, Pennsylvania, April 9, 1830. Married Mary M. Hess, January
10, 1849, and moved to Allen County, Indiana, in 1852. Died May
1, 1900.
Children of George B. and Mary Myers.
Ejjza Ann Born November 16, 1849.
John H. Born May 18, 1851.
Lois Alonzo Born . Died while an infant.
Nancy Ellen Born April 14, 1855.
Orlanda Dawson Born October 12, 1857.
Mary Cedelia Born August 1, 1859.
Emma S. Born August 7, 1861.
Harlan Grant Born July 10, 1864.
Valeria Victoria Born December 3, 1866. Died July 28. 1885.
George W. Born April 29, 1870.
George B. Myers, with his family, were pioneers in Allen County,
Indiana, having moved to that densely wooded country in 1852. He
with his family endured privations and hardships incident to an early
settler in a wild and heavily timbered country, and while he possessed
a heroic spirit, he was not blessed with a very strong constitution. He
was of a modest, unassuming and refined nature ; was a farmer by occu-
pation; also noted as a singer, and singing teacher, and a community
horse doctor, and a lover of a fine horse.
He and his good wife were highly respected citizens and well liked
by all who knew them. They taught and practiced good principles, lived
a Christian life, and left a fond remembrance and good influence with
their family, friends and neighbors.
It was the practice and delight of his life to drive "Old Mollie." his
blooded family mare, from place to place, looking after and helping the
sick, gathering up the young folks, organizing and teaching Sunday
schools and singing classes, and was appreciated and held in high esteem
by all who knew him.
21
MYERS HISTORY
CHRISTIAN H. MYERS.
Christian H., third son of John Myers, was born April 8. 1833, in
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Married Fannie Matilda Winkler,
March 6, 1856, in Wayne County, Ohio, who was a daughter of John
Winkler, born April 24, 1833). Matilda Myers died in Wayne County,
Ohio, April 18, 1872. Christian H. Myers died in Portland, Oregon.
May 29, 1888.
Children of Christian H and Matilda Myers.
John Delno Born January 3, 1857.
Lester Lee Born December 16, 1858.
William Scott Born December 27, 1860.
Infant Son Born August 17, 1862.
Lawrence Grant Born November 14, 1863.
Alice Melissa Born February 12, 1866.
Charles Levi Born January 17, 1868.
Harvey Winkler Born January 26, 1870.
Norman Wesley Born April 15, 1872.
Christian H. Myers at the age of about eight years emigrated with
his father from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to Wayne County, Ohio.
While a young man worked at the cooper's and tailor's trade. After
his marriage he lived on a five-acre tract of ground in Paradise. Wayne
County, Ohio, and followed buying and shipping stock principally to
Allegheny, Pa. His efforts were sometimes successful, but often un-
successful, meeting with frequent losses in the handling of stock, and,
being like most of his kin, modest and non-aggressive, and having a
large family to support, he accumulated but very little money; but, like
the rest of the Myers family, he was a scrupulously honest, honorable
and respected citizen.
In 1885 he emigrated to Portland, Oregon, where he engaged in
the fish and poultry business in a small way, and died of typhoid fever
in Portland, Oregon, May 29, 1888, and is buried in Lone Fir Cemetery,
Portland. He did all in his power to have his children get an education,
and lived, taught and practiced good principles.
22
MYERS HISTORY
LOUIS E. (MYERS) SUPER.
Louise, second daughter of John Myers, was born October 21, 1836,
in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Married Jacob Super. September
5, 1861. Jacob Super died December 13, 1863. Louise died October 5,
1892, in Seneca County, Ohio.
Children of Jacob and Louise Super.
Cedilla Born October 23, 1862.
Ella M. Born June 30, 1864.
Louisa Super married ^^'illiam Davis. June 14. 1877. No children.
William Davis died .
Louise Myers, like her brothers and sisters, was of a highly es-
teemed and conscientious nature, a noble wife and mother, a faithful
Christian and a kind neisfhbor.
23
/. WESLEY MYERS.
J. Wesley, first son of John and Katie Myers, was born near Smith-
ville, Ohio, May 12, 1842. He enhsted in the 120th O. V. I. regiment
in the fall of 1862, and died in Jackson Hospital, Memphis, Tenn., March
11, 1863. He is buried in a soldier's cemetery at Memphis, Tenn.
He was a highly honorable and scholarl}^ man, and gave his life
for his country.
2A
ANNA MYERS NAFTZGER.
Anna, first daughter of John and Katie Myers, was born March
15, 1844 at Smithville, Ohio. Married D. B. Naftzger, October 3,
1871, in Smithville, Ohio, and moved to Albany, 111., then moved to
^^^est Liberty, Iowa, in 1875, where they are still living.
Children of D. B. and Anna (Myers) Naftzger.
Katherine Born November 22, 1872, Albany, 111.
J. Wesley Born . Died when eight months old.
C. Mildred Born November 12, 1875, West Liberty, Iowa.
Clayton P. Born . Died when 16 years of age._
J. B. Born June 29, 1880, West Liberty, Iowa.
Charles D. Born . Died when eight years of age.
Anna Myers (Naftzger) is the only child of grandfather Myers
now living. She is a kind, pleasant, cheerful woman, a devoted, wife,
loving mother, faithful Christian and kind neighbor. Her husband,
who is of German descent, was a farmer by occupation, a man of fine
phvsique, excellent judgment, honorable in all his dealings, jovial dis-
position and very successful in management.
He and his good wife now live a pleasant retired life in the beautiful
little city of West Liberty, Iowa, enjoying the fruits of labor, industry
and economy during earlier life. They own a fine farm adjoining the
town.
25
MYERS HISTORY
LEAH E. (MYERS) WILLETS.
Leah E., second daughter of John and Katie Myers, was born
June 7, 1846, at Smithville, Ohio. Married Frank Willets, February
1, 1894, at Valley Center, Cal. Died at Valley Center, Cal., in 1895. of
consumption. No children.
Leah remained single until 48 years old, teaching school in English
and German. She was a very scholarly and dignified bachelor lady, and
highly esteemed by all who knew her.
She lived a beautiful and useful life, dispensing kindness, knowledge
and sunshine all the way.
Descendants of the Myers Family
MYERS HISTORY
Grandchildren of John Myers
CHILDREN OF SILAS MYERS
JOHN MYERS.
John, first son of Silas and Caroline Myers, was born October 30,
1850. Married , who was born .
John, like the relatives in general, is faithful, honest, hard-working
and successful. His occupation is farming.
Address Rock Rapids, Iowa.
28
MYERS HISTORY
FAMILY RECORD
29
SAMUEL MYERS.
Samuel, second son of Silas and Caroline Myers, was born August
2, 1853. Single.
Address Laporte, Iowa.
30
MYERS HISTORY
FAMILY RECORD
31
SUSAN (MYERS) WILSON.
Susan, first daughter of Silas and Caroline Myers, was born An-
g-iist 12, 1855. Married Peter Wilson, September 14, 1876.
Walter
James
David
Maud
Isabel
Clare
Mary
Children of Peter and Susan Wilson.
Born March 9, 1878. Died February 19. 1881
Born December 28, 1880.
Married February 25, 1908, Mary Weimer.
Born February 22, 1883, Dysart, Iowa.
Born April 12, 1886.
Married Ray Filloon. April 8, 1908.
Born iMay 19. 1888, Dysart, Iowa.
Born May 7, 1890, Dysart, Iowa.
Born August 21, 1893, Dysart, Iowa.
Address Dysart, Iowa.
32
MYERS HISTORY
FAMILY RECORD
oo
MYERS HISTORY
MARY {MYERS) CONLEY.
Mary, second daughter of Silas and Caroline Myers, was born
November 5, 1858, and married James Conley, March 14, 1875, James
Conley was born July 12, 1850. Mary died May 19, 1900.
Children of James and Mary Conley.
Ada Born January 2, 1876.
Married Arthur Mahoney, September 19, 1895.
Died January 20, 1903, leaving three children.
Sherley Born February 18, 1878. Died August 5, 1880.
Mamie Born March 6, 1880. Address Edgerly, N. D.
Ira Born April 21, 1882. Address Edgerly, N. D.
Alta Born May 2Z, 1885.
Married William Holcomb, November 19, 1903.
Have one child, address 301 W. Third St., Maryville, Mo.
James R. Born September 2, 1887. Single.
Alva Clare Born May 11, 1890.
Myrtle P. Born March 22, 1892.
Verlin W. Born December 25, 1894.
Floyd D. Born August 26, 1895.
Address James Conley, Maryville, Mo.
34
MYERS HISTORY
FAMILY RECORD
35
^lYERS HISTORY
REBECCA (MYERS) PETERSEN.
Rebecca, fourth daughter of Silas and Carohne Myers, was born
March 8, 1864. Married Henry Petersen, March 10, 1881. Died March
31, 1899, at Laporte, Iowa.
Frank
Peter
George
Alice
Marie
Cora
Maud
Children of Henry and Rebecca Petersen.
Born March 20, 1882.
Married Mamie Wilson. Address Laporte, Iowa.
Born April 8, 1884.
Married Miss Amanda Hegadorn.
Address Mt. Auburn, Iowa.
Born November 15, 1886. Address Mt. Auburn, Iowa.
Born September 8. 1889. Married Alfred Clark.
Address Laporte, Iowa.
Born August 16, 1892.
Address Laporte, Iowa.
Born August 20, 1895.
Born August 27, 1897.
Married Arthur Stone.
Address Mt. Auburn, Iowa.
Address Dvsart. Iowa.
Henry Petersen's address, Mt. Auburn, Iowa.
MYERS HISTORY
FAMILY RECORD
Z7
MYERS HISTORY
FRANK S. MYERS.
Frank S., third son of Silas and Caroline Myers, was born July
1, 1869. Married Rosettie Hite, February 27, 1890, who was born
July 1, 1869.
Children of Frank and Rosettie Myers.
Clifford Born February 28, 18^.
Winona Born February 21, 1895.
Flo Born April 7, 1897.
Beulah Born August 15, 1898. Died September 26, 1906.
Jessie Born December 15, 1901.
Nina Born June 5, 1904.
Ralph Born March 31, 1908.
Frank S. Myers, like the majority of his people, is a farmer by
occupation, and is at present living at Lake Park, Dickenson County,
Iowa.
38
MYERS H I S 1^ O R ^^
FAMILY RECORD
39
MYERS HISTORY
CHILDREN OF GEORGE B. MYERS
ELIZA ANN (MYERS) AURAND.
Eliza Ann. first daughter of George B. Myers, was born November
16, 1849, in Wayne County, Ohio, and married Demas Wherry, Decem-
ber 3 1871. To this union one daughter was born.
Mary Alice Born March 8, 1873, Allen County, Indiana.
Demas Wherry died •
EHza Ann then married Daniel Aurand, July 15, 1883. To this
union one son was born.
George Born May 15, 1884. Married . Sept. 9, 1906.
Daniel Aurand died • Ehza Ann is now living with her
son in Monroeville, Ind.
40
MYERS HIS T O R Y
FAMILY RECORD
41
MYERS HISTORY
JOHN H. MYERS.
John H., first son of George B. and Mary Myers, was born May
18, 1851. Married Hattie Bolenbauch, November 14, 1878, who w-is
born .
Children of John H. and Hattie Myers.
Lewis Berton Born December 5, 1880.
Married Miss Lillie Freeman, December 25, 1904.
Orren Ogden Born December 8, 1882.
Charles Earl Born October 3, 1884.
Harlan Lyod and (Twins)
Victoria Belle Born November 16, 1889.
Clo Iome and (Twins)
Cleg Irene Born November 6, 1893.
Ralph Huron Born March 30, 1899.
All living at the present time except Cleo Irene, who died October
27, 1898, age four years, eleven months and twenty-two days.
John H. Myers moved from Ohio with his parents to ]\Ionroeville,
Ind., in 1852, when he was one year old. That portion of Indiana was
then the far West. A new country, heavily timbered, with very few in-
habitants, and the early settlers naturally were poor, and seeking to
carve out a future home for themselves and families. They were com-
pelled to undergo many hardships and enjoyed little but hard work.
Their liouse was built of round logs with openings cut out for doors
and windows and quilts hung over the openings in place of doors and
windows, and the school house was built the same way, the school seats
being made of logs with pegs for legs, and the desks consisted of pegs
placed in the wall and boards laid on top. In that part of Indiana the
country is almost a perfect level. There were few roads, and they
almost impassable a great deal of the time. The land first had to be
cleared of heavy timber, and after this was done it was found so level
and wet that it was necessary to spend hundreds of dollars putting in
drain tile before they really had their farm. It was a hard, dreary, dis-
couraging life. The wolves howled around their cabin at night, and
deer and bear roamed in the woods.
42
MYERS H I S 1' O R V
FAMILY RECORD
43
It was with these disadvantages that John H. Myers commenced
life, and labored as only a boy could with a fine constitution, honesty of
purpose and love for his parents, brothers and sisters.
Malaria often sapped their vitality, and much sickness increased the
hardships they were compelled to endure. John, being the oldest son of
a family of ten children, and the father not strong, many duties devolved
on him that should have rested on older shoulders. He remained with
and worked for his parents until twenty-one years of age, then gave
his father another year's service with the promise of a horse as pay.
Unfortunately at the end of the year the horse died, and his father was
unable to give him another. The next year he started for himself, pur-
chasing forty acres of land for which he went in debt and worked at
logging with oxen until he paid for the land. He then built a house
on this land, making a home for his parents, who had rented land up
to this time. His father and mother lived on this farm until their death.
In the meantime John continued to work out until he had saved up
several hundred dollars, when he married in 1878, and bought anotlier
forty-acre farm, then started with new energy to pay for this farm and
build a home, which by long, hard, faithful efforts he succeeded in doing,
and during the same time raised a family of eight children.
At the death of his parents he purchased the other interests in the
home place, and is living at the present time on the old homestead where
his parents lived and died, having built a good modern house, barn and
outbuildings, and is now enjoying the fruits of his many years' hard labor.
Several years ago he became a member of the M. E. Church, and is a
devoted and consistent Christian, an upright, conscientious citizen, and
has raised an interesting and highly respected family.
Address Monroeville, Ind.
44
MYERS HISTORY
FAMILY RECORD
45
NANCY ELLEN (MYERS) MONESMITH.
Nancy Ellen, second daughter of George B. and Mary Myers,
was born April 14, 1855. Married Henry Monesmith, November 16,
1880, who was born August 31, 1837, and died October 19, 1888.
Children of Henry and Nancy Ellen Monesmith.
Lilly May Born April 21, 1875.
Dessa Pearl Born January 14, 1882.
George Washington Born August 22, 1885.
Harry Benton Born October 17, 1887.
Infant Born . Died .
Address Monroeville, Ind.
46
MYERS HISTORY
FAMILY RECORD
47
MYERS HISTORY
ORLANDO DAWSON MYERS.
Orlando Dawson, third son of George B. and Mary Myers, was
born October 12, 1857. Married Tilly Triley, November 18, 1888, who
was born ,
Children of Orlando and Tilly Myers.
Leslie Born July 17, 1889.
Mabel Born August 2, 1898. Died December 4, 1898.
Ray Born November 28, 1905.
Orlando Myers, like his ancestors and brothers, follows farming.
Is industrious, respected and successful. Now living on his farm near
Decatur, Ind.
Address Decatur, Ind.
48
MYERS HIS T O R Y
FAMILY RECORIJ)
49
MYERS HISTORY
MARY CEDELIA (MYERS) CLEAR.
Mary Cedelia, third daughter of George B. and Mary Myers, was
born August 1, 1859. Married Robert Clear, May 3, 1877, who was
born .
Children of Robert and Mary Cedelia Clear.
Harry Clinton Born January 29, 1878, in Benton County, Ohio.
Ada Lois
Addie Haddessie
Lloyd V,
Anna Berl
Marie
Okla
Frank
George
Beatrice and
B. (Twins)
Edward
Ray
Robert C. (Jr.)
Born August 19, 1879, in Allen County, Indiana.
Married Robert A. Henry at Aville, Ind.
To this union three daughters and one son were
born — Ruah, Catharine, Martha, Robert C.
Born June 18, 1881, in Whitley County, Indiana.
Married Harvey E. Hite, October 2, 1901, whose
home was Thurston, Ohio. Two children —
Mary Oreta, born January 9, 1903, and one
son, Robert Henry, born May 9, 1905, Lan-
caster, Ohio.
Born October 19, 1883, Whitley County, Indiana.
Married Miss Hattie Cockley, December 28,
1906, Albion, Ind. Two children — Zola, born
September 12, 1907; Ralph, born Feb. 9, 1908.
Born July 2, 1886, Whitley County, Indiana.
Married Latta Zollinger, November 21, 1906, who
died April 1, 1907. To this union one son was
born — Harry Latta, born June 18, 1907.
Born February 3, 1889, Whitley County , Indiana.
Born April 23, 1891, Whitley County, Indiana.
Born September 16, 1895. Died April 9, 1896.
Born October 2, 1893, Whitley County, Indiana.
Born March 17, 1897.
B. Died March 20, 1897, at Avilla, Indiana.
Born June 15. 1899. Noble County, Indiana.
Born July 18, 1901, Noble County, Indiana.
Born February 5, 1904.
50
MYERS H I S 'J^ O R Y
FAMILY RECORD
51
MYERS HISTORY
Mary and Robert Clear are the parents of a remarkable family
(fourteen children), twelve still living. All bright, healthy, kind and
loving. A large and happy family.
Address Albion, Ind.
52
MYERS HISTORY
FAMILY RECORD
?o
MYERS HISTORY
EMMA S. MYERS THOMPSON.
Emma S., fourth daughter of George B. and Mary Myers, was born
August 7, 1861. Married W. E. Thompson, August 15, 1880, who was
born .
Children of W. E. and Euiuia S. Thompson.
Maggie Lois Born May 14, 1881. Died April 14, 1903.
Gracie Maud Born September 27, 1883. Married .
GoLDiE B. Born November 27, 1885. Married .
pr.mma S. Myers and husband live on a farm near Magill. Ohio, and
are a highly esteemed couple and well to do.
Address Magill, Ohio.
54
]\IYERS HISTORY
FAMILY RECORD
>3
MYERS HISTORY
HARLAN GRANT MYERS.
Hari.an Grant, fourth son of George B. and Mary Myers, was
born July 10, 1864.
Never married. Living;- at Pittsburg, Kan.
56
]\1 Y E R S HISTORY'
FAMILY RECORD
57
MYERS HISTORY
GEORGE W. MYERS.
George W.. fifth son of George B. and Mary Myers, was born
April 29, 1870. Married Clara lone Keller, February 18, 1903. No
children.
George W. and wife live in Portland, Oregon, where he is engaged
in the lumber business. Like his brothers, he is kind, honest, industrious,
honorable and a good citizen.
58
MYERS HISTORY
FAMILY RECORD
59
MYERS HISTORY /
CHILDREN OF MARY MYERS
CAROLINE (STAUFFER) SAUDERS.
Caroline, first daughter of Mary and Levi Stauffer, was born
August 17, 1846. Married Henry Sanders, October 29, 1868, who was
born January 5, 1843.
Children of Henry and Caroline Sanders.
Emma Born December 7, 1869.
Married John Carpenter, July 23, 1885.
-Maggie Born August 17, 1871.
Married Henry Herr, March 23, 1893.
Mary Born November 11. 1873. Died December 25, 1885.
William W. Born July 9, 1876.
Married Lena Gibson, November , 1898.
Lottie Born March 1, 1879.
^.Tarried Wilfred Beuhar, October , 1892.
Henry Born March 26, 1881. Not married.
Levi Born December 18. 1883. Not married,
Elmer Born August 10, 1886. Not married.
Caroline is a noble wife, a tender, loving mother, a highly esteemed
relative, friend and neighbor.
Now living in Defiance County, Ohio. Evansport, P. O.
60
MYERS HISTORY
FAMILY RECORD
61
MYERS HISTORY
ELIZABETH (STAUFFER) YERDY.
Elizabeth, second daughter of Mary and Levi Stauffer, was born
December 13, 1847. Married Peter W. Yerdy, , 1869, who was
born .
Lyda
Levi
Maggie
Lucy
Children of Peter W. and Elizabeth Yerdy.
Born .
Married Ed Snively, October 8, 1892.
Born October , 1872.
Married Mary Shumaker, , 1899.
Born February , 1878.
Married E. Shankster, , 1893.
Born November , 1885.
Married Fred Long, , 1905.
The writer as a small boy kindly remembers cousin Elizabeth, and
is deeply indebted to her for many kindnesses shown my sainted mother
and her small children even before my recollection. She is a faithful
wife, mother, friend and neighbor. May God bless her.
Address Bryan, Ohio.
62
MYERS HISTORY
FAMILY RECORD
63
MYERS HISTORY
ANNA STAUFFER YOUNG.
Anna, third daughter of Mary and Levi Stauffer, was born June
7, 1849. Married Cyrus Young, March 30, 1871, who was born .
Lydia
Wilson
John
Joseph
Children of Cyrus and Anna Young.
Born March 30, 1872.
Married John Metz,
Died September 28, leaving two children.
Born April 29, 1873.
Married Miss Younker, .
Born August 10, 1874.
Married Miss Standard, .
Born January 8, 1876.
Married Miss Standard, .
Cousin Anna was also a kind friend of my dear mother ; was a loving
daughter ; is an esteemed lady ; has lived a noble and beautiful life, and,
like all her family, is a credit to her relatives and the community in
which she lives.
Present address Marshallville, Ohio.
64
MYERS HISTORY
FAMILY RECORD
65
MYERS HISTORY
MARGARET (STAUFFER) SIWEY.
Margaret, fourth daughter of Mary and Levi Stauffer, was born
Mav 11, 1852. Married Daniel Shuey, May 16, 1875, who was born
No children.
Margaret, like her sisters, is a fine, noble woman, kind, cheerful and
pleasant, highly respected by all who know her.
Now living at Smhhville, Ohio.
66
MYERS IlISTOkV
FAMILY RECORD
67
MYERS HISTORY
WILSON STAUFFER.
Wilson only son of Mary and Levi Stauffer, was born February
6, 18^5 Married Delia Fickes, November 12, 1878, who was born
Children of Wilson and Delia Stauifer.
H.RVEY Franklin Born April 6. 1881. Married May Bell Nun,
May 4, 1901.
Cousin Wilson, the only son of a fine family, could not be different
has lived a clean, upright life; is bright, knnd and pleasant; a worthy
and respected citizen.
Present address Bryan, Ohio.
68
MYERS 1 1 I S T U R Y
FAMILY RECORl:>
09
MYERS HISTORY
LYDIA (STAUFFER) SHUMAKER.
I.YDiA, fifth daughter of Mary and Levi Stauffer, was born October
22, 1858. Married Joseph Shumaker, March , 1878. She died May
25, 1894. Husband died .
Mary
Daniel
Bella
Clara
Edith
Children of Joseph and Lydia Shumaker.
Born February 22,
Married L. Yerdy, April 6, 1899.
Born July 2, .
Married Ruby Montague, May —
Born October 22, .
Married W. Montague, February
Born August 22, . Single.
Born January 1,
ci
1905.
1902.
Single.
70
M VERS HI S 'i^ O R Y
FAMILY RECORD
71
MYERS HISTORY
CHILDREN OF CHRISTIAN H. MYERS
JOHN DELNO MYERS.
John Delno, first son of Christian H. and Fannie Matilda (Wink-
ler) Myers, was born in Green Township, Wayne County, Ohio, January
3, 1857. Married Miss Effie Wheeler in Persia, Harrison County, Iowa,
April 28, 1887, who died in Monroe, Iowa, November 3, 1892.
Children of John D. and Effie Myers.
Gertrude Edith Born March 1, 1888.
Vera Ethel Born March 10, 1900.
Gertrude Edith, after her mother's death, was adopted and raised
by Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Keables of Indianola, Iowa, taking the name of
Gertrude Myers Keables.
Vera Ethel was adopted by Rev. and Mrs. R. M. L. Braden, who at
present live at Bellevue, Nebraska, and took the name of Vera Ethel
Braden.
John Delno Myers, at the death of his mother in 1872, was placed
out from home, working by the month for farmers in summer time and
doing chores, taking care of stock, etc., for his board, and attending
country public school in the winter time ; also attended Smithville Acad-
emy the winters of 1876 and 1877. He gave his earnings to his father
until Alay 3, 1880, when he emigrated to West Liberty, Iowa, where
he worked on a farm, taking care of blooded shorthorn cattle until Oc-
tober, 1885, when he went to Lane County, Kansas, with his brother
Lawrence, where they each entered 160 acres of land, building sod houses
and keeping bach. He followed this life until April, 1887, when he made a
trip to Iowa, and was married, taking his wife with him to Kansas.
Their crops proved failures on account of drouth. They suffered severe
privations, and finally, in October, 1887, abandoned the land, when
John D. took a position as foreman on a blooded cattle ranch in Ness
County, Kansas, where he remained until 1889, then moved to Pleasant-
ville, Iowa, and managed a large farm until August, 1891, then moved
to Monroe, Harrison County, Iowa, where he purchased the city drny,
which he operated for one year, then took a position as baggage master
for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway Company at Monroe,
which position he held until 1893. when he resigned, found homes in good
72
MYERS HISTORY
FAMILY RECORD
71
MYERS HISTORY
families for his two little daughters (his wife having died November 3,
1892), In October, 1893, he went to Chicago and took a position with
the street railway company, filling various positions, including motorman
and conductor, until 1899.
Then he returned to Pleasantville, Iowa, and operated a farm with
his brother L. L. until 1902, when he returned to Chicago again, taking
a position with the street railway company, where he has remained ever
since, and at present has charge of and runs the street car which goes
over the city gathering up the cash at the various stations, conveying it
to the head offices.
He is an honest, hard-working, honorable man, has lived a clean,
upright life, and has accumulated a competence for his old age.
February 5, 1909, he purchased 40 acres of irrigated land from the
Government in Big Horn Basin, Wyoming, and his address will be
Powell, Wyoming.
74
M Y E R S H I S 1' O K Y
FAAIIJA' Kl-XOkl)
/D
Born April 28, 1892.
MYERS HISTORY
LESTER LEE MYERS.
Lester Lee, second son of Christian H. and Matilda F. Myers, was
born in Green Township, Wayne County, Ohio, December 16, 1858,
Married Miss Lizzie Snavely at Orrville, Ohio. She was born in Orr-
ville, Ohio, May 1, 1859. Died at Pleasantville, Iowa, February 5, 1906.
Children of Lester L. and Elizabeth Myers.
Elsie Born May 7, 1888.
Ray G. Born September 11, 1890.
Albert J. and
Bertha (Twins)
Anna Born November 18, 1894.
Alta Born September 30, 1897.
Edna Born September 14, 1899.
Jessie Born October 6, 1901.
Lester Lee. at the death of his mother in 1872, was placed out from
home, working by the month for farmers in summer time and taking
care of stock and doing chores, and attending country public school in
winter, giving his earnings to his father until twenty-one years of age.
He continued working on a farm in Wayne County, Ohio, until his
marriage — 1886 — when he moved to Pleasantville, Iowa, purchased a
city dray, which he operated for several yearS; then leased a farm and*
continued farming near Pleasantville until the fall of 1908, when he
held a public sale, selling ofif all of his personal property, and moved to
Powell, Big Horn Basin, Wyoming, where he has purchased 80 acres
of irrigated land from the Government and expects to make his future
home.
He is a hard-working, faithful, honorable and upright man. His
wife died in 1906. He has kept his family together, and they all ac-
companied him to Powell, Wyoming.
76
MYERS HISTORY
FAMILY RECORD
//
]\1YERS HISTORY
WILLIAM SCOTT MYERS.
William Scott, third son of Christian H. and Matilda F. Myers,
was born in Green Township, Wayne County, Ohio, December 27, 1860.
Married Eldora E. Spalti in Pleasantville, Iowa, January 13, 1886. Miss
Spalti was born in Pleasantville. of SavIss parents, April 22. 1866, To
this union was born one son.
Jay Spalti Born November 7. 1887.
William S. Myers, like his older brothers, at the death of his mother
in 1872. when eleven years old, was placed out from home, working on
farms by the month in summer and doing chores and attending country
school in winter. He gave his earnings to his father until at th.e age
of seventeen years, on March 13, 1878, he went to West Liberty, Iowa,
having arranged for a job with his uncle (by marriage) D. B. Naftzger
on the farm. He continued working on the farm for a few years, then
began selling various articles by peddling and canvassing from house
to house. Then he learned telegraphy, but abandoned this when capable
of handling an ofiice and took up carpenter work, working four years
at the trade. Then went to Pleasantville, Marion County, Iowa ; pur-
chased the city dray line in 1885, and married in 1886. Leased and
operated a stock farm successfully for five years. Left the farm and
conducted a furniture store in Pleasantville until 1893. Sold out and
moved to Indianola, Iowa, engaging in the same business on a larger
scale in partnership with Edvv^ard R. Olive. Continued same success-
fully until 1899. Then sold out and moved to Dallas, Texas, purchased
a small spring-bed and mattress factory, operating as a partnership, under
the name of Olive & Myers Manufacturing Company, for about one vear.
Then incorporated under the laws of Texas, using the same name, with
W. S. Myers as President and General Manager. In June, 1904, he
bought out two similar factories in Houston, Texas, organized a stock
company (Myers-Spalti Manufacturing Company), of which he is Presi-
dent and General Manager, and enlarged the business rapidly.
In 1907 he purchased an interest in the Hardwick Foundry 8: Ma-
chine Company in Dallas, was elected President and General Manager,
and is rapidly building up that company the same as he has the other two.
Address 187 Cabell Street, Dallas, Texas.
78
MYERS HISTORY
FAMILY RECORD
MYERS HISTORY
LA IVRENCE GRANT MYERS.
Lawrence Grant, fifth son of Christian H. and Matilda F. Myers,
was born in Green Township, Wayne County, Ohio, November 14, 1863.
A'larried Miss Minnie May Spalti, near Pleasantville, Iowa, October 9,
1892. Minnie Spalti Myers was born December 11, 1874.
Children of Lawrence and Minnie Myers.
Infant Born July 8, 1893. Died same date.
Edith Flo Born December 26, 1894. Died January 1, 1895.
Bessie Elizabeth Born January 17, 1897.
George Avery Born January 2, 1899.
Dessie Arva Born July 3, 1901.
William Spalti Born September 25, 1904. ,
Alice Edith Born February 27, 1908.
Lawrence G., at the death of his mother,. when he was eight years
old, was taken by Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus Young and cared for until eleven
years old, when he went to work for Jacob Krause on a farm, at which
place he remained until 1879, when he went to Iowa, where he remained
two years, then went to Wichita, Kan., where he worked on a large ranch
and became foreman. At the age of twenty-one years he took up a
homestead in. Lane County, Kansas, where he remained until 1889, when
he returned to Pleasantville, Iowa, and in 1892 he was married. He
followed farming near Pleasantville until 1899, then moved to Montana,
where he took up another claim one hundred miles from the railroad in
Flathead County. After proving up on the claim he moved to Portland,
Oregon, in September, 1906, where he purchased a farm, on which he is
now living at Clackamas, about ten miles out from the City of Portland.
Lawrence, like all his brothers, was honest, hard-working and con-
scientious. He endured many privations and hardships during both
his efforts to secure a home on homestead land. The drouths of Western
Kansas at that time ruined his crops, and finally starved him out after
several years of hard work. Again in Montana he suffered loss of crops
and sickness, and left there almost a total wreck, physically, but has par-
tially recovered his health since moving to Oregon, and is now happily
located on a good farm.
Address Clackamas, Oregon.
80
MYERS HISTORY
FAMILY RECORD
81
MYERS HISTORY
ALICE MELISSA (MYERS) WOLF^
Alice Melissa, only daughter of Christian H. and Matilda F.
Myers, was born in Green Township, Wayne County, Ohio, February
12, 1866. Married Henry Wolf, April 9, 1896, at Portland, Oregon,
who was born .
Alice Melissa, at the death of her mother in 1872, and at the age of
six years, was taken by relatives and cared for until about ten years old,
when her father, who remained a widower, made an effort to keep the
vounger children of the family together. Her aunt Sarah Rutt kept
house for them. Later her father, with the younger children, moved
to Smithville, Ohio, employed a housekeeper to keep house, and still
later, when Alice was perhaps fourteen years old, she kept house for
her father and the younger children, working very hard for a young girl.
In 1885 her father gave up housekeeping and moved to Portland,
Oregon, Alice following him in 1886. They remained together until
his death in 1888. Her brother Charles, aunt Sarah Rutt and other
relatives living in Portland, she remained there, and was married to
Henry C. Wolf in 1896. PTenry Wolf is a highly honorable and well-
to-do man, and is now engaged in the coal and wood business, and living-
in Wood Lawn, a suburb of Portland, Oregon.
Address No. 1436 Winona Street, Portland, Oregon.
82
^I Y E R S HISTORY
FAMIL^■ RiaORD
83
MYERS HISTORY
CHARLES LEVI MYERS.
Charles Levi, sixth son of Christian H. and Matilda F. Myers,
was born in Green Township, Wayne County, Ohio, January 17. 1868.
At the death of his mother in 1872 he was taken by his aunt Mary
and uncle Levi Stauffer, who then lived in Wayne County, Ohio, and
later moved to Bryan, Ohio. In 1884 Charles L. Myers went to Pleas-
antville, Iowa, and in 1885 went West and rode the cattle range in
Western Nebraska, Wyoming and Colorado for three years, where he
saw some of the wild West, but in spite of this wild life he never forgot
his breeding and raising, and remained a gentleman.
He went to Portland, Oregon, in 1889, and, except for a few years
spent in Chicago, has lived there ever since, part of the time working
for the street car company as conductor and motorman, and at the
present time is engaged in the cigar and tobacco business. He has been
successful and accumulated a modest competence. He is still single, and
living in Portland, Oregon, at 389 Third Street. He is a man of fine
principles, and has lived a clean, upright life.
84
MYERS HISTORY
FAMILY RECORD
85
MYERS HISTORY
HARVEY WINKLER MYERS.
Harvev \\'inkler, seventh son of Christian H. and Matilda F.
Myers, was born in Green Township, Wayne County, Ohio, January 26,
1870. Married Miss Bessie Turnbull in Des Moines, Iowa, January 14,
1897.
Children of Harvey W. and Bessie Myers.
Amaxdas Born August 1, 1901.
Harvey Winkler Myers went to Iowa in April, 1886, returned to
Ohio in the fall of the same year; went to Iowa again in February. 1888,
where he took up the barber's trade in February, 1889. This trade he
has followed ever since. He operated a shop in Des Moines, Iowa, for
several years. Married Miss Bessie Turnbull in Des Moines, on January
14, 1897. Miss Turnbull was the daughter of a well-to-do farmer near
Des IMoines, whose parents formerly lived in New Zealand and returred
to that country soon after the marriage of Harvey and Bessie. Harvey
and wife moved to Portland, Oregon. June 7, 1899. and sailed from
Portland for New Zealand June 1. 1900. .Stopped a short time in
Sydney, Australia, then went to New Zealand, where they lived about
four years and where tlieir son Amandas was born August 1, 1901.
On February 24, 1904, they sailed from Auckland for x\merica,
stopping twelve da\'S in .Sura, Fiji Islands. They arrived in Honolulu
March 19, 1904, where he was taken from ship on account of fever
and placed in a liospital. After his recovery he decided to stay in Hono-
lulu indefinitely, and purchased a barber shop, which he operated until
the spring of 1909. when he returned to the States, purchased 40 acres
of irrigated land at Powell, Wyoming, where he expects to make his
future home.
At the death of his mother when only a child two years old, he
was taken by his uncle and aunt William and Mary Ann Winkler, who
raised him until a young man. He was taught good principles, wh.ich
have remained with him through life. He is highly respected and es-
teemed bv all who know him.
Address Powell, Wvomingf.
86
MYERS HIS T O R ^'
FAMILY RECORD
87
MYERS HISTORY
NORMAN WESLEY MYERS.
Norman Wesley, eighth son of Christian H. and Matilda F. Myers,
was born in Green Township, Wayne County, Ohio, April 15, 1872.
Married Miss Myra E. Backensto December 29, 1895, who was born
Children of Norman and Myra E. Myers.
Lawrence B. Born October 9, 1898.
Guy a. Born February 19, 1900.
Norma A. Born January 25, 1904.
William Taft . Born February 28, 1909.
Norman Wesley's mother dying at his birth, he was taken by his
uncle and aunt, Lawrence B. and Katherine Winkler, and raised until a
young man. He then went to Chicago and later located in Holliday,
Tlhnois, where he married, and now lives. His present occupation is
farming. Like the rest of the family, he is hard-working, honest, con-
scientious and a worthy citizen.
88
MYERS HISTORY
FAMILY RECORD
89
MYERS HISTORY
CHILDREN OF LOUISE MYERS
CEDILLA SUPER STJNCHCOMB.
Cedilla, first daughter of Louisa and Jacob Super, was born Oc-
tober 2Z, 1862. Married Scott W. Stinchcomb, March 13, 1883.
Children of Scott IV. and Cedilla Stinchcomb.
Blanch N.
Born February 1, 1883.
Married Amos Buchar, January 31, 1902.
One son born Jan. 9, 1895. Name, Lewis Bucliar.
Born December 30, 1885.
Born January 15, 1888.
Born August 29, 1889.
Born May 18, 1893.
Born May 26, 1895.
Born April 21, 1897.
Born November 7, 1899.
Cedilla and husliand lived for several years in North Dakota on a
farm, then moved back to Oliio, and are now living on a farm near Osna-
burg, Ohio. They ha\'e a nice home, a fine family and are excellent
people, well liked by all who know them. Cedilla was a good child, a
charming young lady and is a noble wife and mother.
Present address Osnaburg, Ohio (Stark County).
Lou Ella
John W.
Glen R.
Earl M.
Leah C.
ROYCE W.
Cletus H
90
MYERS HIS T O R Y
FAMILY RECORD
91
^I Y E R S HISTORY'
ELLA M. (SUPER) ll'ERNER.
Ei.LA M.. second daughter of Louisa and Jacob Super, was born
June 30, 1864. Married John S. Werner, November ., 1888, who
was born
Children of John S. and Ella M. Werner.
Fern Born .
Ruth Born .
Ella M. Werner's present address, Dawson, North Dakota.
92
MYERS HISTORY
FAMILY RECORD
93
MYERS HIS T O R Y
KATHERINE (NAFTZGER) CLARK.
Kattierine, first daughter of Anna and D. B. Naftzger, was born
November 22, 1872. Married B. D. Clark, December 27, 1899, who
was born in Iowa, and is a minister of the gospel.
Sidney
Lois
Lynn
Miles
Children of Katherine and B. D. Clark.
Born December 26, 1901.
Born July 29, 1903.
Born March 19, 1905.
Born January 20, 1907-
Present address Bondurant, Iowa.
94
MYERS HISTORY
FAMILY RECORD
95
MYERS HISTORY
MILDRED C. NAFTZGER.
Mildred C, second daughter of Anna and D, B. Naftzger, was
born November 12, 1875. Still unmarried, and living at home with her
parents in West Liberty, Iowa.
She is a bright, intelligent and charming young lady.
96
MYERS HISTORY
FAMILY RECORD
97
AI Y E R S H I S T O R Y
JESSE B. NAFTZGER.
Jesse B.. third son of Anna and D. B. Naftzger. was born Jiuk-
29. 1880, at West Liberty. Iowa. Alarried Miss Florence Whale, Sep-
tember 28, 1907, at Sturgis. South Dakota.
Children of Jesse B. and Florence Naftzger.
Jack Hale Born August 26, 1908.
Jesse B. is a practicing physician and surgeon at Sturgis, South
Dakota. Is very progressiye and successful in his profession. In 1908
lie A'isited Vienna, Austria, and took a post-graudate course.
98
MYERS HISTORY
FAMILY RECORD
99
MYERS HISTORY
FAMILY RECORD
100
HECKMAN
IINDERY INC.
MAR 93
N. MANCHESTER,
INDIANA 46962
TVNews
OpenLibrary