- JAMES H. BYERS, a leading farmer residing on section 8, Janesville
Township, and one of the
- early settlers of the county, was born in Herkimer County,
N.Y., in 1824, and was the third in a family of six children,
whose parents were James and Nancy (DOCKSTADER) BYERS, also natives
of Herkimer County. The father engaged in general merchandising
in the town of Herkimer for several years and his death occurred
in 1849, from drowning. His excellent wife survived him but one
year, her death also occurring in New York.
- Our subject received his education in the schools of Herkimer
and German Flats, N.Y., and
- afterwards engaged in boating. He also learned the trade
of building fanning mills and resided in his native State until
1856. In the village of Mohawk, N.Y., in the year 1845, he led
to the marriage altar Miss Louisa PRICE, a native of Montgomery
County, that State, in which county her parents, John and Mary
(DILLENBECK) PRICE, were also born. Her father engaged in the
manufacture of fanning mills, which he afterwards sold, and in
1856, emigrated to the West, locating in Rock County, Wis. He
purchased an improved farm in Janesville Township, and engaged
in its cultivation until his death, which occurred in 1876, at
the age of seventy-six years. His wife had previously been called
to her final rest, dying in 1869, when sixty-five years of age.
They were the parents of four children - John H., who resided
in Rock County until his death in 1861, when thirty-four years
of age; Mary Emily, who wedded a Mr. VAN VRANKLIN, and died in
March, 1865, at the age of thirty-two years; Charles, who is
married, and is engaged in farming in Center Township; and Louisa.
- After his marriage, Mr. BYERS remained a resident of his
native State until 1856, when desiring
- to make his home in the West, he emigrated to Rock County,
Wis., locating on section 8, Janesville Township. He there purchased
120 acres of land, which had just been broken, erected a house
thereon and commenced the improvement of his farm. At different
times he has bought and sold various amounts of land but now
owns 100 acres comprising one of the best farms in the township;
it being highly improved and cultivated. He carries on general
farming, raising a good grade of all kinds of stock, and pays
some attention to the cultivation of tobacco. The cause of education
finds in Mr. BYERS an earnest friend, and for several years he
served as a member of the School Board. He takes a deep interest
in political affairs, casting his ballot with the Democratic
party, and is numbered among the progressive and substantial
farmers of Janesville Township.
- Three children have been born of the union of Mr. and Mrs.
BYERS - Bloomfield H., who is
- engaged in the manufacture of cigars, is married and resides
in Janesville; Mary E. is the wife of Stephen A. GARDNER, of
Harmony; and Clara L., who wedded James K. GARDNER, is living
with her father. The family of which Mr. BYERS is a member, consisted
of Mary Ann, now Mrs. EDDY, of Herkimer County, N.Y.; Jane, now
deceased, was the wife of Peter PRYNE; James H., of this sketch;
Frederick, who is married, is a manufacturer of New York; Margaret,
who was Mrs. WHEELER, is now deceased; and Robert is married
and resides in New York City.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, p. 538.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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