- MYRON KYES is numbered among the early settlers of Rock County,
of 1854, is a general
- farmer and stock-raise of Magnolia Township, operating 388
acres of land on section 5. He was born near Kingston in Ontario,
Canada, on the 19th day of December, 1836, and is a son of Thomas
M. and Eliza A. (DOCKHAM) KYES.
- The paternal grandfather of our subject for services rendered
the British government, was given a
- tract of land comprising 800 acres, about forty miles from
Kingston, Ontario, and at Landsdown, the name given to the farm
in honor of Lord Landsdown, Thomas KYES was born. He was there
reared to manhood and married the lady above mentioned. Four
children were born to them in Kingston and nine after their removal,
of whom eleven grew to manhood and womanhood. Myron, of this
sketch, is the eldest of the family; Jason is a farmer of Nemaha
County, Neb.; Sarah is the wife of E. PEEBLES, a farmer of Green
County, Wis.; Asel is a commission merchant of Yankton, Dak.;
Harly P. is living in Washington; Emma C. is the wife of Leader
PATTERSON; and Lester is a resident farmer of Dakota.
- In 1854, Mr. KYES, accompanied by his family, removed from
Jefferson County, N.Y. to Rock
- County, Wis., and purchasing 134 acres of land on section
5, Magnolia Township, began life as a pioneer in the little log
cabin which had been built thereon, which is one of the few landmarks
of pioneer days yet remaining to remind the people of the wonderful
progress made by our western civilization. He at once began
the development of the wild land, step by step, transforming
the hitherto uncultivated prairie into a tract of the greatest
fertility. He became one of the leading citizens of the community
and when the final summons came was mourned by all who knew him.
He died in February, 1876, his wife surviving until September,
1869. Plain and outspoken, fearless in defense of the right,
during the days of slavery, he labored earnestly for its abolition.
He could well defend his political views, being well informed
on all subjects, and for hours could hold a crowd waiting eagerly
to hear his next utterance and his conclusive arguments. He
lived to see the fulfillment of his wishes brought about by the
Civil War. He was highly respected by all who knew him, and
his memory will long be enshrined in the hearts of many who have
witnessed his good deeds and shared in his generosity. The five
children of Mr. and Mrs. KYES who have passed to their long rest,
are Reuben who was drowned at the age of seven; Alexander, who
died in infancy; Nelson, who was killed by the Indians in Montana;
John, who was a member of the 44th Wisconsin Infantry and died
in the service of his country in the hospital of Paducah, Ky.;
Mary, deceased wife of G. A. PATTERSON; and T. M., who died in
Nebraska.
- The early education of our subject was received in the common
schools of Jefferson County,
- N.Y., 1854, he came with his parents to Rock County, which
was then in a wild state, and after the death of his father,
assisted by his younger brothers, he took charge of the farm,
providing and caring for the mother who had devoted herself to
his interests in earlier years. He cheerfully performed the
arduous labors, making many improvements, and placing the land
under a high state of cultivation. Mr. KYES was united in marriage
with Miss Diana PEEBLES, a native of Schenectady County, N.Y.,
and a daughter of Seth V. and Mary (STEVENS) PEEBLES, who were
also native of the Empire State. The death of the father occurred
in Albany, Green Co., Wis., in 1883, but the mother is still
residing with her son in that township. The children of their
family were William H., who is engaged in farming in Green County,
Wis.; Edwin, who is living in the same county; Dinah, wife of
our subject; and Hial G., whose home is in Lincoln, Neb.
- By the union of Mr. and Mrs. KYES four children have been
born, but only one, Marcia M., is
- now living, the other three having died in infancy. Mr.
KYES has been one of the successful farmers of Rock County, and
now owns and operates 388 acres of land in one body, situated
on section 5, Magnolia Township, and section 32, Union Township.
His farm is acknowledged to be one of the finest in the vicinity,
and is stocked with a good grade of all the farm animals. In
earlier years, our subject was an ardent supporter of the Republican
party, and was an active worker in its ranks, but of late years,
he has identified himself with the Prohibition party, and is
unfaltering in his support of that organization. He is not afraid
to advocate its principles, but warmly defends it whenever an
opportunity presents itself, believing that only through the
agency of a national political party can the cause of temperance
win. The cause of education also finds in him a staunch friend.
In all his labors for the advancement of the interests of the
community, he has been ably seconded, whenever opportunity afforded,
by Mrs. KYLES, who is one of Rock County's noble women, beloved
and respected by all. We are pleased to record the sketch of
this worthy couple, whose names are familiar in nearly every
household. Their honorable, upright lives are well worthy of
emulation, and they are deservedly held in the highest regard.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 846-847.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|