In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1815
From The History of Clark County Ohio, (1881)
JOHN C. BYERS, farmer; P. O. Northampton; was born in Pennsylvania April 16, 1815; is a son of John and Nancy (Branaman) Byers, natives of Pennsylvania. Benjamin Byers, the grandfather, also a native of Pennsylvania. Christian
Branaman, the maternal grandfather, was of English birth, and came to America a poor boy, and was sold to pay for his passage across the waters. John and family became residents of Ohio in 1847, and, in one month after locating here his wife died. After her death, he and his son-in-law bought and located upon a farm in Fairfield Co., residing there three years; thence to Putnam Co., where the father died March 16, 1873 or 1874. Our subject was raised to farm labor, living with his father until 23 years of age. Was married Aug. 11, 1836, to Elizabeth, daughter of John and Peggy Wangart, natives of Pennsylvania; issue eleven children; ten grew to maternity; nine now survive—Leah, Catharine, Lydia, Fannie, Andrew, Mary, Melissa and Sarah; deceased, Nancy and Elizabeth. Mr. Byers, after his marriage, lived in Pennsylvania seven years; thence to Franklin Co., Ohio, and resided nine years; he then took an extended tour through the States of Kentucky, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan, prospecting for a home and a location, and finally settled upon the farm where he now resides, having come to the conclusion that he saw no State or county possessed of all the advantages better than this. Here he has resided twenty-seven years; has greatly improved his farm, erected all new and commodious buildings, and has everything fitted up, constituting a pleasant farmer's residence. Mr. Byers started a poor man, and, by his own industry, economy and good management, has accumulated a good cómpetency. He has never sought or held office, preferring to attend quietly to his own business affairs; religiously, he is a Methodist. Mr. Byers has always been a strictly temperate man, and a great friend to the temperance cause; has never used intoxicating liquors or tobacco in any form, and never store an oath in his life. Such an example is worthy of record and of imitation by all future generations
As printed in The History of Clark County Ohio, (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1881. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.