John W. Byerly

As printed in 1910

JOHN W. BYERLY.

John W. Byerly, one of the substantial farmers of Jackson township, is a man of considerable force of character and one who occupies a prominent place in his community. He was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, October 13, 1845, son of Michael and Elizabeth (Jeffries) Byerly. The founder of the family in America was Andrew Byerly, who came from his native land, Germany, about 1745 and participated in the French and Indian war, serving with Washington. His wife bore the maiden name of Beatrice Guiding and was a native of Berne, Switzerland. A gr,eat-grandfather of John W. Byerly, George Creamer, took part in the Revolutionary war as a private in the Second Pennsylvania Continental troops and served under Colonel Philip De Haas. Six children were born to Michael Byerly and wife, of whom John W. Byerly was the third in order of birth. Michael Byerly was a son of Francis, and great grandson of Andrew Byerly, the founder of the family in this country.

In 1846, the Byerly family came to Jackson township, Jones county, Iowa, and this has been the home of John W. Byerly ever since. He received a common-school education and after he had finished school, he taught for five winters in Jones county and during the summer farmer for his parents until he assumed the management of the home place. He now owns this farm, which consists of two hundred and ten acres on sections 20, 21 and 29, Jackson township. It is in excellent condition and all of the present improvements have been made by Mr. Byerly. He makes a specialty of stock raising and feeding and has met with gratifying results in his work. This farm was entered by his uncle John Byerly. When the family came here they had no money but plenty to eat and their home was always open to those less fortunate than themselves. So hospitable were they that many times they boarded whole families upon their arrival here, and could never be induced to accept a cent. No one was ever turned away hungry. Mr. Byerly and his brother Milton are the only ones now residing in Jackson township who were here when Iowa as admitted to the Union.

The Byerlys have always been democrats and our subject follows in the footsteps of his forebears and supports the candidates of that party. He has been called upon to fill the offices of school director and road commissioner and has made a good public official.

On March 7, 1873, Mr. Byerly married Susie AI. Johnson, who was born in Lenawee county, Michigan, June 21, 1848, and was brought to Jones county by her parents in 1856, having since made it her home. She is a daughter of James and Maria (Whaley) Johnson, natives of England, who came to America after their marriage, in 1838. and located in Michigan. The father's death occurred in Crawford county, Iowa, and the mother's in Clinton county, the same state. Mr. and Mrs. Byerly have had two children: Eva Mary and Earl Russell. Miss Eva Mary is now at home and is a very well educated lady, for after taking a high-school course she attended the Iowa State Normal School, where she was graduated and she also secured the degree of A. B. at-Ann Arbor, Michigan, and the degree of A. M. at Columbia University in 1908. She has been a teacher in the high-school of Cedar Rapids. Earl Russell was educated in the Anamosa high school and is now a farmer of Jackson township.

Perhaps no family is better known than the one bearing the name of Byerly. Its representatives have done much to develop and improve their part of the county and all have become well-to-do. have borne their part in public affairs and always led law-abiding lives.

As printed in History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.