Milton Byerly

As printed in 1910

MILTON BYERLY.

Many of the most successful farmers of Jones county are those who in younger years devoted some of their time to teaching school, thus gaining a broader outlook on life and an understanding of human nature. They have learned the value of a thorough comprehension of any line of work and when they turned their full attention to farming it was with the idea of profiting by the experience of others. One of the men who has been both school teacher and farmer is Milton Byerly, residing on section 4, Jackson township, who was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, January 30, 1844, and was brought to Jones county by his parents, Michael and Elizabeth (Jefifries) Byerly, in 1846. The family located in Jackson township and for many years assisted other pioneers in the work of improvement.

Milton Byerly received more than the average education afforded the farmer's son, for after he had attended the common school he entered Cornell College at Mt. Vernon, Iowa, and also took a commercial course in Iron City College at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. For eighteen winters he taught school in Jones county and farmer in the summer, becoming one of the best known educators of his locality. He made his home with his parents until his brother John was married and then he farmer in partnership with him. This association continued until Mr. Byerly was married, when he settled on his own farm. His present farm, located on sections 4 and 5, Jackson township, cost him fifty dollars an acre but it is now worth much more owing to the work he has put upon it as well as his many improvements. Here he carries on general farming and stock raising, and his property shows the results of his good management and knowledge of his business. In addition to this farm Mr. Byerly owns one hundred and sixty acres in San Luis Valley, Colorado.

In 1882 Mr. Byerly married Marie J. Johnson, who was born in Fairview township, Jones county, March 25, 1863, a daughter of the Rev. J. H. and Katherine (Bowlby) Johnson, natives of Dayton, Ohio. Mr. Johnson was a clergyman of the Christian church and came here in 1860. In addition to his pastoral duties, he also engaged in farming and he and his wife spent the remainder of their Hves here.

A stanch supporter of the principles of democracy, Mr. Byerly has held all of the important township offices, including those of township clerk and assessor and is now township committeeman. As a public official, a business man or an educator Mr. Byerly has always done his full duty as he has seen it, and has won the confidence and respect of those with whom he has been brought into contact. For a number of years he has been a member of the United Brethren church at Antioch, and is one of the liberal contributors to that body. He and his wife had charge of the music in that church for a quarter of a century. For a year and a half they made their home in Denver, Colorado.

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.