MYERS-John C. - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

JOHN MYERS, a retired farmer and prominent citizen of Grove Township, Jasper County, residing on section 24, was born in Crab Orchard, Ky., September 13, 1812, while his parents were on their way home to Davidson County, N.C. The Myers family is of German origin, and was founded in this country by the grandparents of our subject, who emigrated from their native Germany and located in North Carolina in Colonial days. The grandmother died at the age of eighty-seven years. The grandfather died in middle life,, leaving a son, Jacob, then three years old. This child became the father of our subject. He grew to manhood in his native State and married Catherine Shular, who was born in the same State, as was also her father, Abraham Shular, a farmer and blacksmith of North Carolina, who died in 1828, at the age of sixty-two years, in the faith of the Lutheran Church. For some time Jacob Myers followed agricultural pursuits in the State of his nativity, and in 1830 removed to Fountain County, Ind., where he carried on farming until his death, which occurred in 1870, after a residence there of forty years. He was one of the pioneer settlers of that county and a prominent farmer. He passed away in the eighty-first year of his age, and his wife died on the old homestead in Fountain County, July 24, 1885, in her ninety-second year. Both were members of the Lutheran Church and were highly respected people. They had a family of seven sons and two daughters, of whom John, Eli, Jacob H., Franklin M., Elijah and Mary M. are still living. All are married and have families of their own. The subject of this sketch spent the days of his boyhood in the usual manner of farmer lads. In the summer months he aided his father in the labors of the farm, and in the winter season attended the district schools of the neighborhood, where he acquired his education. After arriving at years of maturity, he chose as a companion and helpmate on life's journey Catherine, daughter of Peter and Catherine (Long) Fine. Their union was celebrated October 11, 1832, and unto them were born seven sons and four daughters, but three sons and two daughters are now deceased. Maria and Jacob A., the two eldest, have passed away. Peter, who resides upon a farm two miles northeast of Gila, married Susie Krout, and has eight children: Ephraim, Nettie, Charles O., Rosa A., Stella, Harry C., Clara C. and Ira E. Susanna is the wife of Michael M. Sowers, of Gila, by whom she has five children: Sarah I., Mary C., Wickliff D., Alva L. and Oscar A. John C. married Miss Lucinda Grimes, who died October 17, 1864 leaving two children, Emma Z. and Edna May, and after her death he wedded Miss Elmira A. McIivee, by whom he has a son and daughter, Laura B. and John C. Levi F., the next child of the Myers family, is deceased. Noah D., of Decatur, Ill., wedded Mattie Jane Ward, and they have four children: Bessie Lee, Minnie May, Lulu Pearl and Murl M. Noah is a physician and surgeon of Decatur, Ill., where he has practiced for five years. For thirteen years he practiced in Gila and two years in Indiana, and has won an excellent reputation. Mathies H., is deceased, as is also the next child, Mary M. Amanda C., twin sister of Mary, is the wife of James A. Sanders, of Fountain County, Ind., and the mother of four children: Susie, David W., Martha C. and James Leroy. Eli, the youngest member of the Myers family, is County Superintendent of Schools in Fountain County, Ind. He married Polly Wift and four children grace their union: Lena Leota, Vinnie R., Edith G. and J. Howard. Our subject has thirty grandchildren and twenty-five great grandchildren. In 1891, he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 15th of January, at the age of seventy-nine years, five months and twenty-seven days. She was a consistent member of the Lutheran Church, a faithful and loving wife and mother, and was held in the highest regard by a large circle of acquaintances. Mr. Myers has followed farming throughout the greater part of his life. On embarking in that pursuit he began the cultivation of a tract of timberland of eighty acres in Fountain County, Ind., which his father deeded to him. This he cleared, plowed and planted, and in the course of time had a fine farm, whose rich and fertile fields yielded to him abundant harvest. He lived upon that farm for the long period of forty-seven years, and extended its boundaries until it comprised two hundred acres. On the 6th of June, 1879, he arrived in Jasper County, and at Gila opened a general store and also established the postoffice at that place, becoming its first Postmaster. There he resided and carried on business until the death of his wife, when he went to live with his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Sowers. He still however, owns his property in Gila. Mr. Myers has always led a quiet, unassuming life, never taking a very prominent part in public affairs. However, he has been a good citizen and while living in Fountain County, Ind., he held the office of School Treasurer. He is a member of the Lutheran Church and for some years was a Deacon in the Hoosier State. In politics he has been a life-long Democrat, having supported that party since he cast his first vote for Martin Van Buren. Mr. Myers is now in his eighty-first year, but he is still enjoying quite good health. His life has been well spent, and though he lived so quietly, he has lived so honorably that in whatever community he has made his home he has had the confidence and good-will of all.

Contributed by Brenda Boyer