Myers - Ben S.
Source: History of Montgomery County, Indiana. Indianapolis: AW Bowen,
1913, pp. 810-12.
The Old Dominion, "the mother of Presidents," has perhaps sent
from her vast domain of rich valley and rugged mountain more
people "worth while," who have gone into other states of the
Union and there proved their mettle by what they have done in the
way of upbuilding new localities, than any other, the great
Empire state not excepted. The Virginians are also universally
noted for their hospitality and genial address. One of these
worthy sons, one of the few who has selected Montgomery county,
Indiana, is Ben S. Myers, for many years one of the most
extensive and active contractors of Crawfordsville, known
throughout the United States and Canada, also as an expert
poultry judge. He maintains here a large establishment, making
shipments of his superior grade of fowls and fancy eggs, and no
man in Indiana is regarded as a better authority in this line, or
indeed, in any other state as to that matter. Poultry raising has
been given a great impetus by him, and he has done much to better
the grades. Not so very long ago when those who devoted their
attention exclusively to raising poultry were comparatively few,
this line of endeavor was sort of a side line with farmers; but
during the past decade conditions have changed and everywhere we
find men prospering by giving their exclusive attention to the
raising of poultry, all kinds and colors being raised, each
fancying his breed is the best. But notwithstanding this
increase, the demand is still far in excess of the supply, which
fact renders it certain that the poultry business will continue
to be one of the important industries of the country.
Mr. Myers was born in the state of Virginia on June 20, 1852,
and he is a son of James W. and Anna E. Myers, who spent their
earlier years in that state, remaining there until 1854, when
they removed to Danville, Illinois, the subject being then two
years old, and there they established the family home, the
parents spending the rest of their lives there.
Ben S. Myers grew to manhood at Danville and received a
limited education in the common schools, having been thrown out
into the world on his own resources when a boy as a result of
domestic troubles. He apprenticed himself to a brick mason, and
after learning same followed that for several years and was
regarded as an expert. On August 10, 1872, he came to
Crawfordsville, Indiana, and worked in the building of the old
high school. The following spring he went into the contracting
business with A. S. Newton and built several building in
Irvington and Spiceland, Illinois, then returned to
Crawfordsville and worked on the court house, and continued
contracting under the firm name of Myers & Swan, and they did
a large and successful business in this part of the state, many
of the most important buildings in this and nearby cities
standing as monuments to their skill as builders, such as the old
Y. M. C. A. building, Carnegie library, Masonic temple, Center
Presbyterian, Baptist and Christian and United Brethren churches,
the Crawfordsville Trust Building, the coffin factory, the nail
factory, Poston brick plant and Big Four station. In 1904 this
partnership, which had been so successful for several years, was
dissolved, after which Mr. Myers engaged in the business alone,
continuing with ever increasing success. During this period he
built the following school houses in Crawfordsville: Breaks,
Garfield and Smartsburg; the Darlington Addition, and addition to
the wire works, the J. J. Darter and Poston residences.
In 1877 Mr. Myers turned his attention to poultry and began
raising the famous "Black Langshans," and he is possibly the
oldest breeder of that stock in the United States. From that time
until the present, a period of over thirty-five years, he has had
every increasing success, until they have been the means of
carrying his name broadcast throughout the land and into foreign
countries. His first exhibit was in Indianapolis in 1887, in the
Meridian Rink Building. Since that time he has had prize winners
in Kansas City, Denver, New Orleans, Nashville, Columbus,
Chicago, Indianapolis, New York, Cleveland, Cincinnati and St.
Louis. For twenty-two years he has been one of the credited
judges of the American Poultry Association, and was one of the
first to have a judge's license in this large association. He has
gone all over the United States and Canada as a judge of poultry
shows, and his decisions have ever been characterized by fairness
and sound judgment and satisfactory to all concerned. At this
writing he has about one hundred pure-bred "Black Langshans," and
inquiries about them are coming in constantly from all over the
country. He is well equipped for the proper care of his poultry
and eggs, everything about his poultry yards being of the most
approved kind. He owns one of the commodious and attractive
residences in Crawfordsville, beautiful from an architectural
standpoint. This pleasant dwelling is presided over with
commendable grace by a lady of refinement, known in her
maidenhood as Frances Brandecamp, representative of a highly
respected and well known family of this city, where she grew to
womanhood and was educated. She is of German parentage.
The union of Mr. Myers and wife has been blessed by the birth
of five children, namely: Paul J., Charles J., L. J., Benjamin
Herbert and Bessie Helena, the two latter being twins.
Mr. Myers is prominent in fraternal circles, holding
membership with the local lodges of Masons, the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the
Modern Woodmen of America. The Elks home in Crawfordsville was
built by Myers & Son. Politically, the subject is a
Republican. He is a good mixer and, being an obliging, jovial
gentleman, is popular with all with whom he comes in contact. -- contributed by kbz