Byers, John

JOHN BYERS, farmer, post-office Sheakleyville, Penn., was born February 1, 1804, and is a son of Ross and Sally (Elliott) Byers. The father of our subject was a native of Cumberland County, Penn., and his mother of York County, Penn. The grandfather, John Byers, removed to Pittsburgh, Penn., and in 1797 the father of our subject came to Sandy Creek Township, and took up a tract of 400 acres of land. He was one of the progressive men of his day, was one of the first county commissioners elected in Mercer County, and was one of the board of county commissioners that erected the county courthouse. He was the father of seven children: Jonathan; Sally, wife of John Thompson; John, Elliott, Polly, Nancy and Peggy, all dead except our subject. Mr. Byers, Sr., died in February, 1843; his wife survived him, dying in 1856. Our subject was reared upon the home farm, where he spent his life engaged in farming. He received such education as the schools of that time afforded. Mr. Byers has always lived a retired life, a plain, unassuming farmer, and is respected for his integrity by the people of his community. He has been a life-long Democrat. He was married in 1839 to Miss Sarah, daughter of John Caldwell, of Sandy Creek Township, who died in 1862, leaving five children: Charles W., deceased; Mary, Mrs. John Davis, of Greenville, Penn.; Nancy J., Sinnus and John S.