West Myers

MYERS

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/11/2009 at 14:56:29

West Myers, well known as a leading farmer and stock raiser of Boone county and one whose success is attributable entirely to his own efforts, was born December 26, 1851, upon the old home farm in this county, where he now lives. His father was Michael Myers, who was born in eastern Tennessee on January 24, 1825. The grandfather bore the name of West Myers and was three times married. He was a farmer by occupation, following that pursuit in eastern Tennessee and was one of the prominent and well educated men of his district. He served as justice of the peace for a considerable period and was a capable and intelligent officer. From Tennessee he removed to Indiana and thence came to Iowa, in the winter of 1854-5. Here his death occurred when he was fifty-six years of age. Michael Myers, the father of our subject was a mere child when his parents removed to the Hoosier state. There he was reared to manhood and was married there. In 1850 he came to Boone county and purchased the claim upon which our subject is now living, removing his family to this farm on April 26, 1851. A little log cabin sheltered the family while he carried on the work of field and meadow. He paid $500 dollars for his property, consisting of 240 acres. On this farm Michael Myers spent the remainder of his life and was never away form home for any great length of time, the longest period being on one occasion when he was buying cattle in Minnesota, when he was gone for one month and two days. He was extensively engaged in handling stock, being one of the leading representatives in this line of business in the county. He was very industrious and active and sturdy, honest man in all his way, and through his earnest labor he accumulated a nice property,, in fact , became one of the largest landowners of the county, his realty holdings covering thirteen hundred acres. During the last eight years of his life he largely lived retired from active business.
Michael Myers was united in marriage to Charlotte Latham, who was born in Indiana. She died February 4, 1859, at eth age of thirty-three years and ten months. By this union were born eight children. After the death of the first wife the father again married, his second union being with Mrs Mary Latham, who died August 30, 1890. There were five children by this union. In the family were thirteen altogether and ten of the number are yet living, as follows: Alexander, Nancy A, John W, West, Harrison, Johnson, Vincent, Lotta, Charles R, and Bell. Michael Myers was not an office seeker, buy his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, called him to a number of positions of public trust during his residence in Des Moines township. He served as school trustee and was administrator of several estates In his political views he was a Democrat where questions of state and national importance were involved, but at local elections where there was no issue before the people he voted regardless of party affiliations, supporting the men whom he thought best qualified for office. He was not identified with any religious organization, but attended the Methodist Episcopal church more than others. However he contributed tot eh support of all churches and in his dealings with his fellow men he was generous, upright and honorable. His life was, indeed, well worthy of commendation and his example of emulation. He started out upon his business career empty handed, but with strong purpose and steadfast will he continued his labors and thus advanced steadily toward the goal of prosperity. At all times he was just and reliable in his relations with his fellow men and thus he commanded their esteem, and when he was called to his final rest his death was deeply mourned.
West Myers, whose name introduces this review, spent his boyhood days upon the old family homestead and in the common schools pursued his education. He has followed general farming and stock raising. He is today the owner of the old home farm which covers and extensive tract of rich land and here he carries on general agricultural pursuits He raises the grains best adapted to the soil and climate. And in addition is giving considerable attention to the raising of stock, making a specialty of Durham cattle. He keeps from seventy-five to one hundred head of this breed upon his farm and his annual sales of stock materially increase his income, and his home farm comprises 322 ½ acres. He also owns another farm of 422 acres. Mr Myers was married April 9, 1879, to Belle F Joice. Unto our subject and his wife have been born four children, three yet living, namely. Lotte B, Austin, and Selden W. Their daughter Lotte B, is the wife of Clarence Lockard, a resident of Boone. In religion Mr Myers favors the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his wife is a member . He is a representative of one of the earliest families of Boone county and has witnessed almost its entire development, as it has emerged from pioneer conditions to take its place among the richest and best sections of this grand state. A native son of Boone county he well deserves representation in this history as one of its representative and honored men.

1902 Boone County History Book