Purdy Melbourne Byerly 1838-1910

BYERLY, STOFFEL STICHLER

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 2/12/2019 at 15:04:52

THIS IS AN ADDITIONAL ARTICLE CONCERNING P.M.

P. M. Byerly

Among the early settlors in Farley in the 1860’s was Purdy Melbourne Byerly who’d been born in Ross Co., Ohio August 2, 1838. At the age of 4, Purdy came with his family relocating six miles N. of Dubuque. There Mr. Byerly served as an apprentice in a blacksmith shop. During the Civil War, Byerly served three years in Co. G. of the First Volunteer Calvary; then with Co. H. Fourth Regiment of Hancock’s Veteran Corps. Mr. Byerly was wounded having been shot in the head while crossing the Little Missouri River in Arkansas. He was discharged coming back to Farley in 1867 to work as a blacksmith. He also worked as a wagon maker. In later years as his health failed, P. M. gardened and raised bees. Mr. Byerly married twice. His first wife was a sister to Adam Stichler who lived near Epworth. Catherine Stichler Byerly died March 1, 1861. She is buried at Bethel, the McGee Cemetery North of Farley. Catherine and Purdy had a son, Melbourne, who moved from Farley about 1899, living later at Fair Grove, MO. Mr. Byerly’s second wife was Mrs. Sarah E. Stoffel, from Illinois, who he married in 1866. They had a son, Everet F., who was buried at Fairview. Everet died July 30, 1865 at age 4 months and 26 days. Sarah Byerly passed away shortly before her husband she died March 29, 1909, at age 78. P. M. Byerly has developed cancer on his neck, which is spreading to his face. It’s sad he had health complications since his injuries during the war. When treatment was to no avail Byerly got his business in order and admitted himself to the Old Soldiers Home in Marshalltown. He died at age 72, on Jan. 18, 1910. Burial was by his wife at Fairview,

"The History of Farley". David Gibson. Welu Printing, Dubuque, IA.,1996