George Washington Eyerly

BAILEY, CHANDLER, COCKLIN, EYERLY, HOWELL, THUMA

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 8/15/2004 at 15:41:31

George W. Eyerly is actively engaged in farming in Douglas township and as an old soldier is entitled to the respect of those who are enjoying the prosperity of our united country — united because such men as he offered themselves in its defense. He was born in Mansfield, Richland county, Ohio, on the 17th of January, 1843, a son of Samuel and Mary Ann (Thuma) Eyerly. The father, who was of English and Scotch descent, was born in Maryland, May 2, 1803, and the mother, who came of Holland Dutch parentage, was born in Pennsylvania in 1814.

Samuel Eyerly learned the carpenter's trade in his youth and followed that occupation for many years, although after his sons were grown he turned his attention to farming and for a considerable length of time he both cultivated the soil and did carpentering, being a landowner in Ohio. In 1846 he removed to Washington county, Iowa, settling on Dutch Creek Prairie. At that time there were but few families living in the county and there was nothing to be seen but the grass-covered prairies, an occasional grove of oaks and innumerable wild pigeons. Deer had not yet disappeared and Mr. Eyerly was sometimes able to kill them while standing in his cabin door. His first work upon his arrival was to erect a log cabin, which remained the family home for some time. He found considerable demand for his trade as new settlers came into the country and he built many of the first frame houses in Washington county. In that early day the rivers were important highways and he removed from Ohio to Washington county by boat, making the trip from Cincinnati to Keokuk by that means. In 1858 he removed to Jefferson county, Iowa, where he became the owner of valuable land. Two years later, however, he went to Jasper county, where he farmed and followed his trade until 1863, in which year he came to Madison county, settling in Crawford. He worked at carpentering and farmed a small tract of land with the assistance of his youngest son, James Harlan, three of his sons having enlisted in the army. A short time prior to his death he returned to Jasper county and passed away there in May, 1867. He was very prominent in the early Methodist Episcopal church in Iowa and while living in Washington county helped to organize the first church of that denomination there. He was especially interested and active in Sunday-school work, feeling that to influence the children is to determine the lives of the men and women of tomorrows He served acceptably as justice of the peace but had no ambition for other office. His indignation was aroused by slavery and he was a leader in abolition circles in this state. He built the first mill on Skunk river, which was known as the Smedley mill and was located near Brighton, this state. His wife survived him for many years, passing away in 1900.

George W. Eyerly attended the common schools in Washington county and at Brighton, Iowa, but his education was not confined to lessons learned in books, as through assisting his father he learned much of value concerning agricultural work. He was engaged in farming when the Civil war broke out and, feeling that his country needed his services, he entered Company E, Fortieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, enlisting on the nth of August, 1862, in the face of parental opposition. Before he was eighteen years of age he had drilled with the Second Iowa Cavalry and desired to enlist then but his father thought he was too young. His brother, Captain J. B. Eyerly, was a member of the Thirteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served for four years. He afterward located near Newton, Iowa, where he became very prominent and well known. He died on the 11th of March, 1907. Another brother, William Eyerly, was also a member of the Thirteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry and was killed in the siege of Atlanta. George W. Eyerly participated with his regiment in the battle at Jenkins Ferry on Saline river, in Arkansas, and there was wounded, a spent bullet passing through his knapsack and clothing, causing a surface wound, which gave him very little trouble, however. He was also in the siege of Vicksburg and was under the command of General Grant. He was mustered out on the reservation of the Cherokee Nation, August 16, 1865, at Fort Gibson.

Mr. Eyerly then returned to his home in Madison county and resumed work as an agriculturist. Although he has passed the three score years and ten allotted to man by the Psalmist he is still performing his part in the world's work and is operating his farm. He raises the crops best suited to the soil and climate of the state and also keeps some stock, and his wise management of his affairs insures him a good profit on his year's work. He raises shorthorn cattle and Shire horses and has exhibited a number of the latter at the county fair.

On the 9th of December, 1865, Mr. Eyerly was united in marriage to Miss Martha Angeline Howell, a native of Coshocton county, Ohio, who was born February 18, 1849, and died in 1892. She was a sister of Lanson Howell, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Eyerly were born thirteen children: Louella M., the wife of S. M. Cocklin, a mail carrier and farmer of Ridgeway, Missouri, by whom she has nine children; Vinson Arthur, a farmer of Madison county, who was born July 4, 1868, and died on the 26th of February, 1905, leaving a widow and two children; Alice E., who gave her hand in marriage to Graham Scott, a farmer of Ridgeway, Missouri, by whom she has three sons and two daughters; Virgil E., born March 19, 1872, who is farming his own land near Earlham, in Dallas county, Iowa, and who has three children; Frank L., a landowner and farmer of Union township, born October 1, 1874, who is married and has three children; William C., born October 31, 1876, who owns land in Grand River township and who is married and the father of six children; Charles L., born December 26, 1878, who is farming in Douglas township and who has four children; Earl E., born June 12, 1881, who is a farmer and auctioneer residing in Grand River township and who is the father of three children; George R., who was born April 6, 1883, and died December 25, 1888; Loren H., born December 18, 1885, who resides in Hamill, South Dakota, and has three children; Ray V., born December 16, 1887, who is farming in Jackson township and has three children; Fred R., born December 24, 1889, who is farming in Jefferson township and has two children; and Ralph H., who was born May 11, 1892, and died November 5, I90I.

On the 31st of December, 1897, Mr. Eyerly was again married, Miss Clara Bailey becoming his wife. She is a native of this county, born in Douglas township of the marriage of Moses and Mary (Chandler) Bailey. Her father's birth occurred on the 15th of January, 1825, and her mother's in 1832. Mr. Bailey is still living but his wife died on the 6th of August, 1911. He learned the carpenter's trade in his youth and was for a number of years a cabinetmaker. He also learned the jeweler's trade. In 1853 he came to Winterset and founded one of the first jewelry stores in the town. He also became a landowner and upon retiring settled upon his farm, spending much time in the care of his bees and flowers. To him and his wife were born eleven children, of whom Mrs. Eyerly was the ninth in order of birth. She was reared in the Quaker faith but is now identified with the Christian church and has taken an active part in the work of both the Christian and Methodist Episcopal churches situated in her locality. To Mr. and Mrs. Eyerly have been born seven children: Beulah, born January 17, 1899; Emerson, born on the 30th of October, 1900; Howard R., born May 8, 1904; John Hugh, whose birth occurred November 25, 1905; Mabel, born April 29, 1907; Lloyd W., born February 21, 1909; and Samuel O., born December 26, 1910. Mr. Eyerly is the father of twenty children, has forty-one grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

He has always supported the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and has served acceptably as trustee. Since 1857 he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and in addition to giving money for the building of the first West Star Methodist Episcopal church he gave the ground upon which the structure was erected. He has held office in both the church and Sunday school and his life has been a strong factor in the moral advancement of his community. He also holds membership in Pitzer Post, No. 55, G. A. R., at Winterset. The measure of success that he has gained has been due entirely to his energy and good judgment and the high place that he holds in the estimation of his fellow citizens is the reward of his integrity and uprightness.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915”