Alice (Averill) Farwell Byers (1840-1911)

AVERILL, FARWELL, BYERS, ARTHUR, GOODELL

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 11/13/2012 at 19:54:41

From Nevada Representative February 10, 1911

Death of Mrs. Alice Byers.

A telegram announcing the death of Mrs. Alice Byers, mother of Dr. Arthur, was received this morning by Dr. Arthur. Mrs. Byers was at the home of her youngest son, James Byers of Swea City, and word had come the first of the week that she was bery low. Mrs. Arthur wen t to her mother on Wednesday and on Thursday, Mrs. Byers passed away. She was known to many in Nevada, having been a frequent visitor at her daughter's home here, and was somewhere near seventy years of age. The funeral will take place on Saturday and Mrs. Arthur is expected home on Monday.

From Nevada Representative February 14, 1911

Mrs. Byers Passes.

Alice Averill-Farwell-Byers was born April 10, 1840, died February 9 at the home of her son James near Swea City aged 70 years, 9 months and 21 days.

Her birthplace was near Montreal, Canada. While a girl she moved with her parents to DeKalb, Illinois, before the Civil War. She was married to George Farwell who afterward enlisted in the Fifty-fifth Illinois regiment and was killed in the battle of Shiloh. To this union was born one son, Dr. C. W. Farwell of Omaha, Nebraska.

June 22, 1863 she married to James Byers at Dixon, Illinois. They moved west and settled near Waterloo on a farm. To them were born five children. One died in infancy. The survivors are John of Selby, South Dakota, James of Swea City, Ia., Mrs. Matilda Arthur of Nevada, and Mrs. Ida Goodell of Lyon Mt., New York.

One brother John Averill of Waterloo and one sister Anna Atwood of Dixon, Illinois also survive her. She has also left twelve grand children and three great grand children.

Her husband, James Byers, died April 6, 1874.

Mrs. Byers united with the M. E. church in early girlhood and continued a faithful member to the end of her life. She was a good mother, a kind neighbor and was loved and respected by all who knew her. She was buried at the Seneca Cemetery near Swea City, Iowa.