Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1891
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 653
FREELY W. MYERS

Freely W. MYERS (Portrait), a representative farmer of Taylor Township, residing on section 13, came to Harrison County in the spring of 1868, and hired out by the month on a farm in Raglan Township. After fourteen months he went to the Black Hills country, who were Indian traders. He rode through on horseback, but only remained a short time. He returned the same way as he went, his trip consuming about six months. In the spring of 1871, he bought the farm he now lives upon. There were two hundred acres of partly improved land, which had a one story frame house upon it, in which he lived until the autumn of 1888, when his present two-story frame residence was erected, the same being 40x50 feet. This is considered one of the most commodious farm houses in Harrison County. He has a system of water works, by which soft water can be obtained in any room on the first floor, while hard water is forced to every room in the house. In 1887 he built a barn 40x54 feet, with fourteen foot posts, the same being built over a basement seven and one feet deep. His barn is also connected with his water-works system, by which pure water is always provided for his stock. He has about one hundred acres under cultivation and the balance in pasture, hay and timber-land. He now has four hundred and eighty-two acres of land in Taylor Township, including eighty acres of hay land, which produces two and one-half tons per acre.

Mr. MYERS was born in Adams County, Pa., June 7, 1845. He is the son of Anthony K. and Margaret C. (WOLFFORD) MYERS, both natives of Pennsylvania. Our subject remained under the paternal roof until September 1, 1864, when he enlisted in Company A, Two hundred and Ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. He took part in the following engagements: The battle of Ft. Steadman, Yellowhouse Landing, then went on the Petersburg, and was at Appomattox Courthouse, and was there when Lee surrendered, and was within a mile of the spot where Gen U. s. GRANT demanded and obtained an "unconditional" surrender of the great leader of the Southern Confederacy.

Our subject participated in and made one of that vast throng, the like of which the world may never see again-the Grand Review of the armies at Washington, D. C. He was discharged at Alexandria, Va., May 31, 1865, and then returned to his home in Pennsylvania, where he remained only a short time, and then went to selling fruit trees in Virginia. This was in the spring of 1866. After four months at this business he went to Chicago and formed a partnership with E. BOLES and followed the mercantile business for nine months. This business adventure did not prove a success, so he went to Blackhawk County, Iowa, where he canvassed for the pictures of GRANT and COLFAX. He followed this for two months and then went to Guthrie County, Iowa, and hired out on a farm, where he worked nine months and then came to this county.

December 16, 1871, he was married in Harrison County, to Miss Maggie E. GARNER, the daughter of Henry and Anna (MAHONEY) GARNER. This matrimonial union was sealed and made more sacred by the birth of five children--Carlos U., Henry A., a pair of twins, a boy and girl, who died in infancy, and Stephen A.

Maggie (GARNER) MYERS was born in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, December 8, 1852. She came with her parents to Harrison County, when quite small, and remained with them until married. She is a member of the Latter Day Saints Church.

Mr. MYERS belongs to Lodge No. 232, A. F. & A. M., of Missouri Valley; also the Royal Arch Chapter at the same place. He is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic at Modale. In his political belief he has always supported the Republican party up to the present campaign, but is now identified with the People's party. In April, 1891, a "Farmers Alliance and Industrial Union" was organized in Harrison County, of which our subject was made President.

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