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John Jacob Myers
Biography by Etta Clara Hoyt
(date unknown)
Etta Clara Hoyt was John Jacob Myers's daughter-in-law.
Text of the Biography
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Text of the Biography
John Jacob Myers son of the Hon. John L. and Catharine Vance Myers was born near Bloomingburg, Fayette County, Ohio, April first 1839. He received his education in the schools of the neighborhood and at an early age became indentified with his father in the management of his large farming and stock raising interests. His father was on of the most progressive farmers of his day and his son followed well his teachings.November 16th 1861 at his country's call for troops for the defense of the union he enlisted in Co. H of the Sixtieth O.V.I. under command of Col. Trimble. June 8th 1862 he was commissioned 2nd Lieut. With this regiment he was in pursuit of Jackson up the Shenandoah Valley and in the battle at Cross Keys. With them he was captured at Harper's Ferry September 15th 1862 and was discharged at Camp Douglas near Chicago October 10th 1862.
Although he had seen hard service in the field his love of home and country prompted him to again enlist March 26th 1864 in their defense this time in Company K of the 8th O.V.C. He was one of the very few who after being mustered out as an officer re-enlisted as a private. He was promoted to sergeant June 1st 1865 and was detailed assistant engineer in building the forts at Winchester under Gen. Powell. He was discharged at Clarksburg W. Va. July 30th 1865.
After the close of the war he returned to Bloomingburg and continued in business with his father until March 1st 1870 when he moved to the farm he occupied until his death. November 20th 1860 he was married to Mary A. McCafferty with whom he passed an ideal home life until
He was always ready to assist in any movement for the good of the community. He was president of the Farmers Institute during its first year and was the master of the Grange almost the entire time of its existence as an organization in Williamsport. He was a charter member of Heber Lodge and its first treasurer.
A great reader, he was always well posted on the topics of the day, taking a keen interest especially in such as concerned the government for whose preservation he had given so much of his time and health. He never tired of reading and talking of the dark days of the sixties and a comrade was always greeted as a friend. He was partial to young people and children and was always ready to enter into their pleasures and help them with any cherished plan for pleasure or profit.
One of the greatest pleasures of the months of his failing health was the visits of the young people.