Person Page

     John W. H. Byerly was born on 25 May 1817 in Rockingham Co., Virginia.^1,2,3,4,5 He married Amanda Henton, daughter of Peter Henton Jr. and Mary Sellers, on 26 October 1840 in Rockingham Co., Virginia.^6,7 John died of heart failure on 31 August 1893 in Lyon Co., Kansas, at age 76.²
     

     John and Amanda had twelve children, eight girls and four boys, six of which were still living at his death in 1893. Shortly before the Civil War, in 1858, according to the obituary of his son William, he moved with his family to Sullivan Co., Tennessee. He remained there until 1874 when he moved to Blount Co., Tennessee. In 1880 he and his wife moved to Lyon Co., Kansas with his son William. He was a member of the Dunkard church.

     In the Census of 1850, enumerated 28 November 1850, John W. H. Byerly was listed as a head of household in Rockingham Co., Virginia. He was listed at age 33, occupation as a laborer with no property value given, born in Virginia.. Also enumerated in the household: Amanda Byerly, Sarah C. Byerly, Mary E. Byerly, Elizabeth F. Byerly, William A. H. Byerly and Columbia Caroline Byerly.¹

     In the Census of 1860, enumerated 16 June 1860, John W. H. Byerly was listed as a head of household in Beaver Creek, Sullivan Co., Tennessee. He was listed at age 43, occupation as a farmer, born in Virginia.. Also enumerated in the household: Amanda Byerly, Sarah C. Byerly, Mary E. Byerly, Elizabeth F. Byerly, William A. H. Byerly, Columbia Caroline Byerly, Hannah M. Byerly, Robert R. Byerly, Adelia N. J. Byerly, Celia A. E. Byerly and Peter B. Byerly.⁴

     In the Census of 1870, enumerated 14 June 1870, John W. H. Byerly was listed as a head of household in Sullivan Co., Tennessee. He was listed at age 53, occupation as a farmer, with real estate value of $2000 and personal property value of $500, born in Virginia.. Also enumerated in the household: Amanda Byerly, Adelia N. J. Byerly, Sarah C. Byerly, Elizabeth F. Byerly, William A. H. Byerly, Columbia Caroline Byerly, Hannah M. Byerly, Robert R. Byerly and Celia A. E. Byerly.³

     John W. H. Byerly was listed as a boarder at age 58, occupation as a laborer, born in Virginia, in the household of Robert L. Dishner in Jackson, Lyon Co., Kansas, in the Census of 1880 enumerated 11 June 1880.⁵

     John's Obituary:

     John Wellington H. Byerly was born in September 1850 in Rockingham Co., Virginia.^1,2,3,4 John died of cerebellum disease on 15 April 1876 at age 25.^1,2 He was interred in April 1876 in Hartford Cemetery in Lyon Co., Kansas.¹
     

     John Wellington H. Byerly was listed at age 9, born in Rockingham Co., Virginia, as a member of the household of Joseph Byerly in Boones Creek, Washington Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1860, enumerated 10 July 1860.³

     John Wellington H. Byerly was listed at age 18, born in Virginia, as a member of the household of Joseph Byerly in Sullivan Co., Tennessee, in the Census of 1870, enumerated 11 June 1870.⁴

     From an article in the Emporia News, Apr. 28, 1876 - "Died, Apr. 15, 1876 of cerebellum disease, John Welllington H. Byerly, aged 25 years and 7 months. Mr. Byerly was taken down with the measles the first week in January last. He took cold and a run of fever for some days. When he began to recover from that the spinal difficulty set in and after suffering about two weeks, breathed his lase . . . funeral attended by many friends and relatives from both the Rapids and Hartford . . . leaves parents and two sisters."²

     Jonathan Bierly was born circa 1858 in Virginia.¹
     

     Jonathan Bierly was listed at age 2, born in Virginia, as a member of the household of David Bierly in Botetourt Co., Virginia, in the Census of 1860, enumerated 11 August 1860.¹

     Joseph Byerly was born on 14 April 1819 in Rockingham Co., Virginia.^1,2,3,4,5,6 He married Amanda Henton, daughter of Thomas Henton and Elizabeth Strayer, on 24 January 1846 in Rockingham Co., Virginia.^7,8 Joseph died of a heart problem and paralysis on 7 December 1903 in his home at 1014 Market Street, Emporia, Lyon Co., Kansas, at age 84.¹ He was interred in December 1903 in Hartford Cemetery in Lyon Co., Kansas.^1,9
     

     Joseph was born in Rockingham Co., Virginia. By 1860 he was in Washington Co., Tennessee. In 1879 he was in Sullivan Co., Tennessee and sometime before 1880 had moved to Kansas.

     In the Census of 1850, enumerated 26 November 1850, Joseph Byerly was listed as a head of household in Rockingham Co., Virginia. He was listed at age 31, occupation as a laborer with no property value given, born in Virginia.. Also enumerated in the household: Amanda Byerly, Elizabeth Byerly and Elizabeth Henton.²

     In the Census of 1860, enumerated 10 July 1860, Joseph Byerly was listed as a head of household in Boones Creek, Washington Co., Tennessee. He was listed at age 41, occupation as a farmer with no real estate or personal estate values listed, born in Rockingham Co., Virginia. Also enumerated in the household: Amanda Byerly, Elizabeth Byerly, John Wellington H. Byerly and Sarah E. Byerly.³

     In the Census of 1870, enumerated 11 June 1870, Joseph Byerly was listed as a head of household in Sullivan Co., Tennessee. He was listed at age 51, occupation as a miller, with personal property of $200, born in Virginia.. Also enumerated in the household: Amanda Henton, Elizabeth Byerly, John Wellington H. Byerly and Sarah E. Byerly.⁴

     In the Census of 1880, enumerated 15 June 1880, Joseph Byerly was listed as head of household in Neosho Rapids, Lyon Co., Kansas. He was listed at age 61, occupation as a miller, born in Virginia. Also enumerated in the household: Amanda Byerly and Sarah E. Byerly.⁵

     Joseph Byerly was listed as the head of a family on the 1900 Census enumerated 9 June 1900, in Jackson Township, Lyon Co., Kansas. He was listed at age 81, no occupation listed, born in Virginia. Also enumerated in the household: Sarah E. Byerly.⁶ Joseph was employed as a mail carrier in 1903, in Neosho Rapids, Lyon Co., Kansas.¹

     Joseph Byerly's Obituary:

Joseph Byerly Dead
     Joseph Byerly, one of the early settlers of Kansas, died at 8:30 Monday morning at his home, No. 1014 Market street, Emporia, of heart trouble and paralysis, in the 85th year of his age.
     Mr. Byerly was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, April 14th, 1819. He moved to Tennessee in 1870. His wife died nine years ago. Two daughters, Miss Sallie Byerly and Mrs. Elizabeth Stine, besides a number of grandchildren survive. Mr. Byerly was a mail carrier at Neosho Rapids for twenty-two years and never missed a train, excepting a few times on account of high water. He was a highly respected citizen, honorable and honest in everything. He was brought up in the Dunkard's faith and ready to depart whenever the Master called.
     His remains were brought to this place Wednesday morning. Funeral services were held in the M. E. church conducted by the pastor, Rev. L. W. Foster. The remains were laid to rest beside those of his wife in the Hartford cemetery.
     Those who attended the funeral were his daughters, Mrs. Elizabeth Stine and Miss Sallie Byerly; granddaughters Mrs. Lillian Nettle and Miss Meda Stine of Emporia; Robt. Byerly, of Iola; Mr. and Mrs. Wegley, of Emporia; Mr. and Mrs. Robt. Dishner and Miss Susie McLeod of the Neosho Rapids.
     Mr. Byerly was the only surviving uncle of Mrs. Catherine Rogan, of this place.
     We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the relatives in their bereavement.¹

     Joseph Byerly was born circa 1730.¹ He married Martha Bierer circa 1763 in Augusta Co., Virginia. Rockingham Co. was formed from Augusta Co. in 1778.^2,3,4 Joseph died in 1803.¹ He was interred in Byerly Family Cemetery in an unmarked grave in Pleasant Valley, Rockingham Co., Virginia.²
     

     Joseph was also known as Joseph Beyrer.

     Joseph arrived in Philadelphia from Rotterdam on the ship Louisa on 8 November 1752. He came from the Palatinate to Pennsylvania, then to Maryland, and about 1783 to Rockingham Co., Virginia. The land purchased by Joseph laid in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley with a spectacular view. The Blue Ridge range is to the east, the Alleghaney mountains to the west. The land was located along the Great Wagon Road stretching north and south through the valley. The name later given to the area where Joseph settled was "Pleasant Valley."

     It is estimated that Joseph owned around 600 acres of land. Lands received by his sons through his will totaled 512 acres. This was after sales of 50 acres to Henry Dike on 19 November 1805 and another sale to Christian Niswanger in April of 1789.

     Joseph established a mill in Pleasant Valley, although some say it was a distillery before becoming a mill. Another descendant recalls a comment that Joseph was a distiller. This is not in conflict with the Mennonite or Brethren faiths of the Byerlys. The Temperance Movement was a child of the early 19th century. Until then, tax lists revealed that many Mennonites and Brethren distilled liquor as most Germans. Homemade beer was not thought of as an intoxicating drink, but as a quencher during the hot Virginia summers. Drinking, more or less temperately, was an unquestioned practice until the second quarter of the 18th century. They did fight excesses though. The Dunkers were the first to go on record against any form of indulgence in alcohol long before the temperance movement reached organized form.

     The mill, built around 1800, was destroyed by fire in 1886. It stood on Swift Run Gap road where it crossed Kirtesses' Creek.²

     Joseph is buried in an unmarked grave in the Byerly Cemetery on the original farm at Pleasant Valley with two of his sons, Joseph II and David, and their wifes. Joseph's will was burned in the Civil War and only the administrators are given. Executor bonds, 21 June 1803, list Joseph Biyer, Sr. descendant. Executors listed are Joseph, David, and John Byerly. No other children are listed. The bond was set for $40,000.²

     Joseph was also known as Brier.

     Joseph Bierly was born on 28 February 1818 in Virginia.^1,2,3,4,5 He married Sarah Ann Tolley in 1842 in Rockingham Co., Virginia.¹ Joseph died on 10 April 1905 at age 87.¹
     

     Joseph and Sarah moved to Scioto Co., Ohio in 1861.

     In the Census of 1850, enumerated 27 July 1850, Joseph Bierly was listed as a head of household in District 55, Roanoke Co., Virginia. He was listed at age 33, occupation as a wagon maker with no real estate value listed, born in Virginia. Also enumerated in the household: Sarah Ann Bierly, Eliza A. Bierly, Samuel S. Bierly and John D. Bierly.²

     In the Census of 1860, enumerated 18 June 1860, Joseph Bierly was listed as a head of household in Guyandotte, Cabell Co., Virginia. He was listed at age 42, occupation as a wagon maker with real estate value of $650 and personal estate of $150, born in Virginia. Also enumerated in the household: Sarah Ann Bierly, Eliza A. Bierly, Samuel S. Bierly, John D. Bierly and Tucker Bierly.³

     In the Census of 1870, enumerated 11 July 1870, Joseph Bierly was listed as a head of household in Ward 4, Portsmouth, Scioto Co., Ohio. He was listed at age 51, occupation as a wagon maker with real estate value of $9,00 and no personal estate value listed, born in Virginia. Also enumerated in the household: Sarah Ann Bierly, Samuel S. Bierly, John D. Bierly, Eliza A. Bierly and Charles T. Bierly.⁴

     In the Census of 1880, enumerated 25 June 1880, Joseph Bierly was listed as head of household in Clay, Scioto Co., Ohio. He was listed at age 62, occupation as a farmer, born in Virginia. Also enumerated in the household: Sarah Ann Bierly and Charles T. Bierly.⁵

     Joseph Byerly was born after 1850.¹
     

     He had lived in the vicinity of Ottobine in Rockingham County where he was employed in business and "esteemed as an honest and upright man. To the cause of religion he was always favorable."

     Joseph Bierly was born circa 1843 in Virginia.^1,2,3
     

     Joseph Bierly was listed at age 7, born in Virginia, as a member of the household of Christopher Bierly in District 8, Botetourt Co., Virginia, in the Census of 1850, enumerated 12 August 1850.²

     Joseph Bierly was listed at age 17, born in Virginia, as a member of the household of Christopher Bierly in Springfield, Gallia Co., Ohio, in the Census of 1860, enumerated 25 August 1860.³

     Joseph Byerly was born circa 1903 in Virginia.^1,2,3
     

     Joseph Byerly was listed as a son at age 7, born in Virginia, in the household of B. Peach Byerly in Ashby, Rockingham Co., Virginia, in the Census of 1910 enumerated 2 May 1910.¹

     Joseph Byerly was listed as a son at age 16, born in Virginia, in the household of Peach B. Byerly in North River, Augusta Co., Virginia, in the Census of 1920 enumerated 9 January 1920.²

     Joe Byerly was listed as a son at age 26, occupation as a farm laborer, born in Virginia, in the household of Maggie Byerly in North River, Augusta Co., Virginia, in the Census of 1930 enumerated 5 April 1930.³

     Joseph Benjamin Bierly was born in September 1879 in Ohio.^1,2,3 He married Katie ? circa 1906.² Joseph died before 1930.
     

     Joseph B. Bierly was listed as a son at age 20, occupation as a farmer, born in Ohio, in the household of Milton Bierly in Twin, Preble Co., Ohio, in the Census of 1900 enumerated 26 June 1900.¹

     Joseph B. Bierly was listed as the head of a family on the 1910 Census enumerated April 1910, in Twin, Preble Co., Ohio. He was listed at age 30, occupation as a farmer, born in Ohio. Also enumerated in the household: Katie Bierly, Etta Ellen Bierly, John M. Bierly and Treva K. Bierly.²

     Joseph Benjamin Bierly was listed as the head of a family on the 1920 Census enumerated 5 January 1920, in Twin, Preble Co., Ohio. He was listed at age 40, occupation as a farmer, born in Ohio.. Also enumerated in the household: Katie Bierly, Etta Ellen Bierly, John M. Bierly and Treva C. Bierly.³

     Joseph was born on 16 January 1801 Rockingham Co., Virginia in near Pleasant Run.^1,2,3 He married Elizabeth ?.¹ Joseph died on 2 May 1869 in North Lawrence, Kansas, at age 68 six months after moving to Kansas.¹
     

     Joseph purchased land on Muddy Creek in 1827, 1829, 1830, 1832, and 1843.

     Joseph C. Byerly was listed as the head of a family on the 1840 Census in Rockingham Co., Virginia. Enumerated were:
          1 white male 10-15 (unknown)
          1 white male 30-40 (Joseph)
          1 white female 5-10 (Sarah)
          1 white female 30-40 (Elizabeth).⁴

     In the Census of 1850, enumerated 2 August 1850, Joseph C. Byerly was listed as a head of household in Rockingham Co., Virginia. He was listed at age 49, occupation as a miller with real estate value of $10,000, born in Virginia. Also enumerated in the household: Elizabeth Byerly, Sarah Byerly, Sarah E. Byerly and John M. Byerly.²

     In the Census of 1860, enumerated 1 October 1860, Joseph C. Byerly was listed as a head of household in District 1, Rockingham Co., Virginia. He was listed at age 58, occupation as a miller, with no real estate value listed and personal estate of $500 listed, born in Virginia. Also enumerated in the household: Elizabeth Byerly, Mary Byerly and John M. Byerly.³

     Joseph C. Byerly was born on 22 August 1835 in Bridgewater, Rockingham Co., Virginia.^1,2,3 He married first Harriet Virginia Cromer.¹ He married second Amanda Henton on 17 December 1860 in Rockingham Co., Virginia.¹ Joseph died in 1869.¹
     

     Joseph and Amanda moved to Kansas and Missouri.

     Joseph C. Byerly was listed at age 15, born in Virginia, as a member of the household of Sarah Byerly in Rockingham Co., Virginia, in the Census of 1850, enumerated 28 November 1850.²

     John C. Byerly was listed at age 24, born in Virginia, as a member of the household of Sarah Byerly in District 1, Rockingham Co., Virginia, in the Census of 1860, enumerated 8 October 1860.³

     Joseph Byerly III was born on 22 April 1799 in Virginia.^1,2 He married Sarah Byerly, daughter of David Byerly and Sarah Meier.¹ Joseph died of Phematorium on 30 November 1850 at age 51.¹ He was interred in Byerly Family Cemetery in Pleasant Valley, Rockingham Co., Virginia. Tombstone inscription reads:
     "Death's but a sleep
     Why should we weep
     For those in Christ who die
     Since this we know
     To people they go
     And joys posses on high.".¹
     

     Joseph Byerly III was listed as the head of a family on the 1840 Census in Rockingham Co., Virginia. Enumerated were:
          2 white males under 5 (Joseph and unknown)
          1 white male 5-10 (Daniel or Benjamin, where is the other?)
          1 white male 10-15 (David)
          1 white male 15-20 (unknown)
          1 white female under 5 (Rebecca)
          1 white female 10-15 (Elizabeth)
          1 white female 30-40 (wife Sarah).³

     Joseph Byerly III was listed at age 51, born in Virginia, occupation as a farmer, as a member of the household of Sarah Byerly in Rockingham Co., Virginia, in the Census of 1850, enumerated 28 November 1850.²

     Joseph R. Byerly was born in October 1885 in Nebraska.^1,2,3,4 He married Myrtle ? circa 1927.⁴
     

     Joseph R. Byerly was listed as a son at age 14, born in Nebraska, in the household of William H. Byerly in Bloomington, Franklin Co., Nebraska, in the Census of 1900 enumerated 4 June 1900.¹

     Joseph R. Byerly was listed as a son at age 23, occupation as a manager of a broker office, born in Nebraska, in the household of William H. Byerly in Bloomington, Franklin Co., Nebraska, in the Census of 1910 enumerated 22 April 1910.²

     Joseph R. Byerly was listed as a lodger in the household of Ella L. Cowin on the 1920 Census enumerated 12 January 1920, in Ward 9, Omaha, Douglas Co., Nebraska. He was listed at age unknown, occupation not listed, born in the United States.

     In the Census of 1930, enumerated 5 April 1930, Joseph R. Byerly was listed as head of household in Coral Gables, Dade Co., Florida. He was listed at age 44, occupation as manager of a hotel, born in Nebraska. Also enumerated in the household: Myrtle Byerly.⁴

     Joseph Byerly [II] was born on 20 April 1766 in Maryland.^1,2 He married first Catherine Landis, daughter of John Landis and Catherine Miller, on 8 November 1796.^1,3 He married second Sarah Byerly, daughter of Jacob Meier, probably before 1812.¹ Joseph died on 17 December 1837 at age 71.¹ His body was interred on the Byerly farm in Byerly Family Cemetery, Pleasant Valley, Rockingham Co., Virginia.
     

     Joseph, a millwright and farmer, purchased land first at Mt. Crawford on North River and then at Pleasant Valley.¹

     Josephine Bierly was born circa 1880 in Ohio.¹ She married Charles B. Shulda circa 1900.¹
     

     Josephine Shulda was listed as wife at age 30, born in Ohio, in the household of Charles B. Shulda in Harrison, Perry Co., Ohio, in the Census of 1910 enumerated 28 April 1910.¹

     Josephine E. Byerly was born circa 1913 in Iowa.^1,2
     

     Josephine E. Byerly was listed as a daughter at age 7, born in Iowa, in the household of John R. Byerly in Rialto, San Bernardino Co., California, in the Census of 1920 enumerated 11 February 1920.

     Josephine E. Byerly was listed as a daughter at age 21, occupation as a stenographer at an antique shop, born in Iowa, in the household of John R. Byerly in Pasadena, Los Angeles Co., California, in the Census of 1930 enumerated 9 April 1930.²

     Juanita Byerly was born circa October 1917 in Ohio.^1,2
     

     Waneta Byerly was listed as a daughter at age two years three months, born in Ohio, in the household of I. William Byerly in Bath, Allen Co., Ohio, in the Census of 1920 enumerated 24 January 1920.¹

     Juanita Byerly was listed as a daughter at age 12, born in Ohio, in the household of William I. Byerly in Bath, Allen Co., Ohio, in the Census of 1930 enumerated 10 May 1930.²

     Justine Bierly was born circa 1917 in Virginia.¹
     

     Justine Bierly was listed as a son at age 13, occupation as a laborer, odd jobs, born in Virginia, in the household of Lewis D. Bierly in Natural Bridge, Rockbridge Co., Virginia, in the Census of 1930 enumerated 18 April 1930.¹

     Kate Bierly was born circa 1878 in Virginia.¹
     

     Kate Bierly was listed as a daughter at age 2, born in Virginia, in the household of Martin L. Bierly in Buchanan, Botetourt Co., Virginia, in the Census of 1880 enumerated 12 June 1880.¹

     Kathryn S. Byerly was born in July 1889 in Virginia.^1,2,3,4 She married James Ibra Pullen.³
     

     Kate S. Byerly was listed as a daughter at age 10, born in Virginia, in the household of Peter Daniel Byerly in Ashby, Rockingham Co., Virginia, in the Census of 1900 enumerated 11 June 1900.¹

     Kathryn S. Byerly was listed as a boarder in the household of Lucy C. Marshall on the 1910 Census enumerated 19 April 1910, in Monroe Ward, Richmond, (Independent City), Virginia. She was listed at age 21, occupation as a stenographer in an office, born in Virginia.²

     Kathryn S. Pullen was listed as wife at age 30, born in Virginia, in the household of James I. Pullen in Richmond, (Independent City), Virginia, in the Census of 1920 enumerated 8 January 1920.³

     Kathryn B. Pullen was listed as wife at age 41, born in Virginia, in the household of J. Ibra Pullen in Richmond, (Independent City), Virginia, in the Census of 1930 enumerated 10 April 1930.⁴

     Kendly C. Byerly was born in November 1892 in Virginia.^1,2,3,4 He married Elsie M. ? circa 1922.⁴ Kendly died in April 1979 at age 86. Last residence listed in the Social Security Death Index was Brooklyn, Powshiek Co., Iowa.⁵
     

     Kenly C. Byerly was listed as a son at age 7, born in Virginia, in the household of William S. Byerly in Central, Rockingham Co., Virginia, in the Census of 1900 enumerated 1 June 1900.¹

     Kendly C. Byerly was listed as a hired man in the household of Roy W. Lang on the 1910 Census enumerated 30 April 1910, in Central, Rockingham Co., Virginia. He was listed at age 17, occupation as a laborer, working out, born in Virginia.²

     Kenley C. Byerly was listed as a brother at age 28, occupation as a farm laborer, born in Virginia, in the household of Ander S. Byerly in Madison, Poweshiek Co., Iowa, in the Census of 1920 enumerated 15 January 1920.³

     In the Census of 1930, enumerated April 1930, Kendly C. Byerly was listed as head of household in Fremont, Clarke Co., Iowa. He was listed at age 37, occupation as a farmer, born in Virginia. Also enumerated in the household: Elsie M. Byerly.⁴

     Kenneth Byerly was born circa 1912 in Ohio.^1,2
     

     Kenneth Byerly was listed as a son at age 8, born in Ohio, in the household of Oscar Byerly in Ward 1, Fostoria, Seneca Co., Ohio, in the Census of 1920 enumerated 5 January 1920.¹

     Kenneth Byerly was listed as a son at age 18, born in Ohio, in the household of Oscar Byerly in Fostoria, Seneca Co., Ohio, in the Census of 1930 enumerated 7 April 1930.²