My Genealogy Hound

Benjamin F. Dyer, was born in Hardy County, Va., in 1830, and is a descendant of two well-known and old families of that State. His father, Elijah, and his mother, Ann Catherine (Bishop) Dyer, were born and reared in Hardy County, Va., where the former followed agricultural pursuits. The father was a Methodist minister, and was also sheriff of his native county. About 1844 or 1845 Elijah immigrated to Adams County, Ill., where his latter days were spent in faithfully preaching the gospel; he also depended for his livelihood upon the renting of land, which business was mostly carried on by his sons. He suddenly died from congestion of the lungs. His wife was a Christian woman, and a member of the same church. She survived her husband only a few years, and they now lie side by side in the graveyard at Stone’s. Our subject was principally reared in Adams County, Ill., where he received but a limited education. At the age of twenty-one he was united in marriage to Mrs. Gordon, a daughter of George Baugher, whose parents were natives of Virginia and South Carolina. Mrs. Dyer’s mother’s maiden name was Nancy J. Ridenaur. Almost immediately after his marriage our subject settled in Lewis County, Mo., where he lived one year. In 1852 he went to Scotland County; 1853-54 he spent in Lewis County; from 1855 to 1859 he spent at Alexandria, in Clark County, and in 1860 came to Knox County, where he has very successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits ever since. To Mr. and Mrs. Dyer nine children have been born, eight of whom are living: Eliza J., Ann C,, Elijah, Margaret E., Sarah E., Lillie E., Mary G., May B. and John F. All save the youngest child are married, and members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Dyer now owns a fine farm of over 400 acres, and is regarded as one of the most substantial and enterprising citizens of the county.