My Genealogy Hound

Joseph L. Byler was born in Middle Tennessee, in 1834, his father, John Byler, being also born in that State in 1797. The latter was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was the captain of a company, afterward being promoted to major, and this latter position he held until the close of the war. In the year 1820 he united in the bonds of matrimony to Miss Middia Adkinson, a daughter of John Adkinson, and to their union seven children have been born, two of whom are now living: Mary and Joseph L. He removed from Tennessee to Izard County, Ark., in the year 1847, and obtained a land warrant from the government for 160 acres of land, which he farmed with success up to the time of his death, in 1873. His wife died in Bedford County, Tenn., in 1844. At the age of eighteen years Joseph L. Byler engaged in farming and stock raising, and in these two enterprises, which have been his chief calling through life, he has met with marked success. He owns 250 acres of land on Rocky Bayou, and has about ninety acres under cultivation, which he devotes principally to the raising of cotton, corn and small grain. In addition to this, he owns a large cotton-gin and grist-mill, which he has operated for the past twelve years, last year putting up 166 bales of cotton, and since 1887 he has been engaged in merchandising, and has a fair patronage. Since Cleveland’s administration he has held the office of postmaster of Alder, and socially is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellow’s fraternities. He is a thorough, enterprising business man, has a host of friends, and is recognized by all as a good citizen. In 1854 he was married to Rachel, the daughter of John and Elizabeth Gray, of Izard County, but she died in 1868, leaving him with a family of five children to care for: Augusta C., Mary E., Mentian, Sarah J. and Rachel R. In 1871 he was married to his second wife, whose maiden name was Lettie W. Woody, she being a daughter of Joseph and Sarah Woody, of Izard County. They have a family of three children: Dixie E., Joseph G. and Edna. Mr. Byler served in the Confederate army under Capt. Gibson and Col. Shaler from 1861 to 1865, being in the infantry, and was a participant in a number of battles. He is now a stanch Democrat in his political views, and for a number of years has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.