My Genealogy Hound

Robert S. Byers, farmer, was born in County Down, Ireland, February 17, 1829, the second of five children of William and Agnes (McKitrick) Byers, also of Ireland. The father died in his native country when R. S. was about nine years old. He was the son of David Byers, a Scotchman, and was a linen weaver. The mother came to Pittsburgh, in 1848, and afterward moved to Rochester, Penn., where she died about 1872. Both parents were Presbyterians. Our subject received a good business education, and when fifteen years old came to America. Among other things he learned the marble cutting trade, at which he worked about two years. In 1854 he went to Rock Island County, Ill. He ran on the river for a while to New Orleans, as second steward. In 1859 he went to Pike’s Peak, Colo., but soon returned to this county, where Elizabeth, a daughter of James Clayton, became his wife September 9, 1860. She was a native of England, and was nine years old when she came to America. Their children are Emma L. and Agnes E. In August, 1862, he joined Company D, of the Missouri State Militia, and operated in the northeastern part of the State; he was a sergeant, and served until the surrender. Since 1866, when he abandoned the life of a tenant farmer, he has been on his present estate of eighty acres of choice and improved land. He is a Republican, and his first vote for Lincoln was one of the only two in his precinct. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.