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WILLIAM E. HYER.
For the past twelve years William E. Hyer, a retired farmer and stock raiser, has resided in Knoxville and he is
favorably known in this city. During his active life he followed agricultural pursuits in Union township. He was
born in Highland county, Ohio, on the 27th of December, 1837, a son of Job and Angeline (Scott) Hyer, natives of
Ohio and Spottsylvania county, Virginia, respectively. The paternal grandfather, Jacob Hyer, was born in Pennsylvania
and served in the War of 1812. His father, John Hyer, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and assisted in freeing
the colonies from the dominion of England. The family is of English descent. The mother of our subject removed
to Ohio from Virginia when a girl and there married and resided during the remainder of her life. She lived to
the advanced age of eighty two years, surviving her husband for many years, as he died when but thirty eight years
of age. He was twice married and by his first union had a son, Rufus Hyer, who was killed in the Mexican war. Five
children were born of his marriage with Miss Scott, the only ones surviving besides the subject of this review
being a brother who is living in the Soldiers' Home at Dayton, Ohio, and a sister.
When seven years of age William E. Hyer was taken to Ross county, Ohio, and there spent the greater part of his
boyhood and youth. When nineteen years old he came to Iowa, arriving in Marion county November 2, 1857. He had
no money and made the long trip from Ohio with an ox team. He was married and had one child and his family accompanied
him on the journey westward. They settled in Polk township, where Mr. Hyer engaged in farming until the Civil war.
On the 15th of August, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, Fortieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served in the Western
Army until August 16, 1865, when he was discharged. He participated in the siege of Vicksburg and the battles of
Little Rock, Camden, Jenkins Ferry and Prairie De Ann but was fortunate enough to escape without being wounded.
After receiving his discharge he returned home and began the cultivation of a farm in Union township. He first
bought eighty acres of land but added to his realty until he became the owner of four hundred and forty acres.
In 1902 he sold out and gave a considerable sum of money to each of his children.
On the 2d of November, 1856, Mr. Hyer was married in Ross county, Ohio, to Miss Elizabeth Benson, who died in Marion
county, Iowa, on the 2d of April, 1909. She was born in February, 1840, in Ross county and became the mother of
nine children, all of whom survive, are married and have families. Two reside in Emmet county, Iowa; two in Marion
county; one in Minnesota; two in Canada; one in Montana; and one in Page county, Iowa. On the 16th of November,
1910, Mr. Hyer was again married. His present wife is a daughter of David Kuhns and was born in Westmoreland county,
Pennsylvania, on the 23d of May, 1840. In the spring of 1851 she accompanied the other members of the family to
Iowa, living in the vicinity of Bellevue, Jackson county, for twenty three years. At the end of that time the family
removed to Marion county, where the parents spent the remainder of their lives. The father was called to his final
rest in 1885 but the mother survived until 1900, dying when eighty seven years of age. To them were born nine children,
six of whom are still living. Mrs. Hyer gave fine proof of her filial devotion by lovingly caring for her parents
during their later years and remained at home until both had passed away.
Mr. and Mrs. Hyer are members of the Congregational church and active in the support of all good causes. Although
both have passed the three score years and ten allotted to man by the Psalmist they are enjoying good health and
still have a part in the community life of Knoxville, where they are well known and highly respected.
From:
History of Marion County, Iowa
And its People
John W. Wright, Supervising Editor
W. A. Young, Associate
Vol II
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Chiago 1915
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