EPHRAIM W. LYON                                          

South Kansas Tribune, Wednesday, August 27, 1892:

DEATH OF MAJOR LYON

            The drums beat “tattooo” – “Lights out.”  Maj. E. W. Lyon, late of the 8th Michigan, has been “mustered out” and another gallant defender of his country, has joined that grand army which awaits the final reveille.  Major Lyon was first known to our people in 1883, when he established the Bulletin at Cherryvale, but before that time had been prominently interested in business in Michigan and Colorado, but ill health and reverses impelled him to try Southern Kansas.  He was a gentleman in the highest application of the term, a genial and devoted friend, and one of the most companionable acquaintances.  Ill heath compelled him to give up journalism, of which he was one of its brightest ornaments, and he removed to Coffeyville, where under his management the natural gas deposit was discovered and that product utilized for man’s benefit.  Last year he went back to Colorado for his health, but the fatal consumption followed him at every turn, and he came back with is wife to his son’s (W.P.Lyon) home in this city, to die among his loved ones.  He was a Christian gentleman whom it was a pleasure to meet.  He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and when the summons came was prepared for the charge.

 The Star and Kansan, Friday, August 12, 1892, Pg. 3:

            Major E. W. Lyon died at the residence of his son, W. P. Lyon, in this city on last Sunday’s afternoon.  The deceased was well known throughout this county as an editor and printer, having established the Bulletin at Cherryvale in 1883.  He was a prominent and influential democrat, and President Cleveland made him postmaster at Cherryvale, a position he filled with honor and satisfaction to the public.  Failing health prevented him from resuming editorial work when he retired from the post office and he removed to Coffeyville and engaged in the gas business.  While there a severe illness left him so feeble that he removed to Colorado, thinking he would regain strength; but the mountain air failed to be beneficial, and this summer with his wife he came to this city and made his home with his son.

            He was a polished gentlemen, and his genial manners and sterling character won for him the esteem and confidence of all acquaintances.  He loved his trade and mastered it in every detail.  Faithful and conscientious in the performance of every duty, he was a benefit to any community, and his death is mourned wherever he was known.  His newspaper work was effective because it was reliable.  The columns of his paper were never devoted to slander and unreasonable denunciation of political opponents.  He treated every man with fairness; but fraud, rascality and hypocrisy found his a bitter enemy, and he always called things by their proper names.

            Major Lyon was 61 years of age.  He was born in Michigan, and served through the war in the 8th Michigan volunteers.  The funeral services took place Monday afternoon, the remains being interred in Mt. Hope Cemetery.

From History of Montgomery County, Kansas, By Its Own People, Published by L. Wallace Duncan, Iola, Kansas, 1903, Pg 405-406:

Lyon, Major Ephraim W., Bio

            The comparatively brief period covered by the life of the late Major Lyon in Montgomery county marked him as a citizen of unusual merit and standing and it is meet that his brief memoir be presented in this work as a compliment to the character of his citizenship and to his genuineness as a man.

            From early life until death ended his useful career, Ephraim W. Lyon was a printer.  He learned his trade in Saginaw, Michigan, where he afterward founded the first daily newspaper, “The Daily Courier,” and was identified with its publication for a number of years.  He left his case in 1861 to aid in the preservation of the Union and was commissioned Captain of Company__, 8th Michigan Infantry.  He enlisted at Flint and his regiment formed a part of the Army of the Potomac.  He was in the service four years and was promoted to be Major in the field, and was discharged as such officer after an active and honorable service with his command.

            He was a Democrat in his position on governmental questions and advocated the claims of his party in an able and clear manner.  In his management of the “Cherryvale Bulletin,” which he founded in 1882, he demonstrated his capacity as a newspaperman and developed the full strength of his party by his ability as an editorial writer.  He was not a college man, having educated himself in a print shop, and by absorption in contact with the world of thought and through the lessons of experience.  He was honored by his party with the appointment of postmaster at Cherryvale during President Cleveland’s first term, in a small measure a reward for his long and faithful party service.  In society matters he was a Chapter and Commandery Mason and a member of the Presbyterian church.

            Major Lyon was born in Genesco county, New York, June 10, 1831.  He was one of three children and was orphaned at five years of age.  He married Ellen Pratt, who died in Saginaw, Mich., August 7, 1872.  Their children were: Lella, wife of Alexander McMichael of Aspen, Colo.; Will P., of Independence, Kansas; Fred W., of Grand Junction, Colo.  Two other children, now deceased, were the issue of a second marriage of Major Lyon.

            Will P. Lyon, second child of our subject, was born in Saginaw, Michigan, July 23, 1866.  His education was acquired in the public schools of his native town and he, also, started life as a printer.  He was associated with his father during the latter’s lifetime and wound up his newspaper career with the sale of the “Cherryvale Bulletin” in 1891.  In 1890, he came to the First National Bank of Independence, Kansas, as bookkeeper and assistant cashier and has been identified with the institution since.  He is a director of the bank and devotes his entire time to its welfare.

            June 10, 1891, W. P. Lyon married Jennie Remington, daughter of the late Capt. Remington, notice of whom appears in this volume.  Roger, Allen C., and Lella M. are the issue of this marriage.  Mr. Lyon is a Democrat, and a Blue Lodge, Chapter and Knight Templar Mason, and a working member of the Presbyterian church.

Contributed by Mrs. Maryann Johnson a Civil war researcher and a volunteer in the Kansas Room of the Independence Public Library, Independence, Kansas.