Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 651 - 652 

THOMAS L. MYERS, who is one of the sturdy pioneers of 1877, cast his lot with the early settlers of Sedgwick County when it was taking the first steps toward the important position it today occupies. His first purchase was forty acres of land located two miles north of the city of Wichita, where he began farming and feeding cattle, and in due time added eighty acres to his possessions. In the meantime he sold a tract of land of which he was the possessor in Kingman County, and for which he received the munificent sum of $33,000, and five months later disposed of his 80-acre purchase for $51,000. His property now comprises ten acres of valuable land on the Arkansas River, where he has a fine residence, and is spending his declining years in ease and comfort as a retired farmer and capitalist.

             Our subject was born in Greene County, Pa., Nov. 1, 1828, and is the son of John C. and Elizabeth (Ekleberry) Myers, who were also natives of the Keystone State. John C. Myers was born in 1804, and departed this life in Woodford County. Ill., in 1861. He farmed during the years of his early manhood in his native county, whence he removed, in 1832, to Ashland County, Ohio, where he embarked in general merchandising. Upon his removal to Illinois he again engaged in the mercantile business, and was well known for many miles around. The mother was born in 1803, and survived her husband for a period of twenty-three years, during which she remained a widow. She passed away at the homestead in Woodford County, Ill., in December, 1884. They were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the family included seven children, four sons and three daughters, namely: James M., Thomas L., Maria and Henry (twins), Samantha and Salina (twins), and Wilson S., who is now at Wichita, is one of the survivors of the third pair of twins.

              Mr. Myers, of our sketch, was the second child of his parents, with whom he remained until twenty-eight years of age. He was first married to Miss Harriet Vaughan, of Medina County, Ohio, and they became the parents of two sons -- Charles W. and Eugene L. Mrs. Harriet Myers died at her home in Ashland County, Ohio, April 4, 1859. Our subject was married the second time, July 4, 1860, to Miss Candace A. Saltman, who was born in Cortland N. Y., Oct. 16, 1836. This lady is the daughter of Henry and Polly (Carpenter) Saltman, who were natives of New York State, the father born in 1807, and the mother in 1813. The latter died when seventy-four years of age, and her remains were laid to rest in the cemetery at Panola, Ill., on the 4th of July, 1887. The father is still living and a resident of Panola, Woodford Co., Ill.; he is a hale and hearty old gentleman, and served as Assessor of his township in the spring of 1887. The parental household included eight children, namely: George W., Charles A., Candace A., Sanford B., Anna M., Abner C., Nicholas H. and Abbie L.

             To our subject and his present wife there have been born five children, namely: Alice G., the wife of Charles Snyder, of Peoria, Ill.; Bird, Lewis L., Mary E. and Clarence A. Mr. Myers identified himself with the Masonic fraternity in 1859, and has filled the various offices of his lodge. Politically, he supports the principles of the Democratic party.

            In this volume may be found the portraits of many of the best citizens of the county, including pioneers, active business men and those retired; none among this large number is more deserving this distinction than Mr. and Mrs. Myers, whose portraits we give in this connection.

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