Hon. John L. Myers
Hon. John L. Myers, farmer. Homer, Champaign County, Illinois, was born in Botetourt County, Virginia, on the 7th of August, 1803, being a son of Samuel and Ehzabeth S. Myers. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, and was born June 11, 1776, just twenty-two days prior to the Declaration of Independance. His mother was born in Shepherdstown, Virginia, in the Shenandoah Valley. In 1807 they immigrated to Ohio, accompanied by five children, four sons and one daughter, (three more were added after their arrival in the Buckeye State,) and settled in this county in the same year—three prior to the organization of the same.
Our subject was united in marriage with Catharine Vance, daughter of General William and Mary (Scott) Vance, of this county, November 11, 1828. The union was blessed with nine children, of whom seven survive: Lucy C, Mary A., John J., Martha J., Matthew T. S., Catharine M., Adaline V. Those deceased are : James V., and Elizabeth S.
Mr. Myers has engaged extensively in importing and raising superior cattle for the Scioto Importing Company, of Chillicothe. Through his indefatigable efforts the country has been stocked with a very fine grade of cattle, many of which have taken premiums at the various fairs.
In 1874-5, during the administration of Governor Allen, he served his county in the legislature, to the satisfaction of his constituents. He is now living in Homer, Champaign County, Illinois. His first wife died in 1867, and he again married, Mrs. Custer, nee Miss Ocheltree, who still survives. In politics he is a Republican, but was originally a Whig. He was an intimate friend of General Batteal Harrison, and in 1828 took a trip with him to Missouri. Here they purchased three hundred head of cattle, which they drove to Ohio, thence to Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Myers is an amiable gentleman, and though nearly four score years of age, retains much of his youthful vigor. The compilers of this work acknowledge the many courtesies extended them by him while on a recent visit to his old home.
From R. S. Dills' History of Fayette County