William Edward Hyer

1837 - 1920  (82 years)

• Name	William Edward Hyer  [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]
  Born	27 Dec 1837	Greenfield, Highland, Ohio, United States   [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
  Gender	Male
  Relocation	Abt 1844	, Ross, Ohio, United States   [6]
  	From Highland County, OH
  	... "At the age of seven years he ws taken to Ross County, Ohio, where he spent his boyhood days." ...
  Relocation	Abt Aug 1857	, Marion, Iowa, United States   [8]
  	from Ross County, Ohio
  	Likely making this move were William Benson and his sons Solomon and William, and his daughter Elizabeth and her new family (husband William Hyer and daughter Frances). They likely left shortly after the Aug 2nd birth of Elizabeth's daughter Frances. Role: Family Participant
  Occupation	Jun 1860	Red Rock, Marion, Iowa, United States   [1]
  	Farmer
  Military	15 Aug 1862	Knoxville, Marion, Iowa, United States   [4, 6]
  Co. A 40th IA Vol. Inf.
  He enlisted in Company A of the Fortieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry and served with the Western Army until August 16, 1865 when he was discharged.
  Occupation	Jun 1870	Union Township, Marion, Iowa, United States   [2]
  	Farmer
  Land Sale	23 Dec 1870	Polk Township, Marion, Iowa, United States   [9, 10]
  	5 acres out of the SE¼ of the SE¼ of S32, T77, R20
  	Title to the 5 acre parcel was conveyed by the heirs of William Benson to John M. Reins using two seperate instruments. The first instrument, dated 12/23/1870, mentions $60 consideration and included the following heirs: Solomon and Catherine Benson Mary [Benson] Leuty and William Leuty Juda [Benson] Walker and John Walker Leah [Benson] Patterson and John Patterson Nancy [Benson] Herd and Elijah Herd Elizabeth [Benson] Hyer and William E. Hyer The second instrument, dated 2/22/1871, mentions $50 consideration and lists the following heirs as grantors: Margaret [Benson] Free and Joseph Free, Marion County, IA Elijah and Nancy Benson, Cass County, MO Sarah A. [Benson] Evans and Charles Evans, MO Rose Ann [Hester, Benson] Miller and George Miller, Makaska County, IA Also signing the second instrument were: William Z. Benson [son of Alfred and Rose Ann Benson] Mary J. Robinson [daughter of Alfred and Rose Ann Benson]
  Occupation	Jun 1880	Union Township, Marion, Iowa, United States   [3]
  	Farmer
  Occupation	Jan 1885	Union Township, Marion, Iowa, United States   [11]
  	Farmer
  Residence	1 Jan 1885	Union Township, Marion, Iowa, United States   [11]
  	T76-R20-S16 SE¼ of NW¼
  Occupation	Jun 1900	Union Township, Marion, Iowa, United States   [12]
  	Farmer
  Relocation	1902	Knoxville, Marion, Iowa, United States   [13]
  	From the farm (home for 45 years) in Union Township
  Occupation	15 Apr 1910	Knoxville, Marion, Iowa, United States   [14]
  	Proprietor for the coal company
  Residence	15 Apr 1910	Knoxville, Marion, Iowa, United States   [14]
  	2213 Jones Street
  Died	25 Dec 1920	Knoxville, Marion, Iowa, United States   [4, 6]
  Buried	26 Dec 1920	Graceland Cemetery, Knoxville, Marion, Iowa, United States   [4, 6]
  	Address: Graceland Cemetery Knoxville, Iowa
  		Elizabeth (Benson) Hyer-+William E Hyer Grave Marker Elizabeth (Benson) Hyer-+William E Hyer Grave Marker
  Obituary	30 Dec 1920	Knoxville, Marion, Iowa, United States   [6]
  Knoxville Journal
  W.E. HYER, PIONEER CALLED BY DEATH HAD BEEN RESIDENT OF MARION COUNTY OVER 64 YEARS -- WAS SOLDIER IN WAR OF '61 -- CAME HERE WHEN IOWA WAS WILDERNESS -- WALKED FROM OHIO, DRIVING OX TEAM. William E. Hyer, one of the best known of the pioneer settlers of Marion County, died at his home in Knoxville, December 25, 1920. He was born in Highland County Ohio on the 27th day of December, 1837, having reached the age of 82 years, 11 months and 29 days. Had he lived but two days more he would have reached his 83rd birthday. At the age of seven years he was taken to Ross County, Ohio, where he spent his boyhood days. When nineteen years of age he moved to Marion County, Iowa, making the trip from Ohio with a team of three yoke of oxen, he himself walking the entire distance. He settled in Polk Township where he engaged in farming until the outbreak of the civil war. On November 2, 1856, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Benson in Ross County, Ohio. To them were given nine children: Mrs. Frances Dowden of Spirit Lake, Iowa; Mrs. Mary Speed, of Truax, Saskatchewan, Canada; Rufus Hyer, of Lang, Saskatchewan, Canada; Mrs. Nannie Whitmore, of Coin, Iowa; William A. Hyer, of Estherville, Iowa; John A. Hyer, of Prosser, Washington; Mrs. Judia M. Harkins, of Pleasantville, Iowa; Elijah A. Hyer, of Billings, Montana; Mrs. Gertrude Miner, of Pleasantville, Iowa, all of whom survive him, except the wife and mother, who passed to her reward on April 2, 1909, all the children being present at the funeral except one son, Elijah. On the 15th of August, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, of the Fortieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, at Knoxville, Iowa, and served with 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, Jenken's Ferry and Prairie De Ann. He was fortunate enough to escape being wounded. After his discharge he returned to his home in Marion County and again engaged in farming until 1902 when he retired and has since made his home in Knoxville. On November 16, 1910, he was united in marriage Miss Ann Kuhns at Knoxville, Iowa, who still survives him, and who throughout his declining years and especially during the nearly two years of helplessness gave to him the most faithful and kindly ministrations that could possibly be shown. Rendering with the true devotion of Faithful wife all the sweet and sympathetic care, tender and kindly touches of ministrations that bring ease and comfort in times of affliction. As a veteran of the civil war early after the close of the war he associated himself with the Grand Army of the Republic and always took a keen interest in that organization's work and activities, participating in the National Encampments as long as he was able to attend. He always enjoyed the fact that he was the descendent of forebears represented in every great conflict of our country from the revolution to the great world war in which he was represented by a number of grandsons. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, having united with that organization about 35 years ago at Pleasantville, Iowa. He transferred his membership from Pleasantville to Oriental Lodge No. 61, of Knoxville, on his coming to make his home here and continued an active and interested relationship in this lodge as long as his health permitted. In 1903 he united with the Congregational Church, of Knoxville, Iowa, and continued an active member and official of that church until it disbanded, when he transferred his membership to the Presbyterian Church, where he continued his faithful activities as a sincere Christian man until his failing health would no longer permit his attendance at the services. During all his illness he has manifested a close and intimate fellowship with his Savior that has been a help in his hours of suffering. He was familiar with the Bible and very often quoted its comforting passages to those who visited him during the days of his confinement to the bed. On February 2, 1919 he was confined to his bed, since which time he had not been able to be up except for a few hours at a time. Much of this time he was a great sufferer. Yet with patience and fortitude of a true Christian man he bore his sufferings, and passed out of this life very quietly on Christmas Morning, knowing that all was well. The sorrowing wife and children have the deep and abiding sympathy of a wide company of friends who realize that their loss of a husband and father is also the community's loss of a noble and upright citizen. The funeral was conducted from the Presbyterian Church in charge of Rev. G.E. Chapman, the pastor, on Tuesday afternoon, December 26th 1920. The Grand Army and Masonic fraternities participating in the services. Burial in Graceland
  Person ID	I117	Dale's Tree
  Last Modified	3 Dec 2018

  
  

  Family 1	Elizabeth Catherine Benson,   b. 8 Feb 1840, , Ross, Ohio, United States ,   d. 2 Apr 1909, Knoxville, Marion, Iowa, United States  (Age 69 years)
  Married	3 Nov 1856	South Salem, Ross, Ohio, United States   [5, 6, 15]
  Children	+ 1. Margaret "Frances" Hyer,   b. 2 Aug 1857, , Ross, Ohio, United States ,   d. 17 Apr 1925, Spirit Lake, Dickinson, Iowa, United States  (Age 67 years) + 2. Mary Angeline Hyer,   b. 23 Mar 1859, , Marion, Iowa, United States ,   d. Yes, date unknown + 3. Rufus Edward Hyer,   b. 27 Feb 1861, Pleasantville, Marion, Iowa, United States ,   d. 1934, , , , Canada  (Age 72 years) + 4. Nancy Elizabeth Hyer,   b. 7 Dec 1862, , Marion, Iowa, United States ,   d. 18 Oct 1936, , , Iowa, United States  (Age 73 years) + 5. William Andrew Hyer,   b. 13 Sep 1866, , Marion, Iowa, United States ,   d. Yes, date unknown + 6. John Alvin Hyer,   b. 28 Jul 1869, , Marion, Iowa, United States ,   d. 30 May 1950  (Age 80 years) + 7. Judith Melvina Hyer,   b. 23 Sep 1871, , Marion, Iowa, United States ,   d. Yes, date unknown + 8. Elijah Absilam Hyer,   b. 29 Oct 1873, , Marion, Iowa, United States ,   d. Yes, date unknown + 9. Gertrude Gladys Hyer,   b. 2 Dec 1879, , Marion, Iowa, United States ,   d. 28 Jun 1973, , Marion, Iowa, United States  (Age 93 years)
  Last Modified	8 Dec 2013
  Family ID	F40	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 2	Lydia Ann Kuhns,   b. 23 May 1840,   d. 28 Nov 1923  (Age 83 years)
  Married	16 Nov 1910	Knoxville, Marion, Iowa, United States   [6]
  Last Modified	1 Dec 2013
  Family ID	F74	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Event Map	Click to hide
  		Born - 27 Dec 1837 - Greenfield, Highland, Ohio, United States Relocation - From Highland County, OH - Abt 1844 - , Ross, Ohio, United States Married - 3 Nov 1856 - South Salem, Ross, Ohio, United States Relocation - from Ross County, Ohio - Abt Aug 1857 - , Marion, Iowa, United States Occupation - Farmer - Jun 1860 - Red Rock, Marion, Iowa, United States Military - Co. A 40th IA Vol. Inf. - 15 Aug 1862 - Knoxville, Marion, Iowa, United States Occupation - Farmer - Jun 1870 - Union Township, Marion, Iowa, United States Land Sale - 5 acres out of the SE¼ of the SE¼ of S32, T77, R20 - 23 Dec 1870 - Polk Township, Marion, Iowa, United States Occupation - Farmer - Jun 1880 - Union Township, Marion, Iowa, United States Occupation - Farmer - Jan 1885 - Union Township, Marion, Iowa, United States Residence - T76-R20-S16 SE¼ of NW¼ - 1 Jan 1885 - Union Township, Marion, Iowa, United States Occupation - Farmer - Jun 1900 - Union Township, Marion, Iowa, United States Relocation - From the farm (home for 45 years) in Union Township - 1902 - Knoxville, Marion, Iowa, United States Occupation - Proprietor for the coal company - 15 Apr 1910 - Knoxville, Marion, Iowa, United States Residence - 2213 Jones Street - 15 Apr 1910 - Knoxville, Marion, Iowa, United States Married - 16 Nov 1910 - Knoxville, Marion, Iowa, United States Died - 25 Dec 1920 - Knoxville, Marion, Iowa, United States Buried - Address: Graceland Cemetery Knoxville, Iowa - 26 Dec 1920 - Graceland Cemetery, Knoxville, Marion, Iowa, United States Obituary - Knoxville Journal - 30 Dec 1920 - Knoxville, Marion, Iowa, United States  = Link to Google Earth

  
  

• Sources

  [S41] Census - IA, Marion - 1860 Fed, Iowa, Marion, (http://ancestry.com: National Archives and Records Administration, 2008) (Reliability: 2), 31 Jan 2009. [S75] Census - IA, Marion - 1870 Fed, Iowa, Marion, (http://ancestor.com: National Archives and Records Administration, 2003), M593, Union Township, p. 14, dwelling 111, family 106, Wm. Hyer, accessed 6 Feb 2009 (Reliability: 2), 8 Feb 2009. [S64] Census - IA, Marion - 1880 Fed, Iowa, Marion, (www.ancestry.com: National Archives and Records Administration, 2005) (Reliability: 2), 31 Jan 2009. [S193] Cemeteries - IA, Marion - Graceland Cemetery Grave Markers, William E. and Elizabeth C. Hyer; Personally read and photographed, 4/21/2008. (Reliability: 4). [S349] Census - IA, Dickenson - 1925 State, Iowa, Dickenson, (Digital images. The Generations Network. Ancestry.com. www.ancestry.com : 2007), Spirit Lake, dwelling 34, line 84, W.O. Dowden; (www.ancestry.com) (Reliability: 2), 23 Jul 2009. This information appeared in the 1925 IA State census for son William O. Dowden. [S194] Newspapers - IA, Marion, Knoxville - The Knoxville Journal, Iowa. Knoxville., "W.E. Hyer Called By Death," 30 Dec 1920. (Reliability: 2), 1 Dec 2013. [S818] Personal Knowledge - Darrel Hockley. [S194] Newspapers - IA, Marion, Knoxville - The Knoxville Journal, Iowa. Knoxville., "Solomon Benson Obituary," 2/26/1904. (Reliability: 2). [S253] Land Records - IA, Marion - Deeds, Iowa. Marion., Book Z: Page 507, Heirs of William Benson to John M. Reins, warranty deed, 2/22/1871 (Reliability: 3), 26 Jan 2009. [S253] Land Records - IA, Marion - Deeds, Iowa. Marion., Book V: Page 390, Heirs of William Benson to John Reins, deed, 12/23/1870 (Reliability: 3), 27 Jan 2009. [S254] Census - IA, Marion - 1885 State, Iowa, Marion, (Digital images. Ancestry.com. www.ancestry.com : 2007), Union Township, p. 441, dwelling 47, family 50, W. E. Hyer; (www.ancestry.com : accessed 30 Jan 2009) (Reliability: 2), 10 Feb 2009. [S220] Census - IA, Marion - 1900 Fed, Iowa, Marion, (www.ancestry com: National Archives and Records Administration, 2004), T623, Union Township, enumeration district (ED) 57, sheet 4B, dwelling 76, family 77, William E. Hyer (Reliability: 2), 7 Aug 2009. [S194] Newspapers - IA, Marion, Knoxville - The Knoxville Journal, Iowa. Knoxville., "Elizabeth Catherine Benson Obit," Apr 1909. (Reliability: 3), 20 May 2009. [S213] Census - IA, Marion - 1910 Fed, Iowa, Marion, (www.ancestry.com: National Archives and Records Administration, 2006), T624, Knoxville, enumeration district (ED) 47, sheet 16A, p. 105 stamped, dwelling 291, family 293, William Hyer (Reliability: 2), 3 Aug 2009. [S316] Marriage Records - IA, Marion - Marriage Register, Iowa. Marion., marriage register, Hire-Benson, 1856. (Reliability: 3).