Izard Co., AR - Biographies - Joseph L. Byler

***********************************************
This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb
Archives by: The Goodspeed Publishing Co

Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgenwebarchives.org
***********************************************
Joseph L. Byler was born in Middle Tennessee, in 1834, his father, John Byler,
being also born in that State in 1797. The latter was a soldier in the War of
1812, and was the captain of a company, afterward being promoted to major. and
this latter position he held until the close of the war. In the year 1820 he
united in the bonds of matrimony to Miss Middia Adkinson, a daughter of John
Adkinson, and to their union seven children have been born, two of whom are now
living: Mary and Joseph L. He removed from Tennessee to Izard County. Ark., in
the year 1847, and obtained a land warrant from the government for 160 acres of
land, which he farmed with success up to the time of his death, in 1873. His
wife died in Bedford County, Tenn., in 1844. At the age of eighteen years Joseph
L. Byler engaged in farming and stock raising, and in these two enterprises,
which have been his chief calling through life, he has met with marked success.
He owns 250 acres of land on Rocky Bayou, and has about ninety acres under
cultivation, which he devotes principally to the raising of cotton, corn and
small grain. In addition to this, he owns a large cotton-gin and grist mill.
which he has operated for the past twelve years, last year putting up 166 bales
of cotton, and since 1887 he has been engaged in merchandising, and has a fair
patronage. Since Cleveland's administration he has held the office of postmaster
of Alder, and socially is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellow's fraternities.
He is a thorough, enterprising business man, has a host of friends, and is
recognized by all as a good citizen. In 1854 he was married to Rachel, the
daughter of John and Elizabeth Gray, of Izard County, but she died in 1868,
leaving him with a family of five children to care for: Augusta C., Mary E.,
Mentian, Sarah J. and Rachel R. In 1871 he was married to his second wife, whose
maiden name was Lettie W. Woody, she being a daughter of Joseph and Sarah Woody,
of Izard County. They have a family of three children: Dixie E., Joseph G. and
Edna. Mr. Byler served in the Confederate army under Capt. Gibson and Col.
Shaler from 1861 to 1865, being in the infantry, and was a participant in a
number of battles. He is now a stanch Democrat in his political views, and for a
number of years has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.