Escambia County FlArchives Biographies.....Hyer, William Kopman 1836 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/fl/flfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 12, 2008, 10:01 pm Author: B. F. Johnson (1909) William Kopman Hyer Pensacola claims to be the oldest city in the United States. It was unquestionably of early importance as a seaport, and to this fact is due the settlement here of many enterprising and progressive men from other shores, who were attracted by the business advantages and opportunities generally for the profitable employment of both talent and capital. Throughout the world the Germans are recognized as one of the most desirable classes of citizens, not only because of their enterprise and wealth-producing characteristics, but because of their reliability, integrity and right living, as well. One of the most prominent families in Pensacola today is descended from a native of Germany, who came to Pensacola early in the last century, seeking his fortune in the new world. He prospered and reared a family which is now in its fourth generation, and continues to make its home in the town of their ancestors' successes, and in which success has been won by each succeeding generation. One of the older representatives of this family is William Kopman Hyer, who has ably served his country in peace and in war, and is one of the most successful business men of the city, having long been engaged both in ship brokerage and the lumber business. Mr. Hyer was born in Pensacola, August 26, 1836, his parents being Henry and Julia Kopman Hyer. His father was a native of Bavaria and came to Pensacola as a youth in 1822, and was for many years one of the leading merchants of Pensacola. His mother was a native of Bohemia. Mr. Hyer received his education in the old Pensacola Academy which has since become the Pensacola High School. His first business experience was as a clerk for a big cotton house in New Orleans, but after two years, he returned to Pensacola, and in 1859 began the business of ship brokerage, to which he has since largely devoted his attention. When the South needed his services he laid aside his business, and enlisted in the Seventh Alabama Cavalry. He saw service in Florida during the early part of the war, but was later under Forrest in Alabama and Tennessee. He was quartermaster of his regiment with the rank of Captain when the war closed. After the war he returned to Pensacola, riding on horseback from Columbus, Ga., and took up his old business as ship broker, and also became interested in lumber and has successfully managed these two interests ever since the war. He has prospered to a highly satisfactory degree, and is one of the substantial business men of his city. Mr. Hyer has always taken an active interest in public affairs, and has freely given his time and talents in whatever capacity the people demanded them. When the State Board of Health was created in 1889, he was appointed one of the first members of that body, and served for three years, later being appointed agent for the Board. He was also a member of the Escambia county Board of Health and has served the city of Pensacola as a member of the Board of Aldermen. He was Escambia county's representative in the Legislature in 1897, and in the contest for the United States Senatorship, gave his support to the late W. D. Chipley. He believes that by hard work and honest dealing success may be attained. He is in favor of encouraging the building of more railroads, and believes that the public road system should be perfected throughout the State. He is Senior Warden of Christ Episcopal Church, of which he has for many years been a consistent member. He is an active member of the firm of Hyer Brothers, ship brokers, and is Secretary of the Florida-Alabama Lumber Company, in which he is largely interested. He is a member of the Osceola Club, and of the Country Club, and in politics is a Democrat. He is an enthusiastic member of the United Confederate Veterans. Mr. Hyer was first married to Belle Abercrombie and then to her sister, Mrs. Lizzie Armstrong, both being daughters of James A. and Sarah Abercrombie. He has seven children living, as follows: Mrs. Sarah Dunwoody, Wm. K. Hyer, Jr., Robert Abercrombie, Mrs. Louise H. Turner, John W., Henry and Alberta Hyer. Additional Comments: Extracted from: FLORIDA EDITION MAKERS OF AMERICA AN HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL WORK BY AN ABLE CORPS OF WRITERS VOL. III. Published under the patronage of The Florida Historical Society, Jacksonville, Florida ADVISORY BOARD: HON. W. D. BLOXHAM COL. FRANK HARRIS HON. R. W. DAVIS SEN. H. H. McCREARY HON. F. P. FLEMING W. F. STOVALL C. A. CHOATE, SECRETARY 1909 A. B. CALDWELL ATLANTA, GA. COPYRIGHT 1909 B. F. JOHNSON Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/fl/escambia/photos/bios/hyer84gbs.jpg File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/fl/escambia/bios/hyer84gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/flfiles/ File size: 5.2 Kb