Howard County IN Archives Biographies.....Myers, Joe R. 1875 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com April 15, 2006, 3:57 pm

Author: Jackson Morrow

JOE R. MYERS.

   The record of the gentleman whose name introduces this article contains no
exciting chapter of tragic events, but is replete with well defined purposes
which carried to successful issue have won for him an influential place in
business circles and high personal standing among his fellow citizens. His life
work has been one of unceasing industry and perseverance and the systematic and
honorable methods which he has ever followed have resulted not only in gaining
the confidence of those with whom he has had dealings, but also in the building
up of a large and profitable industry and the accumulation of a handsome
competency.

   Joe R. Myers, proprietor of the largest marble and granite works in the
state, and a business man of sterling worth and honorable repute, is a native of
Jasper county, Illinois, and the son of Lewis and Margaret (Shires) Myers. He
was born May 9, 1875, and after spending about fifteen years in the state of his
birth, accompanied his parents in 1890 to Kokomo, Indiana, where during the
ensuing five years his father was engaged in the provision and meat trade. Joe
R., who is the seventh in a family of eight children, received a practical
education in the public schools of his native place and Kokomo, and while still
quite a young man was attracted to the marble trade which in due time he decided
to make his life work. After carefully considering the matter in its every
detail and being convinced that Kokomo afforded a favorable opening for the
business, he started in January, 1900, the establishment of which he is still
proprietor and which under his judicious and capable management has grown into
the largest and most prosperous concerns of the kind in the state. Although
beginning in rather a modest way and in competition with other and long
established firms. Mr. Myers devoted himself assiduously to the building up of
his business and by consulting the tastes of his customers and keeping in stock
everything in the way of monuments the public might demand, together with the
most skillful artisans obtainable to do his work, it was not long until his
efforts were crowned with success and he found himself on the high road to
prosperity and affluence. Mr. Myers' establishment at this time is not only the
largest of the kind in Kokomo but there are few in the state which do such an
extensive and profitable business, being thoroughly equipped with the most
approved modern machinery for the dressing, finishing, polishing and engraving
of marble and granite, and operated by cutters whose artistic abilities and
practical experience have made them masters of their vocation. The lettering is
all executed with pneumatic tools which are operated by compressed air, enabling
the operator to perform a greater amount of work and a better class than can be
accomplished by hand. One of the most convenient and serviceable features of the
establishment is an immense traveling crane of fifteen tons capacity, which
makes it possible to raise and put in place large blocks of marble or granite
with rapidity and ease. He also owns a portable crane of a similar character for
placing monuments in cemeteries. While doing everything in the line of marble
and granite work Mr. Myers makes a specialty of the larger grades of monuments
in which he takes high rank among his fellow dealers throughout the state, many
of the finest and most artistic memorials in the cemetery at Kokomo and other
cities being the result of his workmanship and skill. Neither pains nor expense
are spared to make the product of his work acceptable and it is a fact worthy of
note that ever since the business was started customers, have been made so
pleased as to render any form of dissatisfaction impossible, all contracts being
fullfilled, in letter and in spirit, and in not a few instances the expectations
of purchasers have been so greatly exceeded, the desire to please, together with
fair and honorable methods, being among the influences that have built up the
large and lucrative patronage which the establishment now commands.

   A business man in the full sense of the term and making all other
considerations subordinate to the successful prosecution of his chosen vocation,
Mr. Myers is also public-spirited and fully in touch with means and measures for
the advancement of his city and for the welfare of the populace. He is mindful
of the duties he owes to the community, discharges the same as becomes a man of
character and influence and as citizen is fully abreast of the times, having
decided opinions and the courage of his convictions on all the leading questions
of the day. He is an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and
the order of Ben-Hur.

   On the 5th day of September, 1906, Mr. Myers united in marriage with Maude
Jackson, of Howard county, the accomplished and popular daughter of Rev. Jacob
H. and Emma Jackson, of Clay township, the father being a well known and
successful minister of the Methodist Episcopal church and for over a quarter of
a century a member of the conference within the bounds of which he still
resides. Rev. Jackson served his church faithfully and effectively ^during the
long period indicated and the various churches to which he ministered in holy
things prospered greatly under his labors, and parted most regretfully with his
services. After a useful and honorable career in the sacred office to which his
energies and talents were so conscientiously devoted, he discontinued the work
on account of ill health in the year 1900 and since that time has lived a life
of retirement in the pleasant and attractive rural home in Clay township which
he owns. Mr. and Mrs. Myers are valued members of the Methodist Episcopal church
in Kokomo and deeply interested in its various lines of religious and benevolent
work. Socially they are among the most highly esteemed people in the city,
possessing as each does, the qualities of head and heart that inspire respect
and confidence and win warm and abiding personal friendships.


Additional Comments:
From:

HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY INDIANA
BY
JACKSON MORROW, B. A.
ILLUSTRATED
VOL. II
B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

(circa 1909)

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