Unknown County OR Archives Biographies.....Wyers, John G. 1871 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/orfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com January 24, 2007, 11:56 pm Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company JOHN G. WYERS. One of the worthy and popular citizens of Klickitat county, Washington, is John G. Wyers, manager of the Columbia Fruit Company, at White Salmon, where he has lived for many years and in the development and prosperity of which community he has been an active factor. Mr. Wyers was born in Holland in 1871 and is a son of Teunis and Maria (Heyting) Wyers, also natives of that country. They brought their family to the United States in 1888 and located in Kansas, where the father was engaged in farming until July, 1891, when he came to White Salmon, Washington, coming from The Dalles down the Columbia river on the steamer “D. S. Baker.” He engaged in farming for a few years near White Salmon and then erected the first hotel in the town, conducting it for several years, with a livery stable in connection, and in 1910 he retired from active business pursuits. His death occurred at White Salmon October 17, 1917, and he is survived by his widow, who still resides here, at the age of eighty-two years. Mr. Wyers was a man of sturdy qualities and fine personality, contributed in a very definite way to the growth of White Salmon and the advancement of civic improvements, and was highly regarded by his fellowmen. To him and his wife were born six children, as follows: John G.; Mrs. Ricka Claterbos, who died, leaving four children, Harry, who lives in White Salmon; Louis, who is in the United States army; W. R., of Vancouver, Washington; and Mrs. Walter Hunsaker, of White Salmon; Mrs. Gertie Kreps, of White Salmon, who is the mother of two children, Orie and George; Teunis, who is the proprietor of Wyers Stage Company, of White Salmon, and is married and has two children, Mrs. Marie Kreps, who has two children, Margareite and Olga Jane, and Gertrude; Peter, who is married and lives in White Salmon; and Mrs. Minnie Shepler, of Portland, who has two children, James and Marion. John G. Wyers received a good education in the excellent public schools of his native country, and in 1888 accompanied his parents to the United States. He remained at home and was associated with his father in business until his marriage, in 1899, when he engaged in farming on his own account in the White Salmon district. He was successful and acquired several fine farms, which he now leases to tenants. In 1923 he accepted the position of manager of the Columbia Fruit Company, at White Salmon, in which capacity he is still serving with satisfaction to all concerned. This company handles all kinds of farmers’ supplies, building material, lumber, coal, lime, flour, feed, explosives, fencing, oil, gas and accessories, as well as fruit spraying material, and does a business of approximately fifty thousand dollars a year. A man of sound judgment and business ability, courteous and accommodating in manner, and absolutely square in all of his dealings, Mr. Wyers commands the confidence and respect of all who come in contact with him and is well qualified for the responsible position which he is holding. He has also earned a high reputation as an auctioneer, in which capacity he has served at practically all public sales in western Klickitat county. He is a good judge of livestock and of the value of materials, which combined with his ready wit and unfailing good humor stimulates his hearers to bid and he has been remarkably successful in securing fair prices for the articles he sells. In 1899 Mr. Wyers was united in marriage to Miss Betsy Shaw, who was born in Glenwood, Klickitat county, and is a daughter of James O. and Telitha (Teague) Shaw. Her father was born in Maine in 1827 and is deceased, and her mother was born in Missouri, January 15, 1843, and is still living, at the age of eighty-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Wyers are the parents of a son, Teunis, who graduated from the law school of the University of Washington, was admitted to the bar in 1925, and is now practicing law in Hood River, Oregon. Mr. Wyers is a member of White Salmon Lodge, No. 163, A. F. & A. M., of which he was master in 1913; Goldendale Chapter, No. 36, R. A. M.; Goldendale Commandery, K. T., at Goldendale, Washington, and White Salmon Lodge, No. 188, I. O. O. F., of which he as noble grand in 1909. He has taken an active interest in the public affairs of his city and county, having served four years as a member of the board of county commissioners, four years as supervisor of roads, several years as a member of the school board, also as a member of the city council and one term as mayor of White Salmon, in all of which positions he acquitted himself in a manner that won the approbation of his fellowmen. He owns an attractive, modern home on the heights overlooking the majestic Columbia river, commanding a magnificent view up and down the valley, as well as a fine view of Mt. Hood. Kindly and generous, he stands ready at all times to help those less fortunate than he, and is intensely loyal to the best interests of his home community, where he is held in the highest esteem by all who know him. Additional Comments: History of the Columbia River Valley from The Dalles to the Sea, Pages 188-191 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/or/unknown/bios/wyers294gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/orfiles/ File size: 5.8 Kb