BIO:  Hon. Ephraim MYERS, Germany Township, Adams County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania
Chicago:  Warner, Beers & Co., 1886
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Part III, History of Adams County, Pages 428-431

HON. EPHRAIM MYERS, merchant, Littlestown, a son of George and Susannah Myers, 
was born in Reading Township, this county, between Berlin and Petersburg, 
September 29, 1823.  He passed his earlier years on his father’s farms and in 
his stores, and January 1, 1846, married Lucinda Bittinger, a daughter of 
Frederick Bittinger, of Germany Township.  The following April he became a 
partner with his father in a general store at Littlestown, and at the 
termination of this partnership, in 1853, he bought the lot he now occupies and 
kept store until the fall of 1857, when he sold his stock of goods to George 
Stonesifer and Samuel M. Study.  Previous to and at this time he had become 
largely interested in the building of the Littlestown Railroad, and individually 
sold most of the stock, from the proceeds of which the railroad was built.  He 
was a director for five years, and was then elected president of the railroad, a 
position he held twelve years.  Under his presidency and supervision a charter 
was secured (against much opposition from the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad) from 
the State of Maryland, and the road was extended to Frederick, Md.  It is 
generally admitted that had it not been for the energy and business tact of Mr. 
Myers and his board of railroad directors this much needed improvement would 
have been long delayed.  During these years, although actively engaged in the 
railroad matters mentioned, he built a warehouse and carried on an extensive 
grain and produce business in partnership with Dr. E. F. Shorb, for four and a 
half years.  He then sold his interest to T. B. Klein, and in 1861 was elected 
county commissioner on the Republican ticket by a majority of 176 over his 
Democratic opponent, John Duttera.  His term of service was during three years 
of the war, during which time he was an ardent supporter of the Union cause, 
both by means and influence.  Probably no man in Littlestown has taken a more 
prominent part in its business and public enterprises than Mr. Myers.  He was 
one of the first movers and advocates to incorporate Littlestown as a borough.  
He was the founder of Mount Carmel Cemetery; was also a charter member and 
stockholder in the Littlestown Savings Institution, and has been a director, 
with the exception of two years, ever since; he also takes an active part in 
promoting the educational interests of the vicinity.  In religion he is a 
Lutheran, and in the erection of the St. Paul’s Church in the borough 
contributed $1,500 toward its completion.  He now owns and carries on the most 
extensive general store in the place, in a large three-story brick block, 64 x 
70 feet, the finest in the town.  This he erected in 1866, at a cost of $13,000, 
occupying part of it as a dwelling, and recently built adjoining this property 
another elegant brick residence, at a cost of $4,000, now occupied by his son 
Harry and family.  These buildings were made from plans drawn by himself, and 
are models of convenience; in fact, he never employs an architect in the 
erection of any of the many buildings of different descriptions that he has 
built, including two barns on his farms that cost $3,000 each, but was his own 
architect and superintended their erection personally.  Although engaged in 
merchandising he is still the owner of three farms, near Littlestown, containing 
128, 165 and 90 acres, respectively, all highly cultivated land, valued, 
respectively, with improvements, at $150, $125 and $85 per acre.  Mr. Myers is 
at present a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and is the 
first Republican elected to that office from this county in twenty-five years.  
He was elected in 1884, by a majority of 156, while the Democratic President, 
Mr. Cleveland, received 450 majority.  Mr. and Mrs. Myers have had a family of 
seven children, five living, all married and away from home.  As one of 
Littlestown’s most active and enterprising citizens, whose public improvements 
and private enterprises will long show evidences of his handiwork, Mr. Myers 
will be remembered, even after he will have ceased to be an actor in the busy 
life.  As a railroad man few are better or more widely known throughout 
Pennsylvania and Maryland.