Lincoln County, SD Biographies.....Collar, Benajor W. June 16, 1861 - 
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 February 14, 2022, 6:23 pm

Source: MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF Turner, Lincoln, Union and Clay Counties, South Dakota. (1897)
Author: Geo. Ogle & Co.

WILLIAM J. BYRNES, treasurer of Lincoln county, who resides in Canton, is one of the
most prominent and enterprising young men of the county. The parents of our subject
were James and Martha (Oliver) Byrnes, the former a farmer by occupation who died in
Green county, Wis., in 1869. Mrs. Byrnes (now Mrs. Owens) still survives. To this
couple was born a family of five children, viz.: William J., Emma, deceased; Mary
J., George W. and Emma. William J., the eldest and the gentleman of whom we write,
first opened his eyes to the light in Green county, Wis., June 19, 1861, and passed
his early life on his father's farm. He was educated in the common schools and
remained a member of the parental household until the fall of 1879, when he
purchased a team with his savings and drove alone to Lincoln county, Dak. Ter. The
following spring he bought 160 acres in Pleasant township, it being the farm on
which he spent the first night after his arrival in the territory, and for the next
six years he devoted his attention to the cultivation of his property, working in
the field during the summer months and teaching school in the winter.

Mr. Byrnes has been twice married. His first wife bore the maiden name of Miss Rose
Kundert, a native of Green county, Wis., and daughter of Fridolin and Salome
Kundert, to whom he was wedded December 29, 1881. After marriage the young couple
took up their domestic life on the farm, and continued to reside there until the
summer of 1883, when they removed to Beresford, Union county. Mr. Byrnes there built
a hotel, which he operated for a period of six months, at the expiration of that
time selling out and removing back to his homestead in Pleasant township. From that
time he continued to devote his attention exclusively to agriculture and stock
raising until August, 1887, when his wife died. He then rented the farm, although he
still made his residence thereon. October 13, 1888, Mr. Byrnes contracted his second
marriage, this time the bride being Miss Helen Matts, who was born in Dane county,
Wis., a daughter of John and Lo-vina Matts. From the date of this event until
November, 1894, he operated his farm property, and then, on being elected county
treasurer, removed to Canton. During 1895 he erected an elegant residence on
Broadway, and here he and his wife and family now live. He was re-elected treasurer
November 3, 1896.

Our subject has always taken an interest in local affairs, and has filled various of
the public offices of Pleasant township. Politically he affiliate; with the
Republican party, and stanchly supports its principles by voice and vote. Socially
he is an Odd Fellow, and belongs to the Centennial lodge. No. 10, of that order. He
has been, since eighteen years of age, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church,
and during his whole career has never forgot his duties as a Christian and a member
of that denomination. By his first wife he became the parent of two sons, Clarence
W. and Ralph Ray - the latter is deceased - and his union with Miss Matts has been
productive of three children, viz.: Emma L., Verlyn M. and Wavy L.


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