Dallas County, TX - Biographies - Elder John M. Myers ************************************************************************ This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Dorman Holub Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm ************************************************************************ John Henry Brown's History of Dallas County, 1892, pp. 478-480 ELDER JOHN M. MYERS was born in Grayson county, Kentucky, in 1823. He moved with his parents to Indiana at about the age of five years. Two years later they moved from that State to Illinois and settled in what was then Greene county. When it was divided, the part they were in was called Jersey county. There he grew to manhood, and in January, 1842, married his first wife. He remained there until 18451 when, in company with his father's family, he came to Texas. They had but little means and all was to gain and nothing to lose. In February, 1846, they settled in Dallas county. He located land under the Peters Colony, established a headright, improved a farm, and lived on it until 1857, when he sold out. About 1851, however, he had sold half of his headright. After selling out in 1867 he moved to Tarrant county and bought land, but soon became dissatisfied and sold again. Returning to Dallas county he bought . a farm adjoining his old home, and here he has since remained. He has 225 acres, all under fence, and also owns land at other places. He has always been identified with farming interests and has devoted his life to farming and preaching. To him belongs the distinction of having helped to organize the first church in Dallas county, the Union Baptist Church, located near the present village of Carrollton. In 1849 Mr. Myers was ordained to preach by the came church, being the first Baptist minister ordained in Dallas county. His marriage in Illinois has already been referred to. He was twenty years of age at that time and the lady he wedded was Miss Kizzie Wylie. Their union resulted in the birth of ten children and forty grandchildren. All of their children grew to maturity except one, and the nine are yet living, viz.: Elizabeth, born March 1, 1845; Mary and Martha (twins), born August 15, 1847; John S., July 28, 1849; Delila, May 19, 1852, died at the age of one year; Latitia, April 1, 1854; George F., December 11, 1855; Lewis C., December 5, 1857; Stephen A. D., April 24, 1859; and Nancy, May 29, 1861. His first wife died November 26, 1884. He was subsequently married to Mrs. M. E. Ricou, daughter of John Taylor. Her father was 4 native of Virginia, was a mechanic by trade, and died in Maryland, in 185Q, when she was about eight years old. After his death she moved with her mother to Tennessee, where she grew up and was married to Mr. Charles Ricou. In 1877 they emigrated to Texas and located at Denton, she coming to this State with her stepfather, Mr. James Daley. Mr. Ricon served in the Confederate army, was taken prisoner and carried to Chicago, and after being exchanged was sent to Port Hudson, Louisiana, and there died. In Denton Mr. Myers met and married Mrs. Ricon. By her first husband she had two children: one died in Tennessee, and the other, a son, Charles, is now living at Denison, Texas. Mrs. Myers is a devoted Christian and a lady of much refinement. Mr. Myers' father, Elder David Myers, was born in Montgomery county, Kentucky, October 15, 1797. At the age of 25 he married Miss Lutitia Reddish, who bore hint fourteen children, eleven of whom lived to be grown. Soon after his marriage be professed faith in Christ, joined the church and was immersed by Elder Hugh Cole. His loving and devoted wife soon followed him, and thus they laid the foundation of a life that was devoted to the Christian faith. About 1829 he moved to Indiana, and two years later to Illinois. At the latter place he was first licensed to preach. He afterward changed his church membership, when, in 1841, he was regularly ordained to the sacred office of the ministry by Elders H. H. Witt and John Brown. In 1845 he emigrated to Texas and settled in Dallas county, where he remained till his death. He was the first Baptist preacher in Dallas. His first sermon here was a funeral discourse and was delivered in June, 1846. On the 10th of May, 1846, he organized Union Church, and soon afterward, Rowlett's Creek, Bethel, Liberty and perhaps others. His last sermon was preached at Bethel Church, Collin county, from Galatians 5: 13. On the 9th of March, 1853, at the age of fifty-six, his redeemed spirit winged its flight to the blessed regions of eternal day. As a Texan pioneer preacher he suffered many privations and hardships. During his entire ministry it is believed he never received more than $500 for his services. His father and mother were Germans by birth and education. All their children, however, were educated in English. David Myers was the youngest of eight sons; was a little below the average height, and was a man of pleasing address. The subject of our sketch, while working on his farm for the support of his family, preached in Dallas, Denton, Kaufman and Tarrant counties, and, like his honored father, is an earnest worker in the cause of his Master. He has been instrumental in locating a member of churches in Texas, and has been a pastor and missionary for more than thirty years. He, too, has endured many of the hardships incident to pioneer life. While improving his first farm he went to the timber and made his 100 rails per day, on corn bread and plantain greens boiled in Elm creek water, with no seasoning except a little salt. He had no taste for hunting, and does not remember to have fired a gun since living in the State. Politically, he is a Democrat. His politics like his religion has been handed down from his ancestors. A more sincere gentleman in both is not to be found in Texas. He is now 68 years old hale and hearty, and preaches often; is the only member of Union Church living who went into the organization 46 years ago, May 10, 1846.