William Myers, farmer, Steam Corner, is the second son of Abraham andC atharine (Saltsgaber) Myers. Abraham and Catharine were born inPennsyl vania and were blessed with two sons: Isaac born July 5 1808and Willia m born March 1 1812. In 1836 they moved from Ohio toIndiana, staying o ne year, and in the spring of 1837 bought land inthe northeast part of M ill Creek township, In their old age theyfound a home for sixteen year s with their son William. They weremembers of the United Brethren chur ch. He was politically a Jacksondemocrat, then a whig and in his late y ears a republican. He died/September 30 1870, aged ninety years, and h is wife died February 171857, aged eighty six years, six months and th ree days. William Myerswas married in Ross county, Ohio, December 25 1 833 to Sarah VanGundy, daughter of John and Anna M. (Davis) Van Gundy. S he was bornin Pennsylvania April 6 1808. Her parents were Pennsylvania ns, and in1836 moved to Scott's prairie, fountain county Indiana, wher e theydied; he on October 27 1860 aged ninety three years and she Octo ber 71854 aged eighty one years, nine months and twelve days. Mr. and M rs.Myers settled first on Scott's prairie and lived there nearly five years. In 1841 they moved on their present farm, which had been enteredb y John Van Gundy. He and wife experiences all pioneer haps andmishaps. M r. Myers taught school two winters, and was the first maleteacher in t he district. While he struggled with problems in theschool room, wood o r field, Mrs. Myers was at her reel or loom, or atother household duti es. They have been long connected with the UnitedBrethren church, of w hich he is a pillar. Mr. Myers was a whig, butis now a republican. Fin ancially he has made life a success, yet haslaid up no great store. In t heir family are five children: Maria, nowMrs. Murphey Lewis) Calvin, H arriet, now Mrs. Adam Hershberger)Malinda (now Mrs. Wilkey), and Josia h D.
Residences & events:
Again from the History of Fountain Co, IN:
"The United Brethren church seems to have been the pioneer church ofMi ll
Creek township....A class was organized at Abraham Myers' about 1837by J ohn Hoobler. This was on Scott's prairie. Here George Redenbaugh,David S imons, Jonathan Wolf, Wm. Myers, and others met for worship."
1840 Cain Twp, Fountain Co, IN. The census recorded in WilliamMyers' h ousehold: 1 male under 5, William at 20-30, two femalesunder 5, and h is wife also 20-30. Next door was brother-in-lawPeter Vangundy, 30-4 0 years old, farther down was John Vangundy,20-30. with Sarah's second c ousin George May Jr between.
8/24/1860 Mill Creek Twp, PO Harrisburg, Fountain Co, IN. That year'sc ensus said William was 48, a farmer with property valued at$4000/1235, a nd a family that included Sarah, 52, Harriet, 22, andJosiah, 18. Also l iving there was his 82 year old father as well as82 year old Magdalene S altsgaver. Two doors down was the family ofSarah's sister, Margaret S immons.
8/1/1870 Same place, PO Harveysburg. Listed in that census wereWilli am Myers, 58, Sarah, 62, his 90 year old father Abraham, anddaughter H arriet Myers, 32. William's estate had grown to $5600/1000and he stil l farmed. They were surrounded by family with son Josiahtwo doors dow n, Sarah's sister Delilah and William Rebenbaugh beyondthem, another M yers family in the opposite direction.
6/21/1880 Fountain Co, IN. Before the next census his father was gonea s well as Harriet and the old couple were living alone, William, 68,wa s still farming, Sarah was 72. Next door was Sarah's sister,Margaret S immons, three doors down was son Calvin.
6/4/1900 Still there. That year the census taker found widowerWillia m Myers, 88, living with son Josiah's family. Neighborsincluded the n ext generation of Redenbaughs and Simmons.
