Franz O'Neall Myers AW Bowen History, Montgomery County, Indiana (1913) p 1180 Franz O'Neall Myers, one of the most progressive of Montgomery County's younger farmers and a worthy representative of two of the honored pioneer families of this section of the Hoosier state is a man who takes an abiding delight in nature and existence, because he has been in touch with the springs of life. Mr. Myers was born in Scott Township, Montgomery County on the farm where he now lives, one mile west of Ladoga Sept 4, 1885. He is a son of J. Frantz and Sarah E. (O'Neall) Myers. The father of our subject was born also in the house where the immediate subject of this sketch lives. He was a son of William Myers, who was a son of John Myers, Sr., who was the principal actor in the early development of Ladoga and Vicinity. He was the first of the family we can trace definitely. The family is of German origin, and emmigration was made to the US in the COlonial days. John Myers, Sr. was born in Lancaster County, PA about 1770, was married in 1791 to Katheran Hantz (Frantz), who was born in 1775. Soon after their marriage they moved to Botetourt County, Virginia, where they became owners of 200 acres of land. 8 children were born to them, an equal number of sons and daughters: John, Jr.; David; Henry; William; Catherine; Sallie; Elizabeth and Nancy. About the year 1828 John Myers, Jr. came to the site of Ladoga, Montgomery County, Indiana and prior to the spring of 1830 he had purchased 320 acres which joined the mill site south of Ladoga and in 1830 he brought his family here. In 1831 John Myers, Sr. and son Henry and nephew, Mathias Frantz came on horseback to Ladoga to visit John Myers, Jr. The senior Myers was then 60 years old. He was He was so favorably impressed with the possibilities of the new country that he returned to Virginia, sold his land and other property for $6000, which sum he put in a chest, which he loaded into a big wagon, piling furniture on top. Hitching four large horses to the outfit he started with his wife, youngest son William, son Henry and his family, and with a goodly party of others came overland to this county, arriving at Ladoga in the fall of 1833, their big prairie schooner, although nothing new to the pioneers, yet attracting much attention. When John Myers, Jr. was building the first flour mill there, William, the youngest brother of John, Jr. then a boy of 19, was sent to the Ohio river and brought back the machinery. John Myers, Sr. bought a great deal of land in and about Ladoga and between there and Parkersburg, aggregating 1304 acres. He was a man of great vigor of mind and body as is shown by the fact that at 60 when financially able to take his ease he moved from the home of his early life to what was then the western frontier and founded a new home where his children could have more abundant opportunities. it was his money and public spirit that made possible the fostering of private enterprises and building up the town of Ladoga. His death occurred in 1841, and he is buried in the cemetery at the south edge of Ladoga. He and his wife were members of the German Baptist Church and lived strictly in accord with their religious opinions. They were given to many acts of hospitality and charity, often providing a home for persons until they could provide a home for themselves. In her earlier married life, Mrs. Myers weaned one of her own children so she could rear her sisters, child, Mathias Frantz, who was left an orphan when a few days old. A leading trait of their character was industry. They loved work and were never idle. Mrs. Myers worked in the fields and no one was a better reaper or swifter binder than she. After the flax was sown she did all the rest of the work, sheared the sheep and made the cloth, cut and made homsepun clothes for all her children. SHe also had some ability as a milliner. Her death occurred in 1850 and she was buried beside her husband. Her son, William Myers, was born in 1816 in Botetourt Co, Va and was married here in 1836 to Lydia Harshbarger, daughter of Jacob and Salome (Ammen) Harshbarger. She was born in 1816 in Virginia near Roanoke City and came here with her parents in November 1831. Her father was a man of affairs, well to do and owned nearly 3000 acres near Ladoga. He was a religious man and of high moral character. William Myers' death occured on March 1, 1907. After his marriage, William Myers went to housekeeping in a log cabin on Raccoon Creek, a half mile south of where Franz O. Myers now lives. It was new land and he cleared it as he told his grandchildren in after years, "In those days we married to make a home. Now the young folks must have a home after marriage. I cleared this ground, your father ditched it. Now it is ready for you." He made a good farm of it and here he reared his family 7 children having been born to William Myers and wife, only four of whom are now living, namely: Mrs. Alice Baldwin, who lives East of Ladoga; and Daniel A. Myers, who lives four miles NE of Ladoga. Two other daughters, Mrs. Salome Graybill and Mrs. Mary Gill liv ein Kansas and Missouri. One of the sons was Jacob Frantz Myers, father of Franz O'Neall Myers. He was born May 18, 1850 on the place where Franz O. Myers now resides. He and Sarah Ellen O'Neall were married in this locality in 1877. She was a daughter of Abijah and Ellen Hall O'Neall. She was born in RIpley Township, this county April 25, 1854. Her mother was of Scotch-Irish blood and she came here from Ohio. Abijah O'Neall is mentioned in the sketch of William Q. O'Neall appearing elsewhere in this work. J. Franz Myers was a farmer all his life. He and his wife were Presbyterians. They lived all their married life on the farm where he was born and prospering with advancing years, he became owner of 320 acres of land, which he kept well improved and well cultivated and ranked among the successful and leading farmers of the southern part of the county. He was a man of exemplary character and was well and favorably known. He was active in the republican party, but never south office, being content to remain on his farm, always a man of modesty and plain manners. he was, hoever, a delegate to the state convention that nominated Governor Mount with whom he was well acquainted and was one of those whose earnest efforts brought about hte nomination of this distinguished son of Montgomery County. He was educated at Asbury (now DePauw) University and Smithson College, and was a member of the PHi Gamma Delta Fraternity. He was a delegate to the Presbyterian General Assembly in Washington D C. HIs death occurred November 24, 1903. His wife was educated at Smithson College. She was a strick Presbyterian and an earnest worker in the church. She was a good wife and mother and an excellent housekeeper. Her death occurred August 25, 1893. Franz O'Neall Myers, the immediate subject of this sketch, attnded Wabash College and also took a year in the agricultural department at Purdue. He left school upon the death of his father and took charge of the farm where he now resides, and he has made a great success of operating the same, carrying on general farming and stock raising on a large scale, and keeping the place well improved and well cultivated. On October 31, 1905, Mr. Myers married Chasie Bridges, daughter of John l. and Vina Harris Bridges. She was born reared and partly educated in Putnam County, where her father is a prosperous farmer and was county commissioner of Putnam County. Two children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Howard B. and Madonna. Fraternally, Mr. Myers is a Mason. He is a member of the phi Gamma Delta fraternity. religiously, he belongs to the Presbyterian Church. His farm known as "Fair Acres" is well named as all who have seen it will readly acquiesce. It consists of 320 acres and his wife owns 80 acres. Mrs. Myers was educated at Western Female Seminary at Oxford Ohio. -- Jeffery G. Scism, IBSSG ~~ "Proponents of each side are vying with determination to prove their ignorance is greater than the other." President Andrew Jackson, discussing a bill going through the US Congress. Visit http://ibssg.org/ For The Blacksheep website, Montgomery County, Putnam County, and Fountain County USGenWeb sites. MORE... 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