From A Biographical History of Central Kansas, Vol. II, p. 1329
published by The Lewis Publishing Co, Chicago & New York, 1902

B. A. MYERS

   B. A. Myers, for many years a well known representative of the farming interests of Rice county, residing on section 10, Center township, made his home in that locality for fourteen years, but has recently removed to Holland, Dickson county, Kansas.  During all these years he has been a loyal and progressive citizen, as true to his duties as when he wore the blue and fought for the preservation of the Union upon the battlefields of the south.  He claims Pennsylvania as the state of his nativity, his birth having occurred in Cumberland county, near Mt Holly, October 25, 1845.  His father, H J Myers, was born in the same locality and was there reared to manhood.  He afterward married Elizabeth Miller, whose birth occurred near Gettysburg, in Adams county, Pennsylvania.  At York Springs, the father of our subject passed away, when fifty-six years of age.  In early life he had learned the carpenter’s trade, which he followed during a portion of his business career, the remaining time being devoted to agricultural pursuits.  His political support was given to the Republican party, and in religious belief he was connected with the United Brethern church.  His wife died near Scranton, Greene county, Iowa, at the age of sixty years.  This worthy couple were the parents of nine children, five sons and four daughters, and two of the number were valiant soldiers of the Union during the war of the rebellion, namely:  B A, of this review; and C O, who is living in Adams county, Pennsylvania.  The other members of the family are Mrs Molly Burns, Clayton, Webster, John, Roland, Mrs Ivy Walburn and Mrs Lulu D Hart.

   Upon the old family homestead in the Keystone state B A Myers spent the days of his childhood and youth, early becoming familiar with all the work that falls to the lot of the agriculturist who devotes his time to the cultivation of the crops.  He attended the public schools of Pennsylvania and was reared in both Cumberland and Adams counties.  His first independent venture in life was as a farm hand, in which capacity he worked by the month in the Keystone state.  At the age of twenty-three he secured as a companion and helpmate on life’s journey Miss Maggie Stauffer, of York county, Pennsylvania, the wedding being celebrated in their native state.  Her parents were Emanuel and Christena (Smith) Stauffer, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Baltimore, Maryland.  Her father is now deceased, having passed away at the age of seventy-five years.  He had devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits, thus providing for the support of his family.  His political views were in harmony with the principles of Democracy.  His wife, who held membership in the German Baptist church, also died at the age of seventy-five, and both were people of the highest respectability, loved and honored by all who knew them.  They became the parents of eleven children, five sons and six daughters, namely:  Cornelius, William, Peter, George, Rebecca, Gill, Mrs Mary Trotle, Catherine and Anna, who have passed away, and Mrs Myers.  There was also one child, Sarah Ann, who died in childhood.

   Mr and Mrs Myers began their domestic life upon a Pennsylvania farm and resided in York and Adams counties, that state, until 1886, the year of their arrival in Rice county, Kansas.  On the 16^th of March, they took up their abode here and for a long period were identified with farming interests of the locality.  Mr Myers purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, to which he added until he became the owner of a valuable property of three hundred and twenty acres, constituting one of the best farms in the township.  The main features of the place were a good residence, which stands upon a natural building site, a substantial barn and out buildings, an orchard and a grove.  In his pastures were found about seventy head of cattle and the stock which he raised was of a good grade and was well cared for.  He also made a specialty of the production of wheat, and is one of the energetic, diligent and practical farms of the community, whose labors brought a good return.  He has recently sold that property and moved to Holland, Dickson county, Kansas, purchasing two hundred and ninety acres of choice bottom land, and he is now erected a fine fifteen hundred-dollar residence.

   The marriage of Mr and Mrs Myers has been blessed with three children:  Harry J, who is now a resident of Missouri; Emmert A, at home; and Lotta K, who died at the age of twenty-one years.  Her lost was deeply mourned by the parents, being the greatest sorrow which has ever come to them as they have traveled life’s journey together.  She possessed many excellent qualities, was kind and considerate, and her cheerful disposition made sunshine in the home.

   As a citizen Mr Myers is deeply interested in everything that pertains to the welfare of his community.  Years ago when his country was in great danger he went to the front to defend the Union, enlisting when only nineteen years of age.  He became a member of Company A, Two Hundred and Ninth Pennsylvania Infantry, and served for about a year, being honorably discharged after the close of the war, in 1865.  He had participated in the siege and battle of Petersburg, Virginia, and in the engagements of Forts Steadman and Chesterville, together with many others of lesser importance.  For a time he was on detached duty in the commissary department at Bermuda Hundred, under General Benjamin Butler, and did similar service at other points.  At length he received an honorable discharge at Alexandria, Virginia, and returned to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, from which point he once more took up farm life.  In his political affiliations he is a stalwart Republican, giving an inflexible support to the party.  The cause of education, of temperance and religion find in him a warm friend, and he holds membership with the German Baptist church.  He is a man of honorable principles, fearless in conduct and sustains an enviable reputation.  During the fifteen years of his residence in Rice county he won the highest regard of a large circle of friends.