My Genealogy Hound

W. B. HALYARD, wholesale and retail hardware, is a native of the Blue-grass State, born in Christian county, Jan. 10, 1829. His parents, George and Sarah (Chesis) Halyard, were natives of Virginia. During infancy subject was taken with parents to Clarke county, same state, where they located on a farm. There young Halyard engaged in agricultural pursuits and attended the common schools. When thirteen years of age he went to Nicholas county and engaged as clerk in a general store at Carlisle for a time. Returned to Clarke county and learned the trade of carpenter, serving an apprenticeship of three years. Continued there at trade one year, then came to Missouri, stopping for several months in Clay county, after which he went to Lawrence, Andrew county, and engaged as clerk in a general store. In the fall of 1852 he went to Weston, Mo., where he engaged as clerk and accountant for ten years. In spring of 1862 he went to Leavenworth, Kan., and accepted the position as book-keeper for wholesale house of Watson, Brace & Co., and remained with the firm one year. He then enlisted as quartermaster in Sixteenth Kansas Cavalry and served until December, 1865. The principal part of his military service was against the Indians in expeditions under General Conner. Was mustered out of service at Ft. Leavenworth and returned at once to Weston. Engaged there in mercantile business for several years, Then to Leavenworth, and September, 1876, he came to Joplin and engaged in mercantile business with Mr. J. H. Byers, under firm name of Halyard & Byers. Continued eighteen months; then subject purchased entire interest and has since conducted the business alone. Mr. Halyard was married in Platt county, Mo., Oct. 31, 1854, to Miss Kate I. Westerfield, of that county. From this union there was one child, Kate, died in infancy. Mrs. H., died in May, 1857. Subject was again married in Monroe county, Mo., Jan. 17, 1861, to Miss Fannie, daughter of Clayborne and Amelia (Pool) Wells, of that county. There have been three children from this union: Mary, born Jan. 23, 1864; Harry, born Jan. 10, 1867, died April 24, 1870; and William, born Aug. 3, 1871. Mr. Halyard has membership in the orders I. O. O. F., A. O. U. W., and G. A. R. He is a man of excellent business qualifications, energetic and enterprising, and merits the liberal support which he is receiving in both wholesale and retail trade.