My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Perry County, Indiana published by Goodspeed, Bros. & Co. in 1885.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

GEORGE R. DYER is a native of Johnson County, Ind., where he was born April 14, 1839, being the third in a family of thirteen. Ten lived to be grown, viz.: Sarah (who married Hugh Boyles), William G., Lorenzo D. (deceased), Jane (deceased), who married John Butler, Emily (now Mrs. John Masterson), Elizabeth (now Mrs. Joseph S. Basinger), George R., John W., James W. (deceased), who died in the army, and Abram S. The parents were Elijah and Rhoda (Hurst) Dyer, natives of Tennessee. They were married in Harrison County, Ind., and moved to Spencer County in the spring of 1840, where the father died and the mother still resides at the age of eighty-one years. They were lifelong members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject was reared by his parents, remaining with them until his enlistment in the army, October 22, 1861, in Company E, Forty-ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was discharged at Indianola, Tex., February 2, 1864, and the same day veteranized in same company and regiment. He was discharged at Louisville, September 13, 1865, by reason of the close of the war. He was in thirteen general engagements. He was taken prisoner at London, Ky., in 1862, and paroled; came home and was married to Miss Emeline, daughter of Alexander and Phoebe (Miller) Van Winkle, March 19, 1863. Mrs. Emeline Dyer was born July 27, 1843. Mr. Dyer follows farming as an occupation. He owns 124 acres of land, with good buildings. He is a Republican in politics, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. All the brothers and sisters that lived to be grown were active and honorable members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, except one sister, Emily Masterson, who belonged to the Christian Church. Our subject and wife joined the church in 1868, and are active supporters of all that conduces to Christian benefits everywhere.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 257 biographies included in The History of Perry County, Indiana portion of the book: History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties Indiana published in 1885 by Goodspeed, Bros. & Co.  For the complete description, click here: Perry County, Indiana History and Genealogy

View additional Perry County, Indiana family biographies here: Perry County, Indiana Biographies

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.