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Below is a family biography included in the History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania published in 1889 by A. Warner & Co. 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.
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JAMES R. BYERS, farmer, post office McMinn, was born on the place where he now resides Jan. 9, 1819, a son of John and Nancy (Burns) Byers. The latter was a daughter of Alexander and Nancy (Barnes) Burns, early settlers of Findlay township. John Byers was a son of John Byers, who settled with his family in Findlay township, and whose father was a soldier in wars anterior to the Revolution. John and Nancy (Burns) Byers were Presbyterians. They had nine children, six now living: Nancy (widow of Andrew Vance), Margaret, John D., Mary (wife of William Burns), James R. and Amanda (wife of George McMinn). James R. married, Nov. 4, 1852, Margaret Wilson, a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Swearingen) Wilson. Mrs. Byers died July 14, 1863, the mother of two children — Agnes and John W. (who married Ida Burns). Mr. Byers ranks among our leading citizens, and has held various local offices. In 1880 he was elected justice of the peace, and was re-elected in 1885. He owns a fine farm of 140 acres.
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This family biography is one of 2,156 biographies included in the History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania published in 1889 by A. Warner & Co.
View additional Allegheny County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Biographies
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