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William Byers
William Byers, mail carrier, Chambersburg. was born in Antrim Township, this county, September 4, 1846, a son of John and Rachel (Miller) Byers, former of whom was born in Fayetteville, this county, December 11, 1811, son of Castle Byers, a farmer, who kept tavern at Fayetteville for many years. John Byers, a farmer by occupation, lived near Funkstown until 1854, when he removed to Adams County, Penn., and there died March 9, 1861. He reared to maturity a family of seven, children, of whom six are living, five sons and one daughter. His widow, who was born September 24, 1821, in York County, Penn., resides in Chambersburg, vigorous in mind and body.
Our subject was educated in the public schools and brought up on a farm at home until he enlisted in Company K, Eighty-seventh Regiment, 87th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He was with the regiment at Petersburg, Sailor’s Creek, and at the surrender of General Lee, serving until the close of the war. He was mustered out at Harrisburg in July, 1865.
Returning to civil life he carried the mail and ran a stage from Chambersburg to Gettysburg for twelve years. He is now engaged in carrying the mail from the depot to the postoffice in Chambersburg, in addition to doing an omnibus business.
Mr. Byers married, in 1874, Kate Newman, and by her has one son and four daughters: Rosa V., born in South Mountain, Adams Co., Penn., March 14, 1876; Mary E., born in Chambersburg, this county, August 27, 1878; Nellie K., born in Fort Loudoun, this county, February 24, 1880; Howard N., born in Chambersburg, this county, January 17, 1883, and Beulah, also born in Chambersburg, February 13, 1885. Mr. Byers is a member of the G.A.R.
Source: Biographical Annals of Franklin County, Pennsylvania : containing genealogical records of representative families, including many of the early settlers, and biographical sketches of prominent citizens; Chicago. Genealogical Pub. Co.. 1905. Notes: Prepared in part by George O. Seilhamer.