John A. Myers, a veteran agriculturist of Seward, N. Y., living about two miles from the village of Hyndsville, was born in this town, March 27, 1819, a son of Philip P. and Catherine (Strobeck) Myers. His paternal grandfather, Peter Myers, came from Dutchess County to Schoharie County at an early period of its history, and for a short time lived in Seward. He removed from here to Otsego County, and, purchasing land near the town of South Valley, improved a farm, on which he resided many years. He finally returned to Seward, and died at the home of his son, Philip P. He was twice married, and by his second wife, who was the grandmother of John A., had five children.
Philip P. Myers, son of Peter, was reared to farming pursuits, and soon after his marriage settled on the Myers homestead, now owned and occupied by his son, John A. Here he toiled with persistent energy to clear and improve a farm, and was numbered among the respected and successful farmers of the neighborhood. His death occurred at the age of threescore years and ten. He was a strong supporter of the principles of the Democratic party, but never aspired to political office. His wife, Catherine, was born in Seward, being one of the six children of John A. Strobeck, a prominent pioneer farmer of the town, and one of its most esteemed citizens. Mr. Strobeck as a young man served in the war of the Revolution, and in one of its battles was severely wounded. He attained the advanced age of eighty years. Philip P. and Catherine S. Myers reared six children, two of whom are living, namely: John A., the first-born; and Catherine, residing in East Worcester, being the wife of Abraham Smith, who is her second husband.
John A. Myers was educated in the district school. For three and one-half years after his marriage he lived on the old home farm with his parents, subsequently lived for a year with his father-in-law, and then rented a farm on shares for four years. Having accumulated some money, he next bought a farm of one hundred and nine acres on Winegard Hill, where he lived for eighteen years, when he sold that and purchased a larger farm, of one hundred and forty acres, which he carried on two years. Returning then to the old homestead, he took charge of it until the death of his father, and after that event he bought out the other heirs, and has since been its sole possessor. This place contains one hundred and twenty-five acres of land, most of which is under cultivation; and he has also another estate near by of one hundred and twenty-two acres, which he rents by the year. He has practically given up the management of his property to his son Peter, who lives with him, and they are carrying on general farming and dairying with signal success, and are also engaged to some extent in manufacturing lumber.
In politics Mr. Myers is identified with the Democratic party, but has persistently refused to accept all offices excepting those of Highway Commissioner and Collector of Taxes, both of which he filled a short time. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has been trustee and steward, and has been connected with the Sunday-school.
On May 28, 1839, Mr. Myers married Emily B. Youngs, who was born in Seward, a daughter of Adam Youngs, formerly a well-to-do farmer and lumber manufacturer, he having been owner of the saw-mill now operated by Mr. Myers and his son. Mr. and Mrs. Myers have had nine children, six of whom grew to mature years, namely: Adam, a physician in Buskirk, Rensselaer County, who married Mary Diefendorf, and has two children — Victor and Ralph; Millard, deceased, who married Hannah Shear, and had one child, Emily; Elmira, the wife of Harvey Oliver, a farmer; Peter, who lives on the home farm, married Mary Marks, and has three children — John D., Howard C., and Dewey Willard; Lorenzo, the oldest child, who died leaving a widow, whose maiden nine was Lottie M. Simmonds, and one child, Lewis; and Julia, who died at the age of eighteen years.