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JOHN W. TYLER 
 A MEMORIAL 
 
JOHN W. TYLER 
 From photograph taken a short time before his death 
 
1808-1888 
 
 A MEMORIAL OF THE 
 
 ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 OF HIS BIRTH 
 
 SEPTEMBER 27. 1908 
 
 
 PRIVATEX.Y PRINTED 
 
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CONTENTS 
 
 Introductoey Note . . . . . 9 
 
 BlOGEAPHICAL SkETCH BY J. Z. TyLER . . 11 
 
 Funeral Services ..... 26 
 
 Abstracts of Addresses .... 27 
 
 Some Other Tributes ..... 36 
 
 Letter prom Dr. R. J. Spurr ... 39 
 
 Letter from Rev. D. P. Henderson . . 45 
 
 Letter from Rev. David Gay regarding the 
 last Sunday Service in which J. W. Tyler 
 
 participated ...... 49 
 
 Ancestors back to 17th Century . . 52 
 
 Descendants to 1908 ..... 56 
 
 Descendants of Brothers and Sisters of J. 
 
 W. Tyler 62 
 
 Reprints of Some Family Papers : 
 
 (a) Baptist Ministerial Certificate, 1835 64 
 
 (b) Certificate of Ordination, 1853 . 64 
 
 (c) William Tyler^s Deed to Kentucky 
 
 Farm, 1789 65 
 
 (d) Will of Willl^m Tyler, 1827 . . 67 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 'John W. Tyler .... Frontispiece 
 "" Birthplace of John W. Tyler . . facing 14 
 
 ^ Residence of John W. Tyler at Decatur, 
 
 Illinois facing 22 
 
 ■ The Old Spring House . . . facing 40 
 
 The Old Family Burial Place in Kentucky 
 
 facing 54 
 
DEDICATED TO THE 
 DESCENDANTS OF JOHN W. TYLER 
 TO THE REMOTEST GENERATION 
 
INTRODUCTORY NOTE 
 
 This little book would not have been possible, 
 but for the painstaking efforts of Rev. J. Z. Tyler 
 of Cleveland, 0., who, through a long period of years, 
 has collected and carefully preserved material re- 
 lating to family history that would have otherwise 
 been lost. With loving devotion to the memory of 
 our father, he has, for many years, hoped to put this 
 into permanent form for preservation. Failing 
 health, however, made it necessary to lay this aside, 
 more than ten years ago, but through these years of 
 invalidism he has cherished the hope that in some 
 way it might take form. 
 
 It is at his suggestion that the 100th anniversary 
 of our father's birth is made the occasion for issuing 
 this Memorial. It is not as complete or detailed as 
 it would have been, had he been able to give it his 
 personal care and to have contributed from his re- 
 markable memory the fund of family tradition and 
 reminiscence that he gathered years ago from con- 
 versations with father and mother and with grand- 
 parents and uncles in Kentucky. 
 
 The material thus preserved, together with the 
 data collected by Mrs. Sue F. Odor regarding the 
 
''Descendants," is now brought together and on 
 this the centennial anniversary of his birth, the de- 
 scendants of John W. Tyler unite in having this 
 Memorial put into print. 
 
 Des Moines, Iowa Alice S. Tyler 
 
 September 27, 1908 
 
 10 
 
A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 
 
 Prepared by J. Z. Tyler, for the ''Biographical. 
 Eecord of Macon County, Illinois," 1893 
 
 John W. Tyler (1808-1888) was the eldest son 
 of Benjamin Tyler (1782-1870), who was the third 
 son of William Tyler (1747-1843), who was a native 
 of Virginia and one of the first settlers of Fayette 
 County, Kentucky. 
 
 The first American ancestor of the Virginia 
 Tylers was Henry Tyler, a reputed native of Shrop- 
 shire, England. In the third volume of the Virginia 
 Land Register is the record of a patent in Henry 
 Tyler's name, bearing date January 7, 1652, and lo- 
 cating two hundred and fifty-four acres of land in 
 what was known as the Middle Plantation, "due to 
 him by and for transporting to this colony six per- 
 sons to-wit : the said Henry Tyler himself, and Mary 
 his wife, and Anne Sherman, Thomas Day, David 
 Legurne, and Ja : Musskatina, — forty-six acres re- 
 maining due on the last name." The laws of the 
 colony at that time encouraged immigration by al- 
 lowing to the importer fifty acres for each and every 
 
 11 
 
person brought over at his expense. This Henry 
 Tyler lived on the outskirts of what is now 
 the city of Williamsburg, and his residence, 
 though remodeled, retains many quaint and 
 beautiful features of ''ye olden time." His 
 name repeatedly occurs in the records in con- 
 nection with some of the most respectable 
 names of the colony. His eldest son, Henry, married 
 into the Page family of Virginia and played a useful 
 part in the affairs of the colony. He held many 
 offices of trust and authority in York County, through 
 a long series of years, with credit and character. 
 He died in 1729, leaving three sons : John, Francis, 
 and Henry. This Henry, the third of the name, 
 heired the ancestral homestead, but in 1752 he sold 
 out and removed to Sussex County and there died 
 in 1774. Leaving no surviving issue, he divided his 
 property between his grand-nephew, John Tyler, "at- 
 torney at law in Charles City County and his grand- 
 nephew, William Tyler, grandson of Francis Tyler, 
 of Prince William. ' ' This will is recorded in Sussex 
 County Court. The young attorney mentioned 
 therein became the father* of John Tyler, the tenth 
 President of the United States, and the other legatee 
 appears to have been the William Tyler who located 
 a few years later in Fayette County, Kentucky, and 
 became the grandfather of John W. Tyler, the sub- 
 ject of this sketch. Some genealogists, however, i 
 make William Tyler, the grandfather of John W. 
 
 *John Tyler, father of the 10th President of the U. S., and 
 William Tyler, grandfather of John W. Tyler, were bom in the 
 same year, 1747. 
 
 12 
 
Tyler, to be the grandson of Charles Tyler (died 
 1723) of Westmoreland County, Virginia. [See 
 "Ancestors Back to 17th Century" in this volume.] 
 
 William Tyler, the grandfather of John W., was 
 born December 27, 1747; was married to Letty 
 George August 15, 1774; and died March 1, 1843. 
 The exact date of his settlement in Kentucky is not 
 known. Eanck, in his history of Lexington, Ky., says : 
 "The summer of 1776 found no white man in all 
 the length and breadth of the present Fayette Coun- 
 ty." In March, 1779, Col. Eobert Patterson was 
 sent from the fort at Harrodsburg and was success- 
 ful in building a block-house fort on the very site 
 where Lexington now stands. James Masterson, 
 after whom the fort five miles north-west of Lex- 
 ington was named, was a member of the company 
 commanded by Col. Patterson. William Tyler made 
 his home, with his small family, in Masterson fort 
 for a time after reaching Kentucky. A deed, with- 
 out date, now in possession of a great-grandson of 
 William Tyler, was placed on record at the July 
 term of the Fayette County Court in 1789. By this 
 deed Eichard Masterson and Sarah his wife trans- 
 ferred to William Tyler "one hundred and fifty 
 acres, being a part of the McConnel's settlement." 
 His coming to Kentucky must, therefore, have been 
 somewhere between 1779 and 1789. It was probably 
 late in 1782. 
 
 To William Tyler, and Letty his wife, nine chil- 
 dren were born : Charles, May 27, 1775 ; Sally, Sep- 
 tember 20, 1777; William, July 24, 1780; Benjamin, 
 
 13 
 
 / 
 
October 20, 1782; Ann, August 13, 1785; Susanah, 
 December 1, 1789 ; Jessie, April 1, 1793 ; Mary, March 
 19, 1795; and George, April 28, 1797. There is a 
 trustworthy tradition that Benjamin was born in an 
 Indian fort as they were emigrating to Kentucky. 
 
 Dr. Kichard Spurr in writing of those early 
 times says : "William Tyler was a pious, God-fearing 
 man. He and his wife were members of the Meth- 
 odist church. A meeting house was built near the 
 fort and here they held their membership. When 
 this house was no longer tenantable then stated meet- 
 ings were held at the house of old Father Tyler, this 
 being a point in the circuit." Ranck, in his history, 
 says: "In 1787 the first Methodist church built in 
 Kentucky (a log one) was erected at Masterson's 
 Station, five miles northwest of Lexington, and in 
 1790 the first annual conference of the church in 
 Kentucky was held there and had the great and good 
 Bishop Francis Asbury as its presiding officer." 
 
 Benjamin Tyler, third son of William, was mar- 
 ried to Susanah Shores and to them five children 
 were born: John William, September 27, 1808; 
 Jane, April 6, 1810; Charles, November 17, 1812; 
 Susanah, May 4, 1815; and Benjamin George, No- 
 vember 1, 1821. The daughters married brothers: 
 Jane married Dr. William Warder Higgins, and Su- 
 sanah married Harvey Higgins, after whom Hig- 
 ginsville. Mo., was named. Jane died March 27, 
 1846, and Susanah died July 3, 1854. John W. was 
 married first to Elvira Oxley, June 18, 1831, and after 
 her death was married to Sarah Roney, February 
 
 14 
 
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28, 1839. Charles was married to Eliza Ellen Neal, 
 August 22, 1839, and died at liis home in Bloomfield, 
 Kentucky, October 14, 1887. Benjamin G. was mar- 
 ried first to Mrs. Rebecca Smith {nee Cromwell) 
 and after her death to Mrs. Sally Steadman. He 
 died at his home near Lexington, Kentucky, April 1, 
 1891. Dr. Spurr in writing of Benjamin Tyler, the 
 father of John W., says: ''He was a model 
 of industry and integrity, his word being con- 
 sidered the equal of his bond. He was one 
 of the best citizens of Fayette County. He 
 was never known to take any intoxicating 
 drinks; this was remarkable when we remember 
 that at that time whiskey or brandy was kept in 
 every house and their use was quite common. He 
 was a strictly moral man, never known to use pro- 
 fane language, was a man of peace, — in short, a 
 model irreligious man until late in life (a period at 
 which few persons ever make a change in habits), he 
 became a devout member of the Cane Run Baptist 
 church. He was a man of wonderful amount of com- 
 mon sense. He never ceased during his long life to 
 give his personal attention to his business and at his 
 death he left a large estate." His death occurred 
 May 2, 1870, his wife having died four years prior 
 to that, — May 19, 1866. 
 
 John W. Tyler, eldest son of Benjamin Tyler, 
 was born September 27, 1808. The first settlers of 
 Fayette County had made rapid and substantial 
 progress. On the 26th of December, 1781, the trus- 
 
 15 
 
tees of Lexington station had adopted a plan for the 
 town. The first newspaper ever published west of 
 the Alleghany mountains made its appearance in 
 that town August 18, 1787. Lexington reached the 
 zenith of her first period of prosperity in 1810. Log 
 cabins were giving place to more commodious and 
 comfortable dwellings. Schools were established in 
 which rudimentary education might be had. The 
 standard was not high. When one had learned to 
 spell, to read, and to write legibly, had studied 
 Pike's arithmetic to fractions and had acquired a 
 smattering of Murray's English grammar he was 
 thought to be fairly and sufficiently educated. Al- 
 gebra, geography, etc., were not taught and were 
 thought to be useless. This represents about the op- 
 portunity John Tyler had to receive an education. 
 Eev. D. P. Henderson, his class-mate in boyhood, 
 says: "We were taught by very exacting teachers, 
 who practically enforced discipline even by the rod 
 under which most of us had often to pass. I have a 
 vivid recollection of John Tyler. He was a quiet, 
 studious, grave, industrious pupil. He made rapid 
 progress in his studies. He was not so fond of 
 youthful sports as many others, consequently his rec- 
 itations were better, much better, than his class- 
 mates. He enjoyed the confidence and love of the 
 pupils." Another who attended school in boyhood 
 with him has left this record: "He was an apt 
 scholar, learned fast, stood about the head of his 
 class, was a favorite with the scholars, engaged in 
 all their games at play-time, was very active, fleet 
 
 16 
 
of foot, peaceable, kind to all. Sometimes for six 
 months at a time lie was not in school, and could not 
 have been over fourteen years old when his school 
 days ended and he went to work as a regular hand 
 with his father on the farm. Then it took six days 
 of work to fill up the week. Raising horses was quite 
 a business with John's father, and on Sunday he al- 
 ways had a good horse that he was breaking by rid- 
 ing to church. He took great pleasure in hearing 
 gifted speakers, both in the pulpit and on the stump, 
 and had frequent opportunity of hearing such men 
 as Henry Clay, John J. Crittenden, Tom Corwin, 
 Tom Ewing, Robert Wickliffe and Robert J. Breck- 
 enridge. He was always fond of company, would 
 enjoy himself with old people as much as with those 
 of his own age. He never took much interest in his 
 dog or gun, or fishing-rod, but was always in the 
 highest degree interested in either political or relig- 
 ious discussions and would go whenever practicable 
 to hear speakers of note." The boy was father to 
 the man. 
 
 The visit of General LaFayette to Lexington 
 made a deep impression upon him. That was in 
 May, 1825, when John was in his seventeenth year. 
 His own uncle Charles had been a soldier in the war 
 of the Revolution and was present. It was probably 
 the grandest gathering ever seen in Lexington. An 
 immense concourse of people from all parts of Ken- 
 tucky and from several other states, companies of 
 infantry, artillery, and cavalry, revolutionary sol- 
 diers, distinguished strangers, members of all pro- 
 
 17 
 
fessions went out to meet Mm. The announcement 
 that the Marquis and suite were in sight was the sig- 
 nal for round after round of deafening cheers, vol- 
 leys of musketry and thunders of artillery. All this 
 so thrilled the youthful John with military ambition 
 that for a time his dreams were all of military glory. 
 But he was destined for more peaceful, although not 
 less honorable, pursuits. 
 
 The terrible ravages of cholera in 1833 will ever 
 keep that fatal year memorable in the annals of Lex- 
 ington. It made its appearance the first of June 
 and in less than ten days fifteen hundred persons 
 were prostrated and dying at the rate of fifty a day. 
 An indescribable panic seized the citizens, half of 
 whom fled from the city, and those who remained 
 were almost paralyzed with fear. It was an awful 
 scourge, but not without its beneficial effects. Sad- 
 dened and chastened, the city turned to religion for 
 consolation, and in 1834 there was a great and wide- 
 spread revival. It was shortly before this that the 
 Cane Run Baptist church had been constituted by 
 persons from the Town-fork, North Elkhorn, Great 
 Crossings, and possibly other Baptist churches in the 
 surrounding neighborhoods. Meetings were held 
 statedly at a stand in the woods or at the home of 
 some of the members. Prayer-meetings were held 
 from house to house on Sunday evenings. These 
 services were all attended with marked regularity by 
 John Tyler. A meeting house was built and, upon 
 its completion, the Rev. Jeremiah D. Black held a 
 series of meetings which resulted in a large ingath- 
 
 18 
 
ering into the church. Among the number was John 
 Tyler. That was in the summer of 1834. He began 
 at once to speak in the neighborhood meetings and 
 soon entered upon the work of the ministry, in which 
 he continued for fifty-four years. 
 
 June 18, 1831, he was united in marriage to 
 Elvira Oxley, a union broken seven years later by 
 the hand of death. There were born, of this union, 
 two sons and a daughter: Theodore M., Nancy J., 
 and John W., Jr. Theodore died July 14, 1868. On 
 February 28, 1839, he was united in marriage to 
 Sarah Roney, a union which continued through al- 
 most fifty years, and there were born, of this union, 
 seven sons and four daughters : Benjamin Bushrod, 
 April 9, 1840 ; Susan Frances, March 15, 1842 ; James 
 Alexander, September 14, 1843; Barton Stone, Au- 
 gust 19, 1845; Charles Willis, November, 1846; Jo- 
 seph Zachary, October 10, 1848 ; Henry Clay, August 
 16, 1850; Mary Edna, August 18, 1852; Elizabeth 
 Ann, October 16, 1854; Charles Henry, August 19, 
 1856; and Alice Sarah, April 27, 1859. Two died in 
 early childhood:* Charles Willis in January, 1851, 
 and Henry Clay, August 19, 1851. James A. died 
 February 26, 1876. 
 
 Sarah Roney, the wife of John W. Tyler, was 
 born in Shelby County (now a part of Oldham Coun- 
 ty), Kentucky, November 16, 1816. She was the 
 
 *The two children who died in childhood and also the first wife, 
 Elvira Oxley Tyler, and the oldest son, Theodore M., were buried in 
 the family burying ground on the farm 5 miles east of Decatur. 
 James A. was buried in the cemetery of Long Creek M. E. church, 
 near the parental home of his wife. 
 
 19 
 
fourth daughter of James Eoney and his wife Mary 
 Aiken, both natives of Virginia. James Eoney was 
 the eldest son of his widowed mother and the care 
 of the family rested upon him. When quite a young 
 man he came to Kentucky, secured land in Shelby 
 County, cleared a small patch of ground, built a cab- 
 in and returning to Virginia brought his mother and 
 family to the new home. He and his brother Joseph 
 became men of position and influence in the new 
 settlement and were prosperous. He was married 
 to Mary Aiken February 19, 1806, and to them were 
 born six sons and eight daughters: John, Decem- 
 ber 25, 1806 ; Joseph, March 3, 1808 ; James, October 
 30, 1809 ; Matilda, July 11, 1811 ; Malinda, January 
 12, 1813 ; Maria, December 15, 1814 ; Sarah, Novem- 
 ber 16, 1816; Joshua, November 11, 1818; Eobert, 
 September 5, 1820; Polly, August 5, 1822; Nancy, 
 June 11, 1824; Louisa, November 6, 1826; Samuel, 
 August 1, 1829; and Emaline, September 3, 1830. 
 These were all born in Kentucky. 
 
 The Eoney family removed to Shelby County, 
 Illinois, in 1831, but the county was subsequent- 
 ly divided, thus placing their home in Moultrie 
 County. At the time of their leaving Kentucky 
 Sarah was in the fifteenth year of her age. In 
 her childhood she had been lamed and for some 
 time went upon crutches. Of bright mind and hap- 
 py disposition, her affliction naturally made her 
 the pet of the family. She grew to young wo- 
 manhood under the conditions and limitations of 
 those primitive times. Her opportunities to at- 
 
 20 
 
tend school were very meager, but her natural 
 thirst for knowledge led her to drink of the fountains 
 that spring by the wayside until she became a wom- 
 an of information and possessed a wisdom which 
 schools cannot confer. Her early religious training 
 was among the Presbyterians. Her religion was 
 not of the demonstrative kind. Her devotions flour- 
 ished most in the sacred privacy of the closet. She 
 was characterized by an enlightened faith, a rational 
 reverence, strong convictions, genuine benevolence, 
 charitable judgment, uncompromising conscientious- 
 ness, and an unswerving devotion to duty in every 
 relation in life. Her love of the beautiful did much 
 to make her own life beautiful from its early dawn 
 to its cloudless close. She was admirably fitted to 
 be the wife of a pioneer and preacher. 
 
 Upon his removal from Kentucky, in the fall of 
 1834, John W. Tyler located for a short time in the 
 northeastern part of Montgomery County, Indiana, 
 and gave himself zealously to the work of the min- 
 istry. He soon organized a church in that neigh- 
 borhood with the very suggestive title, the ''Union 
 Baptist Church of Christ." A letter granted him 
 by that church in August, 1835, certifies to his being 
 ' ' a member and a regularly ordained minister of the 
 gospel with us, in good standing and full fellowship, 
 and since he joined us he has been constant, exer- 
 cising a gift of exhortation and preaching with en- 
 tire satisfaction to the church." Leaving Indiana 
 he spent a few months in Morgan County, Illinois, to 
 which a large number of persons from his section 
 
 21 
 
of Kentucky had gone a year or two before, prom- 
 inent among whom was that great revivalist and re- 
 former, Barton W. Stone. The next year finds him 
 in Macon County, where he established a home on 
 the old farm five miles east of Decatur. Here most 
 of the children were born and grew to manhood and 
 womanhood. In 1872 the family moved to the N. 
 Main St. residence in Decatur, and this continued to 
 be his home until his tragic death, June 16, 1888. He 
 was farmer, justice of the peace, school-master, and 
 minister. His ministry was chiefly in the counties of 
 Macon, Moultrie, Shelby, Piatt, Sangamon, and 
 Christian. Most of the Christian churches in these 
 counties were either planted by his personal minis- 
 try or watered in their early years by his personal 
 care and instruction. Antioch church, which was or- 
 ganized by him and in which he preached for many 
 years, was located on the edge of his farm, west of 
 the home. With apostolic zeal he labored with his 
 own hands that he might support himself while lay- 
 ing the foundations upon which others were to build, 
 and in his declining days he found his dearest joy 
 in the increasing prosperity of those who continued 
 the work he had so well begun. 
 
 On Friday afternoon, June 15, 1888, in the public 
 highway, near the old homestead and in the immedi- 
 ate vicinity of Antioch church, he was fatally hurt by 
 a kick from the horse he was driving. He lingered in 
 unconsciousness until three o'clock next morning 
 and then breathed his last. His faithful and be- 
 loved wife survived him four years, — peacefully 
 
 22 
 

 .JS^I^si-'-l.'. -■'-'&• , 
 
closing her earthly career Tuesday morning, July 
 26, 1892. A few extracts from the local press of the 
 day will best indicate the esteem in which they were 
 held by the community in which they had lived for 
 half a century. In speaking of Father Tyler, the 
 Herald said: ''He was frequently called to serve 
 the people in official positions, and he discharged his 
 duties with a fidelity which won the respect and con- 
 fidence of all. Few men ever live to so great an age, 
 and of few indeed can it be said that they leave a 
 record so clear and so full of good works. He had 
 unselfishly devoted much of his life to the Christian 
 ministry, oftentimes receiving no remuneration for 
 his work. He was a preacher, but in his own life 
 his faith was manifested in good deeds." The 
 Republican said: "He was one of the best known 
 residents of the county and was greatly admired for 
 his genial disposition and hospitable and sympa- 
 thetic nature. He loved the truth, he loved his 
 church and his family, and all his long life he has 
 ever been found a true friend and a man of the 
 strictest integrity. The whole community mourns 
 his death." The Bulletin said: "He was a social 
 favorite in his neighborhood, and was often honored 
 with marks of personal confidence by repeated elec- 
 tion to local office. He was not a politician, but he 
 was interested in all questions that involved the pro- 
 tection of public morals. The sanctity of the Sab- 
 bath and temperance reform were to him matters of 
 political as well as moral faith, and were maintained 
 always, without regard to the effect upon his parti- 
 san friends." 
 
 23 
 
The National Missionary Convention of the Dis- 
 ciples of Christ in annual session, Oct., 1888, placed 
 upon record the following brief, but fitting memorial : 
 
 ''John W. Tyler of Decatur, 111., a man of strong 
 faith, firm in his conviction, yet sweet in spirit. For 
 more than half a century and through almost num- 
 berless difficulties, he preached the glorious gospel 
 of Christ, and exhibited before all men the beauty 
 of a blameless life. To the very end he was a grow- 
 ing man — he grew in knowledge, in love, and in 
 peace." 
 
 Speaking of Mrs. Tyler, at the time of her death, 
 the Revieiv said: "The death of Mrs. Tyler marks 
 the close of a rarely useful life. Grandly and cheer- 
 fully did she perform the work that fell along her 
 pathway. No one was ever known to speak ill of 
 her and no woman had as many friends in the city. 
 The same thoughtful regard for others that has 
 marked her whole life characterized her last days. 
 She was one woman among a thousand." The Bul- 
 letin said: ''To know this dear woman was to love 
 and adore one of the purest and sweetest of Chris- 
 tian characters. Her calm quietude mingled ever in 
 social and business relations, her pleasing and gra- 
 cious nature won every heart, and her loving tender- 
 ness in ministering to others lifted them to a higher 
 plane. Such grace is not the product of a day, but 
 is the natural fruition of patient living through the 
 mingled joys and sorrows of life." The Herald- 
 Despatch said: "The life of this truly good woman 
 is like an open page upon which there appears no 
 
 24 
 
blot. From the beginning to the end it is a record 
 of Christian virtue and Christian faith which have 
 never wavered during a long and useful life. It was 
 a life that made the world better for having been, 
 and will leave a mark in years to come. ' ' 
 
 The mortal remains of these long and honored 
 residents of Macon County rest in the beautiful 
 Greenwood Cemetery adjoining the city of Decatur, 
 and the spot is fitly marked by a solid block of 
 granite with simple epitaph. 
 
 25 
 
FUNERAL SERVICES 
 
 Decatub, III., June 19, 1888 
 
 The funeral services were held in the Christian 
 church, which was at that time located on the cor- 
 ner of N. Main and North Streets, opposite the 
 Tyler residence. 
 
 The following was the order of the exercises:- 
 Hymn — ''How Firm a Foundation." 
 Scripture Lesson — I Cor. 15 :35-38. 
 
 Eead by Rev. W. W. Weedon, Pastor Christian 
 Church, Taylorville. 
 Prayer — By Rev. George B. Vosburgh, D. D., Pastor 
 
 First Baptist Church, Decatur. 
 Hymn — ''Asleep in Jesus." 
 
 Sermon — By Rev. T. W. Pinkerton, Pastor Chris- 
 tian Church, Decatur. 
 Remarks — By Rev. W. H. Prestly, D. D., Pastor 
 
 First Presbyterian Church, Decatur. 
 Remarks — By Rev. N. S. Haynes, Pastor Christian 
 
 Church, Peoria. 
 Closing Prayer — By Rev. A. P. Cobb, Decatur. 
 Hymn — "Jesus, Lover of My Soul." 
 
 26 
 
ABSTRACTS OF ADDRESSES 
 
 Abstract of the sermon preached by T. W. Pinker- 
 ton, AT THE FUNERAL OF JOHN W. TyLER, IN THE 
 
 Christian church,, Decatur, Illinois, June 
 19, 1888. 
 
 Thou shall come lo thy grave in a full age, like 
 as a shock of corn cometh in his season. Job v:26. 
 
 I am well aware that in an hour like this there 
 is little that should be said. The soul wants to be 
 left alone with God. There are no words so sooth- 
 ing to the heart in the hours of sorrow as the words 
 of God. 
 
 As I contemplate this life that has gone out so 
 suddenly, I know not whether it is better to sorrow 
 or rejoice. If it were not for the manner of its 
 going, we would say rejoice, for an aged pilgrim has 
 completed his journey and has found rest. 
 
 The text suggests a beautiful analogy between 
 the growth of the plant and the growth and develop- 
 ment of human life and character, first, in the very 
 smallness of the beginning. How little a thing is 
 the seed, and yet it contains the germ of a great 
 tree or a beautiful flower; how small and unprom- 
 ising is our life in the beginning, and yet it contains 
 a germ that is susceptible of the fullest development. 
 
 27 
 
This is the spring-time of life ; there are many ad- 
 verse influences at work to check the growth ; never- 
 theless we here begin the gathering of that strength 
 which is necessary to the larger unfolding. The 
 seed is subjected to the disadvantages of the early 
 spring, but it, too, gathers force from the earth, air 
 and light for its larger and fuller growth. The foun- 
 dation is laid in early life for all that is to follow. 
 Then comes the summer, with its storm and toil 
 and burning heat. This is necessary to the maturing 
 of the fruit. 
 
 Father Tyler came to Illinois more than half a 
 century ago, when this part of the state was almost 
 a trackless waste, but with a heart manly and honest, 
 he took up life's burdens, and bore them faithfully 
 to the end. His life was full of toil, but with un- 
 faltering steps he kept pace with every advancement. 
 He did more perhaps, than any man now living to 
 establish the cause of Christ in this part of our com- 
 monwealth, and this he did at no little cost. Amid 
 the snows of winter and under the burning heat of 
 the summer's sun, he moved steadily forward in the 
 discharge of the sacred trust committed to his hands 
 by the great Head of the church. 
 
 After the summer comes the autumn. One of 
 our poets has said ''The saddest of the year," but 
 methinks to the reflective mind the earth is gorgeous 
 in its funeral drapery. God varies the hues of death 
 as it descends upon hill and vale, rendering the 
 decay of nature scarcely less beautiful than its ren- 
 ovation. 
 
 28 
 
How exquisitely beautiful is the fruit as it hangs 
 in golden clusters ready to be gathered! So it is 
 with old age, the autumn of human life. He who 
 grows old beautifully is an honor to his being. 
 
 Father Tyler grew old gracefully and tenderly. 
 His gray hairs were a crown of glory. He was 
 indeed a ripened sheaf, ready for the garner of God, 
 and while his sun went down suddenly its setting 
 was without shadows. 
 
 The plant has not finished its purpose in the 
 economy of God's law, when ripened, but goes on 
 reproducing itself an hundred fold. So of the life 
 of him whose memory we honor to-day. While his 
 tongue is silent, his lips closed, and his body moul- 
 ders back again to the dust from whence it came, 
 he will continue to speak through the lives of his 
 children, and those whom he has begotten by the 
 gospel. 
 
 There were many things in his life of which I 
 would like to speak, but I only have time to mention 
 those which impressed me most. He was a man of 
 unwavering faith in God. I never knew a man of 
 more intense convictions or unswerving fidelity to 
 the gospel of Christ, and yet with it all he was 
 sweet-spirited, broad and liberal. While he be- 
 longed to a generation that has largely ceased to 
 exist, he lived in the present. His life was a beau- 
 tiful illustration of God's purpose, summer suc- 
 ceeded the spring, and autumn the summer in reg- 
 ular order. He uttered no sigh of regret for the 
 days that were gone, but like the brave and cheerful 
 
 29 
 
soul that he was, he adjusted himself to the living 
 present. His work is done, he rests from his labors, 
 and is at peace. 
 
 To you who sorrow to-day I can only say, * ' Cast 
 thy burden on the Lord. ' ' May God fold you to his 
 heart and give to you rest. 
 
 Eev. W. H. Prestly, D. D., Pastor First Pres- 
 byterian church, spoke thus : 
 
 When I first became acquainted with Bro. Tyler 
 he had passed through the springtime and the sum- 
 mer of his life, and was enjoying its fruitful autumn, 
 that rich and glorious season, when in nature the 
 life-work of the year is completed ; when the fruitage 
 becomes ripe and mellow amid the various-tinted 
 foliage ; when the sun hastens to his setting, and the 
 days grow shorter, and everything invites to rest 
 and repose. He had reached the allotted sj^an of 
 ' ' three score years and ten, ' ' and the fruitage of his 
 life-work was enriching his mind and his heart. And 
 were I to sum up in a word or two the results of 
 the work of divine grace in his life, as that life im- 
 presses me to-day, it would be peace and joy. 
 
 In years he was an old man, but his heart was 
 sunny and bright as in the springtime of life. He 
 had reached, "by reason of more strength," the 
 limit laid down by the Psalmist ; and yet he was not 
 bowed down by the weight of years, as this burden 
 weighs down so many. There seemed to be no 
 clouds ever and anon rising on the eastern horizon 
 of his life to obscure and darken the sun of that life 
 
 30 
 
as it was sinking lower and lower in the west. He 
 was ever to me the happy old Christian ; ever saying 
 something bright and cheering; and for some years 
 the mornings have been few in which I have not met 
 him as he was busy about the yard surrounding his 
 home. Too frequently we find old age a period of 
 regret and repining, of murmuring and complain- 
 ing ; but it was not so with him. He had laid up in 
 his heart much of the light and warmth of the sum- 
 mer of his life, and these came out beautifully in the 
 autumn of his days. Just as it always ought to be. 
 Just what the religion of Jesus, the blessed ''Sun 
 of Righteousness," is designed to make life. Not a 
 dark and somber thing, but that which is bright, 
 beautiful and attractive. 
 
 ''Uncle John," as I learned familiarily to call 
 him, was a broad, liberal-minded Christian. During 
 all the years of our social intercourse, I can recall 
 to-day no remark of his that would lead me to be- 
 lieve that anything of a sectarian spirit predom- 
 inated in him. And yet none doubted, who knew 
 him, that he had his deep, strong convictions of 
 what was true and right, as we have heard this 
 morning, and he had the courage to maintain them. 
 
 But he has gone out from us, leaving behind 
 this deeply widowed yet loving heart, and these sad, 
 fatherless children, who can rise up and call him 
 blessed, and the many sorrowing friends who have 
 loved and honored him. But he has left so much 
 that is bright and hopeful, and so much to comfort 
 and sustain these, even while dead saying to them, 
 
 31 
 
as memory traverses the fields of the past, *'Be ye 
 followers of me as I was of Christ." 
 
 He has been taken from ns very suddenly. And 
 when I heard of his sudden death, a scene came to 
 me again which once I witnessed on the shores of one 
 of our great northern lakes. It was the scene of a 
 glorious sunset, and I was admiring the great waves 
 of light as they came to me pulsating over the vast 
 mirror of waters, when for a second the sun seemed 
 to stand still on the very rim of the horizon, and the 
 next instant it was gone, just suddenly dropped out 
 of sight. So to me went out this ''lower light" of 
 life only to rise more brightly on the horizon of the 
 world beyond. 
 
 Let him who crawls, enamored of decay, 
 Cling to his couch and sicken years away, 
 Heave his thick breath, and shake his palsied head — 
 Oiirs the fresh turf, and not the feverish bed; 
 While, gasp by gasp, he falters forth his soul, 
 Ours with one pang, one bound, escapes control. 
 
 Kev. N. S. Haynes, pastor of the Christian 
 church, Peoria, 111., was formerly pastor in Decatur. 
 In speaking of Father Tyler, he said: 
 
 Into the man whose death we mourn to-day God 
 put a mighty impulse. Born and reared amid the 
 stormy and adverse conditions incident everywhere 
 to the barbarous institution of human slavery, he 
 grew like a cedar on the mountains of Lebanon, 
 comely and symmetrical. More than half a century 
 has elapsed since he came to make his home in Illi- 
 
 32 
 
nois. Our state was new then. The plowshare had 
 not yet pierced the prairie soil and the wild deer 
 fed in every cornfield. Its conditions were all prim- 
 itive, its opportunities for social progress exceed- 
 ingly circumscribed. 
 
 With the vicissitudes of pioneer life he was fa- 
 miliar. Through all of those far-away hardships, 
 and through all the succeeding years of marvelous 
 development, he grew like an oak in the primeval 
 forests — strong, majestic and well-grounded. Con- 
 sider the adverse and comparatively circumscribed 
 conditions of his early life, and then the noble char- 
 acter that will be held in tender remembrance for 
 decades to come in this community, and we must 
 say that not more than one man in a million runs so 
 well along time's pathway. To say that he had 
 imperfections is only to say that he was human and 
 not divine. 
 
 His convictions were earnest, thorough, radical. 
 In Christian truth and obligations they were to him 
 the voice of God in his soul saying ' ' Thou oughtest. ' ' 
 Yet he accorded to every one the deference and re- 
 spect that he would himself receive. In this splen- 
 did Christian presence I feel that he belonged as 
 much to you as to us — so fraternal was he. He 
 lived abreast of the times — in the last rather than 
 in the first quarter of the nineteenth century. 
 
 His heart was full of faith, and hope, and love. 
 A useful and good life is rounded out with four score 
 years, and he comes to his grave as a little child 
 
 33 
 
falls to sleep. Blessed be his memory ; peace to his 
 sacred dust. 
 
 The Daily Herald, Wednesday, June 20, 1888, 
 contained the following: 
 
 The obsequies of Elder John W. Tyler were held 
 yesterday forenoon. Opportunity was given to view 
 the remains from 8 to 9 o'clock and scores of people 
 called at the family residence on North Main street 
 to look for the last time upon the face of the good 
 and kind old man whom all held in such high esteem. 
 The remains rested in a handsomely draped cloth 
 covered casket, which was partially hidden by white 
 roses, lilies and floral emblems. At 10 o'clock the 
 remains were removed to the Christian church, 
 where the funeral service was held. The church 
 was crowded with people. Many were unable to ob- 
 tain even standing room. The service opened with 
 the singing of the hymn, "How Firm a Foundation," 
 by the Christian church choir. Rev. Vosburgh, of 
 the Baptist church, offered prayer and the choir 
 sang "Jesus Lover of My Soul." 
 
 Rev. T. W. Pinkerton chose as his text the fa- 
 miliar passage from Job: "Thou shalt come to thy 
 grave in a full age like as a shock of corn cometh in 
 his season." 
 
 When Mr. Pinkerton had concluded, remarks 
 were made by Rev. W. H. Prestly, pastor of the 
 Presbyterian church, and by Rev. N. S. Haynes, 
 formerly pastor of the Christian church of Decatur. 
 
 34 
 
The service ended with prayer offered by Elder 
 Weeden, of Taylorville. 
 
 The remains were interred in Greenwood ceme- 
 tery with simple rites. The pall bearers were Judge 
 W. E. Nelson, J. Q. A. Odor, W. L. Hammer, James 
 Dingman, Wm. Berks, W. E. Scruggs, J. R. Gorin 
 and T. A. Pritchett. 
 
 Our community has lost a good and useful man, 
 but the good effect of his example will long remain 
 with us. Peace to his ashes, honor to his memory, 
 rest to his soul! 
 
 35 
 
SOME OTHER TRIBUTES 
 
 He was a remarkable man, not only, nor chiefly 
 because of his vigorous mind and powerful constitu- 
 tion, but because of his cheerful, sunny disposition 
 and the rare spiritual graces which adorned his life. 
 His was the unconscious cheerfulness of the child, 
 that can no more explain its happiness than the robin 
 can tell why it sings. The conditions of his early 
 life, like those of any pioneer, were hard and forbid- 
 ding. Yet I question if ever they so appeared to 
 him. Other men might complain because they were 
 not more fortunately situated. He thanked God that 
 he was not worse off. 
 
 Back of the last and subtlest analysis there is 
 this unexplored remainder, this radical difference in 
 disposition. In olden times men sought to explain 
 this difference by the favor or disfavor of some god. 
 Our words ''fortune" and ''misfortune" may run 
 back to this ancient idea. The modern mind sees in 
 all this, only the influence of heredity. But since 
 we cannot choose our ancestors, it is more than a 
 figure of speech to say that a certain man was for- 
 tunate in being born with this rare and blessed en- 
 dowment. And this was the good fortune of John 
 "W. Tyler. 
 
 36 
 
For nearly sixty years he preached the gospel. 
 In this capacity he served the church in Decatur while 
 it yet met in the primitive log court house. He or- 
 ganized many congregations in Macon, Moultrie, 
 Piatt, Christian, Sangamon and other counties in 
 Central Illinois; baptizing thousands. "In labors 
 more abundant than they all," he never boasted of 
 his achievements nor sought to display his trophies. 
 The two sons he gave to our ministry would of them- 
 selves sufficiently repay any man's life of devotion. 
 Yet when asked how he had managed to rear two 
 boys for the ministry his modest reply was : "I can- 
 not tell. You must ask mother. She had more to do 
 with it than I had." All honor to the aged mother 
 now stricken with grief. May the Lord raise up 
 more mothers emulous of such a life-mission ! 
 
 Father Tyler was a modest man. He did not 
 seek notice. He shunned observation. One may 
 look in vain through our papers during half a cen- 
 tury of publication for a single notice from his pen 
 of his meeting and work. A score of incidents might 
 easily be adduced, illustrating his unselfishness. 
 
 No one ever forgot him as he appeared in 
 prayer. Brethren in New York City, where he had 
 visited his son, Rev. B. B. Tyler, spoke to me 
 again and again about his prayers. And truly his 
 unction and fervor in prayer reminded me of the 
 phrase of the Apostle James: "The effectual, fer- 
 vent prayer of a righteous man. ' ' His life was cen- 
 tered in Christ. He had no plans, no ambition in 
 life, except to serve Christ and humanity. Jealousy 
 
and envy never scorched and scarred his soul. He 
 spent his life in serving, not in seeking to be served. 
 The humblest lad, as I tearfully remember, 
 found a friend in this loving and lovable man. And 
 nothing can more finely illustrate the Christ-like 
 spirit of this saintly man than this reply to a state- 
 ment of mine in a conversation a few weeks before 
 his death, in fact the last time I saw him on earth. 
 I had said to him : ' ' You were the means of bright- 
 ening my boyhood days by the kind words you spoke 
 at the time when an orphan boy receives few enough 
 kind words." He looked surprised and said: "I 
 don't remember it!" "Then indeed shall the right- 
 eous say: Lord when saw we thee an hungered 
 and fed thee, and thirsty and gave thee drink! And 
 the King shall answer and say unto them: Verily I 
 say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one 
 of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it 
 unto me." — A. P. Cobb^ in Christian Evangelist, 
 July 12, 1888. 
 
 That sweet and saintly man so recently gone 
 from us. Elder John W. Tyler, deserves to be held 
 in grateful and loving remembrance by the whole 
 brotherhood. In giving to it two such noble sons 
 as B. B. and J. Z. Tyler he has laid us all under ob- 
 ligation. But on my own part there are more per- 
 sonal grounds for gratitude and love and tears. 
 Our acquaintanceship began some twenty years ago, 
 and more, while I was in my first pastorate, in the 
 neighborhood where he had preached and had ac- 
 quired unquestioned supremacy and influence. I re- 
 
 38 
 
member with what a kindly smile he said to me, ''A 
 young preacher needs backing, sir; he needs back- 
 ing." And he gave it to me, in public and in pri- 
 vate, and made me feel almost equal for anything 
 in the way of honorable achievement. Often since 
 I have enjoyed his hospitality, and that of his worthy 
 wife and helpmeet, in their pleasant home in Decatur, 
 and I can bear testimony that with him, as the au- 
 tumn of life rounded out, ripening was not drying 
 or decaying, but mellowing and sweetening. — B. J. 
 Kadford, in Christian Standard, July 7, 1888. 
 
 LETTER FROM R. J. SPURR, M. D., A BOYHOOD FRIEND 
 
 Greendale, Fayette Co., Ky., 
 
 Sept. 20, 1888. 
 Rev. J. Z. Tyler. 
 
 Dear Brother : Yours of the 5th inst. received 
 and I take the first quiet, leisure moment to reply 
 to it. Your inquiries take me back to my boyhood 
 and early manhood. 
 
 William Tyler, the grandfather of Rev. John 
 W. Tyler of Decatur, 111., was an early emigrant 
 from Virginia to Kentucky, and made his home 
 for a time with his small family in Masterson's 
 Station, 5 miles N. W. of Lexington. This was a 
 stockade fort and was situated upon the farm upon 
 which I was born and upon which I reside. Here 
 William Tyler lived until it was considered safe to 
 leave the fort, when he purchased the small farm 
 three fourths of a mile from the fort, where he lived 
 
 39 
 
until Ms death in 1843. I knew him intimately, 
 and he has often related many incidents of his early 
 life in Kentucky, one only of which I will relate 
 here. When he bought his land, he at once set to 
 work to build a cabin, into which to move his 
 wife and little children. He selected a spot near a 
 spring and then cut the nearest trees of suitable 
 size for his purpose ; when the logs were ready, men 
 from the fort assisted him in raising his house and 
 finishing it for occupancy, every man having his 
 trusty rifle close at hand, to meet any emergency. 
 His cabin was made strong and the floor was made 
 of split logs, hewn on one side, — this was called 
 a puncheon floor. 
 
 After moving his family to his cabin the ques- 
 tion confronted him as to how to procure bread for 
 his wife and children; he had no cleared land upon 
 which to raise Indian corn, so he rented from Rich- 
 ard Masterson a small field near the fort, at fifteen 
 shillings Virginia money ($2.50) per acre and 
 ground the corn when produced, upon a hand mill of 
 domestic make, using the common limestone of prop- 
 er size and thickness for the purpose. Meat for the 
 family was procured from the game, which was 
 abundant, in the woods. This gives you some faint 
 idea of the energetic stock from which your father 
 descended. * * * * 
 
 Benjamin Tyler, the son of William Tyler and 
 his wife, was born at the home of his father, was 
 reared upon the farm without opportunity, in such 
 pioneer conditions, to attend school ; he was married 
 
 40 
 
to Susannah Shores, he having previously, by indus- 
 try and economy, become possessed of ten acres of 
 land, upon which he lived to the time of his death, 
 at which time he owned a large estate. * * * * 
 
 One little incident, which he related to the writ- 
 er, may have had much to do in shaping his char- 
 acter; when nearly grown, he had by industry and 
 saving got together enough money to buy a new sad- 
 dle. His older brother, Charles, who was inclined 
 to be wild, induced him to go with him to George- 
 town one Saturday evening and when they arrived 
 there they hitched their horses on the street ; after 
 nightfall Charles got to drinking and also into a 
 fight, which was common in Kentucky at that day. 
 Benjamin became disgusted, went to his horse to 
 start home, found his saddle was gone, had been 
 stolen. From that day he never went into such com- 
 pany, nor was he ever known to take any intoxicat- 
 ing drinks ; this was remarkable, when in every house 
 whiskey or brandy was kept and at every house 
 raising, corn husking, or log rolling these were as 
 common as water. * * * * He was always a respecter 
 of religion and frequently attended religious ser- 
 vices and was always present on funeral occasions. 
 
 His conversion is worthy of note. A pro- 
 tracted meeting was being held at Cane Eun Bap- 
 tist church in January, 1858, Eev. James Frost, 
 pastor, the preaching being by Eev. William Pratt, 
 D. D. Many were being added to the church 
 and among those in regular attendance upon the 
 meeting were Benjamin Tyler, and James Gaines, 
 
 41 
 
both being over three score and ten years old, 
 and the writer, nearly fifty. A deep revival 
 feeling permeated the entire mass of persons in at- 
 tendance, but the meeting closed and none of the 
 parties named, although deeply moved, had made a 
 confession of Christ. During the succeeding week 
 James Gaines called upon the writer to know if he 
 would go with him the next Sunday to church and 
 make a profession of faith in Christ; the answer 
 was, ''Yes, gladly; let us go see neighbor Tyler and 
 take him with us, or entreat him to go with us." 
 We found him at home and Brother Gaines with 
 eyes filled with tears and a faltering voice told him 
 of our mission; he at once said, *'I will gladly go 
 with you." Upon the following Sabbath, the 18th 
 of January, 1858, the three, when the doors of the 
 church were opened, presented themselves for mem- 
 bership and were baptized that day by the pastor, 
 into the name of the Father, and of the Son and of 
 the Holy Ghost. Of the three, two have long since 
 gone to their reward. One little incident occurred 
 on that memorable Sabbath day which demonstrated 
 to some extent the integrity of the character of our 
 brother Tyler; when asked by the pastor if he had 
 a love for the brethren, his answer was, ''Yes, but 
 some much better than others." This question was 
 drawn out by the hesitancy of Brother Tyler to lay 
 hold of the promises of Christ — he felt too un- 
 worthy to claim the name of Christian. * * * * 
 
 John Tyler and the writer had about the same 
 opportunities of receiving a common English educa- 
 
 42 
 
tion and attended generally the same schools to- 
 gether. The opportunties for farmers' sons to re- 
 ceive education were very limited. * * * * 
 
 His opinions upon all subjects were of the most 
 decided character. In politics he was an ardent 
 Whig and a devoted friend of Henry Clay; in re- 
 ligious opinion he was inclined to the Baptists, but 
 was repelled by the old Iron-side doctrine of predes- 
 tination and election, as taught by that people. On 
 one occasion he was present at an open air meeting 
 in a grove, which I think was in 1828 ; the Rev. Dr. 
 James Fishback occupied the pulpit and in the course 
 of his sermon he made the declaration that he be- 
 lieved, from the teaching of God's word, that there 
 were infants in Hell not a span long, — putting his 
 hand upon the table before him and measuring a 
 span. This declaration fell very harshly upon my 
 young friend's ears, for he believed that Jesus had 
 paid the debt of original transgression and that in- 
 fants that had died previous to a knowledge of right 
 and wrong were saved by and through the merits of 
 Jesus Christ, being cleansed from all pollution by 
 the blood shed on the Cross. 
 
 It was about this time, or shortly before, that 
 Cane Run church was constituted by persons with- 
 drawing their membership from Town Fork, North 
 Elkhorn, Great Crossings and possibly other Bap- 
 tist churches, on account of dissatisfaction with the 
 doctrines which were taught in those churches. They 
 had no house in which to worship and they either 
 held their meetings statedly at a stand in the woods, 
 
 43 
 
or at the home of some of the members ; in addition 
 to this each Sabbath evening they held prayer meet- 
 ings from house to house. About all of these meet- 
 ings were attended by John Tyler and the writer in 
 company. During this time a great revival perme- 
 ated the bounds of this church and a large number, 
 upon a profession of faith in Christ Jesus, were bap- 
 tized into its fellowship; amongst the number was 
 Elvira Oxley, who subsequently became the first wife 
 of our friend. The preaching was by Kev. Thomas 
 Fisher. The year after the completion of the church 
 building, a meeting was held by Rev. J. D. Black 
 and among the number of converts was John Tyler, 
 who was immersed by Bro. Black and received into 
 the fellowship of Cane Run church. 
 
 The writer knew but little of John personally 
 after this time, being absent from the locality until 
 his removal to Illinois, but from information, can 
 state that shortly after his connection with the 
 church he commenced in neighborhood meetings to 
 exhort with zeal those that were present. The writer 
 can state confidently, from a close and intimate asso- 
 ciation (for we were almost inseparable when from 
 home), that he never knew a more worthy young 
 man raised in the community. He never knew him 
 to use profane language, nor to take a drink of in- 
 toxicating liquor, nor to visit houses of gambling. 
 He was the soul of honor, truthful, honest, just, lib- 
 eral, not given to anger, esteemed by all persons as 
 a citizen following in the footsteps of his father. Is 
 it any wonder, that with such antecedents, God called 
 
 44 
 
him to the ministry of his Word, and that He gave 
 multitudes of souls for his hire? Blessed be God 
 that he so honored the most intimate friend of my 
 life and may His richest blessings attend the foot- 
 steps of his offspring. 
 
 One word for old Uncle Dick, the colored family 
 servant and intimate daily associate of the subject 
 of this paper ; a better man never lived in these lat- 
 ter days. No doubt his example and conversation 
 had something to do, under God's blessing, in direct- 
 ing our friend's mind to the Saviour. 
 
 Very truly yours, 
 
 R. J. Spukr, M. D. 
 
 LETTER FROM REV. D. P. HENDERSON, A BOYHOOD FRIEND 
 
 Canton, Mo., July, 1888. 
 Elder J. Z. Tyler, 
 
 Cincinnati, Ohio. 
 My Deae Beother : 
 
 Your letter of June 28 was received. You ask 
 me to ''prepare some recollections of your father 
 and an estimate of his character and work, ' ' adding 
 that ' ' he and you were boys together and he always 
 entertained a fond attachment for you. ' ' 
 
 Yes, we ''were boys together" more than sev- 
 enty years ago, attending the same school, reciting 
 in the same classes, born and reared within a few 
 miles of each other in Fayette County, near Lexing- 
 ton, Kentucky. 
 
 Among my schoolmates I have a vivid recollec- 
 tion of your father, his brother Charles and the chil- 
 
 45 
 
dren of the McDowells, Spurrs, Oxleys, Stouts, Eun- 
 nions, Houghtons, Paynes, Piersons, Cromwells, 
 Keisers and others. Dr. Joseph N. McDowell and 
 Dr. Richard Spurr were among our classmates. 
 
 tF tF ^ tF tp tt tP 
 
 Kentucky chivalry in those days was infused in- 
 to our young minds and our memories taxed to their 
 utmost limit; our lessons had to be carefully studied 
 and prepared and all the tables and rules mem- 
 orized. For years we were especially drilled in 
 orthography and most of the advanced classes could 
 repeat every word in the spelling book from which 
 we were taught. The pupil that could not spell well 
 was in standing below zero. * * * * 
 
 We were for many years intimately acquainted ; 
 but our intimacy to some extent ceased when my 
 father selected "Cane Run Seminary" to be my 
 future school. My associations were changed from 
 the old Brick school-house on the Lexington and 
 Georgetown road to my new school on the Henry's 
 Mill road. The old Brick school house where your 
 father and myself spent so many days together still 
 stands, and around it gather many, many pleas- 
 ant memories. 
 
 The foundation of our education was laid there 
 in Dilworth's and Webster's spelling books, which 
 we memorized. The book we read was the Introduc- 
 tion to the English reader. Our grammar was 
 Lindley Murray, in which we were thoroughly in- 
 structed by competent teachers. Your father prof- 
 
 46 
 
ited by it in after years and, although not a finished 
 classical scholar, he kept pace with the progress of 
 the age. 
 
 Our lines diverged somewhat, after parting. 
 Tired of the institution of slavery, earnestly in love 
 with freedom, we pitched our tents westward, he in 
 Macon County, and I in Morgan County, Illinois. 
 
 In July, 1832, 1 united with the Church of Christ 
 in Georgetown, Ky. In October of the same year, in 
 company with eighty-seven brethren and sisters, we 
 organized the Church of Christ in Jacksonville, Illi- 
 nois, and from that day to this, I have tried to fol- 
 low in the footsteps of my Master, Jesus the Christ, 
 wearing His name and His only. Fifty-seven years 
 I have preached Christ and Him crucified. 
 
 Your father confessed his faith in the Lord 
 Jesus much earlier and united with the Cane Run 
 Baptist church in Kentucky. After careful, prayer- 
 ful study of the Word of God, he decided to take 
 the Bible and the Bible only as his rule of faith and 
 practice, eschew all human creeds and confessions, 
 and we found ourselves, one in Faith, Hope and 
 Love, striving together for that '^ faith once de- 
 livered" to all Christians. How he worked day and 
 night to support his growing family, how he toiled 
 in preaching Christ crucified, the older brethren of 
 central Illinois can testify. 
 
 Ten years ago last November I was his guest 
 for some two weeks in Decatur. We lived over the 
 past of our lives, found it exceedingly pleasant in 
 reviewing former times and comparing labors. 
 
 47 
 
Never while I enjoy my memory, will I forget the 
 Christian hospitality of Brother and Sister Tyler 
 and their daughters. We met after an absence of 
 very many years and we parted in Decatur no more 
 to meet in this vale of tears. He sleeps, I trust, 
 sweetly in the bosom of his Lord and awaits our 
 coming. His works follow him and it is a source 
 of pleasure and joy to recount them. 
 
 He has left you, dear brother, and your brother 
 B. B., standing on the walls of Zion, laboring for 
 the conversion of sinners and the eternal salvation 
 of Christians ; workmen, such as Timothy, to preach 
 the Word, rightly divide it, in season, out of sea- 
 son, to work for Jesus. His firmness, his kindness, 
 his hospitality, his intelligence are better appreci- 
 ated by his companion and children than could be 
 painted by the liveliest imagination or by the most 
 facile pen. Self-sacrificing, industrious, indefa- 
 tigable in labor, preaching Jesus and Him crucified, 
 without money or earthly reward, a crown awaits 
 him when the Lord shall sit in judgment. 
 
 In conclusion, I must say that Bro. Tyler, among 
 the early advocates of the Eestoration of Primitive 
 Christianity stands, and will stand, a brilliant ex- 
 ample, for steadfastness, for courage, for personal 
 piety, in defending the truth as it is in Jesus. No 
 trimmer was he, no conservative in Christianity ; but 
 open, frank, truthful and honest. 
 
 Peace to his memory! Comfort to his widow 
 and children ! Yours in Christ, 
 
 D. P. Henderson. 
 
 48 
 
EXTRACT FROM LETTER FROM REV. DAVID GAY 
 
 Pastoe of Long Creek M. E. Church (1888) regard- 
 ing THE LAST Sunday service in which John W. 
 Tyler participated. 
 
 The day (June 10, 1888) set apart for espe- 
 cial services for the children at Long Creek M. E. 
 church was a delightful one and thorough prepara- 
 tion had been made for the exercises. By 10 a. m. 
 the church was packed ; just before commencing the 
 exercises the pastor learned that the Christian 
 church at Antioch had dismissed their services in 
 order to attend the services at Long Creek. He 
 sought Rev. J. W. Tyler, the pastor of Antioch 
 church, and cordially invited him to a seat on the 
 platform, which invitation was as cordially accepted ; 
 the seat, however, being behind the speakers. Elder 
 Tyler asked and was given a seat in the aisle in 
 front of the platform where he could better hear and 
 see. He was much interested in the exercises and 
 showed his approval by smiles and words of com- 
 mendation. Near the close of the exercises the pas- 
 tor of the church, who was to give a ten minutes 
 address, said there was a white-haired boy in the 
 house, — a very bashful boy, — who was not too 
 bashful, he hoped, to make a little speech, and so 
 he, the pastor, would give up his ten minutes to let 
 the audience hear from the 80-year-old-boy. 
 
 In response Elder Tyler came forward and ad- 
 dressed the audience in substance, as follows; 
 
 ■^'Dear Christian friends, I suppose I am the 
 white-haired boy, mentioned by your pastor. I take 
 
 49 
 
great pleasure in being here and in having the priv- 
 ilege of talking to you a little. I came here not ex- 
 pecting to speak and had but a few moments' notice 
 that I would be called on, and then was not given 
 a topic upon which to talk. But it seems that any- 
 one ought not to be at a loss to speak on this great 
 Sunday school question, it is so varied and far- 
 reaching. 
 
 *'I have been delighted with these exercises; I 
 am always pleased to meet the children and with 
 them to study God's Word or engage in any kind 
 of religious exercises, and this day's service has 
 been unusually pleasant and profitable to me. I look 
 back to when I was a boy and regretfully remember 
 that no such advantages were mine as belong to you ; 
 no such notice was then taken of the children. Such 
 a service as this was never dreamed of, nor the 
 idea of setting apart a day which was to be wholly 
 given up to the children. We had no such instruc- 
 tion as you receive. Wonderful improvements have 
 been made and wonderful advancement and I am 
 thankful to our Heavenly Father that I live in an 
 age where more attention is paid to childhood and 
 it is more and more reahzed that 'as the twig is 
 bent, the tree's inclined.' I am thankful that moral 
 and educational forces are at work which are lift- 
 ing up the world and making it better. 
 
 ''One thing especially gives me pleasure today, 
 and that is, that here we seem to forget all de- 
 nominational differences and worship as a common 
 family before a common Father, and in this family 
 
 50 
 
not the least important are the babes whose voices 
 we have heard this hour. It is a great pleasure to 
 me to be so cordially welcomed here and to realize 
 that we all as brothers and sisters love each other. 
 Once more I wish to express my delight at being in 
 this assembly of children, surrounded with these 
 flowers, listening to the songs of these birds and the 
 more beautiful songs of intelligent beings." Elder 
 Tyler closed with a few telling words in favor of pro- 
 hibition and in his characteristic manner showed his 
 keen wit in repartee with the pastor of the church. 
 
 51 
 
ANCESTORS BACK TO THE 17TH CENTURY 
 
 Those who have made genealogical research in 
 the Tyler family find it difficult to reach a conclusion 
 as to whether the ancestry of John W. Tyler is 
 through the York County, Virginia, line or the West- 
 moreland County, Virginia, line. It is known from 
 records now in the possession of the family that 
 William Tyler, the grandfather of John W. Tyler, 
 migrated from Virginia to Fayette County, Ken- 
 tucky, in 1782. 
 
 I. The York Co., Va., line as given in Lyon G. Tyler's 
 Letters and Times of the Tylers, is as follows : 
 
 Henry Tyler (1), a reputed native of Shropshire, 
 England, is mentioned first in the York County, Va., rec- 
 ords in 1645. He patented 254 acres at Middle Plantation 
 Jan. 7, 1652, and later received a certificate from York 
 Court for 1800 acres. He lived on the outskirts of what 
 is now the city of Williamsburg, Va. Children: Henry 
 (2), John and Daniel. 
 
 Henry Tyler (2), son of Henry (1), was a man of 
 prominence in the colony. He held offices of trust and 
 responsibility in York County, and was church warden and 
 vestryman of the Bruton parish. Married Elizabeth Chiles. 
 Children: John, Francis, Henry (3), Elizabeth and Anne. 
 
 Henry Tyler (3) received by will the ancestral home- 
 stead, but in 1752 went to Sussex Co. to live. He died 
 
 52 
 
Jan. 2, 1774. His will, dated in 1772, divides his property 
 between his godson John Tyler and his nephew William 
 Tyler. This WiUiam Tyler is thought by some to be the 
 William Tyler, grandfather of John W. Tyler, who mi- 
 grated to Kentucky. 
 
 The York Co. line has been worked out with much 
 care by Lyon G. Tyler, President of William and Mary Col- 
 lege, Williamsburg, Va., and a son of John Tyler, tenth 
 President of the U. S., who was of the York Co. family. 
 Those interested in genealogical research should consult his 
 book entitled Letters arid Times of the Tylers. Any 
 research regarding Virginia families will require an ex- 
 amination of Hayden's Virginia Genealogies and other 
 Virginia genealogical books and records. 
 
 II. The Westmoreland Co., Va., line was being 
 worked out by Mr. W. I. Tyler Brigham, a genealogist 
 of the Tyler family at the time of his death several years 
 ago, and is still in manuscript form. The Genealogy of the 
 Tyler family, soon to be published by the Grafton Press, 
 Boston, Mass., may possibly include this line. Mr. Lyon 
 G. Tyler includes a brief summary of this line in Vol. 3 of 
 his Letters and Times and also in various numbers of the 
 Willam and Mary College Quarterly. The Westmoreland 
 Co. line is as follows : 
 
 Chakles Tyleb (1) the apparent founder of this 
 branch was living in Westmoreland in 1690; died about 
 
 1723; married Jane , who after his death, married 
 
 William Woffendale. Children: Charles (2), Benjamin, 
 Joseph, William, Christian. 
 
 Charles Tyler (2), son of Charles (1), born in West 
 moreland Co. Married Susanna Monroe, a collateral rel- 
 ative of President Monroe. His sister Christian probably 
 married Andrew Monroe. Moved to Prince WiUiam Co. 
 
 53 
 
where inventory of his estate is dated 12 Apr., 1768. The 
 will of his widow was probated 13 June, 1769, and mentions 
 the following children: John, Susanna, Ann, William, 
 Charles (3), Benjamin and Spenee. This oldest son, John, 
 is set up by the historian Hayden, at the head of his lineage. 
 He was in the Revolutionary war. It seemed evident to 
 W. I. Tyler Brigham, the genealogist, that this John was 
 a grandson of Charles Tyler (1) of Westmoreland Co. and 
 that it was his younger brother William, who migrated to 
 Kentucky and became the grandfather of John W. Tyler. 
 The above gives the mere outline of the two lines of 
 Virginia ancestry in which research should be made by any 
 of the descendants who wish to pursue the matter further. 
 No attempt is here made to draw conclusions, as it requires 
 much time and patient research of public records to secure 
 the definite data upon which to base decisions. 
 
 ^p "IP tF w tF 
 
 From 1747 forward to 1908 the facts are taken from 
 records in family Bibles or other written data; hence be- 
 ginning with the birth of William Tyler in Virginia, Dec, 
 27, 1747, we can depend upon these with reasonable cer- 
 tainty. He married Letty George, Aug. 15, 1774, migrated 
 to Fayette Co., Ky., about 1782. *Children : Charles, Sally, 
 William, Benjamin (father of John W. Tyler), Ann, Su- 
 sannah, Jessie (Lucretia), Mary (Polly) and George. 
 
 Charles, b. May 27, 1775, lived and died (Feb. 10, 
 1860) near Eminence, Ky., and had the following children : 
 Benjamin, who died early but left children; William, who 
 died unmarried ; John, who lived at Aullville, Lafayette Co., 
 Mo. ; Charles, who lived in Mo. ; Ann, who married — Ire- 
 
 *This information regarding the children of William Tyler is from 
 notes made by J. Z. Tyler March 6, 1889, in conversation with 
 Benjamin G. Tyler, youngest brother of John W. Tyler, and from 
 later notes of J. Z. Tyler at Dayton, O., Sept. 26, 1893. 
 
 54 
 
land ; Malinda, who married — Mortena ; Betsy, who married 
 — Christian ; and Sophia who married — Threlkeld. 
 
 Sally, b. Sept. 20, 1777, married — Goram and lived in 
 Indiana (probably Putnam Co.). 
 
 William, b. July 24, 1780, went to Dayton, 0., about 
 1808, married Julia Mathena, before leaving Ky. Had 
 three daughters : Priscilla, who married Levin Cottom ; 
 Sarah, who married Jefferson McConnell and moved to Mad- 
 ison, Wis. ; Mary, who married Joseph Mumma. 
 
 Benjamin, the fourth child of William Tyler, was born 
 in Fayette Co., Ky., Oct. 20, 1782; married Susannah 
 Shores, May 2, 1870. Children: John William, Jane, 
 Charles, Susan and Benjamin George. John William, the 
 subject of this Memorial, was the oldest child, b. Sept. 27, 
 1808. 
 
 Ann, b. Aug. 13, 1785, married — Tompkins. 
 
 Susannah, b. Dec. 1, 1789, married — Fitzgerald; had 
 sons, Frank, Scott, Hawkins, Jefferson, and daughters, 
 Malinda, Caroline and Hulda. 
 
 Jessie, b. Apr. 1, 1793 (or Lucretia), uncertain as to 
 which is correct name; said to have married Alexander 
 Goram. 
 
 Mary (Polly), b. Mch. 19, 1795, married James Carter 
 of Scott Co., Ky., had son, John Carter, and three 
 daughters. 
 
 George, b. Apr. 28, 1797, moved to Indiana. A letter 
 from him dated Oct. 27, 1832, to his brother Benjamin, 
 is written from Hendricks Co., Ind. Had several children, 
 but no further data is available. 
 
 55 
 
DESCENDANTS TO 1908 
 
 The Descendants of John W. Tyler now living (in 
 1908) are fifty-two: nine children, twenty grandchildren, 
 twenty-two great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grand- 
 child. 
 
 John "William Tyler, married (1) Elvira Oxley in Fay- 
 ette Co., Ky., June 18, 1831 ; she died Sept. 18, 1838. Mar- 
 ried (2), Sarah Roney, in Moultrie Co., Ills., Feb. 28, 1839. 
 
 CHILDREN BY FIRST MARRIAGE. 
 
 1. Theodore Marcellus Tyler, b. Jan. 19, 1833. 
 
 2. Nancy Jane Tyler, b. Aug. 23, 1834. 
 
 3. John William Tyler, Jr., b. March 4, 1S36. 
 
 CHILDREN BY SECOND MARRIAGE. 
 
 All born in Macon Co., Ills., on farm five miles east 
 of Decatur. 
 
 4. Benjamin Bushrod Tyler, b. Apr. 9, 1840. 
 
 5. Susan Frances Tyler, b. Mch. 15, 1842. 
 
 6. James Alexander Tyler, b. Sept. 14, 1843, 
 
 7. Barton Stone Tyler, b. Aug. 19, 1845. 
 
 Charles Willis Tyler, b. Oct. 19, 1846 (d. Jan. 17, 
 1851). 
 
 8. Joseph Zachary Tyler, b. Oct. 10, 1848. 
 
 Henry Clay Tyler, b. Aug. 16, 1850 (d. Aug. 19, 
 1851). 
 
 9. Mary Edna Tyler, b. Aug. 18, 1852. 
 
 10. Elizabeth Ann Tyler, b. Oct. 16, 1854. 
 
 56 
 
11. Charles Henry Tyler, b. Aug. 19, 1856. 
 
 12. Alice Sarah Tyler, b. Apr. 27, 1859. 
 
 1. Theodore Marcellus Tyler, b. Jan. 19, 1833 ; mar- 
 ried Sarah Kennedy, Aug". 18, 1854. Occupation: farmer 
 and carpenter. Died July 14, 1868, in Macon Co., 111. After 
 his death widow and children moved to Fredonia, Kans. 
 Had three children: 
 
 William Henry Tyler, b. Feb. 28, 1858. Unmarried. 
 Eesidence: La Fontaine, Kans. Occupation: farmer and 
 banker. 
 
 Jen7m Tyler, b. Oct. 19, 1861; married (1) H. F. 
 Davis, Oct. 9, 1881 ; daughter Dotie Davis, b. Aug. 26, 1883, 
 Macon Co., 111. ; married (2) Jerome B. Myers, May 3, 1896 ; 
 son Theodore Myers, b. Wilson Co., Kans., Jan. 2, 1898. 
 Residence: Wilson Co., Kans. 
 
 Theodore Marcellus Tyler, Jr. (known as Frank), b. 
 Mch. 3, 1866 ; married Loretta B. Hunter, Sept. 20, 1887. 
 Two daughters : Mabel C. Tyler, b. Aug. 8, 1888 ; Eileen 
 Tyler, b. Apr. 8, 1891. Wife died Aug. 3, 1897, at De- 
 catur, 111. Married (2) Nellie Fuser in Indianapolis, Ind., 
 May 22, 1898. Three daughters: Mary Jane Tyler, b. 
 Dec. 26, 1900; Margaret Tyler, b. Feb. 29, 1904; Mildred 
 Tyler, b. July 29, 1906. Eesidence: Indianapolis, Ind. 
 Occupation: Harness and saddlery. 
 
 2. Nancy Jane Tyler, b. Aug. 23, 1834. Married to 
 Rufus H. Housley, Apr. 9, 1852. Lived various places but 
 at Grove City, 111., longest. Present residence, Laramie, 
 Wyoming. Children : 
 
 Ella Cora Housley, b. June 6, 1853; married (1) Wil- 
 liam Wysgarver; married (2) George W. Harris, deceased 
 sister Frances' husband. Now a widow. Residence: Kan- 
 sas City, Mo. 
 
 Mary Edna Housley, b. Aug. 14, 1855; married (1) 
 Edward R. Morrison, who died Dec. 2, 1902. Son Roy Mor- 
 
 57 
 
rison (residence Decatur, 111.), b. Oct. 29, 1876, married 
 Laura Shaffer and has a daughter Marian, b. June 28, 
 1906. Mary E. Morrison married (2) John A. Bastable 
 Sept. 6, 1906. Eesidence: Henrietta, Okla. 
 
 Frances Elvira Housley, b. May 29, 1857; married 
 George W. Harris in 1879 ; died 1882. Son Harry Harris, 
 b. 1881, married 1904 and resides in Kansas City, Mo. 
 
 William Bufus Housley, b. May 18, 1862 ; married Hat- 
 tie Kitzmiller. Has three children: Glenn, Bernice and 
 Orville. Residence: Joliet, Mont. 
 
 Edwin Lincoln Housley, b. Apr. 29, 1864; married 
 Mary Neer. Has four children: Gladys, Leta, Madge and 
 Elmer. Residence: Bolivia, HI. 
 
 Katharine May Housley, b. Oct. 6, 1867 ; married John 
 A. Rogers. Has two children: Tyler A. Rogers, who lives 
 in Laramie, Wyo., and Ruby, who lives with mother in 
 Decatur, 111. 
 
 3. John William Tyler, Jr., b. Mch. 4, 1836 ; mar- 
 ried Rebecca Ellen Hanks, Dec. 24, 1860, in Decatur, 111. 
 Residence: Indianapolis, Ind. Occupation: Harness and 
 saddlery. 
 
 4. Benjamin Bushrod Tyler, b. Apr. 9, 1840; mar- 
 ried Sarah Burton of Eureka, 111., Dec. 25, 1862. Edu- 
 cated for the ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples) 
 at Eureka College. Degree of D. D. conferred by Drake 
 University (Iowa) in 1891. Pastorates: Charleston, 111., 
 Terre Haute, Ind., Frankfort, Ky., Louisville, Ky., N. Y. 
 City. Now pastor of South Broadway Christian Church, 
 Denver, Colo. Active in Union Sunday School work and 
 member of the International S. S. Lesson Committee for 
 18 years. Author of a History of the Disciples of Christ. 
 Had two sons, Clarence and Walter, who died in in- 
 fancy, and one daughter, Lulu, b. 1870, married Errett 
 
 58 
 
Gates; who has a son, Benjamin Tyler Gates, b. 1896. Res- 
 idence: Chicago. 
 
 5. Susan Frances Tyler, b. Mch. 15, 1842; married 
 Oct. 16, 1867, Hugh L. Odor, an attorney-at-law, with a 
 most promising future, who died Dec. 9, 1875. She has 
 continuously resided in Decatur, 111., where her active 
 interest has been given to the Christian church and to 
 philanthropic work. 
 
 6. James Alexander Tyler, b. Sept. 14, 1843; mar- 
 ried Marcella Taylor, Sept. 20, 1870. Educated at Univer- 
 sity of Michigan and was a rising attorney-at-law in Taylor- 
 viUe, 111. Died Feb. 26, 1876. Widow married G. R. 
 Adams and resides in Taylorville, 111. Had two children : 
 
 Walter Byron Tyler, b. July 5, 1871 ; educated at 
 Hiram College and Cornell University. Attorney-at-law 
 and farmer. Married Grace Hamsher of Decatur, 111., Feb. 
 16, 1904. Residence: near Taylorville, 111. 
 
 Maude Tyler, b. Nov. 9, 1873 ; married Oct. 14, 1897, to 
 Dr. Rodney D. Smith, now surgeon U. S. Army, Camp 
 Downs, Ormoc, Leyte, Philippine Islands. 
 
 7. Barton Stone Tyler, b. Aug. 19, 1845; married 
 Josephine Jones, Nov. 6, 1873. Attended Illinois State 
 Normal School and taught school and farmed in Macon Co. 
 until about 1881, when he moved to Decatur and entered 
 the grain and commission business in which he continued 
 until his death July 27, 1902. He was one of the founders 
 and the secretary for many years of the Illinois Grain Deal- 
 ers' Association. One of the grain trade journals said of 
 him: ''A man of scrupulous business honor and integrity, 
 whose word was as good as his bond, he commanded the 
 confidence of all who came in contact with him; while his 
 spontaneous good nature, combined, with his sincere cor- 
 diality and tactfulness, to make for him personal friends 
 of those who did business with him. As a citizen of De- 
 
 59 
 
catur, lie was among the leading men, with decided convic- 
 tions on all questions." Had four children: 
 
 Gertrude Tyler, b. Aug. 16, 1874; married Feb. 8, 1905, 
 to Harry B. Harwood of Bloomington, 111,, who died Jan. 
 25, 1906. Has a son Harry Barton Harwood, b. Jan. 1, 
 1906. Eesidence: Bloomington, 111. 
 
 The three other children of Barton S. Tyler were: 
 Ralph, Lelah and Gussie, who died in childhood from 
 diphtheria, Ralph, aged nine, and Gussie, aged four, died 
 within one week in October, 1887, and Lelah, aged almost 
 ten, died in November, 1889. 
 
 8. Joseph Zachaey Tyler, b. Oct. 10, 1848 ; married 
 Eva Noel Garnett of Mathews, Va., Oct. 10, 1876. Edu- 
 cated at Kentucky University, Lexington, Ky., for the 
 ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples), having been 
 baptized and received into the Antioch church in Dec, 
 1865. Held pastorates at Richmond, Va. (11 years), Au- 
 gusta, Ga., Brooklyn, N. Y., Cincinnati, 0., and Cleveland, 
 0. Active in Christian Endeavor work, being a trustee of 
 the United Society of Christian Endeavor since June, 1891. 
 Was National Superintendent of Christian Endeavor for 
 the Disciples, 1892-1899, Author of Talks to Young People, 
 and a volume of sermons entitled Kinship to Christ. 
 Founded the Bethany C. E. Reading Courses in 1897 and 
 was greatly in demand for lectures and addresses. In the 
 midst of active work as pastor of the Euclid Ave. Christian 
 Church, Cleveland, his health failed and Dec. 31, 1899, he 
 resigned his pastorate, which had begun in 1892. His pa- 
 tient invalidism has been cheered by the constant compan- 
 ionship of his courageous and devoted wife, and the influ- 
 ence radiating from his home is as eloquent as were his 
 sermons during his active ministry. Children: 
 
 James Garnett Tyler, b. Richmond, Va., May 17, 1882 ; 
 graduate of Hiram College, Ohio, 1905; resides in Cleveland. 
 
 60 
 
Ethel Barnum Tyler, b. Brooklyn, N. Y.,Dec. 19, 1885. 
 Miriam Streator Tyler, b. Cleveland, 0., May 21, 1894. 
 
 9. Maky Edna Tyler, b. Aug. 18, 1852 ; married John 
 A. Meriweather, identified for many years with the banking 
 interests of Decatur, Jan. 7, 1874. Residence : Decatur, 111. 
 Has two children: 
 
 Dr. Tyler Meriweather, b. June 27, 1875; graduate of 
 Jefferson Medical College, Phila. Practicing in Decatur, 111. 
 
 Notie {Elea7ior) Meriweather, b. March 10, 1880 : mar- 
 ried Charles Wolcott Kent, June 28, 1904; has son. Jack 
 Meriweather Kent, b. June 10, 1905. Mrs. Kent's resi- 
 dence is Los Angeles, Cal. 
 
 10. Elizabeth Ann Tyler, b. Oct. 16, 1854 ; married 
 Stephen D. Cook, Apr. 25, 1878. Residence: Denver, 
 Colo. Children: 
 
 Genevieve Cook, b. Aug. 17, 1880; married Cecil C. 
 Garnett, June, 1904; has daughter Elizabeth, b. Oct. 21, 
 1906 ; resides in Cripple Creek, Colo. 
 
 Paul Tyler Cook, b. Oct. 17, 1882; graduated from 
 University of Colorado in 1907 in electrical engineering; 
 residence, Schenectady, N. Y. 
 
 Dorothy Cook, b. July 9, 1890. 
 
 11. Charles Henry Tyler, b. Aug. 19, 1856; mar- 
 ried Arabella E. Nofsinger, Nov. 18, 1903. Pharmacist for 
 many years in Decatur and Chicago. Residence: Beaver, 
 Okla. Occupation: General store and farming. 
 
 12. Alice Sarah Tyler, b. Apr. 27, 1859. In the 
 Public Library of Decatur for many years. Library train- 
 ing (1893-4) at the Library School of Armour Institute, 
 Chicago (now a part of the University of Illinois). In the 
 Cleveland, 0., Public Library, almost five years. Secretary 
 of the Library Commission of the State of Iowa since 1900. 
 Residence: Des Moines, la. 
 
 61 
 
DESCENDANTS OF THE BROTHERS AND 
 SISTERS OF JOHN W. TYLER 
 
 I. Jane, b. April 6, 1810 ; married Dr. AVilliam Ward- 
 er Higgins. Died March 27, 1846. Had son Charles who 
 lived to be grown but died unmarried. 
 
 II. Charles, b. Nov. 17, 1812; married Eliza Ellen 
 Neal; lived for several years near Lexington, Mo., but 
 spent the greater part of his life at Bloomfield, Ky., where 
 he died Oct. 14, 1887. Children: 
 
 (1) William Henry, died a prisoner of war (in C. 
 S. Army) at Camp Chase; (2) Susan Elizabeth, married 
 Samuel McKay of Bloomfield, Ky., and has two daugh- 
 ters, Ellen and Nancy; Nancy married Frank B. Offutt, 
 Jr.; (3) Benjamin Shores, married Addie Brodhead and 
 resides at Bloomfield; (4) Jane, married (a) J. D. C. Stev- 
 enson of New Orleans. Children : John Tyler Stevenson, 
 Charles Louis Stevenson (Lieut, in U. S. Army), Benjamin 
 Tyler Stevenson, Jane Palmer Stevenson and Edward 
 White Stevenson; married (b) William Bornemann of 
 Paducah, Kentucky; (5) Charles B., who lives in Albany, 
 Georgia, married Mary Hall :Miller. Children: Sarah 
 Ashe and Charles J. (6) Mary Lee, married Edward H. 
 Walker of Orlando, Florida. Children: Wilson B. and 
 Edward Tyler Walker. (7) Sterling Price, married Sallie 
 Carter, son Sterling Price, Jr. 
 
 III. SUS.VXNAH, b. May 4, 1815, married Harvey Hig- 
 gins, for whom Higginsville, Mo., was named; died July 
 
 62 
 
3, 1854. Children: (1) Sarah E,, who married Dr. 
 W. C. Bledsoe of LaFayette, Alabama, and died in 
 1907, leaving one child, Susan, who is married and lives 
 in Austin, Texas. (2) Jane, who married John McMeek- 
 in and lived but a few years after marriage. (3) William 
 W. (died). (4) Emma S., married John Morris and lives 
 in Atlanta, Ga. Children : Harvey L., Fay C, Wylie H. 
 (5) Benjamin F., married Mattie Barnett. Children: 
 Barnett, Sallie, Harvey J., Benjamin F., Jr. Residence, 
 Mayview, Mo. 
 
 IV. Benjamin George, b. Nov. 1, 1824; married (a) 
 Eebecca (Cromwell) Smith, a widow. Married (b) Mrs, 
 Sally Steadman. Lived near place of birth in Fayette 
 Co., Ky. ; died Apr. 1, 1891. Children: (1) Susan, who 
 married — Hampton and lived but a few years after 
 marriage, leaving a son, Tyler Hampton; (2) Jane, who 
 married Dr. Adkins of Lexington, Ky., and died; (3) Ben- 
 jamin Vincent, who became a lawyer and located in Cin- 
 cinnati, 0.; married Miss Nellie Pogue and has daughter 
 Virginia Rebecca. 
 
 63 
 
REPRINTS OF SOME FAMILY PAPERS] 
 
 *BAPTIST MINISTERIAL CERTIFICATE, 1835 
 
 The Union Baptist Church of Christ on Hazel Creek, 
 Montgomery County, Indiana, sendeth Christian salutation : 
 
 This is to Certify that our beloved John W. Tyler is 
 a member and a regular ordained Minister of the Gospel 
 with us in good standing and full fellowship and since he 
 joined us he has been constant in exercising a gift of ex- 
 hortation and preaching with entire satisfaction to the 
 church ; and as such we do recommend him to all our Chris- 
 tian brethren and pray that he may be made a blessing 
 wherever his lot may be cast and when received by you is 
 dismissed by us. Done by order of the Church aforesaid 
 at our Church Meeting the fourth Saturday in August, 
 1835. Isaac Sutton, Church Clerk. 
 
 CERTIFICATE OF ORDINATION IN THE CHRISTIAN 
 CHURCH, 1853 
 
 This is to certify that on the 31st day of July, 1853, 
 we did, in the presence of the Christian! congregation or- 
 
 *NoTE. This certificate has appended thereto, the church letter 
 of his first wife, Elvira Oxley Tyler. 
 
 •j-Location not given, but undoubtedly Decatur, 111. 
 
 His departure from the Baptist church seems to have been grad- 
 ual and his connection was never formally severed. In a letter 
 written to J. Z. Tyler in 1873 he says: "In the fall of 18351 moved 
 to Illinois with my letter of commendation (from the Union Bap- 
 tist Church on Hazel Creek, Ind.) and continued to preach and learn 
 more of the way of life and salvation . . . but the reason that 
 I discarded the name 'Baptist' was that it was and is unauthorized 
 by the "Word of God." 
 
 64 
 
dain John "W. Tyler, Sen., a Minister of the Gospel and as 
 such authorized to administer the sacraments and perform 
 all the duties belonging to ministers of the Christian church. 
 Given under our hands, July 31st, 1853. 
 
 Henry Y. Kellar, 
 A. L. Kellar, 
 
 Ordained Ministers. 
 
 WILLIAM TYLER'S DEED TO FAYETTE CO., KY., 
 FARM, 1789 (?)* 
 
 This Indenture made this .... day of in the 
 
 year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty 
 
 between Richard Masterson and Sarah his wife of the 
 
 county of Fayette and commonwealth of Virginiaf of the one 
 part and "William Tyler of the county and commonwealth 
 aforesaid of the other part, 
 
 Witnesseth, that the said Richard Masterson and Sarah 
 his wife, for and in consideration of the sum of Ninety 
 pounds current money of Virginia, to them in hand paid, the 
 receipt thereof they do hereby acknowledge, and forever 
 acquit and discharge the said William Tyler, his heirs, ex- 
 ecutors and administrators, have granted, bargained, sold, 
 aliened and confirmed and by these presents doth grant, 
 bargain, sell, alien and confirm, unto the said William Tyler, 
 his heirs and assigns forever, all that tract or parcel of land 
 situate, lying and being, on the waters of the town fork 
 of the branch of Elkhorn Creek and bounded as follows : 
 Beginning at William Fitzjarld's South west corner at a 
 White Oak and White Ash in Robert Thompson's line near 
 the Meeting House thence with said Thompson 's line South 
 sixty degrees East fifty-eight poles to two Sugar trees and 
 Buckeye corner to said Thompson then South thirty degrees 
 
 *Exact date not given in Deed, as a printed blank was used, 
 but placed on record July, 1789. 
 
 tShould be Kentucky, but in using printed (Virginia.) blank the 
 change was evidently not made. 
 
 65 
 
West thirty poles to a Black Walnut and two Sugar trees 
 thence South eighty degrees East one hundred and fifty 
 poles to a Walnut Honey Locust and Hickory thence North 
 twenty degrees East one hundred and twenty-six poles to a 
 Sugar tree, Black Beech and Buckeye in Thomas Shores 
 line thence North sixty-six degrees West one hundred and 
 thirty-nine poles to a Box Elder, small Hickory and Honey 
 Locust on the said Shores line then South forty five degrees 
 West along by the Meeting House one hundred and forty 
 poles to the beginning. Containing one hundred and fifty 
 acres it being a part of William McConnels Settlement and 
 Pre-emption assigned to John Clark together with all im- 
 provements water-courses, profits and appurtenances what- 
 soever to the said premises belonging, or in any wise apper- 
 taining, and the reversions, remainders and profits thereof, 
 and all the estate, right, title, interest, property, claim and 
 demand of them the said Richard Masterson and Sarah his 
 wife of in and to the same. To Have and to Hold the 
 lands hereby conveyed, with all and singular the premises, 
 and every part and parcel thereof, with every of the appur- 
 tenances, unto the said William Tyler and the said Richard 
 Masterson and Sarah his wife for themselves, their heirs, 
 executors and administrators, do covenant, promise and 
 agree, to and with the said William Tyler, his heirs and 
 assigns, by these presents, that the premises before men- 
 tioned now are, and forever hereafter shall remain free 
 of and from, all former and other gifts, grants, bargains, 
 sales, dowers, rights and title of dower, judgments, exe- 
 cutions, titles, troubles, charges and incumbrances what- 
 soever done, or suffered to be done, by them, the said 
 Richard Masterson and Sarah his wife or any other per- 
 son or persons whatsoever. And the said Richard Mas- 
 terson and Sarah his wife and their heirs, all and singular 
 the premises hereby bargained and sold, with the appurte- 
 
 66 
 
Richard Masterson (Seal) 
 
 Sarah Masterson (Seal) 
 
 nances unto the said William Tyler his heirs and assigns 
 against them the said Richard Masterson and Sarah his 
 wife and their heirs and all and every other person or 
 persons whatsoever and their heirs, doth and will warrant, 
 and forever defend by these presents. 
 
 In Witness whereof they the said Richard Master- 
 son and Sarah his wife have hereunto set their hands and 
 seals the day and year first above written. 
 Signed, sealed and" 
 delivered in the 
 presence of us 
 
 Fayette County Clerk's office. Recorded in Book B 
 folio (115) and Exam<i. Teste, Tho. Arnold, D. C. F. C. 
 
 Recorded a second time in Book No. 2 page 492 and 
 Examined. Teste, Ro. S. Todd, D. C. F. C. 
 
 On reverse of Deed is the following: 
 
 Fayette County July Court 1789. 
 
 This Indenture was produced in Court acknowledged 
 by Richard Masterson and Sarah Masterson his wife, she 
 being first privily examined as the law directs voluntarily 
 relinquishes her right of Dower in the estate conveyed by 
 this Indenture, whereupon the same is ordered to be re- 
 corded. Teste, Levi Todd [Letters here illegible.] 
 
 Fayette County Ct. Clerks Office, September 1st, 1807. 
 
 This Indenture was again produced before me the 
 Clerk of said County and is admitted again to be recorded 
 in my office agreeable to law, the former record having 
 been destroyed by fire. Teste, Levi Todd, C. H. 
 
 67 
 
WILL OP WILLIAM TYLER, 1827 
 I, William Tyler, do hereby make and constitute this 
 my last Will and Testament in manner and form follow- 
 ing, that is to say: 
 
 First, I give to wife, Letty Tyler, during her natural 
 life all my estate both real and personal and twelve months 
 after her decease, it is my Will that my Executors pay 
 my son Charles Tyler Five Dollars as his portion of my 
 estate, and that the balance of my estate both real and 
 personal is to be sold by my Executors and divided among 
 my children and their heirs in manner and form following. 
 — I give and bequeath to my daughter Sally Gorehan, Ben- 
 jamin Tyler, Anny Tompkins, heirs Susannah FitzGerald, 
 Mary Carter equal portions of my estate when divided, and 
 to my son William Tyler as much of my estate as will 
 make his proportion equal to the rest, upon his accounting 
 for Two Hundred and twelve dollars and fifty cents of 
 borrowed money with interest for which I hold his note, 
 and to my son George Tyler as much of my estate as will 
 make his proportion equal to the rest of my heirs upon his 
 accounting to my Executors for Thirty dollars of borrowed 
 money with interest for which I hold his note. 
 
 I also direct that all my just debts and funeral ex- 
 penses shall be paid before the division above mentioned 
 takes place; and lastly I do constitute and appoint my 
 son Benjamin Tyler and William C. Offutt my Executors 
 of this my last Will and Testament. May 18, 1827. 
 
 William Tyler (Seal) 
 
 Signed in presence of 
 
 John McDowell 
 Jane McDowell 
 
 68 
 
N. B. I do acknowledge this to be my last Will and 
 Testament. Wm. Tyler 
 
 Teste 
 
 Wm. C. Ofputt 
 Malissa Opfutt 
 
 69 
 
THE TORCH PRESS 
 CEDAR RAPIDS. IOWA 
 
lilllM iJlillill 
 
 021 548 349 6 
 
 t 
 
 JOHN W. TYLER: A MEMORIAL