W. A. LYERLY, farmer, P. O. America, was born November 17, 1823, in Jonesboro, Union Co., Ill. He is a son of Jonathan Lyerly, who was born in North Carolina in 1795, and died in America, Pulaski Co., Ill., in about 1853. He was one of the pioneers of Illinois; he made his original settlement near Jonesboro, where he worked at the tanner's trade. In about 1830 he removed to near Caledonia, Ill., where he remained several years, and during his stay served the people as Justice of the Peace; he subsequently removed to America and there engaged in farming and reared a large family of children, consisting of nine boys and two girls, of whom five are now living, viz.: William A., James B., Robert J., Ellen N. Rooyakkers and Jane A. Hutchens. Our subject received a limited education near Caledonia, and in early life followed farming, working seven years for Henry L. Webb. In 1846, he came to Pulaski County, where he farmed on the same ground where the old town of America had once flourished. Here he has lived ever since, and is now, through his industry and perseverance, in the possession of one of the best farms in the township. He is a Democrat in politics, casting his first vote for James K. Polk, and has served the people in the capacity of school officer. The mother of our subject was Nancy C. Lyerly, who died August 4, 1867. Our subject was joined in matrimony, January 23, 1845, at America, to Ann E. Cloud, daughter of George and Jemima (Bowman) Cloud, born September 20, 1828. She is the mother of ten children, of whom six are now living viz., James F., Juliet A., born July 29, 1849, wife of Alexander Lawrence; Jemimah, born April 22, 1851; Eliza E., born January 3, 1866; George A., born January 2, 1869; and Cornelia, born August 27, 1873. Maria A., William A., Harvey C. and Barton A. are deceased.
Extracted 02 Nov 2014 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part V - Biographical Sketches, page 270.
| Union | Johnson | |
| Alexander |
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Massac McCracken KY |
| Ballard KY |
