Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1911-11-30
Death of William II. Byers.

DedLu VI Wuldni III. DySfS.
It is with very sincere regret that we
announce the death OF Mr.. William H.
Byers, which occurred at his home in
Louisville, KY, last Saturday. A brief
telegram was received here on that day,
stating that his death had just occurred,
the result of an apoplectic stroke received
on Friday. Later information received
was to the effect that Mr.. Byers was in
the office of w. w. Dennis & Co., ap-
parently In good health, and was laugh
ing and talking when he was stricken
without warning. He lost consciousness
at once and never regained his senses.
Mr.. Byers was Is years of age. He
was born in Shepherdstown on August
6, 1896, his father having been the late
George Byers and his grandfather John
Byers. His people, who were of German
extraction, were among the early resi-
dents of Shepherdstown, having come
here considerably more than a hundred
years ago. Mr.. Byers used to often say
in joking way that he had been born
in stable. The place of his nativity was
story and a-half house on Church street,
just north of the Presbyterian manse,
which IS years ago was a comfortable
little home, but which many years ago
was converted into a stable. In 1854 Mr.
Byers, then quite young man, went to
Louisville, where there was quite COL
onY ofShepherdStown folks. He entered
the store of Robinson Bros, where for
several years he was employed as book
keeper. In 1860, with John H. Cannop,
of ST. Louis, he organized the millinery
concern of Cannon & Byers. 1t was the
first wholesale millinery house in Louis
vile, and prospered greatly. Mr.. Can
non died in 1874, and Mr.. Byers contin-
ued the business until 1898, when he re-
tired because of failing health. He came
to Shepherdstown. where he remained
for several years, and since then has di-
vided his time between ShepherdStown
and Louisville, spending his summers
here and his winters in the latter place.
He always retained his love for Shep-
herdstown, and was exceedingly loyal to
his old home. He had a remarkable
memory and was familiar with the town
history and the village lore, and greatly
enjoyed talking over the many interesting
events of the past. He was lover OF
the beautiful in nature and in art. He
took pride in every improvement in our
town that had merit, and sought to stim-
ulate everyone to the accomplishment of
good things for the community. He was
up early in the morning to see the glory
of the breaking day and took no less
pleasure in watching from the high places
the beauties of the setting sun. He was
a high-minded man, above the petty and
sordid affairs of life, and was clean in
thought and word and deed. Genial and
friendly, kind hearted and genuine, a
lover OF the good and beautiful, loyal to
old friends, we shall all greatly miss him.
Indeed, the summer will have lost some
of its brightness when it comes around
again and we shall no more hear his
cheerful voice, or see his familiar form,
or listen to the ringing stamp OF his cane
as when he passed up and down our
streets. Peace to him
While he lived in Louisville Mr.. ByerS
was active in public affairs. He was for
ten years member OF the school board
he was president of the Oratorio Society
he was one OF the original subscribers to
the Y. M. c. A. He took much interest
in church affairs, having been a veStry-
man in St. Paul's Episcopal Church and
superintendent of the Sunday school. In
1860 Mr.. Byers married Miss Alice STAN
ley Evans, OF Louisville, who, with three
daughters, Misses Mary, Margaret and
Florence Byers, survive him in that city
he also leaves one son, DR.. VIM. L. By
ers, in Shepherdstown. Mr.. Byers was
buried in Louisville.