Byler Cemetery listings

Moniteau County Missouri

Byler Cemetery listings

Located on the west side of California, across Highway 50 from the High School on land owned by the Ratcliff family (present).

On page 175 of the Recordings of Walker Township Cemeteries published by the Moniteau County Historical Society, it states:
This cemetery has been neglected for a number of years. Some say it was moved from the Highway 50 right of way when it was built.

Data secured by Hugh J Inglish in 1970 and Jim Martin and Peter D Schlup in October 1991.

Editor's Note: Documentation from the Missouri Department of Transportation (a copy of which is on file at the Moniteau Co. Historical Society) clearly shows the cemetery beyond (to the north) the highway right of way when it was originally graveled as Hwy 12 in 1926 and resurfaced with concrete as Hwy 50 in the early 1930s.

2004 MoDot email Detailed 1930s MoDot sketch

Deed to property: Page 1 Page 2

Alan Sparks re-visited this cemetery in 2005. At this time, all the stones were laying on the ground with no fence to keep the cattle out. The stones could be seen just inside the fence from the highway. As of January, 2006, the stones have disappeared. At that time the land was owned by Floyd Wise. In November 2017, the picture of the Jacob Byler stone was taken of it laying against the west barn wall.

Jacob Byler was a prominent individual in the earliest history of Moniteau County. He was an early member of what is now First Baptist Church in California, Missouri.

He was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania and married to Bathsheba Caroline Oxford in 1791 in Buncombe County, North Carolina. He then moved for a time to Alabama then to Tennessee, eventually settling near what is now California, Missouri by 1833. His will, written in August 1845, designates $50 to both Mt Gilead (now First Baptist) and Lebanon (McGirk) Baptist Churches for the purpose of helping the needy.

Land Record: 1840 1841

Will: Pages 1-2 Page 3

* = Calculated Date based on age; d/o=daughter of; s/o=son of; w/o=wife of; m = married

= Click for picture

Last Name, First Name, Middle, Birth Date, Death Date, Comments

Unknown

? George -- Cem rec states Only name no dates on stone

A

Allen Theodore -- 1813 - 1842 Jan 17

B

Byler Jacob -- 1765 Jun - 1846 Mar 19 -- See genealogy below

R

Ross George -- 1838 Jun 17 - 1904 Aug 31 -- See obit below
Ross John H -- 1803 Sep 08 - 1877 Apr 16 -- See obit below
Ross M Henrietta -- 1836 Oct 19 - 1906 Dec 21 -- See obit below
Ross Mary M -- 1812 Jun 20 - 1898 May 05 -- See obit below

The following is from here.

Name: Jacob Franklin Byler

Birth: 10 JUN 1765 in Berks Co, PA

Death: 19 MAR 1846 in California, Moniteau Co, MO

Burial: MAR 1846 One mile west of California, MO

Note:

New Prospect Baptist Church Historical Sketch - Alabama
New Prospect Church is located about 200 yards north of Highway 195, two miles east of Haleyville. The church was organized in the fall of 1824. No charter members are known definitely as such of New Prospect. However, the following gives room for imagination: The land records show that New Prospect Church is in Township9, Range 10, Section 28, and the land closest around the church site was entered by Richard McMahan in 1820, Johnson McKinney in 1821, Jacob Byler in 1822. Jacob Byler was a brother of John Byler after whom the Byler Road was named. Jacob Pruett entered section 31 in which the town of Haleyville is located was entered by Jacob Pruett in 1825. Jacob Pruett is buried in New Prospect Cemetery. It at least seems suggestive that some or all of these men and their households made up the charter members of this church.

New Prospect is the oldest Baptist church in Winston County and believed to be the third oldest Baptist Church in the state of Alabama. The church is 50 years older than the Clear Creek Association, which was started in 1874. Records show New Prospect was a charter member. The oldest minutes of the Association were in 1883. The pastor in 1883 was W. W. Davis, father of the late Elder W. Davis and great grandfather of Dr. Oscar Davis, who was the first native-born Winston County boy to be president of the Baptist State Convention. The clerk this year (1883) was John C. Long Sr. The messengers to the Association were: H. R. Fulmer, James F. Wilson, and J. C. Long Sr. The first reported membership shows 116.

For many years New Prospect was the largest church in the Association. She is truly called a mother church. Macedonia, Haleyville First, Ephesus, Corinth No.2, and Sunny Home were organized more or less with members from this church.

The first church was a 16 by 20 foot log building erected by members, and stood until 1884.
Source: History of the Clear Creek Baptist Association, by Rev. Jerry Burns, The Haleyville Advertiser, August 22, 1946, the150th year Celebration Program, September 29,1974 and the 175th Anniversary program, October 17, 1999.

From Valy Byler's website http://members.aol.com/feur/genea/genelink.htm#MyGenealogy:
"Above is the Byler Family crest that I purchased from a Family History Center in Gatlinburg, TN I was surprised that they had it, so I almost feel like I need to verify its authenticity.

The oldest ancestor of the Byler/Beiler line is Jacob Beiler (aka Jakob Beiler or Jacob Beyler). Jacob was born in Guggisburg, Switzerland in 1692. His parents are not known at this time, although there are some unconfirmed claims. He married a Veronica (last name unknown) in Berne, Switzerland. They had five children that were also born in Europe, most likely in Switzerland. Jacob and his family were of the Anabaptist faith. Due to the threats of persecution because of their faith, they and many other Anabaptists (from which Mennonites and Amish faiths branch from) immigrated to the New World to freely practice their religion.
Jacob and Veronica immigrated to Philadelphia on the ship Charming Nancy (might also be known as Polly) with their five children, Barbara, Anna, Christopher, Maria and Elizabeth on October 8, 1737. Their names appear on the ship's passenger list. After arriving in Philadelphia, Jacob moved his family to what is now Berks County, PA.

Apparently, Veronica died sometime afterwards. Jacob remarried to Elizabeth Kallen, who was born in Switzerland either in Berne or Schwanden, Frutigen, Switzerland (there is conflicting information). They then had five children, Jacob, Hans (John), Sarah, Joseph and David.

Very little if anything is known about the three girls from the first marriage and the three youngest children from the second marriage. All other Byler/Beiler descendents are linked to the other four children. Most of these descendents are either Mennonite or Amish and remained in the PA and OH area. One line does however, go through Virginia to Tennessee to Arkansas. Some of Jacob's children changed their name to Byler. There are also indications that some descendents may have used the names Beeler, Beyler, and Boiler."

CAMPBELLSVILLE HISTORY
by Mr. & Mrs. Richard Dunavant
Campbellsville [Tennessee] was named for Hamilton Crockett Campbell, an early settler, who, along with John Dickey and Jacob Byler, came to the area around 1808. Primarily Presbyterians of Scotch-Irish decent, other early settlers included the Hannahs, Rheas, Alexanders, McCutcheons, Locks, Allens, Gibsons, Morrises, Englishes, Shulers, Rosses, and Wrights.

When the Tennessee General Assembly established Giles County in 1809, John Dickey and Jacob Byler were appointed magistrates, and James Ross was a commissioner. Dickey was elected a representative to the State Legislature in 1817. He became Campbellsville's first mayor when the town was incorporated in 1820.
The small village of Campbellsville is located in Middle Tennessee, the North Western part of Giles County about half-way between Columbia, TN to the North and Pulaski, TN to the South. State Route #166 goes through the village and is known as Brownlow Creek Road. The village has two main streets, usually known as Low Street and High Street. http://www.campbellsvilletn.com/history3.htm

1812 Tax List Giles Co, TN:
0348 Byler Jacob Campbellsville, 1 mi. W of (McCallum); A Jacob Baylor [sic] was county magistrate in 1809

a letter from James Taylor Byler to his uncle Joseph Byler (brother of Abraham, James Taylor's father):
"Covington Tipton County Big Hatchee 22 April 1826
"Uncle Jacob Byler has bought land of Father in this country and intends moving himself and his little sons in laws on to it, the land lies on Cane Creek north of Hatchee...."

Morgan Co, MO Land Grants:
Byler, Jacob (200 acres): s19-t42-r18 Hawcreek twp. (1836) | s36-t44-r18 Millcreek twp. (1840)

Jacob was a Giles County judge for the state of North Carolina from approximately 1810 to 1816. He was one of the Commissioners selected by the General Assembly in 1807 to found the City of Asheville, NC. He was elected to the first legislature of Alabama in 1823 and had land transactions in Tennessee and Alabama. He also purchased a one-third interest in the Byler Road, a toll turnpike in Alabama that became a joint venture with his brother John. Jacob later moved to Missouri and died March 19, 1846 in Moniteau County. He is buried in a cemetery about a mile west of California, Missouri. - Source: Family History and Genealogy of Pioneer Jacob Beiler by Allen R. Beiler, 1998, page B-6.

Byler Genforum:
Posted by: Ron Kuhnel Date: October 05, 1999 at 19:29:40
In Reply to: Re: BYLER FAMILY - ALABAMA, MISSOURI by Dorothy McCollester White of 169
Jacob Franklin Byler served in the N.C. Legislature between 1804-1805 representing Buncombe County. In 1808, he moved to Giles County, Tn where he served as one of the Justices to establish the County. In 1817, he moved to Lauderdale County, Al settling on Middle Cypress Creek. In 1819 he was elected to the first Alabama Legislature representing Lauderdale County. He was defeated in 1821 but successfully ran in 1823 and served until 1826. In 1826, he moved to Haywood County, Tn and on to Lauderdale County, Tn in 1827. The first County Court of Lauderdale County, Tn met in his home. By 1836/38, he had moved to Moniteau County, Missouri where he remained until he died.
He was a surveyor and accumulated many parcels of land of 50-100 acres as payment for his service. At one time or another, he owned land in Haywood, Giles, Lawrence, Lauderdale, Wayne, Hardin, Hardeman, Fayette, Shelby and Bedford Counties of Tennessee. Additionally, he owned land in Lauderdale, Limestone, Lawrence and Franklin counties of Alabama. He and his brother, Abraham, were involved in land deals in East Tennessee and Northern Alabama around 1800.

Will of Jacob Franklin Byler, Moniteau Co., MO, Probate Bk. 1, page 10-12
In the name of God, amen. I, Jacob Byler, of Moniteau County and State of Missouri being of sound and perfect mind and memory, Blessed by God, do this sixth day of August in the year of our Lord, 1845, make and publish this my last will and testament in the manner following, to wit:
1st. I will that all my just debts be paid.
2nd. I give to my daughter Elvira Jordan, five dollars.
3rd. I give to my granddaughter Mary Ann Alle(n) forty acres of land, it being the north east of the north east quarter of section one of Township 44 of Range 16 lying in Moniteau County.
4th. I also give to my granddaughter Elizabeth Keltnor or Redmon, 40 acres of land what is the Northwest of the northwest quarter of section six of township 44 of range 15 being in Moniteau County.
5th. I also give to my daughter Sally Keltnor one hundred dollars.
6th. I also give to the poor of Gilead Church of which I am a member fifty dollars which I design to be kept as a treasury on interest for the expressed purpose of assisting objects of charity in the church the money to be kept by a suitable member of the church appointed by the church and to remain under controll of the church both principal and interest.
7th. I also give to the poor of the Lebanon Church fifty dollars which I assign for the same purpose and under the same regulation as expressed in the 6th item of my will.
8th I also give to my grandson Albert G. Byler four hundred dollars which I desire shall be placed in the hands of Solomon D. Spain as his guardian for the benefit of his education and to be paid out by him as need may require.
9th. I also will that my executors appropriate the money found in the hands of Ebenezer G. Young of Tennessee who is my lawful agent for the transaction of business in Tennessee and Alabama. To paying my debts and settling my money gifts and if a defect is found make it good by the sale of other land.
10th. I also will that all property and land which I have not otherwise given or disposed shall be equally divided among my following named children to wit: Abraham Byler, Elizabeth Allen, Polly White, Sally Keltnor, Rebecca Young, Anna Norman, Syntha D.Spain, and Alfred T. Byler.
11th. I also will that my negro property be appraised and divided into eight shares and that my eight last named cast lots for their shares.
12th. I also appoint my truely friends Solomon D. Spain and Alfred T. Byler both of Moniteau County, and State of Missouri, executors of this my last will and testament in witness whereof I the said Jacob Byler set my hand and seal this day and date above written
//s// Jacob Byler {seal}

Father: Jacob Byler b: 1740 in Oley Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Mother: Katherine Kish b: 1744 in Lancaster Co, Pennsylvania

Marriage 1 Bethsheba Caroline Oxford b: 4 NOV 1774 in Lincoln Co, NC

Married: 24 MAR 1791 in TN

Children

Abraham Byler b: 3 MAY 1791 in Buncombe County, NC
Elizabeth Byler b: 11 SEP 1794 in Buncombe Co, NC
Mary Ann "Polly" Byler b: 31 OCT 1796 in Burke Co, NC
Sarah Byler b: 7 MAY 1799 in Buncombe Co, NC
Rebecca Byler b: 1 DEC 1801 in Buncombe Co, NC
Anna Byler b: 16 JUN 1804 in Buncombe Co, NC
Cynthia Byler b: 26 NOV 1806 in Buncombe Co, NC
Elvira Byler b: 12 JUN 1809 in TN
Alfred Tyra Byler b: 25 NOV 1811 in Giles County, TN
Albert Gallatin Byler b: 1813

From the Thursday, September 8, 1904 California Democrat newspaper

Part of the paper this obituary is in appears to have been wrinkled when microfilmed and is unreadable, thus the blanks.

Death of George Ross

Geo. Ross died on the Ross farm, a short distance west of this city, Wednesday night, of last week about 12 o'clock.

The funeral services were held Friday afternoon, Rev. _ N. White officiating, and the interment was at the family cemetery on the farm. Mr. Ross was 63 years of age, and has been in delicate health for a year past. Two sisters and one brother survive him, Mrs. Francis Eldr_, Miss Henriette Ross and Mr. __ward Ross. He leaves but one child, a married daughter, Mrs. ___ Seitz, who resides in New York and who paid her father and family a lengthy visit this summer, returning only about a week previous to her father's death.

Mr. Ross was a native of Livingston County, New York, and first came here in 1860, and again in 1864, when his father, John H Ross and family also located here. Mr. Geo. Ross was in active business in California for a number of years, afterwards going to the farm. Geo. Ross was a genial, good man-everybody liked him-and as a neighbor he was held in high esteem. He has been in the vicinity of the city for the past forty years, always ____ virtually a citizen of the town and _____ familiar figure will be missed. He was a man of good sense, treated everybody kind and had no enemies. He has passed over-may peace and happiness await him on the other shore.

From the Thursday April 19, 1877 California Democrat newspaper

Died.

At his residence, 2 miles west of this city, on the 16th inst., Mr. John H. Ross, aged 78 years.

Mr. Ross has resided in this county for the last fifteen years, having moved to this locality from New York. He was a man of fine information, industrious, quiet and unostentatious. His remains were interred in the family burying ground, on his farm, last Tuesday.

From the Thursday December 27, 1906 California Democrat newspaper

Death of Miss Henrietta Ross

Miss M. Henrietta Ross died very suddenly in this city Friday last. She was as well as usual and on the street--was stricken in Mr. T. G. Ehrhardt's store, taken to the residence of Dr. Burke, where she lingered but a few hours and died.

The funeral was Sunday, Rev. T. E. White of the Baptist church preaching the funeral discourse at the Methodist church, and the burial was at the Ross cemetery, a short distance west of this city. Miss Ross was 70 years of age--born in Livingston county, New York, October 19, 1836, coming to Missouri with her parents in 1863.

They settled on a good farm just west of California, where the family have resided since coming to the state.

Miss Ross recently sold a part of the old Ross farm and bought the Wilke's property in this city, where she was living at the time of her death.

Miss Ross was a very estimable lady--industrious, thrifty and charitable--a Christian woman, identified with the Baptist church from early youth.

The only surviving members of the family are Mrs. Mary Eldred of Boonville and Mr. Howard J. Ross, who lives on a farm near town.

From the Thursday May 12, 1898 California Democrat newspaper

Death of Mrs. Ross

Mrs. Mary Ross died suddenly at the old home farm, a few miles west of this city Wednesday night. The funeral services were held at the residence, Rev. John Youngblood, of the Baptist church of this city, preaching the funeral discourse, and the burial took place Friday at the cemetery located on the farm. Mrs. Ross was born in Caluska county, New York, June 29, 1812, being nearly 86 years of age. She came to Missouri with her husband, John H. Ross, in 1863, and settled on the farm where she died, her husband preceding her some twenty years ago. Mrs. Ross was the mother of H. J. and Geo. H. Ross, who together with two daughters, survive her. For many years she was a member of the Baptist church and was a very excellent lady.

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