Myron Kyes

Surnames:  Dockham, Patterson, Peebles, Stevens

Region: Jefferson and Schenectady Co., NY; Magnolia Township, Rock Co., WI

From The Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wis., publ, 1889 - page 846, 847

MYRON KYES is numbered among the early settlers of Rock County, of 1854, is a general farmer and stock-raise of Magnolia Township, operating 388 acres of land on section 5. He was born near Kingston in Ontario, Canada, on the 19th day of December, 1836, and is a son of Thomas M. and Eliza A. (DOCKHAM) KYES.

The paternal grandfather of our subject for services rendered the British government, was given a tract of land comprising 800 acres, about forty miles from Kingston, Ontario, and at Landsdown, the name given to the farm in honor of Lord Landsdown, Thomas KYES was born. He was there reared to manhood and married the lady above mentioned. Four children were born to them in Kingston and nine after their removal, of whom eleven grew to manhood and womanhood. Myron, of this sketch, is the eldest of the family; Jason is a farmer of Nemaha County, Neb.; Sarah is the wife of E. PEEBLES, a farmer of Green County, Wis.; Asel is a commission merchant of Yankton, Dak.; Harly P. is living in Washington; Emma C. is the wife of Leader PATTERSON; and Lester is a resident farmer of Dakota.

In 1854, Mr. KYES, accompanied by his family, removed from Jefferson County, N.Y. to Rock County, Wis., and purchasing 134 acres of land on section 5, Magnolia Township, began life as a pioneer in the little log cabin which had been built thereon, which is one of the few landmarks of pioneer days yet remaining to remind the people of the wonderful progress made by our western civilization. He at once began the development of the wild land, step by step, transforming the hitherto uncultivated prairie into a tract of the greatest fertility. He became one of the leading citizens of the community and when the final summons came was mourned by all who knew him. He died in February, 1876, his wife surviving until September, 1869. Plain and outspoken, fearless in defense of the right, during the days of slavery, he labored earnestly for its abolition. He could well defend his political views, being well informed on all subjects, and for hours could hold a crowd waiting eagerly to hear his next utterance and his conclusive arguments. He lived to see the fulfillment of his wishes brought about by the Civil War. He was highly respected by all who knew him, and his memory will long be enshrined in the hearts of many who have witnessed his good deeds and shared in his generosity. The five children of Mr. and Mrs. KYES who have passed to their long rest, are Reuben who was drowned at the age of seven; Alexander, who died in infancy; Nelson, who was killed by the Indians in Montana; John, who was a member of the 44th Wisconsin Infantry and died in the service of his country in the hospital of Paducah, Ky.; Mary, deceased wife of G. A. PATTERSON; and T. M., who died in Nebraska.

The early education of our subject was received in the common schools of Jefferson County, N.Y., 1854, he came with his parents to Rock County, which was then in a wild state, and after the death of his father, assisted by his younger brothers, he took charge of the farm, providing and caring for the mother who had devoted herself to his interests in earlier years. He cheerfully performed the arduous labors, making many improvements, and placing the land under a high state of cultivation. Mr. KYES was united in marriage with Miss Diana PEEBLES, a native of Schenectady County, N.Y., and a daughter of Seth V. and Mary (STEVENS) PEEBLES, who were also native of the Empire State. The death of the father occurred in Albany, Green Co., Wis., in 1883, but the mother is still residing with her son in that township. The children of their family were William H., who is engaged in farming in Green County, Wis.; Edwin, who is living in the same county; Dinah, wife of our subject; and Hial G., whose home is in Lincoln, Neb.

By the union of Mr. and Mrs. KYES four children have been born, but only one, Marcia M., is now living, the other three having died in infancy. Mr. KYES has been one of the successful farmers of Rock County, and now owns and operates 388 acres of land in one body, situated on section 5, Magnolia Township, and section 32, Union Township. His farm is acknowledged to be one of the finest in the vicinity, and is stocked with a good grade of all the farm animals. In earlier years, our subject was an ardent supporter of the Republican party, and was an active worker in its ranks, but of late years, he has identified himself with the Prohibition party, and is unfaltering in his support of that organization. He is not afraid to advocate its principles, but warmly defends it whenever an opportunity presents itself, believing that only through the agency of a national political party can the cause of temperance win. The cause of education also finds in him a staunch friend. In all his labors for the advancement of the interests of the community, he has been ably seconded, whenever opportunity afforded, by Mrs. KYLES, who is one of Rock County's noble women, beloved and respected by all. We are pleased to record the sketch of this worthy couple, whose names are familiar in nearly every household. Their honorable, upright lives are well worthy of emulation, and they are deservedly held in the highest regard.