BIOS: William H. MEYERS, Meyersdale, Somerset County, PA

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW, Vol. XXXII, Containing Life Sketches of Leading 
Citizens of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania. Boston, 
Biographical Review Publishing Company: 1899, pp 105-106.

  William H. Meyers, M.D., son of Peter and Lydia (Miller) Meyers, was 
born December 1, 1839, in Meyersdale, Pa., where he now resides.  He is 
a representative of the eighth generation of the family founded by his 
immigrant progenitor, a native of Switzerland, who settled in Lancaster 
and Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, and whose name was originally spelled 
Meyer.
  The Doctor's great-grandfather, Jacob Meyers, who was born in Lebanon 
County, visited the section now known as Somerset County about the year 
1785, and purchased a large tract of wild land, which included the 
present village of Meyersdale.  He never settled here, but his sons, 
Christian, Jacob, Henry, and John, cleared farms in the locality.
  Jacob, Jr., the grandfather of Dr. Meyers, was born in Lebanon County 
in 1783.  In 1804 he took possession of that part of his father's 
purchase lying nearest the village, and established the first 
industrial enterprises here, consisting of a saw, grist, and fulling 
mill and a distillery.  The grist-mill was destroyed by fire in 1827, 
and while assisting in rebuilding it Jacob Meyers lost his life during 
a fierce cyclone.  He was one of the most prominent residents of his 
day, and served as an officer in the State militia.  He married Barbara 
Yorty, who was born in Lebanon County in 1787.  They reared three 
children: Peter; William; and Eliza, who married Daniel Beachley of 
this town.  None are living.  
  Peter Meyers, the father, was born at Meyers Mills in 1807.  When a 
young man he engaged in business with his father, and at the time of 
the latter's death he was rebuilding the grist-mill.  Succeeding to the 
business, he carried it on successfully, and also engaged in mercantile 
pursuits, conducting two stores for some years.  He was a member of the 
first Board of Directors of the Pittsburg & Connellsville Railway, in 
the building of which he was actively concerned, and he was 
instrumental in locating the towns of Hyndman and Confluence.  The 
village of Meyersdale was named in his honor.  About the year 1844 he 
laid out into town lots some sixty acres of the homestead property, 
embracing the section bounded by Myers and Second Avenues, Large, 
Keystone, and Centre Streets.  Lydia, his wife, daughter of Daniel 
Miller, was born in that part of Brother's Valley which is now Summit.  
She became the mother of seven children, namely: Cyrus, who is no 
longer living; Nelson, who died from the effects of exposure in the 
Civil War; Joseph, who resides in Philadelphia; William H., M.D., the 
subject of this sketch; Dennis (now deceased), who practiced law in 
Somerset; Barbara E. and Ida E., both of whom reside at the homestead.
  William H. Meyers acquired his early education in the public schools 
and at the State Normal School in Millersville.  When eighteen years 
old he took up the study of medicine with Dr. U. M. Beachley, a 
kinsman, and after graduating from the Philadelphia University in 1861, 
he pursued the regular course at the Jefferson Medical College.  
Entering into partnership with Dr. Beachley, he was associated with him 
five years, since which time he has practiced alone with excellent 
professional and financial results.  For twenty-five years he was 
surgeon for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Employees' Relief 
Association, is a member of the Association of Railway Surgeons, of the 
Somerset County Medical Society, the New York Medico-Legal Association, 
and various other organizations.
  On January 14, 1862, Dr. Meyers was united in marriage with Maggie A. 
Large, daughter of Charles P. and Jane (Case) Large, of Buckingham, 
Bucks County, Pa.  Her father belonged to a highly reputable Quaker 
family, and the Case family were Presbyterians.  Charles P. and Jane 
Large were the parents of two children - Maggie A. and John Simpson 
Large, they being relatives of General Grant.  Dr. and Mrs. Meyers have 
six children living; namely, Charles P., Robert, William H., Jr., Lydia 
F., Gertrude W., and John.  Charles P., who is an engineer on the 
Baltimore & Ohio Railway, residing in Meyersdale, married Anna Berkley, 
and has four children - Florence J., Esther J., Kate J., and Berkley.  
Robert, who resides at Fairport Harbor, Lake County Ohio, married Annie 
Rook, and has one daughter, Margaret.  Lydia F. married S. G. Walker, 
and resides in Thurmond, W. Va.  The others are living at home.
  Politically, Dr. Meyers is a Republican.  Though he takes a lively 
interest in public affairs, he has never desired to hold office.  He is 
widely known both socially and professionally, and is a charter member 
of Meyersdale Lodge, F. & A. M.  He attends the Episcopal church.