William Ralph MYERS, Congress, IN (1836-1907)

MYERS, William Ralph, a Representative from Indiana; born near Wilmington, Clinton County, Ohio, June 12, 1836; moved with his parents to Anderson, Madison County, Ind., in October 1836; attended the common schools and later taught; surveyor of Madison County 1858-1860; during the Civil War enlisted as a private in Company G, Forty-seventh Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry; was promoted to orderly sergeant, second lieutenant, first lieutenant, and captain, and served four years and three months; after returning from the Army taught school; superintendent of the public schools of Anderson, Ind., in 1868 and 1869; member of the school board of Anderson 1871-1879; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1871 and commenced practice in Anderson; elected as a Democrat to the Forty-sixth Congress (March 4, 1879-March 3, 1881); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1880 to the Forty-seventh Congress; secretary of State of Indiana 1882-1886; purchased the Anderson Democrat in 1886 and was its editor; unsuccessful Democratic candidate for Governor; again secretary of state 1892-1894; resumed the practice of law; died in Anderson, Ind., April 18, 1907; interment in East Maplewood Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present