William R. Myers

William Ralph Myers (June 12, 1836 - April 18, 1907) was a U.S. Representative from Indiana.

Early life

Born near Wilmington, Ohio, Myers moved with his parents to Anderson, Indiana in October 1836.He attended the common schools and later taught. He was surveyor of Madison County 1858-1860.

Military career

During the Civil War, he enlisted as a private in Company G, Forty-seventh Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was promoted to orderly sergeant, second lieutenant, first lieutenant, and captain, and served four years and three months.

Teaching and legal career

After returning from the Army, Myers taught school. He became Superintendent of the public schools of Anderson, Indiana in 1868 and 1869, and served as member of the school board of Anderson 1871-1879. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1871, and commenced practice in Anderson.

Political career

Myers was elected as a Democrat to the Forty-sixth Congress (March 4, 1879-March 3, 1881). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1880 to the Forty-seventh Congress.

Myers served as Secretary of State of Indiana from 1882 to 1886. Afterwards, he purchased the newspaper "The Anderson Democrat" in 1886 and worked as its editor. He was an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for Governor of Indiana, but again became Secretary of State 1892-1894. He resumed the practice of law thereafter.

Myers died in Anderson, Indiana, April 18, 1907. He was interred in East Maplewood Cemetery.

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