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biography from Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
CLARK G. BYRAM, Recorder of Deeds of Mahaska County, Iowa, is a native of Butler County, Ohio, and a son of David G. Byram, a native of Darke County, Ohio, who emigrated to Illinois in 1859. Prior to his removal from Ohio, David was married to Miss Eliza Law, a native of that State. He was a wagon-maker by trade, but when he came to Illinois he abandoned that business and engaged in farming, settling in Macoupin County. In early life he was a Whig, and voted with that party until 1856, when he supported James Buchanan. In 1860 he supported Abraham Lincoln for President, and affiliated with the Republican party from that time until his death, which occurred Sept. 28, 1882. In 1880 David Byram and his six sons went to the polls and cast their votes for James A. Garfield for President. He was a zealous Christian, and a consistent member of the old-school Baptist Church for more than forty years, holding during that time many of its important official positions. His wife was also a member of that church. To David Byram and wife were born nine children, all of whom are living: Milton W. is a druggist, at Fremont, this county; Ezra P. is a carpenter, at Redwood Falls, Minn.; C. G. Byram, our subject; Francis N. is a minister at Fremont; Amy is the wife of S. H. Heinzman, a carpenter at the same place; Maria B. is the wife of M. B. McEwen, a farmer of Mahaska County; James L. is a carpenter at Walnut Grove, Minn.; John C. is engaged in teaching at Fredonia, Iowa; Kate A. is the wife of A. K. Reese, of Ottumnwa, this State. Francis N. was a soldier in the late Rebellion, enlisting in the 122d Illinois Infantry, and participated in many severe engagements. Ezra P. enlisted in the 14th Illinois Infantry and served until the close of the war, participating with his regiment in many of the leading and important battles of the Rebellion. Mrs. Eliza Byram died Aug. 12, 1876, after a long and well-spent life. Of the family of nine children six have been school teachers. The subject of this sketch, Clark G,, was educated in the common schools of Macoupin County, Ill. When twenty-one years of age he began teaching, following that profession more or less for twenty- one years. He was married April 28, 1869, in Oskaloosa, to Miss Sarah Smith, a native of Mahaska County, born Nov. 20, 1849, and a daughter of William and Margaret (Baird) Smith. By this union there were three children, one living, Frank W. In 1884 Mr. flyramn was elected by the Republicans, Recorder of Deeds for this county, and having fulfilled its duties with credit to himself and friends, was honored with a re-nomination to the same position in 1886 by the unanimous vote of the Republican County Convention. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy