John Flannery Byars married Pelixnia Ann Alvis, daughter of Carrol and Lucinda (Simmons) Alvis. The Alvis family were charter members of Panther Fork Church. Their children were

1. William Elmer (1873-1941) married Mamie Hawkins,
2. Oscar (1876-1961) married Tina Howard,
3. Charles E. (1878-1878).

John Flannery's wife, Pelixnia died in 1880 and he married Rose Brown. To this union was born

1. Perry Clark (1881-1971) who married Artie Soger,
2. James Burl (1883-1915),
3. Alice Webster (1884-1976) who married W. L. Wimberly,
4. Leroy Frank (1886-1888),
5. Inez Byars (1891-1973) single,
6. A. Clyde Byars (1894-1966), and
7. Ora Susie (1894-1959) married W. F. Blankenship.

• William Elmer married Mamie Hawkins, daughter of John and Nancy Hawkins and settled in Field Township north of Divide, Illinois. They were members of the Panther Fork Church. To this union was born
  1. Belle,
  2. Icel,
  3. Edith,
  4. Vernie,
  5. John F.,
  6. Elza,
  7. Wallace,
  8. Charles, and
  9. Dalmer.

  The family moved to Howell County, Missouri where the last three children were born.

  • William Elmer and wife, Mamie, moved back to Illinois in 1917.
  • Belle married J. L. Bandy in Missouri and returned to Illinois in 1942.
  • Icel married J. A. Bandy and lived in northern Illinois before returning to Marion County in 1924.
  • Edith married P. H. Robinson and lived in Ohio returning to Illinois in 1966.
  • John married Opal Lowry of Iuka and moved to the Joel Simmons farm in Field Township in 1931. John and Opal joined Panther Fork church where John served many years as. a Sunday School teacher and also Deacon.
  • Elza married Edith Burge, who also served as a Sunday school teacher and Deacon at the Panther Fork church. Elza died in 1977. They are both buried in Panther Fork cemetery.
  • Wallace married Fay McMeans, foster daughter of George and Emma Hawkins of Field Township. They lived in Haines Township and also were members of Panther Fork church. Fay died in 1976 and is also buried in Panther Fork cemetery. They had a son, Bill, who is now deceased. His wife, Delores, was left to raise two sons, Jeff and Greg.
  • Dalmer married Ruth Frost, daughter of the late Frank and Lucy (Simmons) Frost, and settled on the Charles Ratliff farm in Section 35 of Field Township. They are both members of Panther Fork Church. Dalmer served as song leader and Sunday School teacher for twenty five years. Dalmer has many cousins and among them are: Henry Byards of Marlow, Betty Austin of Field Township, Edgar and Donald Byars, Austin and Vernon Bandy of Haines Township, Doris Riley of Salem, Lois Garlinghouse, Phyllis Smith, Alma Bishop of Mt. Vernon, Shirley Wilson and Viola Beal of Dix, Dean Robinson of California, Eunice Robinson of Missouri. Two cousins died in World War Two: Willis Bandy, son of Belle, in Italy and Ivan Bandy, son of Icel, in the South Pacific.

  *NOTE* Some ommisions may have occured to protect living individuals.

  "Facts and Folks A History of Jefferson County, Illinois"
  Jefferson County Historical Society
  Printed by Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, TX Page 107
  Submitted by Sandy Whalen Bauer