"William James Dyer (deceased) was born in York City, June 8, 1862, son of Jesse C. and Louise (Young) Dyer. Jesse C. Dyer died at his home on West King Street, York from disease contracted in military service, having been a member of Company H 200th PVI. His funeral was a military one, as he had been a faithful and loyal soldier. His widow survived until Jan 24, 1890, both now resting in the Prospect Hill Cemetery. They had these children; George W. born July 16, 1853, died June 6 1880; John, born Jan 7, 1856, resides in Baltimore; Annie M. born April 14, 1860, was the wife of Dr. Samuel Wiltbank, and died October 13, 1889; William James; and Mary L, born July 15, 1864, died June 6, 1868.
William James Dyer was educated in the common schools of York and in the Soldiers' Orphans' School at White Hall, Cumberland county, where he remained until the age of sixteen years. He then learned the bakery business, in which he was engaged for a number of years, and then removed to Hoboken, N. J. For two years he served as a clerk there, but returned to York, and in 1890 established a grocery on the corner of Penn Street and College Avenue. Here by strict attention to business and upright and honorable dealing, he built up a large trade, and had a longer life been granted him, would doubtless have become one of the substantial men of the city. His death occurred Sept 23, 1898, and his burial was in Prospect Hill Cemetery. In every way he was a good and worthy man, and for years he was active in the M E Church, of which his father and his family are also members. Here Mr Dyer was particularly missed, as he had been superintendent of the Sunday School and was beloved by all who knew and appreciated his services.
On May 22, 1881, Mr Dyer was married to Isabella A, daughter of Michael and Caroline (Golden) Spangler. The children were: Mabel A, born March 17, 1882, who is a very fine musician and a popular teacher of music in York; Wilson E, born March 9, 1884, who died July 4, 1887, aged three years, three months and twenty-five days; Edna May, born Sept 25, 1888, now at home with her mother; Pauline A. born 1895, a school girl. Mrs Dyer continus the operation of her late husband's store at the same location, being a woman possessed of excellent business judgement..
Mr. Dyer was a member of the I O O F, the Knights of the Mystic Chain and of the Sons of Veterans, of the last named having been captain and judge advocate. He was a kind, good, just man; one who will long be remembered by a devoted family and many warm friends."
