Myres, S. D. (Samuel Dale), 1871-1953

Saddlemaker. Born November 22, 1871, in Johnson County, Texas, to David Rittenhouse Myres and Mary Jane Dale Myres. Bought a saddle shop Sweetwater, Texas, in 1898, which became famous throughout the west for superior craftsmanship. Served as mayor of Sweetwater, Texas, (1908-1911), president of Sweetwater Commercial Club and school board member (1914-1915). Moved his company to El Paso, Texas, in 1920. Known as "Tio Sam," Myres met virtually all of the western personalities during his career in El Paso. He was married twice, first to Drusa Rogers, with whom he had three children: S. D., Jr.; William James; and Melrose; and to Eva Forkner. A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Myres died in 1953 in El Paso, Texas.

Born on November 22, 1871 in Johnson County, Texas, Samuel Dale Myres was the son of David Rittenhouse and Mary Jane Dale Myres. The oldest of six children, Myres opened the S. D. Myres Saddle Company in Sweetwater, Texas, in 1898. He was involved in many civic organizations including serving as president of the Sweetwater Commercial Club, serving on the local school board from 1914-1915, and being the mayor of Sweetwater from 1908-1911. In 1920, Myres moved his company to El Paso, Texas. The company became famous for its superior craftsmanship and Myres mingled with many famous western actors and personalities of his day. Myres's marriage to Drusa Rogers produced three children- S. D. (Samuel Dale) Jr., William James, and Melrose, and his second marriage to Eva Forkner resulted in no offspring. In 1953, Myres passed away and was buried in El Paso.

The Handbook of Texas has published a more in-depth online biography of Samuel Dale Myres at http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/search.html