The family of Thomas Jefferson Dyer moved to the great southwest in 1869. By
   April, 1970, they settled in Cherokee Outlet, now Osage County, Oklahoma. Federal
   troops drove them from these lands, and they took up land in what is now Chautauqua
   County, Kansas.
      T.J. Dyer was born 8-20-1857 in Des Moines, Iowa. He became a cowboy and worked
   for Bridge and Wilson, on Sandy Creek near where Enid is now. Later he worked for
   Gregory, Eldred, and Co. and came to Barber County, Kansas in 1881. He met his lifes
   partner - Nina Canema Cummins.
      Nina Canema was the daughter of O. Scott Cummins and Mary M. Martin Cummins. Her
   grandparents were pioneer missionaries to the Musquaquie Indians in Iowa. Her father
   known as the Pilgrim Bard, in 1870 was a founder of Wellington, KS. He returned to
   Iowa, but again moved to Kansas, settling in Barber County on Mule Creek about 18
   miles southwest of Medicine Lodge. He joined the "Ancient Order of Bone Pilgrims and
   Cedar Haulers." He hauled loads of these to Wichita and Hutchinson. The bones were
   those of thousands of buffalo slaughtered for their hides and left to waste on the
   prairie.
      When Dyer met the Cummins family, they were operating a store, lodging, and provided
   a square meal at a place called Last Chance (Canema). He stopped often on trips to
   Harper for corn and provisions for Gregory=Eldred Company, and fell in love with Nina
   Canema.
      The Dyers were married at ranch headquarters by O.F. Throckmorton, Justice of the
   Peace. A large crowd was there, and after the ceremony, dancing was in order. Cowboys
   and nestor vied for the best time. At midnight a bountiful supper was served.
      In April, 1885, Dyers left the company, took up an 80A. tract of land near Canema,
   and made their home. He made the race in the opening of Cherokee Outlet and homesteaded
   10 mile north of Alva, Oklahoma.
      T.J. was elected county treasurer on the Democratic party. March, 1908, and moved
   to Alva. He served 6 years as Woods County treasurer. He was a writer of history -
   "The First White Settlement in Oklahoma" and "The History of Old Kiowa". Among short
   stories are "Childhood, Youth and Old Age", "Cowboy Life," "Elm Springs," and early
   day trail history, poems and tributes.
      Nina Canema pieced and quilted quilts, knitted and hooked rugs in her spare time.
   Mr. Dyer died 9-1941. Mrs. Dyer and daughter Lillian, continued to live in the home.
   Lillian taught in Alva schools 28 years; later she was principal of Alva High School 
   in the 1930's. She died 12-17-1945.
      Thomas Layfette, a son, was a lawyer for Phillips Petroleum Co. He died 7-1958. His
   wife, Alice Welch, died in 1960. Their children were Wilson Leland (deceased), Suzanne
   (Ramsey) and Kenneth Allen.
      Ethel Byrdie married Herschl Gish. They had 5 children: Robert, Dorothy (Blaker),
   Mable Alice (pool). Thomas Joseph, and Greta Gay (Wheeler).
      Shara Mable married John Nelson Cameron. They lived in Waynoka and Alva, where he 
   was physics professor at NWSC 1925-1961. They had one child, Joy Ann, now Mrs. Sheldon
   Sherman of Capron, Oklahoma. Mable died 8, 1967.
      Lulie, a daughter by a previous marriage, married A.V. Martin. They had 10 children.
   Her mother had died when Lulie was 2. Lulie died 5-14-1961.
      Nina Dyer lived in her home until 1-1953. She then lived with Mable and John 
   Cameron untilher death 1-28-1958.
               
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 163