William D. Lyon was the youngest member of his parents' family. He obtained his education in Clark County, first attending the log schoolhouse of his district, and after that the frame building. Agriculture he learned on his parents' farm, where he grew to manhood, helping his father to clear the land. In time, he took over forty acres of the homestead and added 120 more to it to make a good farm. He built a frame house, also a good basement barn, 36 by 100 feet, a silo of 125 tons capacity, together with a machine-shed and other necessary buildings, this work occupying him for a number of years. , On his farm he raised Holstein cattle and a good grade of horses, besides the usual crops, and became one of the successful and prosperous men of his township. Besides looking after his farm, he helped to organize the North Star Cheese Factory of Loyal Township, and owns shares in it, as well as in the creamery and elevator, also being a stockholder in the Citizens State Bank of Loyal. Mr. Lyon removed to the village of Loyal October, 1915, and is, now practically retired, but still retains the ownership of his farm.

He was married, April 25, 1887, to Lillie Shauer, of Sheboygan County, Wis., whose parents years ago located in Loyal Township. He and his wife are the parents of four children: Clair Sylvester, born July 11, 1888, now a farmer of Beaver Township; Echo D., born Oct. 4, 1891, and Rollie G., born Jan. 23, 1893, who are residing at home, and Lafayette D., born July 2, 1897, who is a student at the Wisconsin Business College, at La Crosse.