John W. Sawyer is a native of Daviess county. His parents migrated from Tennessee to this county in 1847. John W. was born December 9, 1851, near Gallatin, and passed his early years with his parents on the farm. At the age of twenty-two he commenced farming for himself, but still made his home with his parents. In 1876 he purchased land in the northern part of Monroe township, where he remained three years, and then moved to the farm he now occupies, which is finely cultivated and well situated for farming.
Mr. Sawyer was married, March 12, 1876, to Miss Mary A. Foley, daughter of James W. and Mary Green Foley. Her father was a native of New York, and her mother of Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer have one child: Minnie B., born in Daviess county, January 13, 1877.