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This rural dwelling was constructed on the northwest quarter of Markham Township Lot 23, Concession 8. The west 100 acres of Lot 23 were purchased by Jonas Byer, formerly of York County Pennsylvania, in 1811. A family cemetery was established on the farm, next to the mill pond, in 1822. The Byer family homestead was Lot 22, Concession 8, the lot next door to the south. In 1836, Jonas Byer sold the property on Lot 23 to his son, David. The core of the existing frame house at the front of 10451 Highway 48 was constructed at that time. In 1820, David Byer and his wife Anna Doner Byer had twin sons, David and John. The family operated a sawmill in addition to their main activity of farming. John Byer and his wife Margaret Cober Byer lived in this house, while his twin brother David and his wife Esther Ramer Byer lived in the older Byer family homestead on Lot 22, Concession 8. John Byer became a minister of the Tunkard Church, which he served from 1872 to 1892. One of his sons, Jesse L. Byer, went into bee-keeping and honey production on a commercial scale. Since the 1836 time of construction, the John and Margaret Byer House has undergone changes that include a steeper roof and modifications to the front wall, changing it from its earlier appearance that likely included a lower wall height and flatter roof slope.
In 1997, the Chancey Crosby House was relocated to this property as a second dwelling, to the east of the original house.
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