J. W. (Jacob Whistler) Byers

Born in Albany, Illinois, on March 26, 1859, Jacob Whistler Byers grew up in a religious family; his father was both a farmer and a minister among the River Brethren. According to biographical sources, he received a basic rural education and then taught himself enough to become a teacher, a pattern of steady self-education that shaped his later writing.

Byers was converted in his youth, later embraced the holiness movement, and became associated with the Church of God reformation movement connected with D. S. Warner. He and his wife, Jennie, were active in ministry, and accounts of his life link him with evangelistic work, hymn writing, and a healing home in Oakland, California. He is also remembered as the author of gospel songs and devotional works that aimed to make Christian doctrine practical and direct.

His books include Sanctification and The Grace of Healing, and Project Gutenberg lists multiple works under his name. He died on October 16, 1944, in Los Angeles County, California. A small portrait appears on Hymnary, but I couldn't confirm a fetchable full-size image suitable for use here, so no profile image is included.