He was born at March 2, 1842 at Herkimer, New York, to Abram H. and Eliza Ann (Cristman) Myers.

At various times in his life, he was employed as carpenter, mechanician, plumber, electrician and chemist, banker, and photographer.

He became known as the inventor of new or improved systems for generating gases, and as the constructor of hydrogen balloons and airships, including the aerial velocipede, gas kite, sky-cycle and electrical aerial torpedo.

[1] He and his wife had one child, a daughter born in 1881 called Elizabeth Aerial Myers.

[3] He wrote articles for many publications, including his self-published Balloon Bulletin.