Charles H. Meier

Charles H. Meier has, ever since old enough, been prominently connected with agricultural pursuits and now owns five hundred and fifty-five acres near Postville, which he mostly rents out, although he still retains eighty acres for himself, devoted to hay and pasture. Ever progressive and enterprising, he has become one of the most substantial men of his section and is also largely connected with other enterprises, especially along financial lines. A son of H. William and Minnie (Koster) Meier, he was born in Garnavillo township, Clayton county, Iowa, on February 12, 1862. The father was born in Prussia, March 20, 1836, and the mother in Hanover, Germany, in 1844. She passed away in 1901 at the age of about fifty-seven years. At the age of sixteen the father crossed the ocean to America. During his active life he followed agricultural pursuits, working in the employ of others around Postville for a time, but later he removed to Minnesota and subsequently, having by thrift and industry, acquired the means, bought a farm in Clayton county, Iowa, where he has since resided, now living retired. Charles H. Meier is the oldest of his seven children, there being twenty-six years between his birth and that of the youngest child in the family and there also is a difference of twenty-six years between his and his father’s age.

In the acquirement of his education Charles H. Meier attended school in Garnavillo township, Clayton county. He early assisted his father with the work of the farm and learned methods and details under his able guidance. He worked on the home farm until twenty-two years of age, when he rented his father's land for one year and then bought a farm belonging to him in Post township, Allamakee county. On that farm Charles H. Meier remained until 1903, when he bought eighty acres one and a half miles from Postville and removed to that place. That success has attended his labors is evident from the fact that he now owns five hundred and fifty-five acres of highly improved land in Post township. He operates eighty acres himself, while he rents out the rest of his holdings, receiving a gratifying income from this source. He has extended his interests to other lines and is a stockholder in various banks in Postville and other places as well as a director in the creamery and the Farmers Cooperative Store.

On September 16, 1884, Mr. Meier was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Splies, a native of Garnavillo township, Clayton county, where she attended the same school as her husband. She is a daughter of Jacob and Christina (Brooker) Splies, the father a native of Switzerland and the mother of Ohio. Mr. Splies, who was a farmer by occupation, located in Garnavillo township, Clayton county, where both he and his wife passed away. In their family were six children, of whom Mr. Meier is the fifth in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Meier have three children: Vina Hermina, born October 23, 1886, at home; Lester, born July 1, 1890, who died December 17, 1906; and Orma, born June 28, 1892, who resides with her parents and teaches in the district schools of Post township.

It is but natural that a man of the energy and activity of Mr. Meier should take part in the public affairs of his district and he has served efficiently as trustee of Post township and also in the capacity of road superintendent. He gives his allegiance to the republican party, ever upholding its principles and supporting its candidates at the polls. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church, in which he holds membership at Postville. A successful man in every sense of the word, Mr. Meier has not only attained prosperity, but has made many friends in his locality by reason of his high qualities of mind and character, which gain for him the respect and confidence of all who know him.

-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Jan Miller

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