Meier, John H. 18?6 - 1921

MEIER, SPLIES, FOOTE, WIRKLER, VOLLMAR, OVERBECK

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 8/1/2012 at 05:47:40

Postville Herald, Postville, Iowa, Thursday, March 31, 1921.
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John H. Meier was born near the old village of National, in Clayton county, May 9, 18?6, and died at Postville, Iowa, on the morning of March 24, 1921. Suddenly and without suffering he passed away. He had been in poor health for some years previous and during the later weeks he failed quite rapidly.

From birth to early manhood he lived on the family homestead near National, sharing the common duties with his three brothers and parents in the operation of the farm, and gaining such schooling as the community afforded. In 1875 he was united in marriage with Louisa Splies. For two years with his brother William, they worked the home farm. Thereafter he moved to the farm he bought about five miles north of Postville. Here with his growing family he lived and labored for about fifteen years, sharing the common joys and hardships of the average farmer; here the children, except the youngest, were reared, and here came to the family the sunshine and shadow of birth and death. And it was here in 1881 that the buildings and a great part of the personal property were swept away by a cyclone, making it necessary to begin anew at a time when the beginning was hard. But he struggled cheerfully on with that same optimisim that was his through life until the farm was paid for and fair competence gained for him and his.

It was while living on the farm that John Meier was elected a member of the board of supervisors of Allamakee county. He was re-elected for a second term, and for two terms served his county faithfully and honorably. After the expiration of his second term of office he moved to Postville. With his brother A. L. he went into the boot and shoe business, and for eighteen years or more he was engaged in the shoe and clothing business, part of the time as a member of the firm of Meier Brothers, and later carrying on the business in his own name.

Again with his brother A. L. he was engaged for a time in the poultry business until failing health made it neccesary for him to retire from business entirely.

Genial and upright always, with a high regard for his duties as a citizen, he enjoyed the confidence and esteem of his fellow townsmen. He served as councilman and mayor and as a member of the board of education.

He held to one high clear conviction always, and that was whether in private life or public, or in marital relationship, a man owes to himself and his fellows an unshakable stand for truth and square dealings. This was a part of his heritage, and this heritage, by words and deeds he strove to pass on to those who had a claim to his councelorship. And those who knew him best and loved him most will remember him longest for his kindly, generous disposition and rugged honesty.

Before his health failed he always took an active part in public affairs, and up to his death kept in touch with the questions of the day. He maintained that this was the plain duty of every citizen. It was his wish that his children might have a better education than he received, and better opportunities than he could claim, and he lived to see his wishes in part fulfilled.

Sensible and reasonable at all times, he accepted his growing illness with a philosophical mind and remained cheerful and bouyant to the end, never conplaining although he knew his tenancy on earth was brief. That premonition that sometimes comes to those who are mortally stricken seemed to come to him when in the last moments he asked to be taken home. Could he have spoken his wishes he might have repeated these lines;

"Twilight and evening bell, and after that the dark. May there be no sadness of fairwell when I embark."

There were five children in the family, four sons and a daughter. Two sons preceded him in death - Jacob, who died in 1892, and Arthur C,, who passed away in 1920. The wife, Louisa, and three children, Mrs. Alma Foote of Iowa city, Delbert W. of Monona, and Milo S. of Minneapolis survive him.

The funeral was held from St. Paul's Lutheran church on Easter Sunday afternoon, Rev. E. Schmidt conducting the service in english, and the large concourse of sorrowing friends who assembled to pay a last tribute of respect to his memory was a fitting reminder of the large and respected place John H. Meier held in the hearts of a people among whom he had lived for so many years. Interment in Postville cemetery.

The following out of town relatives were present at the funeral - Will Splies and Mrs. Carrie Wirkler, Garnavillo; Mr. and Mrs. D. W. Meier and daughters Esther and Martha, John Splies, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Splies, Mr. and Mrs. O. F. Meier, Monona; Miss Leona Meier, Milford; Mrs. Ina Vollmar and son, Lost Nation; Mrs. A. C. Meier and son, Aurelia; Mrs. Alma Foote, Iowa City; Milo S. Meier, Minneapolis; Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Overbeck, Luana.

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Submitter is not related.

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