Meyer, Louis H.

MOELLER, KEHE, ROHRSSEN, TAHLMAN, DIEKMANN

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 1/12/2010 at 19:56:46

For the past three years Louis H. Meyer has had charge of the elevator at Readlyn and he is also a well known stock dealer of that town. He is a native son of Bremer county, born in Maxfield township, December 17, 1876, his parents being H.O. and Sophia (Moeller) Meyer, natives of Germany, the former born January 23, 1840, and the latter March 8, 1843. The father came to Bremer county in 1866 and was one of the earliest settlers in this part of the state. He can still remember the hardships endured by the pioneers at a time when there was practically no money in the community and when labor was extremely scarce. The trading points were a great distance apart and all the necessities of life were secured by barter. The price paid for produce was very low, a large load of wheat often selling for ten dollars. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer raised their family amid these pioneer conditions and worked together for the accomplishment of success, attaining finally a comfortable fortune. The father has now retired from active life and is living in his modern residence in Readlyn. In this family were five children: Harman H., who was born November 8, 1871, and who now resides in Maxfield township; F.H., born November 16, 1873, also a resident of Readlyn; Louis H., of this review; Mrs. Wilhelmina Kehe, who was born November 5, 1870, and who makes her home in Readlyn; and Anna, who was born April 24, 1884, and who resides at home.

Louis H. Meyer grew to manhood in Maxfield township, acquiring his education in the district schools. When he began his independent career he turned his attention to farming and continued to engage in this occupation until 1905. He then moved to Readlyn and engaged in the stock-buying business, with which he is still successfully connected. He buys all kinds of livestock and does an extensive business, shipping many carloads annually from Readlyn. For the past three years he has had charge of the elevator at this point in the interests of an Omaha firm and he has proven capable and trustworthy in this position. He owns two farms in Bremer county, one of one hundred and twenty acres on section 25, Maxfield township, and another of eighty acres on section 9, Franklin township. He has also a modern home in Readlyn and five vacant lots in the town. On the 25th of May, 1899, Mr. Meyer married Miss Mary Rohrssen, who was born in Maxfield township, August 14, 1876, a daughter of Henry and Carolina (Tahlman) Rohrssen, natives of Germany, the former born September 27, 1839, and the latter June 10th of the same year. They were among the early settlers in Maxfield townshiop and the father died here in November, 1905. His wife survives him and makes her home with a son in Tripoli. The father was twice married and had two children by his first union, namely: Henry, a resident of Blackhawk county; and Mrs. Carolina Diekmann, residing in Denver, Iowa. To his second union were born the following children: William, who was born March 30, 1872, and died at Readlyn, November 2, 1909; Louis, who was born June 4, 1874, and who now makes his home in Tripoli; Mrs. Meyer, wife of the subject of this revies; and C.H., born November 2, 1878, a resident of Maxfield township. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer became the parent of three children: Otto, who was born May 15, 1890, and who has passed away; Elizabeth, born July 18, 1891, also deceased; and Paul L., who was born December 4, 1902, and who is attending school in Readlyn.

Mr. Meyer is a member of St. Matthew's German Lutheran church of Maxfield township and he gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He has served as marshal of Readlyn and for the past fourteen years has been constable of Maxfield township. He is a broad-minded, well informed and liberal man and his interests, extending to many fields, have made him valuable as a factor in general advancement.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914