Herman H. Meyer

MEYER, SPELLMAN, SCHNIEDER, SAEFKIN

Posted By: volunteer transcriber
Date: 3/19/2004 at 22:41:10

Herman Henry Meyer is one of the leading farmers of Centerville precinct and with the aid of his sons cultivates five hundred acres of fine land. He also has a number of business interests, being a stockholder in the Bank of Roca, in the Farmers Elevator Company of Roca and in the Martel Telephone Company. His birth occurred near Syrus [sic - Ceres], Clayton county, Iowa, on the 10th of July 1859, a son of John H. and Eliza (Spellman) Meyer. They came to this country from Germany and were married in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1835 they removed to Clayton county, Iowa, being among the pioneers of that region. In 1869 they came to Lancaster county, Nebraska, and settled in Saltillo precinct. Here the mother died in 1885, and the father passed away two years later, both being laid to rest in St. Paul's Lutheran churchyard at Centerville.

Herman Henry Meyer was reared in Clayton county, Iowa, and Lancaster county, Nebraska, and received his education in the public schools. When still a boy he began farming for his father in Saltillo precinct and was so engaged until he was twenty-four years old. He was then married and subsequently took up his residence on one hundred and sixty acres of raw land on section 13, Centerville precinct, which belonged to his father. Mr. Meyer of this review removed a frame house, fourteen by eighteen feet, from Roca to his new farm and at once began breaking the virgin prairie sod. He has since lived upon that place which is now one of the most highly developed farms of Centerville precinct.

As the years passed he remodeled his residence several times, and in 1909 he built a fine two-story house and the barns and outbuildings are also modern and substantial. He has prospered financially and has invested his capital in additional land, now owning five hundred acres in Centerville township, which he cultivates with the help of his sons. He harvests good crops of grain but does not confine his attention to that phase of farming as he also feeds large numbers of cattle and hogs for the market. He aided in organizing the Bank of Roca and the Farmers Elevator Company of Roca, in both of which he is heavily interested; and he was formerly a director of the Martel Telephone Company.

Mr. Meyer was married on the 6th of December 1883, in Saltillo precinct, to Miss Sophie Schnieder, who was born in Zetel in the grand duchy of Oldenburg, Germany, on the 26th of February, 1853, but when six years of age came to America with her parents, Diedrich Johan and Catherine (Saefkin) Schnieder , both natives of Germany, where the father engaged in farming. After reaching America they first located in Clayton county, Iowa, but in 1869 came to Lancaster county, Nebraska, and homesteaded on section 30, Buda township.

The father began the cultivation of that place, but was not privileged to enjoy his new home long, as he died soon after coming to Lancaster county. The homestead is still in the possession of the family and is operated by a son. Mrs. Schnieder passed away in 1898 and is buried at Hallam, while her husband is buried in the Stockfeld churchyard. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer have become the parents of eight children, namely: John Herman, who was born on the 18th of January 1885, and is farming in South Dakota; Louis Reinhard, who was born on the 21st of April 1887, and is farming near Plymouth, Nebraska; Harry William, who was born on the 23rd of September 1888, and is an agriculturist of Centerville precinct, Lancaster county; Edwin Frederick, who was born on the 29th of May, 1890, and is farming with his father; Elmer August, who was born on the 29th of March 1892, and is also assisting his father; Herman Henry, whose birth occurred on the 9th of December, 1893, and is assisting in the operation of the home place; Amos Jacob, who was born on the 28th of May 1895, and is farming with his father; and Helen Sophia, who was born on the 16th of July 1905.

Mr. Meyer endorses the principles of the democratic party but votes an independent ticket when he thinks that he can best further the public welfare by so doing. The principles which govern his life are indicated in the fact that he is a member of the German Lutheran church, and his genuine worth is widely acknowledged. He is not only a factor in the agricultural development of his county but is also well known in business circles and can be depended upon to support all movements seeking to promote the interests of the community.

- source: "LINCOLN The Capitol City and Lancaster County, Nebraska" Published Chicago, Illinois; The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company; 1916

- transcribed by Kathie Harrison
Coordinator, Lancaster Co. NEGenWeb Project
posted to the Clayton co. IAGenWeb with her permission