MEYER, George Wilhelm Theodore 1838-1909

MEYER

Posted By: Kathy Gerkins (email)
Date: 9/11/2013 at 17:39:41

Meyer, George Wilhelm Theodore

GEO. W. T. MEYER DIES EARLY THIS MORNING
COMMUNITY MOURNS LOSS OF ESTIMABLE CITIZEN.
LIVES HERE MANY YEARS
ENGAGED IN MERCHANT TAILORING AS LIFE WORK

The Father of Many Children Called to the Land Where No Cares Abound.

Died, at his home, 601 N. Jackson Street, Charles City October 15, 1909, George Wilhelm Theodore Meyer, aged 71 years, 9 months and 9 days. Deceased was born in the village of Sumte, in the then kingdom of Prussia, Germany, on the 6th day of January, 1838, and was the oldest son of a family of five daughters and two sons.

After receiving a practical business education in his native town he went to Neuchans where he was apprenticed to the tailors' trade. When 20 years of age, having become proficient in his trade, he went to Hamburg, and two years later emigrated to the United States, accompanied by his sister, Mrs. John Pertzborm. He located in Madison, Wis.; where he obtained employment at his trade. He was married there on April 7th, 1862, to Marie Schneider, who was born in Switzerland, and was a daughter of John J. and Maria Schneider.

Mr. Meyer resided in Madison until 1867 when he removed to Boscobel, Wis., remaining there until 1868, and then came to Charles City, and established himself in business meeting with deserved success, the clothing store now conducted by his son, George Meyer, being the outgrowth of the business established over forty years ago. Mr. Meyer became known throughout the county as a man of irreproachable business integrity.

Father of Nine Children.

There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Meyer 13 children, 11 of whom survive their father, namely: William, living in this city; Paulina now Mrs. William Coffin, residing in this city; George C., also a resident of Charles City; Amelia, now Mrs. Benjamin Mantz, Madison, Wis., Wilhelmina, Mrs. Harvey Hoff, Chicago; Louisa, Mrs. Al Wheeler, Ft. Dodge; Matilda, Mrs. James Bailey, Los Angeles, Calif.; Henrietta, Mrs. John Petry, of Charles City; Edora, Mrs. Fred Spear, of this city; Herman of Yellow Grass, Canada, and Frank, also a resident of this city.

Two daughters, Cora, who died in Denver, Colorado, August 6, 1890, aged ten years and six months; and Mary who died in this city March 11, 1904 at the age of 29 years, preceded their father to the spirit world.

A Pioneer Business Man

Deceased was one of the oldest and best known business men of our city, having been continuously engaged in the clothing and merchant tailoring business for a period of over forty years except a brief interval spent in Denver, Colo. A man of indominable energy, possessed of a thorough knowledge of his trade and all that pertained thereto, he built up among the people of this county a reputation for absolute integrity and square dealing that made his name a synonym for honesty. with his fairness was coupled the German determination that invariably wins success in all the avocations of life.

Had Retired From Business

With the death of William Meyer one of the links that bound the younger generation of the city to the past is severed although the past few years of his life have been spent in retirement from the cares and worries incident to business. He lived and wrought when Charles City was in its infancy, a mere village, and lived long enough to see it grow to a city of goodly proportions and many activities.

Besides the children named, deceased leaves an aged wife to mourn the loss of a kind husband, a thoughtful companion and a loving help-meet. In the loss thus sustained she will have the comforting assurance that the sympathy of the entire community is with her.

Deceased was for many years a consistent member of the German Lutheran Church, and the funeral services will be conducted at his late residence, 601 North Jackson Street, Sunday at 2:00 p.m. by Rev. Caselmann, pastor of the church named.

[Newspaper clipping from Floyd County Museum]