Henry Meyer

MEYER, PLOUGH, GERKE

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 5/19/2010 at 20:36:47

History of Jackson County, Iowa, 1910, James W. Ellis

HENRY MEYER.

Henry Meyer forms a part of the German element which played a prominent and important role in the settlement of Van Buren township. He was born in Hanover, Germany, March 11, 1832, his parents being Conrad and Mary Meyer. They came to America in 1857, some time after Mr. Meyer's arrival on our shores, and remained here until their death. They were the parents of five children, two of whom survive.
Henry Meyer came to America in 1853 about the time of attaining his majority, the fame of American opportunity having reached his ears, and many of his companions having preceded him in crossing the Atlantic to test personally the truth of these reports. He landed in Baltimore and after residing there for about six months came on to this county, within whose borders he has ever since made his home. Speedily securing work as a farm hand in the locality, he made this his means of livelihood for some five years. At the end of this period he found himself, by the exercise of thrift and industry, in a position to purchase land and he became the possessor of a forty acre farm in Van Buren township. In course of time he prospered sufficiently to buy a much larger tract of three hundred acres and still later added to his holdings one hundred and sixty acres more. He was a general farmer and made a specialty of the feeding and raising of cattle, his methods being scientific and progressive. In 1894 Mr. Meyer retired and removed to Preston, where he owns not only a substantial residence but six valuable lots in addition.
Mr. Meyer was married February 16, 1860, to Miss Dora Plough, who also was born in Germany, the date of her birth being January 26, 1842. She is the daughter of Ernest and Henrietta (Gerke) Plough, both of whom are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer are the parents of ten children: Emma, now the wife of Henry Kokkuk of Brookfield, Missouri; William, located at Elwood, Iowa; Minnie, the wife of Henry Griffith of Milford, Iowa; Lena, at home; Reba, who married Frank Washburn and lives in Chicago, Illinois; Herman, engaged in the cultivation of the home farm; Bertha, formerly a school teacher, now the wife of Tony Hollerman, of Jackson county; Mary, the wife of Arthur Rodewald; Arthur, located in Chicago, where he is engaged in teaching music; and Lula, the wife of George Wethers of Chicago.
Mr. and Mrs. Meyer are faithful and consistent members of the Lutheran church, the former having for twelve years lent his assistance in the management of its affairs in the capacity of trustee. He possesses the esteem of the community, for it is generally recognized that his influence is of an uplifting and altruistic character.