Henry Meyer, b. 11 Mar 1831

MUNDT, PLOUGH, GERKE, BRETHOUER, KUKU, KEKABIM, KEMPER

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 2/21/2004 at 11:50:20

The traveler in passing through the northwestern portion of Van Buren Township, cannot fail to notice the tasteful and well-regulated homestead of Mr. Meyer, who is the owner of 605 acres of land in this township. The home farm embraces 300 acres on section 5. He has another farm of 160 acres on section 16, and the third, which was purchased by him in the spring of 1889, comprises 145 acres. All his land is under a good state of cultivation, and he is accounted one among the largest land-owners in the township.

Mr. Meyer may be most properly termed a self-made man, having been thrown largely upon his own resources when but a lad ten years of age. He was the third child of his parents, Conrad and Mary (Mundt) Meyer, and was born in what was then the Kingdom of Hanover, March 11, 1831. The parental household consisted of four sons and two daughters. The father pursued the trade of a carpenter until coming to America about four years after the advent of our subject here, the latter being the first one of the family to emigrate. Upon arriving in this county Conrad Meyer settled in Van Buren Township, where he occupied himself at farming, and where his death took place Jan. 1, 1882, at the age of seventy-two years. The mother survived her husband until the year following, her death taking place on the 3d of December, 1883, at the age of seventy-three years.

Henry Meyer received but a limited education in his youth, but was trained to habits of industry and economy, and at an early period in his life determined to become a man among men. He was reared in the doctrines of the Lutheran Church, and confirmed at the age of fourteen. Eight years later, in April, 1853, he determined to seek his fortunes on the other side of the Atlantic, and after making his arrangements secured passage on the sailing vessel "Albert," which set out from Bremen on the 6th of the above-mentioned month, and landed him in the city of Baltimore after a voyage of sixty-four days, June 5, 1853. He sojourned near that city for six months, employed as a farm laborer, then set out for the West. On his way to Chicago he met one of his countrymen, a resident of Iowa, who persuaded him to visit the Hawkeye State, and he thus came to this county and engaged to work at farming in Van Buren Township. He was thus occupied four years, then rented a farm, and about that time was joined by his father and family.

The first purchase of land made by Mr. Meyer was forty acres, which he secured in the spring of 1857. Soon afterward he commenced the cultivation and improvement of this and added gradually to his possessions. He erected a small house, and put up other necessary structures to correspond, and on the 16th of February, 1862, was married to Miss Dora Plough. She is the daughter of Ernest and Henrietta (Gerke) Plough; they were also natives of Hanover. They emigrated with their family in 1848, and first settled in Du Page County, Ill., and five years after moved to Van Buren Township, Jackson County. Mr. Plough is now deceased. Mrs. Plough is still living, residing with her eldest daughter, Mrs. Mina Brethouer, in Clinton County, Iowa. Mrs. Meyer was born in Hanover, Jan. 26, 1842.

The young people commenced the journey of life together in a manner suitable to their means and station, and the career of Mr. Meyer since that time has been one of uniform prosperity. He has always distinguished himself as a liberal and public spirited citizen, and while his possessions have necessarily engrossed a large amount of time and attention, he has given his countenance and substantial aid to those public enterprises calculated to benefit his community. He assisted in the organization of the German Congregational Church at Spragueville, and also in the erection of their elegant church edifice, being a member also of the building committee. He still remains a Trustee of this church, and one of its chief pillars. In political matters he affiliates with the Democratic party.

Of the twelve children born to our subject and his estimable wife the record is as follows: Emma, the eldest, is the wife of Henry Kuku, of Fairfield Township, and they have two children - Martha and Albert. William married Miss Reca Kekabim, of Clinton County, and is farming in Van Buren Township; Mina makes her home in Sabula; Lena is the wife of John Kemper, of that place; Reca, Herman, Frank, Bertha, Mary, Otto and Ella are at home with their parents. The ninth child, Etta, died when six months old.

Mr. Meyer was made a citizen as soon as the law permitted, and has become thoroughly identified with American institutions. He has been entrusted with the various local offices, serving as Secretary of the School Board, was Assessor of Van Buren Township in 1879, and is now a Trustee. He has served on the Circuit Jury three times, and is everywhere recognized as a man of intelligence and worth, one whose name could not be properly omitted from a work designed to perpetuate the names and record of the prominent men and pioneers of Jackson County.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois)