Meyer, John

MEYER, HOY, KREICHBAUM, KEISTER, BEEBEE, CASE, FISK

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/13/2009 at 13:18:34

Col. John Meyer, an influential merchant of Newton, and, in point of time, the oldest grocer at this place, was born near Bellefonte, Pa., February 26, 1824. He traces his ancestry to Germany, whence his paternal great-grandfather immigrated to America in 1743 and settled in Pennsylvania. Grandfather Henry Meyer had a family of ten children, the fifth of whom was Valentine, father of the Colonel, who was born in Bucks County, Pa., March 3, 1793. On the 5th of April 1814, he married Elizabeth Hoy, and continued thereafter to make his home in the Keystone State until his death, which occurred April 5, 1859.

Our subject's mother was born in Union County, Pa., September 21, 1792. Her father, John Hoy, was born in the same county in 1767, and through- out his entire life followed the occupation of a farmer. He was twice married, becoming the father of sixteen children, seven by his first and nine by his last union. The next to the youngest of these were twins, Elias and Jonas, who so greatly resembled each other that even their father was never able to tell them apart. Our subject's maternal grandmother bore the maiden name of Barbara Kreichbaum and was of immediate German descent, her father having been a native of Germany.

Of the brothers and sisters of our subject we note the following: Mary, the eldest, was born February 2, 1815, and was twice married, becoming the mother of ten children; now a second time widowed, she makes her home in Clinton County, Pa. Samuel was born September 10, 1816, and received a liberal education in Mercersburg (Pa.) College. Subsequently settling in California, he there gained distinction as a literary man and as a politician. He served in the State Legislature and for a number of terms officiated as State Senator, in which positions he represented his constituents with ability and efficiency. Twice married, he became the father of eight children. On the 3rd of February 1889 he died at Stockton, Cal., where his widow and children now reside.

Catherine, the third member of the family circle, was born July 9, 1818, and in 1843 became the wife of Samuel Keister, to whom she bore seven children; she is now living in Clinton County, Pa. William, who was born April 30, 1820, was a farmer by occupation, and served as County Commissioner, being an influential citizen in his community. He was twice married and hall a family of five children; his death occurred in Clinton County, Pa., in 1879. Elizabeth was born February 19, 1822, and died unmarried, December 22, I 1846. Susan was born February 9, 1826, and was twice married, becoming the mother of three children, all of whom are living; she died March 6, 1856. Joseph was born October 17, 1827, and removing to Iowa, died in Newton July 21, 1858; he married but had no children.

The subject of this sketch grew to manhood upon his father's farm, where his time was passed in a manner similar to that of other farmer boys in those early days. He aided in the work of clearing the land, attended log rollings, chopped wood and assisted in other work. A thoughtful, observing lad, he was able, notwithstanding his limited schooling, to obtain a broad fund of information upon all general topics. That he early applied himself to his studies is evidenced by the fact that in 1846 he became a student in Mifflinburgh College, where he prosecuted his literary labors with diligence and success. In 1847 he entered Oberlin (Ohio) College, from which institution he was graduated in 1853.

August 25 of the same year, Colonel Meyer married Miss Cornelia Beebee, who was also a student in Oberlin College, graduating there from. Mrs. Meyer was born in New York and was the eldest survivor of five daughters, two of whom died in childhood. But one aside from Mrs. he Meyer is now living, Julia, who is the wife of as Albert Case, of Minnesota. Her father, Ward W. Beebee, was a native of Connecticut and a prominent stock speculator in Wall Street.

For two years after his marriage Colonel Meyer operated a farm in Ohio, spending one year in Mt. Vernon, that state. In 1856 he came to Iowa, locating in Newton, where for one year he taught Williamsburg Academy. At the expiration of that time he bought out the grocery firm of Farrington & McGregor, and since that year (1857) en has continuously engaged in that business in the same storeroom. However, he has not given the business his personal attention during this entire period, having been busy in other enterprises.

In the fall of 1861 Colonel Meyer was elected to the State Legislature. He attended the session in January 1862, and the extra session in July of the same year, but he found he had a more important duty to perform, for the war clouds that as he had hoped would clear away commenced to grow darker, and he set himself to doing something to preserve the Union and save the Old Flag from disgrace. He helped to organize three companies of soldiers for the army, and was chosen Captain of the last, Company K, of the old Twentieth Infantry. This was in August 1862. In the fall of Id the same year he was sent with his company to Helena, Ark., where he participated in several important expeditions.

In the spring of 1863 the Captain accompanied Grant's army to Vicksburg, and on the 1st of May took part in the battle of Port Gibson, and on the 16th of the same month was at Champion Hills. His troops, being in the Thirteenth Army Corps, stood the brunt of this battle, and his regiment lost more men than any other in the engagement. He participated in the memorable siege of Vicksburg, from May 22 until the fall of the city July 4. After the surrender, his troops joined General Sherman, who followed Johnson in the direction of Jackson. Soon afterward he was transferred to the Gulf department, where he remained until March 1864, under General Banks. He was present at the battle of Sabine's Crossroads, where his loss was heavy. In Jane he was transferred, with his troops, to Washington, D. C., to aid in the defense of that city from the approach of the rebel General Early. Soon he was ordered thence to the Shenandoah Valley, where he took part in the battles of Winchester, September 19; Fisher Hill, September 22, and was at Cedar Creek at the time of Sheridan's memorable ride. At the latter battle there were eight field officers in his brigade, he being one of the number. Four were killed and two severely wounded, while he and one other Officer escape without a scratch. Commanding officer having been wounded in the early part of the day, the command of the regiment devolved upon the subject of this sketch.

From the Shenandoah Valley Colonel Meyer proceeded to Savannah, Ga., and from there to Augusta, Ga., thence, with a detachment of soldiers to Aikin, N. C., with orders to administer the oath of allegiance to all who had been active in the Rebellion in that section of the country. At the close of the war he was given a colonels commission for his meritorious conduct, and in August 1865, he was honorably discharged from the service. At once he started for home and on his arrival at Grinnell, twenty miles from Newton, he was notified that, without his knowledge or consent, he had been nominated as a candidate for State Senator. In the election that followed he was triumphantly elected. He served with distinction until 1868, at which time he retired, and so far as politics is concerned remained so until 1877, when he was again elected to the State Senate, serving until 1880. Since that time he has applied himself to his private business and has refused to reenter the political arena. He has never been what is commonly denominated a politician, for all the honors he has enjoyed have been thrust upon him without being sought. He has filled many of the local offices of the town and was for many years a member of the School Board and the City Council.

In politics the Colonel was before the organization of the Republican Party a profound Abolitionist and knew much of the Underground Railroad. When the Republican Party was started, he cast his lot with it and has remained faithful to its principles. A prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic, he has been its representative in various assemblies, and served as its delegate to the National Encampment at Washington in 1892. He has been a strong advocate of temperance and has never used tobacco or liquor in any form. For many years he has been a member of the Congregational Church, in which he is now a Deacon.

Colonel and Mrs. Meyer have been the parents of eight children, but one of whom is now living. Chase Sumner was born June 4, 1854, and died January 13, 1855; Ella was born October 23,1855, and died March 26, 1859; Cornelia, who was born September 8,1857, married Frank Fisk, of Newton, they have three children: Welcom, who died when seven years of age; Roy, now a boy of eleven years (1893), and Amanda, who is six years old. Mrs. Fisk was educated at Oberlin College and is an accomplished lady and a talented musician, having led the church choir for twenty years. Emma, who was born November 25, 1859, died January 29, 1862; Willie was born March 8, 1862, and died February 28, 1864; Eva was born June 8, 1866, and died February 26, 1868; Mary was born June 4, 1869, and died October 20, 1876; Julia Edith was born August 28, 1873, and died February 24, 1876. Portrait and Biographical Record, Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, IA Page 300.