MEYER, HENRY

MEYER, BUSCH, RIPPENKROP, FALKERS, GROLM, DREESMAN

Posted By: Jean (email)
Date: 12/26/2003 at 13:43:11

Biography reproduced from page 675 of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Agricultural pursuits have claimed the attention of Henry Meyer exclusively until twelve years ago when he engaged in the real-estate and insurance business in Titonka, in which he has met with a good measure of success. He still resides on his farm in German township, however, and supervises its cultivation in connection with the development of his other interests. His birth occurred in Ogle county, Illinois, on the 24th of July, 1864, his parents being B. and Alka (Busch) Meyer. They were both natives of Germany, whence they emigrated to the United States in early life locating in Illinois, where they subsequently met and were married. After fourteen years' residence in the latter state, Mr. Meyer removed with his wife and family to Grundy county, Iowa, and eighteen years later he came to Kossuth county, settling in German township, two miles west of where our subject now lives. He was a carpenter, but during the greater period of his residence in Illinois and Grundy county, this state, devoted his attention to mercantile pursuits, but after settling in Kossuth county he engaged in farming, in connection with which he also followed his trade. He was a man of activity and enterprise and took much interest in all local affairs of a political nature, giving his support to the democratic party, of which he was one of the leaders in his community. He filled various township offices, discharging his duties with promptness and efficiency, and was one of the highly regarded men of the neighborhood. He passed away in 1900 and was laid to rest on his farm. The mother is still living and makes her home with her son Henry. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Meyer, of whom our subject is the third. In order of birth the others are as follows: Charles, who is a resident of the state of Washington; Sena, the wife of John K. Rippenkrop, who resides in the vicinity of Titonka; Allen, a veterinary surgeon of Titonka; Ida, the wife of Cort Rippenkrop, of Lincoln township, this county; Mary, the wife of Falkert Falkers, of the state of Washington; Benjamin H., who resides a mile west of our subject; Dick, who is living in German township; and Ollie, the wife of Dick Grolm, of Lyon county, Iowa.

Henry Meyer was reared at home and educated in the common schools of Grundy and Kossuth counties. His early activities were directed along agricultural lines and when ready to start out in the world for himself he continued to follow the same vocation. When he was twenty-three years of age he left the parental roof and located on his present farm on section 27, German township. It is comprised of one hundred and twenty acres of fertile land, on which he has made all of the improvements, including the erection of the buildings. He has a comfortable residence, large, commodious barns and substantial sheds, which provide ample shelter for his stock and grain. His farm is operated in a systematic manner, careful attention being given to every detail, as is evidenced by the general appearance of his fields and buildings and the condition of his stock. Mr. Meyer also owns forty acres of land southeast of Titonka, and eighty in Hardin county. In 1900, he began dealing in real estate, opening an office in Titonka, where he can be found at his desk every day, making the journey back and forth from his farm, which is located three miles from town, in an automobile. He subsequently extended the scope of his activities by becoming local representative for several reliable fire, accident and life insurance companies. As he is trustworthy as well as enterprising, he is meeting with success in the development of his business, and is building up a good clientage.

In 1889, Mr. Meyer was married to Miss Susie Dreesman, and they have two children, Anna and Ben, both of whom are at home.

The family are members of the Dutch Reformed church, in the faith of which Mr. Meyers was reared, his father having been one of the organizers of the church in German township, and substantially aided in the erection of the first house of worship, which has recently been replaced by a new edifice, in the building of which his children assisted. In politics, Mr. Meyer is a democrat, and for twenty years has been president of the school board and for nine he has been a member of the board of township trustees. He is held in high esteem in his community as he is in sympathy with every progressive movement and contributes his quota toward forwarding the development of various local interests, as did his father before him