Clarence Meyer

MEYER, RODERICK, CHASE, PRESTON, LAWSON, GOWIN

Posted By: Mary Welty Hart (email)
Date: 2/14/2006 at 18:23:16

CLARENCE MEYER Died Here Friday

Winterset Madisonian
March 11, 1953

Clarence E. Meyer, one of Madison county's outstanding citizens, was stricken with a heart attack at his home in Winterset last Friday morning, and died a few hours later at Memorial hospital. His death came suddenly and as a shock to the entire community. He was 66 years of age.

Mr. Meyer's death ended a life of service to the farming industry of Iowa, and to his community. He was one of the pioneers in the experimentation with and development of hybrid seed corn, and for many years he had been active in community and church work.

He was a life-long resident of this county. Born in Jefferson township Jan. 31, 1887, his early life was spent in that community. He was a son of Fred and Alice Roderick Meyer.

As a boy he began his experimentations with seedcorn, which he developed in connection with his farming operations in Jefferson township.

In 1937, he moved to Winterset and established the Meyer Hybrid Seedcorn company here, marketing throughout southern Iowa the strains he had developed. He operated this company here until 1944, when he sold his plant and business to the Callison Brothers company of this community.

Mr. Meyer was an active member of the Methodist church, with which he had been affiliated since early life. He had served on the official board of the Winterset church. He was a charter member of the Winterset Lions Club, served two terms on the Winterset city council, and for the past three years had been city assessor in Winterset.

Mr. Meyer was married March 18, 1941, to Mary M. Chase of Douglas township. He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Mrs. Helen Preston of Hampton and Mrs. Doris Lawson, who has been living at home here, while her husband is serving with the armed forces in Korea. He also leaves three grandchildren, Bruce and Barbara Jean Preston and Stephen Lawson; his mother, Mrs. Alice Meyer; two brothers, Earl and Alvin Meyer; and a sister, Mrs. Mae Gowin all of Van Meter.

Funeral services were held Sunday from the Winterset Methodist church, conducted by the pastor, the Rev. Glenn Parrott. Burial was made in the Winterset Cemetery.