James "Jim" Calloway Meyers

MEYERS, HILSABECK, HAUSER, BIERSBORN, WEATHERLY

Posted By: Joseph K. Hilsabeck (email)
Date: 1/19/2011 at 15:18:17

Times Republican, Marshalltown, Iowa Wednesday, February 5, 1925

"Jim" Meyers, Pioneer Liscomb Resident, Dead Last Surviving Veteran of Civil War in Liscomb Township Passes – Had Intimate Connection With Town Since Its Organization

James C. Meyers, aged 82, an old and well-known resident of Liscomb, who has had an intimate connection with the town since its organization and the last surviving veteran of the civil war in Liscomb Township, died at noon today at the home of his son William B. Meyers, at Liscomb. He had been in poor health for a year or more and about three weeks ago his condition became serious. Death was due to infirmities of age.
Mr. Meyers, familiarly known as "Jim" by his many friends and acquaintances throughout the county, was a resident of this city for a few years being engaged in the produce business.
For more than fifty-two years he had been a mason, being the founder of Becker Masonic lodge No. 635, of Liscomb, and the first master, as well as being a member of all branches of the fraternity holding membership in the 32nd degree and in the Shrine. He had also been a member of the Odd Fellows lodge for more than fifty years.
Mr. Meyers was born at Tazewell, Tennessee, June 1, 1842, the son of Isaac and Katherine Meyers. The family came to Iowa in 1848 in a covered wagon, drawn by an ox team, and wintered in Jasper County. The following year they came to Marshall County, settling near Timber Creek. In 1850 Isaac Meyers took 80 acres of government land in what is now the business and residential district of Marshalltown, between Main Street and the site of the Soldiers' Home.
In 1852 the family moved to Liscomb, settling on Doud Creek on land now owned by T. J. Meyers and George Biersborn, the new home being on the old stage road near the site of a stage house, where changes of horses were made.
The country was wild and young Meyers enjoyed the sports then afforded of killing deer and wild turkey. Few men have been privileged to witness such changes in their home communities as he did. He went to school in a log cabin four months in spring and summer and later attended the old Albion Seminary. He taught school two years after the close of the war.
Three brothers, Jess, Will and James Meyers, enlisted in Company B, Eleventh Iowa Infantry, September 16, 1861. Will was killed at the Battle of Atlanta, July 2, 1864, and Jess was captured and imprisoned at Andersonville. James was in the Battles of Shiloh, and Atlanta and was with Sherman on the march to the sea. He re-enlisted in 1864 and served to the close of the war, returning home in 1865.
Mr. Meyers was married to Miss Mary C. Gately, of Liscomb, March 22, 1866. Five children were born to this union, four of whom are living. Mrs. Nettie Biersborn died in 1902 and the surviving children are: Mrs. Ida Weatherly, Rock Rapids; Mrs. H. W. Alexander, Sac City; Will Meyers, Liscomb, and Frank Meyers, Compton, California. Seventeen grandchildren and twenty-two great grandchildren and three brothers and a sister also survive.
The latter are T. J. Meyers, Liscomb; Jesse Meyers, city; Sam B. Meyers, of Boulder, Colorado, and Mr. Rose Hauser, Liscomb.
No arrangements had been made today for the funeral. Burial will be in the Liscomb Cemetery.