Meyer, Rev. J. D.

MEYER, STERNBERG

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Plym. CC (email)
Date: 3/19/2005 at 12:02:57

Rev. J. D. Meyer

Rev. J. D. Meyer the popular minister of the First German Evangelical Lutheran church of Grant township, Plymouth county, was born in Hanover, Germany on December 5, 1855, the son of Claus and Katherine (Sternberg) Meyer, both of whom were natives of the Province of Hanover. The father was a farmer and devoted the greater part of his life to that work. J. D. Meyer is one of a family of six children, three of whom are now living; J. D., Claus and Anna.

J. D. Meyer received his education in Basdahl, Germany, and at a mission at Hermansburg. After completing his studies at the latter place he came to New York on December 14, 1884. He went at once to Watertown, Wisconsin, where he was ordained by the Rev. H. A. Alladd on December 21, 1884. After his ordination he took charge of St. Paul's church at Watertown, where he remained for four years. He was then transferred to the Oak Lawn church in Cook county, Illinois, where he remained until 1895, when he came to his present charge. Here he has made improvements in the church and the church property, and has well established himself as one of the successful ministers of the county.

On August 13, 1886, Rev. J. D. Meyer was united in marriage to Minnie Markgraf, the daughter of Fred Markgraf and wife and to this union five children were born as follow: Hannah, Frances, Fred, Minnie and John. Hannah is the wife of George Von Hagel; Frances married Henry Jansen; Fred is attending Fahlin Lutheran Seminary at St. Paul, Minnesota, and John is farming in Germany. The mother of these children died on October 19, 1897, and Reverend Meyer later married Anna Beieger. To this union five children have been born as follow; Ernest, Loretta, Claus, Herman and Martha. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer have made many friends during their many years of residence in the township and by their Christian lives and work, they have had much to do with he high moral standard of the township and county. Mr. Meyer is a forcible speaker and an excellent organizer and the church today stands as a monument to his untiring efforts among the people of the community. Being a man of much ability and broadmindedness, his teachings and influence are felt wherever he is known.

BOOK SOURCE:
History of Plymouth County, Iowa
Indianapolis, Ind.: B. F. Bowen, 1917