Myers, Jacob W. 1833-1924

MYERS, KIMBERLY

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/4/2015 at 19:41:25

Note: He is buried in Le Mars Memorial Cemetery.

PIONEER BANKER DEAD

J. W. Myers, one of the oldest residents in Le Mars, died Sunday at his home in this city at the great age of ninety years. Death was due to old age and his health had been poor for several years.

Jacob W. Myers was born December 15, 1833, in Trumbull county, Ohio, and was a son of John and Mathilda Myers, who were members of colonial families, and identified with the early history of Ohio, when it was deemed a western state.

Jacob Myers received a common school education in Ohio and later attended the Alleghany college at Meadville, Pa. After leaving college he located in Detroit, Mich., where he was employed with a alrge mercantile firm for four years.

In 1865 he obtained a position with the government and was engaged in land surveys, and a year later was appointed a United State deputy surveyor with headquarters at St. Paul, Minn. Mr. Myers in the course of his work traveled extensively in many of the western states and territories, mapping out boundaries, and had a fund of experience, gained when the west, was truly west, and buffalo, deer and other game roamed the prairies, when cowboys were real, and not movie heroes, and when voyages by prairie schooner were a real adventure.

In 1878 he came to Le Mars and became identified with the Plymouth county bank. He later was in the drug business with Mr. Allison, another Le Mars pioneer. He re-entered the Plymouth county bank again and became cashier and vice-president-until 1889 where he resigned to take the presidency of the German American Savings bank, now the American Trust and Savings bank, of Le Mars.

Mr. Myers met with reverses of fortune in speculation in southern lands and in California and served him connection with the bank. He took up his profession as land surveyor again and was for many years elected county surveyor. Of late years he had lived in retirement.

He is survived by his faithful wife, who was Miss Mary L. Kimberly, to whom he was married in 1858. She suffered a fracture of the thigh some few years ago and has been an invalid since.

Mr. Myers was devoted husband and he and his wife have been inseparable companions for 66 years.

Mr. Myers was a man of excellent attainments and a prominent figure in the community in the early days. He was of a most likeable nature and had a large number of friends. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and the funeral will be held under the auspices of Giblem lodge this afternoon. Services will be held in the Congregational church.

Le Mars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
Tuesday, May 13, 1924
Le Mars, Iowa