Meyer, Jacob 1845 – 1930
MEYER, WISMER, BINDSCHAEDLER, PAGE
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 4/13/2015 at 08:48:34
For many years Jacob Meyer has been connected with the commercial development of Winneshiek county and especially of Calmar, where for the last twenty-five years he has been extensively engaged in the grain and live-stock business as the principal owner of the firm of Meyer & Company. Moreover, he has participated in the public life of the community which he now efficiently serves as mayor, having held this office at different times for eight years and having also served with ability in a number of minor township offices, besides being, since August 9, 1913, the postmaster at Calmar. His career is proof of the fact that success is but ambition's answer and none begrudge him the foremost position which he holds in his community because it is self-won and is the outcome of incessant industry and innate ability. Born in Zurich, Switzerland, on November 20, 1845, Jacob Meyer is the son of Jacob and Margaret (Wismer) Meyer, natives of that country. The father was reared upon a farm and followed agricultural pursuits for a number of years before he was appointed superintendent of an old people's home, in which capacity he was active for the rest of his life, a period covering forty-four years. He died in 1890 and his wife followed him in death eighteen years later or in 1908.
Jacob Meyer was reared and educated in his native country and after putting his text-books aside entered the employ of a mercantile and grain house with whom he remained for six years. Perceiving the opportunities which went begging on the other side of the Atlantic he came to America in 1866 and located in Winneshiek county, Iowa, beginning his business career in this country in the humble station of farm hand and subsequently finding employment in a brewery. He was thus occupied until he rented the brewery in partnership with another party, operating this enterprise until 1868, when he sold out his interest. He then engaged as a clerk in a store at Spillville and remained in that capacity until 1870, when his employer J. J. Haug offered his nephew, J. H. Haug, and Mr. Meyer an equal share in the business and the firm became J. J. Haug & Company and so remained until 1876, when J. J. Haug retired, and the business was continued under the firm name of Meyer & Haug until 1878, when Mr. Meyer came to Calmar, establishing a store in partnership with A. Dostal, which they conducted together until 1888. In that year Mr. Meyer engaged in the grain, seed and live-stock business which he has successfully followed ever since under the firm name of Meyer & Company, his son, G. A. Meyer, of whom more extended mention is made in another part of this book, being connected with him in business.
In October, 1872, Mr. Meyer married Miss Bertha Bindschaedler, a daughter of Jacob and Regula Bindschaedler, natives of Switzerland. Unto this union were born seven children: Gustav A., who is mentioned at greater length elsewhere in this volume; Carl, the manager of the sash and door factory at Calmar; J. H., who also resides in Calmar; Louise, the wife of Dr. R. R. Page, of Ponca, Nebraska; Matilda, at home; Ruth, who graduated from school at Grinnell, Iowa, in June, 1913, and has been elected assistant principal of the high school at Calmar; and Jacob, who passed away in 1885 at the age of eight years.
Public-spirited and progressive, Mr. Meyer also has actively participated in the public life of his community. His political affiliation is with the democratic party and his religious faith is that of the German Lutheran church of which he and his wife are members. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen and the Yeomen. Although born in a foreign country he has readily grasped the idea of American citizenship and, public-spirited and progressive, has largely contributed to the development of his section, at the same time attaining a prosperity which assures him of a creditable position in the commercial life of the county.
Source: History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark Publishing Company 1913
Calmar City Cemetery gravestone
Winneshiek Biographies maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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