AUGUST MEYER

August Meyer, a prosperous and progressive farmer and stock-raiser of Springfield township, is the owner of two hundred and twenty acres of valuable land within a half mile of Lowden. His birth occurred on the Atlantic ocean on the 13th of May, 1864, while his parents were enroute from Germany to America, the vessel being about half way between the two countries when he first opened his eyes to the light of day. His parents, Joachim and Catharine Marie (Corse) Meyer, were both natives of the province of Hanover, Germany, the former born in 1836 and the latter on the 30th of August, 1830. After landing in the United States the father made his way to Illinois, where he worked as a farm hand for two years. On the expiration of that period he came to Lowden, Iowa, and secured employment with Peterson Brothers, general merchants of that place. While still in their service he was killed by a runaway team, leaving our subject fatherless when not yet five years of age. His widow, who long survived him, passed away in Lowden on the 5th of July, 1904.

August Meyer attended the village school at Lowden in the acquirement of an education but put aside his text-books at an early age in order that he might assist his widowed mother in providing for the support of the family. He made his first business venture in association with his brother Fred, the two young men operating a rented farm of one hundred and eighty acres east of Lowden for two years. Subsequently they rented a tract of one hundred and sixty acres and cultivated the same for three years. Fred Meyer was then married and our subject worked for him until such time as he was enabled to buy land of his own, first coming into possession of a tract of one hundred and forty acres. Later he made an additional purchase of one hundred acres situated a half mile east of Lowden. When the boundaries of that town were extended to include a portion of his farm he sold twenty acres for building purposes, so that his holdings now embrace but two hundred and twenty acres. The property was very rich and productive and is equipped with all modern improvements. In addition to his home farm he owns ten acres of timber land in this county. General agricultural pursuits have claimed his attention throughout his entire business career and in connection with the tilling of the soil he has also been engaged in stock-raising, finding both branches of activity congenial as well as profitable.

On the 19th of December, 1890, Mr. Meyer was united in marriage to Mrs. Hannah Daehn, the widow of Herman Daehn, of Lowden. They now have seven children, as follows: Frieda, whose birth occurred June 1, 1892; Alma, whose natal day was September 24, 1894; Walter, born October 30, 1895; Herbert, who was born February 14, 1897; Hugo, whose birth occurred on the 27th of May, 1898; Bernhard, born September 16, 1899; and August C., who first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 26th of September, 1901. The mother is a woman of more than ordinary intelligence and culture and enjoys the high regard and esteem of all who know her.

Mr. Meyer is a democrat in politics and has long been an active worker in the local ranks of his party. For the past fifteen years he has served as school director and also as township trustee, holding those positions at the present time. He and his family attend the services of the Lutheran church at Lowden. In the county where practically his entire life has been spent Mr. Meyer is well known and highly esteemed as a representative agriculturist and valued citizen.