Meyer, Margeth Anna (Kregel) 1821 - 1893

MEYER, KREGEL

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 2/22/2026 at 22:22:29

Elkader Register, 05 Oct. 1893.

Died, at her home in Garnavillo, on Thursday, Sept. 28th, 1893, Margeth Anna Meyer, nee Kregel, at the advanced age of 72 years, 7 months and 10 days. Deceased was born in Langwehr, Hannover, Germany, March 18, 1821. She was the oldest daughter of Gerhard Kregel, who died here a few years ago at the ripe old age of 98 years. With her parents, and two brothers, John D. and Henry, she emigrated to this country in 1832, and lived a short time in Chilicothe Ohio, where her brothers, William and Dietrich, were born. From here the family moved to Florence, Alabama, where they remained only a few months and returned to New Bremen, Ohio. Here the subject of this sketch left her home and, in 1841, was married to D. H. Meyer, with whom, for thirty years, she lived in happiness. In 1846 Mr. and Mrs. Meyer came to Clayton county and settled in Jefferson twp., but owing to ill health they returned to Cincinnati. In 1854 they again came to Clayton county, and took up their abode in Garnavillo, where Mr. Meyer built the old Meyer's store, one of the land marks of our town, and thus laid the foundation for one of the most successful and extensive business institutions of our county. Mrs. Meyer was the mother of 13 children, 8 of whom preceded her in death. Of those living, John D. is in business in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and G. Henry in Nebraska City, Neb., while Mrs. Wm. Kregel, Wm. F. and Emma reside here. Her remains were buried at the new cemetery on Monday, Oct. 02nd, followed by a vast number of sorrowing friends. The public schools were closed and business was suspended during the obsequies. The casket was buried under a large number of beautiful floral designs, the tribute of friends.

Of Mrs. Meyer it may truly be said, "she was one of the noblest of her sex." Tall and commanding in person she imbued respect and confidence wherever she appeared, and with her winsome manners and her heart full of love and above all with her charming conversational powers, she awoke a chord of sympathy and love in every heart that came within the bounds of her influence. Accustomed from her youth to the stern realities of life, she despised sentimentalism and idle cant, but when appealed to by the suffering her charity was boundless and substantial. In her manners she was simple and unassuming.; in her manifold sorrows and struggles, calm and self possessed; in her business relations, public spirited and enterprising. The best monument that can be erected to her memory is the firm of M. A. & W. F. Meyer, which she managed so Skillfully for so many years, and in which her son, Wm. F., so ably supported her. During the dark days of our country, when rebellion and treason stalked through the land, Mrs. Meyer was one of many noble women of our country who came to their country's aid. Cheerfully she brought her first-born and bade him fight gallantly for the flag she loved. During that long and fearful struggle she was ever ready with gifts of love to gladden the heart of the soldier, and when victory crowned our banners and our gallant sons returned, she was the first to welcome them to the homes they saved. During her long career she saw much of life's darker phases. Nine times the angel of death visited her abode and claimed for his own a loved member of her flock. And when the fell Destroyer called from her side her husband, with whom, for thirty years, she had walked life's rugged path, her cup of sorrow seemed filled to the brim. But with true Christian fortitude she bowed to the inevitable, and found consolation in the love of her surviving children.

Her life, pure and bright, will not be without beneficent results in our community. Her Christian faith, simple and fervid, will bear rich rewards, and her memory will be kept fresh and green in the hearts of all who knew her. May she rest in peace, and may she have found joy unspeakable and bliss forevermore in the reunion with her loved ones on the shores beyond that silent river.