The Meyer Families of Woodbury County, Iowa

For a number of years Charles Meyer has been numbered among the prominent and progressive residents of Sioux City and is the promoter of one of its leading business enterprises. The growth and development of a city depend upon its commercial and industrial activity and thus has Mr. Meyer been one of the upbuilders of the town. He is associated with his brother, George R. Meyer, in the conduct of an extensive wholesale harness house and his business career illustrates the fact that success may be achieved through strong and persistent purpose guided by good judgment and integrity.

Charles Meyer was born in Philadelphia, Pennslyvania, in 1858, and his brother, George R., in Fort Atkinson, Iowa, in 1860. Their father, Charles Meyer, Sr., was a native of Colmar, Alsace-Lorraine, and came to the United States in 1854. After living for some years in Philadelphia he removed to Iowa, settling in Fort Atkinson in 1858. He, too, was a harness maker by trade and followed that pursuit for a number of years. While in Fort Atkinson he served as postmaster under President Buchanan. Later he removed to Festina, Iowa, and was called upon to serve as assessor, tax collector, justice of the peace and county supervisor, holding the last named office at the time of his death. He was a member of the Catholic church and gave his political allegiance to the Democracy. He died January 8, 1876. In early manhood he had married Miss Catherine Kromm, a native of Germany, their wedding being celebrated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1854. Twelve children, three sons and nine daughters, were born of this union, of whom ten are yet living. The brother, Edward Meyer, is a resident of Minneapolis, where he is engaged in buying horses. The mother still survives at the age of seventy-three years and retains possession of her mental and physical faculties to an unusual degree.

Charles and George R. Meyer acquired their early education in the country schools and the former afterward engaged in clerking in a general store at Decorah, Iowa, where he remained for three years, after which he went to Ossian, Iowa, where he also engaged in clerking for seven years. He then embarked in business for himself there as a general merchant and conducted his own enterprise for five years.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

GEORGE C. MEYER.

George C. Meyer, who, through building operations, has been identified with the improvement of Sioux City for many years, but is now living a retired life, was born in Hanover, Germany, on the 3d of June, 1826. His parents were Barthel and Mary (Schlichting) Meyer. The former was a farmer by occupation and died in 1866, at the age of sixty-six years, while his wife survived him until 1871. In the public schools of the fatherland George 0. Mever obtained his education and when fifteen years of age he began preparation for life's practical business cares by learning the carpenter's trade. He was a young man of twenty-three years when in 1849 he crossed the Atlantic to the new world. For five years he remained in New York city, working at his trade in a piano factory, and then sought a home in the west. Coming to Iowa he settled at Dubuque, where he lived until 1866, when recognizing the possibilities and business opportunities of the northwestern part of the state, he drove across the country to Sioux City with an ox team, arriving on the 8th of November, 1866. Here he began working at the carpenter's trade and he also bought some land, on which he built several houses that he rented. The first house which he erected was built of cottonwood lumber. In 1891 he erected his new residence, Avhich is a comfortable home at Morningside. For many years he was actively identified with building operations, carrying on his work as a contractor until 1888, since which time he has lived retired. He took an active part in the building of the First German Lutheran church of Sioux City, and many other substantial structures here stand as evidence of his skill and handiwork in the line of his chosen trade.

In December, 1859, occurred the marriage of Mr. Meyer and Miss Louise Marie Brunst, a daughter of Frederick and Mary Brunst. She was born September 11, 1827, in Germany, and came to the United States in 1856. Her mother had previously died in Germany and her father's death occurred in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1862. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Meyer have been born three children: Mary F. C, who is the wife of M. S. Reeves, of Sioux City; William T., a photographer living at home, and Henry August, who is engaged in the grocery business in this city.

Mr. Meyer has always given his political allegiance to the Republican party since its organization, but has never sought or desired office, preferring that his time and attention should be devoted to his business interests.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Carl Meyer, who is engaged in the insurance business in Sioux City, was born November 10, 1863, in Hamburg, Germany, his parents being Heinrich and Anna (Giehs) Meyer, also natives of Hamburg. The father, a basket manufacturer, is still living in his native city at the age of eighty-two years, but the mother passed away in April, 1903, when seventy-six years of age. They were the parents of four children, all sons, and all became basketmakers in Germany. Carl Meyer, however, at the age of eighteen years crossed the Atlantic to America and made his way direct to Chicago. He had acquired his education in the Hamburg Seminary and had studied the art of acting, his mother having been an actress and from her he undoubtedly inherited much of his histrionic skill. In Germany he secured an engagement at the Wilhelm theater in 1880, and, establishing his home in Chicago in 1881, he became a member of a German stock company, at that time filling engagements in various theaters. He remained in Chicago as a representative of his art for nine years and in 1890 he came to Sioux City, where he obtained an engagement with the Sioux City Turn Yerein as instructor for members who took part in its amateur theatrical performances. He continued in that position until March, 1893. In the spring of 1895 he turned his attention to the insurance business, in which he has since been engaged and now has offices at No. 53-4 New Richardson block. He represents a number of the oldest and most reliable companies, including the following: The Germania Life, the Equitable Fire and Marine, the Lumbermen's Insurance Company, the Mechanic's, the Milwaukee Fire, the Spring Garden Insurance Company, and the National Union Insurance Company. He writes a large amount of business each year, his policies representing extensive sums.

On the loth of June, 1893, occurred the marriage of Mr. Meyer and Mrs. Phoebe (Hoefler) Schudell, the widow of William Schudell. She was born in Hessen, Germany, and came to the United States in 1875, making her way to a home of an uncle in Utica, New York. Mr. Meyer is a member of the Sons of Herman and is now grand secretary of the society, a position which he has filled since the organization of the order in 1896. He has also filled all of the chairs in the local society and he is a charter member of the Germania Society and also belongs to the Fraternal Order of Eagles. His political allegiance is given to the Democracy.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.