George F. Meyer

As printed in 1909

George F. Meyer, one of the hard-working and industrious German citizens of Hay Creek township, is still hale and hearty at the good old age of eighty-one years. He was born in Prussia, Germany, in May, 1828, his parents being Casper and Caroline Meyer, who lived and died in that country, George F. grew to boyhood and manhood in his native kingdom, working on the farm and attending the common schools. With frugality and hard work he saved enough money to come to America, and in 1856 made his venture to America, bringing with him his bride, Mary Tebbe, whom he had married the year previous. The trip from St. Louis to Red Wing was made by boat, after which they hired a conveyance to take them to Hay Creek, where George F. Meyer homesteaded 160 acres, he and his brother William being among the first settlers in that township. He broke and improved the land, erected buildings and for many years carried on general farming. In 1866 he built a water-power flour mill, and in 1891, when the railroad came through, changed the motive power to steam. The mill is now managed by his sons. He also rents out his 200 acres of highly improved land. During the Civil War, Mr. Meyer was drafted, but provided a substitute. He has been treasurer of the township at different times and has served several terms as chairman. To George F. and Mary Meyer have been born six children: William. Mary. Kate, Henry. Annie and Louis.

Alex McKinley, of Stanton township, has seen a larger part of the progress of modern times in Goodhue county, and has reclaimed his land from the rocky prairie wilderness. When he first came to this state, he landed at Hastings and walked to Stanton township, where he purchased eighty acres of land and began to clear a farm. He built a log cabin out of such timber as was standing in the neighborhood, and kept house for himself, hauling his grain to Hastings with oxen. Near the close of the Civil War he enlisted in Company H, First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, and was stationed at Chattanooga, Tenn., from shortly after his enlistment, February 1, 1865, until October of the same year, when he was discharged with the regiment. After returning home he at once resumed farming, which is still his occupation. In 1877 he wood and wed Mary Van Guilder, daughter of Frederick and Harriet Van Guilder, natives of Xew York state, who came to Stanton township in 1865, at the close of tin- Civil War, and have since continued to live here. A short time ago they celebrated their golden anniversary, at which time their friends, both near and far, gathered to wish them many more happy years together in the afternoon of life. To Mr. and Mrs. McKinley have been born three children: Mary, the eldest, attends Hamline University and will graduate in 1910; Fred and John, the two younger children, live at home, and assist their father. The family conducts general farming on the place, about three miles out of Cannon Falls village. Some of their eighty-six acres is wild land and pasture, but sixty-live acres are under the plow, giving an excellent opportunity for general mixed farming. They also do some dairying and sell considerable butter. As a father. Mr. McKinley has naturally been interested in education, and has served as school trustee. He votes the Republican ticket, and affiliates with the G. A. R. post. Mr. Mc- Kinley lias reached the honorable age of sixty-two years, having been born November 1, 1847. His parents, John and Mary (Dunn) McKinley. came from Scotland and located first in Maryland, where the father worked in a cotton factory. He came to Goodhue county in 1863 and remained until January. 1864. when he returned to Maryland. In 1867 he took up his permanent home in Stanton township and here ended his days. His wife, mother of Alex, died many years before.

As printed in History of Goodhue County, Minnesota (1909). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.