Let's Get Back to Basics

I admit it. I have a hard time keeping up with this blog. Things I used to post here now get splattered on Facebook, or they never born from the brain and put to text. Instead they gestate for a while and then are aborted without fanfare. So let's try to get back to basics. What did we post before of import and interest? One limited area is Meyer family genealogy. And this is an interesting passage from History of Audubon County Iowa: Its People, Industries and Institutions, edited by H.F. Andrews and published by B.F. Bowen and Company, Inc. of Indianapolis, Indiana, almost 100 years ago in 1915. This passage concerns my great-grandfather, George J. Meyer, on page 749:

GEORGE J. MEYER.

George J. Meyer, of Audubon township, Audubon county, Iowa, who

first came to this county in 1885, and who has been prominent in the busi-

ness, civic and fraternal life of the township for many years, was born

January 17, 1860, in Rock Island county, Illinois. He is the son of John

J. and Magdalena (Bamholt (sic, Bornholt)) Meyer, natives of Holstein, Germany,

who were married in their native land and who came to this country about 1854.

Mr. and Mrs. John J. Meyer, after landing in New York, journeyed to

Chicago, where they lived for a time. From Chicago they moved to Mo-

line, in Rock Island county, Illinois, and here the father lived as a farmer

until his death, following which the mother moved to Des Moines. They

were the parents of seven children, five of whom are living, as follow:

Mrs. Eliza Ash, Mrs. Mary Mason, George J., Robert and Henry. George

J. is the only member of the family living in Audubon county.

George J. Meyer attended the common schools in Illinois until fifteen

years old, being unable to obtain a thorough education. When twenty-one

years old he started in life for himself, working out for a time by the month.

Later, he rented the home farm and operated that until 1891, when he came

to Audubon county, where he purchased a hundred and twenty acres of

land in section 9, Audubon township. This farm was only slightly im-

proved and Mr. Meyer has since erected a large house, barn, cribs and

other buildings, making it one of the most highly-improved farms of the

township.

On February 10, 1885, Mr. Meyer was married to Anna Jacobsen, who

was born in Schleswig, Germany, and who is the daughter of Carl and

Ida (Volck) Jacobsen, natives of Germany, born near Kiel. They, after

coming to the United States, first lived in Rock Island county, Illinois,

and in 1885 they moved to Audubon county, Iowa.

After Mr. Meyer's marriage, he and his wife returned to Illinois, and

lived there until 1891. Of the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Meyer,

only seven are now living. Charles, George and Nora died during an

epidemic of diphtheria in the fall of 1892. The living children are, Walter,

who was born March 10, 1887, and married Nettie Tibben; John, June 1,

1892; Nelle, December 25, 1894; Ida, September 12, 1896; Robert, May

13,1899; Magdalena, March 10, 1901, and Earl, June 21, 1904.

A member of the Free and Accepted Masons and the Modern Brother-

hood of America, Mr. Meyer is considered prominent in fraternal circles

in this vicinity. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer are also members of the Eastern Star,

the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Masonic lodge. Both are members at Exira.

Although Air. Meyer was formerly a Democrat, he has been an independent

voter during late years. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer were baptized in the Lutheran

church, of which denomination their parents were members. Mr. and Mrs.

Meyer's children are members of the Audubon township Christian church,

and Mr. Meyer was one of ihe substantial contributors to the fund raised

in connection with the organization of this church.

George J. Meyer believes in keeping only the best stock obtainable and

was one of the leading organizers of the Audubon Township Creamery

Company, of which he has been treasurer for more than twelve years. Mr.

Meyer is a prominent citizen; is a man of strong convictions, and being ag-

gressive in his attitude, is a natural leader of men. The Meyer family are

popular in Audubon township.