SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

George Meyer, Page 352

GEORGE MEYER is one of the old settlers of Sheboygan County, and a native of the State of Wisconsin.  His parents, Andrew and Anna (Schmidt) Mayer, were natives of Bavaria, Germany, where they were reared and married.  The father was an only son, whose father died in Germany, and his mother in Washington County, Wis., in 1858.  Soon after his marriage Andrew Meyer emigrated to the United States, sailing from Bremen to New York in 1846.  From there he went to Germantown, Washington County, Wis., where he was engaged in farming for some eleven years.  In 1857 he removed to Lyndon Township, Sheboygan County, where he purchased a farm, but after a time came to the town of Plymouth, where the remainder of his life was spent.  He came to this country poor, but became well-to-do.

    Mr. Meyer was twice married, his first wife being Anna Schmidt, who became the mother of twelve children, of whom ten survive:  George, the subject of this record; Martin, a farmer of the town of Plymouth; John, an agent for a music house in Appleton, Wis.; Elizabeth, who married August Moeller, and resides in St. Cloud, Wis.; Andrew, a resident of Sheboygan County; Mary, the wife of Emil Doenitz; Philip, who is a cheese-maker of Brillion, Wis.; Henry, also a cheese manufacturer and dealer, of Greenleaf, this State; Herman, a farmer at Butternut, in the same State, and Edward, who lives at Plymouth.  The mother of this family died November 29, 1863.  The next year the father wedded Louise Kirst.  Of this marriage there were three children:  Oscar, a farmer of Plymouth Township; Louise, who makes her home in Milwaukee; and August, who owns and farms the old homestead in the town of Plymouth.  The father was born February 25, 1821, and died January 13, 1891.  He and both his wives were worthy members of the Lutheran Church.  In politics, he took no active part, though he generally voted the Republican ticket.  To him much credit is due, for, coming to this country a man of small means, he accumulated a good property.  Honorable and upright in his daily life, he was held in high esteem, and left to his children an example and a name worthy of imitation.

    George Meyer was the eldest in his father's family, and was born in Germantown, Washington County, Wis., November 8, 1847.  he was reared on a farm, and until fifteen years old attended the district schools during the winter season.  From the time he was twelve years of age he worked out for wages, turning his earnings over to his father until he reached the age of eighteen, after which he worked by the month for some six years, and during that time clothed himself and saved $900 in cash.

    Mr. Meyer was married November 10, 1872, to Fredericka Goeldner, daughter of Ernst and Francisca (Summer) Goeldner, both of whom were natives of Mecklenburg, Germany.  Mrs. Meyer was born in Mecklenburg, December 14, 1852, and, with her mother, came to the United States in 1855, her father having come two years earlier, and settled in Plymouth.  Her parents survive and still live in that city.  Unto Mr. and Mrs. George Meyer were born nine children, of whom three died:  one in infancy, and Edwin and Lydia died thirty-six hours apart, March 18 and 20, 1890, of croup, and were buried in one casket.  The living are:  Ernest P., George W., Ida L., Charles N., Anna L. and Benno A.  Both husband and wife belong to the Lutheran Church.  Politically, Mr. Meyer is a stanch Republican, and has served as Town Treasurer several terms.

    The first land Mr. Meyer ever owned was in the town of Lyndon, on section 6.  There he bought eighty acres, on which he lived until the spring of 1876, when he sold, and bought eighty-five acres in the town of Plymouth, on section 31.  On this farm he made his home till 1883, when he purchased one hundred acres on section 28 of the same town.  Of the latter he has made one of the finest farms in this section; has improved the house and built barns and fences, thus greatly adding to its value.  Through his own efforts, assisted by his wife, Mr. Meyer has made what he has.  A good business man, industrious and enterprising, he ranks among the foremost farmers of his township.