A representative business man of Mount Olive, who is also filling the
highest office of the municipality, is Edward H. Meyer, a manufacturer
of soft drinks. His birth occurred in Montgomery county, Illinois, on
the 22d of February, 1873, his parents being John and Johanna (Schoen)
Meyer, both natives of Germany. After attaining their maturity they
emigrated to the United States, both locating in the vicinity of Mount
Olive, the father in Macoupin county and the mother across the line in
Montgomery county. After their marriage they settled on a farm in the
latter county, and for several years thereafter Mr. Meyer gave his
undivided attention to agricultural pursuits and stock-raising. He
subsequently removed with his family to Mount Olive, where he worked in
a coal mine for many years and later engaged in the saloon business,
continuing to be identified with this activity until his death in 1902.
He is survived by his wife, who continues to make her home in this town.
His political allegiance Mr. Meyer always accorded to the republican
party, and although he never prominently participated in municipal
affairs he at one time served on the town council. He affiliated with
the Lutheran church, in which his wife still holds membership.
Edward H. Meyer was only a small lad when his people brought him to
Mount Olive and almost his entire life has been spent here. His
education was obtained in the German schools, practically his entire
knowledge of English being selfacquired. He first worked at farm labor
and later as a miner, following that occupation for several years, later
he purchased a third interest in the mercantile establishment of
Bartels, Brockman & Co. After being identified with this firm for two
years he sold his interest and went to Seward, Nebraska, where he
engaged in the bottling business for three years. Having decided at the
end of that time that he preferred Illinois to Nebraska for a place of
residence, be sold his business and returning to Mount Olive established
a similar enterprise here. He has been very successful and is now doing
a large and profitable business. In 1907 he was granted the agency of
the Miller Brewing Company at Milwaukee, but he relinquished this
connection in 1910 to accept that of the Leisy Brewing Company of
Peoria, Illinois, which he still retains.
Mr. Meyer was married
in 1894 to Miss Anna Aberle, a daughter of the late Joseph Aberle. There
are six children: Juliette, Ervine, Elmer, Walter, Vera and Edward, Jr.
Politically Mr. Meyer has always been an ardent republican. He
takes an active interest in all municipal affairs, his first official
position having been that of assessor of Mount Olive township, to which
office he was elected in 1899. He held the assessorship for two years
and in 1905 was elected a member of the town council of Mount Olive,
serving in this capacity for one term. At the municipal election of 1911
he was the successful candidate for the office of mayor, of which office
he is the present incumbent. Mr. Meyer is one of the town’s able
business men, whose influence and energies have always been largely
devoted to the advancement of public interests.
Extracted 17 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 545-546.
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