It is doubtful whether Cahokia township can claim a more industrious
or persevering citizen than William H. Meyer, whose farm is visible
evidence of his thrift and good judgment. A native of Prussia, Germany,
he can claim descent from Teutonic ancestry on both sides of the house.
He was born December 31, 1853, a son of Henry and Mary (Lafemann) Meyer.
The father came to the United States with his family in the spring of
1858, landing at New Orleans after a voyage of eleven weeks in a sailing
vessel. The trip to St. Louis was made in a river steamer and thence the
travelers journeyed to Morgan county, Illinois, and Mr. Meyer found
employment on a farm near Jacksonville. He was a man of persistence and
energy, and possessed a laudable desire to become financially
independent. As soon as conditions permitted he rented a farm on his own
account, and in 1864 or 1865 took up his residence on a place in
Macoupin county, one and one-half miles northeast of Mount Olive. This
land he purchased in 1866 and applied himself with such energy and good
judgment, that he became the owner of one hundred and eighty acres of
well improved land. He died in 1874, having attained a position as one
of the responsible citizens of the county. Mrs. Meyer survived her
husband until 1883.
At the age of five years William H. Meyer
arrived with his parents in Macoupin county. He received his education
in the district schools and early decided to devote his life to farming,
a business for which he is eminently adapted both by inclination and
natural ability. After the death of his father he cultivated part of the
home farm, and later purchased his brother’s interest in the estate,
becoming the sole owner of the place. He has acquired adjoining land and
his home farm now comprises three hundred and thirty-three acres. He
also owns one hundred acres two miles southeast of his home place. He
possesses essential characteristics of a successful business man and,
having made a good start on the road to prosperity, he never turned
back. For six years past he has made a specialty of raising thoroughbred
Percheron horses, and has produced some of the finest specimens of this
breed that have been reared in the county. He takes an active interest
in supporting legitimate enterprises and is a stockholder in the First
National Bank of Mount Olive.
On June 12, 1879, Mr. Meyer was
married to Miss Wilhelmina Gehner, a daughter of Casper Gehner. The
father was born in Germany and was one of the early settlers of Macoupin
county. He is now deceased. Eleven children have been born to Mr. and
Mrs. Meyer, all of whom survive. Their names are: Charlotte, who is the
wife of William Grossenheider, of Montgomery county, Illinois; August,
who is in charge of his father’s one hundred acre farm; Minnie, who
married John Prange, of Washington, Kansas; and William, Emma, Lydia,
Lena, Emil, Ella, Clara and Edward, all of whom are living at home.
As a representative man of this section Mr. Meyer has exercised a
beneficent influence and the value of his life to the community is not
to be measured so much by his wealth as by his character. Eminently just
in all his dealings and willing to assist in forwarding every movement
which aims to secure the advancement of the community, he is accorded
the respect that belongs to those who recognize their responsibilities
and faithfully attempt to perform their duty.
Extracted 15 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 357-358.
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