August H. Meyer

August H. Meyer, who for many years has been influentially associated with farming and stock raising interests in the vicinity of Postville, owning today a fine farm of 226 acres, is a native of Iowa, born in Clayton County, September 2, 1860.

He is the son of Henry and Dora (Kluss) Meyer, both of whom were born in Mecklenburg, Germany, the former February 14, 1824 and the latter January 16, of the same year. The father worked as a farm laborer in the early years, crossing the Atlantic about the year 1854. He located in Clayton County, Iowa and purchased land near Guttenberg, which, however, he later sold, removing to Post Township, Allamakee County. He afterward made his home in Grand Meadow Township, Clayton County, where he resided on rented land until his death in February 1886. His wife survived him and makes her home in Post Township. To them were born 2 children - Lena, who married Charles Thies of Clayton County and August H. of this review.

August attended district school in Clayton County and the public schools of Guttenberg and from his childhood he aided in the operation of the homestead, becoming familiar with the best agriculture methods. When he was 21, he hired out as a farm hand, continuing thus for 4 years, afterwhich he rented land in Clayton County, 1 mile south of Postville. Afterward, however, he removed to Allamakee County, buying the farm he now owns, and since that time he has given practically all of his attention to its improvement and cultivation until it is now one of the finest agricultural properties in the locality. It comprises of 226 acres of land under a high state of cultivation, equipped with an excellant barn and substantial outbuildings and with modern labor-saving machinery. Mr. Meyer engages in general farming and is also extensively interested in stock raising, keeping over 100 head of sheep and also cattle, hogs, and horses. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Shipping Company and in the Postville Canning Co.

On the 28th of September 1886, Mr. Meyer was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Krambeer, who was born in Germany on the 6th of August 1863, a sister of John Krambeer, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this book. Mr. & Mrs. Meyer have become the parents of 5 children: Amanda, who was born in 1887 and is now the wife of Henry Kruse of Monona Township, Clayton County; Gustav, a farmer in South Dakota, who was born in 1888 and married Miss Elsie Fischer; Bennie, who was born October 26, 1891; Ervin, born February 21, 1893; and Walter, January 26, 1897. Mr. Meyer is a member of the Lutheran Church at Luana, and gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He is interested in the growth of the community, especially in the cause of education, which he has promoted thru his 2 terms as the director of school board. His life has been such as to give his high standing in the eyes of the community and he is generally recognized as a man whose long years of active labor in Post Township have hot only contributed to his properity but have also been of great value to the community at large.

-transcribed by Margo Harbridge

Return to index