John F. Meyer, farmer, P.O. Elkader, was a son of Renke E. and Katherina (Geriets) Meyer, natives of Germany. They came to the United States in 1854. Renke E., Sr., died in Clayton County in 1865. The subject of this notice was born in Germany, March 1, 1844. He came to the United States with his parents and lived in Toledo, O., three years, where he attended school. He came to Clayton County in 1857, locating on a farm in Cox Creek Township, section 4. He was married April 29, 1860, to Mary, daughter of Fred and Dorothea (Gardner) Peick. After his marriage Mr. Meyer lived at Littleport some three years, then opened a saloon in Elkader, of which he made a financial success. He disposed of it in a few years and bought his present farm of 190 acres, on sections 33 and 34, Boardman Township, where he now lives. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer have been blessed with eight children--Sophia, born Jan. 29, 1869, died in 1872; Dorothea, born Sept. 21, 1870; Fred, born April 5, 1872, died 1873; William, born Dec. 24, 1874; Christian, born Dec. 3, 1875; Minnie, born Dec. 31, 1877; Ernst, born March 20, 1880; Augusta, born Feb. 23, 1882. Mr. Meyer is one of the pioneers and representative men of Clayton County, and affiliates with the Republican party. source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 663-664 |