Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 105

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774

USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2 > Part 105

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METZGER, Christian Ernst Julius .- It is to the bankiug institutions of the country that we must look for the financial stability which is absolutely necessary to the prosperity of any community, without which progressiveness or endeavor for advancement would count for naught, and therefore it is desirable that the men who have in their charge the affairs of these institutions shall be types of the highest integrity, meu in whom the people can place the utmost confidence. The First State Bank of New Berlin, Ill., is one of the most stable financial institutions of Sangamon County, and the amount of business handled by it yearly speaks well for the officials who control its transactions. Christian Ernst Julius Metzger, who is the Cashier of this iustitution, was born March 14, 1862, in Nuertingen, Kingdom of Wuerttemberg, Germany, and is a son of

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Johannes and Eva Rosine (Kramer) Metzger, natives of the same Kingdomu.

Johannes Metzger was a civil engineer by profession, and much of his work consisted in the laying out of streets, gradiug of land and beautifying in many ways the thoroughfares of his home city Tuebingen. After a long and useful career along these lines, he retired at the age of fifty-five years, at which time he was elected a member of the City Council, and so served until his death, October 23. 1897, his good wife having passed away October 9th of the same year. - Both were faithful members of the Lutheran Church, and were the parents of the following children : Johannes, a civil en- gineer, who died in Germany at the age of thirty-eight years; Mrs. Roese Goehner; Mrs. Pauline Frasch; Julia, who became the wife of Dr. Thillipsen, a leading physician of Han- over, Prussla ; Emma, who became the wife of Schuebelln Post Verwalter; and Christian E. J.

Christian E. J. Metzger, who is perhaps bet- ter known as E. C. Metzger, in which manner he always signs his name, was started to school at the age of five years and lils educational training continued until he was sixteen years old, including a course of study at the hlgli school and at a college where the languages taught equalled the tuition to be found at any of our leading American educational institu- tions. He then entered a wholesale mercantile establishment, starting at the bottom and work- ing the first three years without reimburse- ment, making his way throughout all the de- partments of the large establishment and learn- ing the work in each thoroughly. The army headquarters were situated near his home, and the treatment he saw given to the soldiers bred in him a feeling of dislike for army service, and as a consequence, having given much thoughit to the New World, in March, 1SS2. he started for America, going to East Atchison, Mo .. where he expected to find a cousin. He went on to Crawfordsville, and iater to Knox City. Mo., but subsequently traveled to Jones County, Tex., where he spent some time in visiting and sight-seeing. Having by this time learned to speak the English language. he went to Quincy, Ill., in 1884, finding employment with a cousin who was superintendent of the constructiou work on the cottages of the Soldiers' Home. and was thus engaged until 1SSS, when he re- turned to Texas and there engaged in breeding Norman Draft horses. In this he was very successful until the financial distress of 1890- 91 struck the country, and the value of horses dropped to such an extent that animais for which Mr. Metzger had paid $80 cash he was compelled to sell for $15. Having disposed of all of his stock, and nothing daunted by his Ill fortune, in 1891 Mr. Metzger returned to Quincy, Ill., where he found employment as a street-car conductor, and spent six years in this position, coming to New Berlin in 1897 to open a paint store. One year later he pur- chased the stock of Henry Grandjian, and in

a short time had built up a business of a few hundred dollars to one that averaged $20,000 annualiy. In June, 1906, on account of ill health he sold out inis business to J. T. Wilcox.

When the First State Bank of New Berlin was organized in 1903, Mr. Metzger purchased a large block of stock, and he became a di- rector and Vice President of the institution. Iu July, 1906, he resigned the vice-presidency to become cashier, a position iu which he has proven himself an able financler. Under his direction the bank lias steadily added to Its dividends and the number of depositors has increased phenomenally. Throughout the State the bauk holds the highest reputation. and its cashier shares this reputation as a safe, sane and able banker. Mr. Metzger Is a member of the German Lutherau Church, while his wife is an active worker in the Baptist denomina- tion. He is a stanch Democrat in political matters, but has never sought nor desired pub- lic office. A courteous and obliging official, he has made friends wherever he has been, aud this is no doubt a valuable asset to the busi- ness of the institutiou which he so ably rep- resents.

Ou May 21, 1895, In New Berlin, Ill., Mr. Metzger was married to Miss Addie M. Grand- jian, daughter of Henry Graudjian, one of the pioneers of Sangamon County, and for many years a leading merchant of New Berlin, which town he helped in developing, and where lie died in 1905.

METZKE, William, was born in Germany, Feb- bruary 2, 1854. soul of Henry and Louisa (Stricker) Metzke, both natives of Germany, who died there. The father was a blacksmith and he and his wife had children as follows: Caroline, married John Goppigh and lives in Germany ; Amelia is married and lives in Ger- inany ; August, of Riverton, Ill .; William. Wil- liam Metzke attended school in his native country until fourteen years of age, then served three years as an apprentice to a blacksmith, after which he worked in the coal mines until he entered the German army. He served three years and two months, then worked two years and a half for a wholesale grocer.

In 1881 Mr. Metzke sailed from Amsterdam, on the ship "Queen," landing in New York April 18. He proceeded to . St. Charles, Mo., where he worked for a time iu the car shops, theu worked for a short time in the coal miues in Indian Territory, after which he moved to Belleville. Ill., and worked at mining, his oc- cupatlon since. He came to Springfield in 1884 and was employed in the old North Shaft, later working in various other urines. He Is an in- dustrious and faithful worker and has made many friends. He erected his present home at 615 West North Grand Avenue in 1904, and owns 160 feet frontage and 175 feet in depth.

Mr. Metzke was married. in Springfield, Octo- ber 1. 1885, to Miss Caroline Hoffe, who was born In Germany. April 16, 185S, and came to

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the United States with her parents when twenty-two years old. She was a daughter of Karl and Lonisa Hoffe, and died November 6, 1909. Mrs. Metzke was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, as are the other members of the family, and was a devoted wife and mother. She was buried in Oak Ridge Cem- etery and was mourned by many friends. Mr. Metzke Is a stanchi Democrat and actively in- terested in the welfare of his community. He and his wife had two children : Edith Julia, born July 27, 1886, married Alfred Relsch and they live with her father, having two children --- Marle C. and Adolph W. C .; Fred Willlam, born May 24, 18SS, living at home.

MEYER, Gottlieb .- In naming the representative citizens of any community, we invariably find that among the most prominent are men who started in life with little or no advantages, either of an educational or financial nature, and worked their way to the top through their own Industry and perseverance. These char- acteristics, together with Intelligence, energy and a thorough knowledge of soil conditions are necessary in this day of advanced farming, and one of the self-made men of Sangamon County, who treats his vocation more as a profession than as a trade, is Gottlieb Meyer, of Section 4, Loaml Township. Mr. Meyer was born July 15, 1855, in Prens-Minden, Germany, a son of Frederick Meyer, the owner of a 100-acre tract in the Fatherland.

Gottlieb Myer was reared ou the home farm In his native country. and his education was secured In the schools of that country. In 1873, having heard of the opportunities offered to young, energetic men who were not afraid of hard work, he bade good-bye to his parents and with his brother, Henry C., started for the United States, the voyage consumiug about seventeen days. On reaching this country Mr. Meyer came to Litchfield, Ill., and went to work for a friend whom he had known In Germany, a Mr. Whitehouse, who had located in America some years before. His first wages were $140 per year, out of which he man- aged to save $110. and the second year, out of $170 he saved $120. By the third year he had begun to learn the Euglish language and went to work for Abraham Brokaw, who paid him $17 per month and allowed him to attend the district school during one winter near Litch- field. During the one year and nine months while he was In Mr. Brokaw's employ, he saved $250 out of $348 wages, and in 1877 he went to work for Henry Whitehouse near Litchfield, receiving $200 per year and saved $300 of the $400 thus received in two years. In 1879 he entered the employ of John Niemann, at $200 per year, and after two years had saved $225 oť hls wages, making in the eight years that he had worked $1.000 that he had accumulated. Mr. Meyer then engaged with Charles White- house at $200 per year aud remaining two years, saved the entire $400 thus earned and

on March 1, 1833, came to Sangamon County, and again hired out at farming at $20 per month, with William Scheele, in Berlin Town- ship. Continning here some months, he again added $200 to his capital, and then he and his brother Henry located in Loami Township, and here Gottlieb purchased 160 acres of land in Section 4, nnder agreement to pay $54.50 per acre for It. His parents in Germany were well-to-do and advanced him $1,000, and with this he purchased horses, a wagon and farming implements aud prepared to clear up for him- self a good farm from the wild and unculti- vated property before him. It took long years of hard work before the heavy timber was cleared off the land, the low lands tiled and the tract properly fenced, but this has been accomplished and now Mr. Meyer can look with pardonable pride over one of the best farms In Sangamon County. His first home, to which he brought his bride, was a small one-story building of four rooms, but this has since been added to from time to time, and Is now finished and well furnished, surrounded by shade and fruit trees, well-kept hedges and beautiful lawns. The small barn, corn-crib and other outbulldiugs have given place to more ample structures, and the farm, as a whole, bears little resemblance to the conditions of less than thirty years ago. Mr. Meyer has been success- ful not only in farming but in stock-raising as well, and now owns mauy finely bred horses, cattle and hogs.

On August 5, 1884. Mr. Meyer was nnited in marriage to Mary Scheele, who was born in St. Louis, Mo., a danghter of Bernard Scheele, a native of Germany. To Mr. and Mrs. Myer three children were born: Emma. born August 21, 1886; Gottlieb H. C., born July 30, 1888, but died in March, 1893, at the age of four years, eight months, eleven days, after an Illness of but three days; and Mary, who Is better known as Mamie, born October 22, 1894. Mr. Meyer has given his children excellent educational advantages, and Miss Emma is a musiclan of no mean ability. She is also well versed in the domestic, sciences, and since the death of her beloved mother has taken her place as nearly as she could, managing her father's household affairs and caring for her younger sister. The mother died in the faith of the Lutheran Church, Angust 31, 1904, after an illness lasting two years, during which time her Christian patience and sweetness of char- acter was exemplified to the fullest degree. Medical talent was secured from all over this part of the country, but neither this nor the loving attention of husband or children could do aught to relieve her suffering, and she finally passed away. She was laid to rest in Oak Ridge Cemetery, which she had chosen as her last resting-place, and the little boy was taken and laid beside her.

Mr. Meyer is a member of the Lutheran Church, is a Democrat In politics and, for six years, has served his Township as School DI-

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rector. As a man and a citizen be is highly es- teemed throughout his community and his friends and acquaintances are numerous.

MEYER, Henry C .- Sangamon County is for- tunate in numbering so many native-born Ger- mans among its populatiou, for there are no bet- ter citizens to be found anywhere than those who come from the Fatherlaud. One of these excellent men who have set a good example of industry and thrift wherever found, is Henry C. Meyer, a general farmer and stock-raiser resid- ing on Section 4, Loami Township. He was born in Westphalia, Germany, February 17, 1848, a son of Frederick and Louisa ( Werkmeister) Meyer. Frederick Meyer was considered an ex- tensive farmer in the locality wbere he lived and died, for he owned 100 acres of land, and raised grains and a common grade of stock. In his younger days, he served his regular term in the German army, and in his native country was an excellent and representative citizen. His death occurred about 1880, his widow sur- viving him until 1905, when she died aged eighty-four years. Nine children were born to them, all of whom attained maturity: August, died about 1897; William, lives in Germany ; Charlotte, widow of Fred Kruckmeyer, also re- sides in Germany ; Louis is a farmer of Berlin Townsbip; Carl is a farmer in Germany ; Gott- lieb is written of elsewhere in this work; Caro- line married a Mr. Koch and resides near hier birthplace ; Fredricka, married a Mr. Leumann and remained in Germany, and Henry C.

Henry C. Meyer was brought up in his native land in the thorough German way, being pre- pared for whatever work might fall to his share. in 1873, he with his brother Gottlieb, came to America to join an old friend, a Mr. White- house, a farmer in the vicinity of Litchfield, III. The young men reached their destination Oc- tober 3, 1873, receiving a warm welcome and employment by their host. For his services, Henry Meyer received $170 per year, and saved nearly all of this money. The following year he went to Morgan County, working there on a farm until 1SS0, when he bought eighty acres of land, paying $36 per acre for it. Still saving as much as possible, in 1884, with his brother Gott- lieb, he was able to buy 320 acres in Loami Township, located on Section 4, Henry Meyer trading bis eighty acres in Morgan County as part payment for his new purchase. There was a frame house in process of erection on tbe land, into which the Meyers moved. They im- mediately began the cultivation and improve- ment of the land and later a division was made of the property, so that Henry C. Meyer now owns 193 acres, 160 acres of which cost $54 per acre, but now estimated as worth $200 per acre, being devoted to general farming and stock- raising. In politics, Mr. Meyer is a Democrat but does not seek office.

On December 14. 1882, Mr. Meyer was married to Caroline Hardt, born in Jacksonville, Ill., a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Wunder-

lich) Hardt, natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Hardt came to America in 1850, locating on a farm in Maxwell Township, where the for- mer died March 26, 1904, and the latter, July 20, 1907.

Their two sons. George and Christ, make their home with Mr. Mey- er. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer had children as follows: Elizabeth, born June 26, 1884, on the present farm; Louise. born August 26, 1885, married Charles W. Jacobs of Dawson, Ill., and have one daughter-Eurniel Naomi; Bertha, born August 11, 1888; Henry, born Sep- tember 6, 1890; Carl, born April 29, 1893; Al- bert, born January 20, 1897, and Gottlieb, born October 10, 1899. These children were all care- fully educated in the common schools, and given additional advantages. Miss Elizabeth received her education in music from Miss Mildred Par- kin of Loami, and for four years gave instruc- tion in piano music. When Mrs. Meyer passed away, February 9, 1910, Miss Elizabeth bravely reuounced her ambitions along musical lines, to assume the cares of the household. The famn- ily were members of the Lutheran Church and the dear mother was laid to rest in the Luth- eran Cemetery near New Berlin. Miss Bertha is a graduate of the Gem City Business College, of Quincy, Ill., and was a stenographer for the J. C. Pierik Jewelry Company of Springfield, but she, too, left her life work to assist in car- ing for the family her mother left behind her. These young ladies are charming in manner and fitted to adorn any circle, and their unselfish- less is beautiful to witness.

Mr. Meyer is a man who stands high in the estimation of his neighbors, and his family is one of whom any father may well be proud.

MEYER, James, a retired farmer now living in Springfield, Ill., a veteran of the Civil War and an honored and useful citizen, was born between Moscow and Warsaw, Russia, Octo- ber 16, 1834, a son of Carl and Amnelia (Engle- man) Meyer, both natives of Berlin. Germany. The fatber was a weaver and merchant. and he and his wife spent most of their lives in Germany, where he died in 1868 and his wife in 1865. They were parents of two sons and three daughters, all of whom are deceased ex- cept James. One son served in the Twenty- third German Infantry during the Franco- Prussian war. James Meyer passed his child- hood in Germany, to which place he was taken by his parents when about six years old. After leaving school be worked at the trade of baker. which be followed until 1853,

when he sailed for

America,

landing

sbort New York. and after spending

a time in Philadelphia, went on to Pittsburg, Pa .. where he remained one year. From Pittsburg he went to Cincinnati, thence to Lawrenceburg, Ind., and after spending about a year at the last-named city. in October. 1855. came to Springfield. He worked Que year on a farm in Sangamon County, then went to Kansas, but soon returned to Springfield and worked for

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

Thomas Dennis, then a farmer, who was serv- ing as Mayor of Springfield at the time of the assassination of President Lincoln. From 1858 to the breaking out of the war Mr. Meyer worked at teaming.

July 15, 1862, Mr. Meyer enlisted in Com- pany A, Third Illinois Light Artillery, under Captain T. F. Vaughn, and served one year under General Grant, participating in the bat- tles of little Rock, Jenkins Ferry, and many other important engagements. He served until July 3, 1865, on which date he was mustered out, at Springfield, and this city has since been his home. Ile has been retired from ac- tive life the past twelve years, and owns a nice home at 521 West Reynolds Street, be- sides other city property. He is a member of the Lutheran Church and in politics a Repnb- lican, having cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln.

Mr. Meyer was married, in Springfield, March 20, 1858, to Miss Sarah Henderson, who was born in Richland, Sangamon Connty, Ili., October 9, 1839, a danghter of Lnke and Julia (Hnbbard) Henderson, who came to Sangamon County overland fromn Trenton, N. J., and set- tled on a farm near Richland. They after- ward moved to Springfield, where their last days were spent. They were parents of fonr sons and eight daughters, and of their family only four survive: Mrs. Meyer, a son John; William Henderson, of Springfield; and Ed- ward. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer became the parents of five children, three danghters and two souls, and four of these children are now living, namely : Oscar, living on a farm in Sangamon County ; Amelia, wife of Sylvester Castlebinder, a cabinet-maker, of Shreveport, La .; Louisa, wife of Edward French, of East St. Louis, Ill. ; and Nettie, wife of James Carey, on a farin at New City, Sanga- mon County. Mr. Meyer has thirteen grand- children and two great-grandchildren. He is weli known in the city and is highly respected by all who have been associated with him in business or social relations for his sterling qualities and high character. Mrs. Meyer, as a young woman, worked one year for Abraham Lincoln, and her husband was also acquainted with Mr. Lincoln.

MEYER, Louis .- The Meyer family is one which is closely identified with agricultural his- tory in Sangamon County, and its representa- tives are today numbered among the best farm- ers the locality possesses. One of them is Louis Meyer, an excellent farmer and stock raiser of Section 33, Berlin Township, who was born in Germany, January 26, 1852, son of Frederick Meyer.

Louis Meyer was educated in the district schools of his native place and learned to work on the farm his father owned. Until 1881 he remained at home, but in that year left for the United States, to which his brothers, Henry and Gottlieb, had come in 1873. Upon his arrival,

Lonis Meyer secured employment at Litchfield, Ill., working by the month, with a friend of the family, a Mr. Whitehouse, receiving eleven dol- lars per month for his services. For two years he continued to work in the vicinity of Litch- field, but in 1883 came to Sangamon Connty to work on a farm. He carefully saved his money, and in 1887 was able to buy 160 acres of land on Section 13, in Berlin township. On it was a small house and an old barn, and he moved on his property in 1888, boarding with his brother Gottlieb. His next purchase was four horses, and gradnally he made improvements, and now has one of the best farms in the county, which cost him $50 per acre, but which he would not sell now for $225 per acre.

On April 26, 1889, Mr. Meyer married Lina Granky, born in Germany, daughter of Carl and Minnie (Meyer) Granky. Mr. Granky was a farmer in Germany, but was not satisfied with conditions there, so in 1870 started for the United States, only to fall sick and be sent to the hospital. Upon his recovery he went to Morgan County, Ill., and while there sent for his family, who arrived in June, 1873. Purchas- ing a farm in Morgan County, he resided on it for a time, but sold and bought another farm in Maconpin County, where he became well-to-do and influential. There he died, in June, 1884, leaving a widow and the following children: Mrs. Meyer, with whom the mother now re- sides, having attained the age of seventy-five years ; Bertha, born in 1868, wife of Albert Krug- ler, a farmer near Morris, Okla., nine children ; August married Susie Eads of Kentucky, and a resident of Leroy, Ill., six children; and two who died in infancy.

Mr. and Mrs. Meyer have had seven children, one of whom died in infancy, the others being : Henry L., born March 1, 1890, operating a part of the home farm; Pauline Bertha, born Septem- ber 28, 1892, keeping house for her brother Henry; Minnie, born March 31, 1894, at home; Clara, born November 7, 1898; John, born March 29, 1901; Lilly, born September 15, 1904. . Mr. and Mrs. Meyer are endeavoring to give their children every advantage within their power. The parents and those of the children who are old enough, are members of the German Luth- eran Church.

The record of Mr. Meyer is an interesting one, for it proves what anyone can accomplish who is industrious and thrifty. His fine farm of 215 acres is extremely valuable. His residence, erected in 1905, contains nine rooms, is two stories in height, and is finished in modern style. He carries a good grade of stock and his farm is up-to-date in every respect, yet all of this has been earned since 1881, when he came to the country, ignorant of its language and customs. Mr. Meyer plants about 125 acres in corn and thirty-two acres in oats. For some time he has served as School Director of the Patton Dis- trict, and believes in securing good educational advantages for the children. All his life in his

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adopted country he has heen a Democrat. For twenty-nine years he has been a resident of the United States, and for twenty-six years has lived in Berlin Township, and no German-Ameri- can is prouder of his adopted country than Mr. Meyer.

MILLAR, William Johnston, who has been closely identified with the material interests of Sangamou County for many years, both as a banker and attorney-at-law, is now somewhat re- tired from the activities of life, spending his declining years in Springfield. He was horn at Paxinos, Northumberland County, Pa., Septem- ber 8, 1838, son of George and Polly (Stetsler) Millar, of Huguenot ancestry and one of a fam- ily of eleven children.

Mr. Millar attended the country school in his native county, but in 1860 went to California, where he went to school and later became a teacher. Still later he entered the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and graduated from the law department of that institution in 1873, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Foliow- ing this Mr. Millar taught school in Sangamon County, imitating the example of many of his family. One brother, John, became a professor in an Iowa university. In 1874, responding to the needs of his community, Mr. Millar estab- lished the hanking business at Illiopolis, and built it up to solid proportions, continuing therein until ill health compelled him to re- tire. Meanwhile he had invested in farming land, and still retains large properties. One of the several fine farms now in his possession is the famous Bennett Mills farm of 120 acres, ad- joining Springfield.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 105

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913 Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 774

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774