Lewis S. Meyers

Lewis S. Meyers

MEYERS, LEWIS S., farmer, section 36, Big Prairie, was born in France about 30 hours or 90 miles, from Strasbourg, on the river Main. The date of his birth was July 23, 1831. His father Jacob Meyers, was born about 1783, in Schelestadt, and died in 1868. He was an attache of an officer on the staff of Napoleon Bonaparte. Jacob Meyers, the paternal grandfather, belonged to the farming community of France, and by vocation was a dairyman. Mary ann (Phillips) Meyers, the mother of Mr. Meyers of this sketch, was born in 1801, in Minster, France, in Lower Alsace. She died about 1857.

The parents came to the United States in 1832, and located in Stark Co., Ohio. The son was about nine months old, and they lived thee until he was 12 years of age, when they removed to Allen Co., Ind. Mr. Meyers remained at home until his first marriage in 1856, when he became the husband of Elizabeth McDowell. Two children were born of this marriage, namely: Viola, now Mrs. Weaver and residing in Indiana; and Leander, who lives in Ft. Wayne, Ind. The mother died in 1864. After the death of his wife Mr. Meyers enlisted in Co. A, 21st Mich. Vol. Inf., enrolling Sept. 1, 1864. His command was attached to the army corps of Gen. Sherman, and he served in all the actions during the memorable march to the sea. On the close of the war Mr. Meyers came to Croton, where he worked one year in a saw-mill, and then turned his attention to carpentry, and became foreman in the lumber interets of Robert Mitchell.

Mr. Meyers was married in Croton, Newaygo County, May 13, 1869, to Katherine Maier. She was born July 22, 1838, in Baden, a Prussian Province and is a daughter of Batel and Margaret Maria (Kohler) Maier, natives of the same place in Prussia where their daughter was born. Both were Germans and born approximately in 1805 and 1807.

About the date of his second marriage Mr. Meyers bought 80 acres of land in Big Prairie, where he established his home. He has 30 acres cleared, with good improvements. He has passed his time farming and working as a lumberman. He is a great sportsman and has an interesting record. His list includes 300 deer, 194 of which he killed in Indiana. He has killed but one wolf, and but one bear. The latter weighed 327 pounds.

Mr. Meyers is a Democrat in politics, and Roman Catholic in religion.

Return to Home Page

Return to Pioneers