FRED MEYER, a retired farmer of Arenzville, was born in Prussia, Germany, in 1805. He came of Prussian parents, who lived and died when quite old. His father, Gotlieb H. Meyer, was a German farmer, and his wife was a Prussian lady, formerly Anna Roche. They were members of the Lutheran Church.

Fred was one of five sons and one daughter. The latter lived and died in Germany. The five sons all came to the United States at different times. Fred and a brother, Henry, are the only surviving members of the family. The former grew up and was married in his native province, to Catherine M. Burkesikus. She came of an old Prussian family. After the birth of all their children but one, they came to the United States, in December, 1848, leaving Bremen on a sailing vessel and landing at New Orleans after a trip of nine weeks and three days. They proceeded up the Mississippi river to St. Louis, and from there to Beardstown, and began farming the next year. Here Mrs. Meyer died, in 1865, at the age of forty-three. She and her husband were members of the Lutheran Church. They had five children: William, a farmer in this precinct, married Carrie Talkemeier; Mary, wife of William Dougal, farmer near Taylorville, Illinois; Minnie, formerly wife of Fred Nordsiek, and the mother of seven children; Mary A., at home; Lizzie, wife of Henry Hierman, farmer of this county; Emma, wife of Ed Kloker, farmer in this county; Henry, Lena, Ann and John are all at home. Another son of Mr. Meyer, now deceased, named Henry A., married Minnie Yost.

Mr. Meyer began in this county in 1848, and in the time since then has by hard work accumulated a large property. He had only 100 acres at first, but now has 474 acres, most of which is well improved, with good farm buildings. He has always been a hardworking man, and although now eighty-eight years of age, is as active as ever and in perfect health. He has been a good citizen, a Republican in politics, and now lives in retirement with his daughter Minnie (Mrs. Nordsiek), on section 7, township 17, range 11. He is a good old man, greatly respected by all who know him.