William Meyer, Sr. From History of Grant County, Wisconsin, 1881, p. 913 - 914.

PLATTEVILLE

WILLIAM MEYER, Sr., Platteville, was born Sept. 22, 1828, in Sulz, Wurtemberg. In early life he learned harness-making, and during the revolution of 1848-50, he served as a soldier in the Fourth Wurtemberg Regiment. In 1852, he came to America; landed at New Orleans, and then came up the Father of Waters to Galena, thence to Platteville, where he entered the employ of Mr. Lambert, a harness-maker. During the civil war, he formed a partnership with Miner Burwell in the harness business. At the death of Mr. B., a year later, Mr. Meyer bought out the heirs, and conducted the business alone, until he in turn sold out to his son and son-in-law, Dec. 15, 1877. He owns 9 acres in the city and farms in a small way; is also one of the Board of Alderman, elected in the spring of 1880, and a member of the German Presbyterian Church, of which he has been an Elder for three years past. His first wife was Frederika Kohler, born in his native village. She died in November, 1870, leaving five children - William, Rosa, John, Samuel and Martha. By the present wife, nee Pauline Geyer, he has a son - George. The eldest son is in partnership with Peter Pitts, Jr., they having bought out the father in the harness business. The second son is in the shop with them, while the three youngest children are with the father, whose name heads this sketch.

 


This biography generously submitted by Roxanne Munns.