My Genealogy Hound

Michael Mayer, farmer and stock raiser, Weiner, Ark. The reader is herewith handed a plain statement of a useful life; for certainly, if what is of the most use is of the most value, then, indeed, it is in recording the lives of representative men that biography is to be useful to posterity. Mr. Mayer was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1844, and was the seventh in a family of eight children born to the marriage of Michael and Mary (Markworth) Mayer, the father a native of Bavaria, and the mother of Canton Worms, France. Michael Mayer, Sr., was reared in his native country, and became a successful agriculturist. He owned a very large vineyard, but sold out in 1853 and came direct from Germany to Illinois, where he later purchased land in Vermilion County, and made his home for some time. Later he moved to Danville, Ill., where his death occurred in October, 1870, and one year later his excellent wife also closed her eyes to the scenes of this earth. The early life of Michael Mayer, Jr., was passed between assisting on the farm and in attending the public schools of Danville, Ill. When the late war broke out he enlisted in Company B, Tenth Illinois Cavalry, Independent Regiment, at Camp Butler, Springfield, Ill., and was assigned to the Western Department. He was in the battles of Wilson’s Creek, Pea Ridge, Prairie Grove, Arkansas Post, Little Rock, Saline River, Pleasant Hill, Helena, Vicksburg, Nashville, was at Stone River, siege of Atlanta, and was in the memorable march to the sea. He was at Mobile, New Orleans, and was also in the Red River campaign; was also in the battles of Corinth and Pittsburg Landing. He received his discharge at San Antonio, Tex., in 1865, but was on the border during that winter, guarding the railroads. He then returned to Danville, Ill., and engaged in merchandising, which he continued for about five years. In 1866 he was married, in Danville, Ill., to Miss Mary Klaege, a native of Germany, and the daughter of John and Mary (Geise) Klaege, also natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Klaege came to the United States in 1856, settling in the city of Brooklyn, where the father was employed for some time, and then moved to Danville, Ill., in 1865. He died there in the fall of 1868. The mother moved to Poinsett County, Ark., in 1882, and made her home with the subject of this sketch until her death, which occurred one year later. Michael Mayer continued his mercantile pursuits, as before stated, for five years in Danville, Ill.; then embarked in contracting, and worked on the I. B. & W. R. R. He remained in Danville until 1881, when he moved to Poinsett County, and in September purchased a timber tract of 280 acres. He now has good buildings, and has 100 acres under fence. He also owns 160 acres partly under cultivation, with a good two story house, etc. He raises considerable cattle of the Ayrshire grade, and is one of the wide-awake farmers of the county. He votes with the Democratic party, but is not very active in politics. While living at Danville, Mr. Mayer was a member of the board of alderman, and since living here he has been a member of the school board, he being deeply interested in educational affairs, having been instrumental in organizing the school district. Mr. and Mrs. Mayer are members of the Catholic Church. To their united lives has been born one child, Emma Elizabeth, who is now Mrs. J. M. Steele [see sketch], and resides in Poinsett County. They have an adopted son, Thomas Leonard, whom they took when four years of age. He now bears the name of Thomas Mayer.