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Below is a family biography included in The History of Gasconade County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1888.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Louis Meyer, dealer in agricultural implements and proprietor of a portable sawmill at Hermann, was born in that city January 1, 1840, and is a son of Ernst Henry Meyer (deceased), a native of Prussia and a pioneer settler of Hermann. (For further particulars of parents see sketch of Aug. Meyer, just preceding this.) Louis remained on the farm near Hermann until fifteen years of age, when he began learning the wagon-maker’s trade, which, after completing, he removed to St. Louis and followed for about two years and a half. He then returned to Hermann, and built a shop on his father’s farm. A year later he enlisted in Company B, Fourth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and was in service twenty-one months, being on guard duty all the time. After returning from the war he established a wagon-maker’s shop in Hermann (1864), and there remained until 1873, when he added a blacksmith shop, and operated the same until 1878, when he rented the blacksmith shop. He also rented the wagon-maker’s shop in 1883, and now deals in agricultural implements and owns and operates a saw-mill, called the Eagle Sawmill, which was manufactured at Indianapolis. It is driven by a traction engine, and the same engine can be used for threshing. December, 1864, he married Mary Velewald, daughter of Frederick Velewald (deceased), an early settler of Franklin County. Six children, five of whom are living, were born to Mr. Meyer’s marriage: Louis, Louise, Hattie, Emily and Edward. Mr. Meyer was a member of the town council, was treasurer of the County Agricultural Society, and was a member of the school board, of which he was president for three years. He is treasurer of the Hermann Aid Society, is a member of the G. A. R., of which he is senior vice-commander, and he is also a member of the German Methodist Episcopal Church.

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This family biography is one of 146 biographies included in The History of Gasconade County, Missouri published in 1888.  For the complete description, click here: Gasconade County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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