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Below is a family biography included in the book,  Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania published in 1894 by Chapman Publishing Company.  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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PETER G. MEYER, a representative farmer and well known citizen of Plainfield, is a native of Washington Township, Northampton County, and was born October 2, 1833. He is of German descent, and the son of George and Susanna (Kessler) Meyer, natives of the same place. The Meyer family were among the early settlers of this county, and it is said that the great-grandfather of our subject was the founder of the Meyer family in Pennsylvania. He emigrated from Germany to the United States, making his home in Northampton County when there were but few white men in the state.

George Meyer, the father of our subject, who was born in Lower Saucon, and reared in what is now known as Washington Township, was a wheel-wright by occupation. He departed this life November 23, 1876, at the age of eighty-three years. Of his children four survive. Isaac now resides in Dane County, Wis.; Ann E. is the wife of Abram Cressman, of Bangor, this state; Peter, of Plainfield, and Thomas, of Washington Township, are farmers. At various times the father held different offices of the township, and was a highly respected and valued member of the Lutheran Church.

Peter Meyer, the subject of this sketch, was reared to manhood in Northampton County, and from his youth has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits. In his boyhood days he attended the district schools in the vicinity of his home when he could be spared from the duties on the farm, but the advantages offered the youth in those days were not so good as at the present, and therefore his education was limited. He studied and read a great deal in after years, and is practically self-made. Our subject is the possessor of one hundred and twenty-nine acres of fine farming land, all of which bears first-class improvements. A large and beautiful residence stands on the estate, with commodious barns and outbuildings, and a number of fine cattle and horses are also to be found on the place, the whole appearance of which shows him to be a progressive farmer.

Mr. Meyer and Miss Margaret Stocker were married February 26, 1860, and to them eight children have been born, namely: Ervin J., Mary S., Elmer, Andrew J., George A., Laura S., Agnes E. and Annie M. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer are valued members of the Lutheran Church, and give liberally of their means to the support of the same. They are among the first in all good works, and ever ready to help the sick and needy. He is public-spirited and enterprising, and his prosperity and the position which he occupies are mamly due to his own efforts and honesty. The community in which he lives has for a long time looked upon him as one of their leading citizens. He is highly respected and enjoys the confidence of the neighbors and a host of friends.

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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in the book, Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania published in 1894 by Chapman Publishing Company. 

View additional Northampton County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Northampton County, Pennsylvania Biographies

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