NOTES:
Occupation: Worked in his father's factory in manufacturing of oil before
Father's Mill, at the same time going to school until age 14.
Learned trade of Weaver in Germany.
Was Will Co. Supervisor for 20+ years.
Road Commissioner for 12 years.
Tax Collector. All of Township offices.

In 1844 left about July 12 age 20, crossed the Atlantic ocean alone on the sailing vessel Westphalia, from Bremerhaven Germany. Leaving Germany for Chicago took 43 days on the Ship to New York City. Landed in New York Aug. 24 1944. Up Hudson River to Albany, by rail to Buffalo. Then around the Great Lakes to Chicago. Landed there Sept. 3, 1844. A Stranger. Set out to find work and commenced. Worked as a farm hand on a Cook Co. Farm at $6.00 per month and board, which is now included in City Limits of Chicago. Then spring of 1845 he commenced work for John Miller in Du Page Twp. He remained there and saved enough money to purchase a farm. Four Years later (1848) moved to Will Co. Crete, Illl. and here he bought 40 acres of land, one mile East of Burville, (Faithhorn) Rd.
Retired to live in Crete ILL. in 1885 leaving the 380 acres to his son, William.
He was a prominent and honored citizen. An ardent Republican. Supervisor since 1869 except 3 yrs.
Held several offices of Public service.
Good Education in Native Germany and will-informed.
He met his 1st wife, Anna Sophie Rinne, on the ship to the U.S.A. across the Atlantic. She died on April 27, 1869 after having her 11th child. Anna's 11th child (Anna) was born April 26, 1869 - died Sept 29th the same year.

Silver Wedding Anniversary. (St. James Journal Gazette 7/15/1915, Page 1)
The hospitable home of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Meier, southwest of this city, was the scene of a most pleasant social gathering last Friday evening, when about fifty-friends, neighbors and relatives assembled to help celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the marriage of the host and hostess. The function was in the nature of a surprise to Mr. and Mrs. Meier in that Rev. F. E. Brauer. who, on July 9, 1890, performed the ceremony at Crete, ILL., being met at the station by John Meier of Minneapolis, a son of the worthy couple just mentioned. Relatives present at the anniversary were Mr. Meier's brother, Wm. H. Meier, and his wife of Crete, ILL.; Mr. Meier's sister, Mrs. W. Pelpenbrink and daughter of Crete. ILL.; Mr. Meier's niece, Mrs. Clara Rentne of Hammond, ILL.; Mr. Meier's son, John Meier, wife and children of Minneapolis; Henry, Herman and Martin Meier, residing in Martin and Watonwan counties; Louisa, Edward, Walter, Albert and Alice at home. Four other children, viz: Mrs. J. D. Meyer of Mankato, Mrs. Emma Hoeffeling of Iroquois County, ILL., Otto Meier, also of Illinois and Wm. Meier, residing in California, were unable to be present. The worthy couple were the recipients of many beautiful presents in silverware, in fact so many that Mr. Meier Jokingly remarked to his wife that they would doubtless have to build an addition on their house in order that they might make room for all. Short and appropriate speeches were made by Rev. Brauer and also by Rev. E.A. Pankow, pastor of the S. James German Lutheran church. Refreshments were served and at a late hour the guests departed unanimously wishing Mr. and Mrs. Meier many happy returns of the day.

Obituary
J. W. Meier, Local Pioneer, Passes Away : Funeral Rites Conducted today at Home and Church REV. S BIRKHOLZ Officiates at services. Leaves Nine Sons, Four Daughters, Wife, 2 Brother and Sister. Funeral services were held today (Thursday) for John W. Meier, who died Monday at 4:47 pm from an infection which brought on blood poisoning. The service was held at the house at 1:30pm and at the St. Paul's Lutheran church at 2pm Rev. E. Birkholz officiated. Pall bearers were Edgar, Lawrence, Arthur, Huber, Chester and Homer Meier. Burial was in Mt. Hope cemetery. John W. Meier was the son of John O. (Meyer) and wife Anna Rinne. He was born at Crete. Will County, Illinois, June 22, 1849. He was 87 years, one month and five days old at the time of his death. He lived with his parents in the country near Chicago until the age of 25 years, when he was joined in marriage to Miss Sophie Sheiwe, on July 9, 1874, with whom he traveled life's journey until 1888, In 1874 he moved onto his own farm near Milford, Troquois County, ILL. where he lived until 1907; when he sold his farm and moved to a farm south of St. James, where he has since resided. Eight children were born by his first marriage. On July 9, 1890 he was united in marriage to Frieda Daus. Five children were born to this union. Mr. Meier was survived by his wife, four daughters, (Lena) Mrs. JD Meyer, Mt. Lake; (Emma) Mrs. Geo. Hoefling, Milford, ILL.; (Louise) Mrs. Henry Loschen, and Alice, St. James; nine sons, John H. Minneapolis; Herman E, Ormsby; Martin H. Fairmont; Henry F. Ormsby; Otto and Edward C, St. James; Walter T. Watertown, S.D.; Albert A, Rowena, Minn.; Wm. H. Truman. He also leaves two brothers, William H and Henry, Crete, ILL, one sister, Mrs. Sophia Wassman, Crete, IlL. There are 34 grandchildren and 10 great grand children.(Medelia, Minnesota Historical Soc. July 30, 1936 Page 1 Book A)

If you have come to my website via Ancestry: Several years ago the genealogy giant Ancestry absorbed the genealogy websites of Rootsweb along with personal databases posted at Rootsweb's WorldConnect Project that included a large database of my own family information. I started using Rootsweb in 2000 and they gave us the capability to add, remove, and update our information at anytime and I used these options frequently to post correct and current data. Presently (2006) I am told by Ancestry that we cannot maintain our own databases, we cannot even remove them. If you find information at Ancestry with my name attached please search my website for current information, the databases posted at Ancestry contain inaccurate information. - Karen Rowe.