Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Meyer, S, M D 1821 - 
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Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 9, 2007, 11:37 pm

Author: Portrait & Bio Album, 1890

S MEYER, M. D. For about eighteen years Dr. Meyer has been the leading 
physician and surgeon of Beecher,where he established himself in 1872, and 
where he has built up a large and successful practice. He was thoroughly 
educated in the science of therapeutics, and had an extended experience as an 
army physician and surgeon, as well as a private experience of many years, 
before he became a resident of this place. His theoretical knowledge and skill 
in the use of remedial agents is unquestioned, while in the use of the scalpel 
he was equally well versed. The father of our subject was Michael Meyer, a 
native of Prussia, who served his country as a soldier for nine years, chiefly 
under Napoleon. He lived to the extreme old age of one hundred and two years, 
dying in the land of his birth. His first wife bore the maiden name of Mary 
Francen. She was the mother of two children, our subject and a brother, 
Michael, Jr., who also came to this country. The latter died in Chicago after 
having served twenty years as detective and policeman there. The mother was 
noted in her country for her medical skill and education, she having practiced 
mid-wifery for many years; she died at the ripe old age of eighty-seven years. 
She and her husband belonged to the Catholic Church. Dr. Meyer was born in one 
of the Rhine Provinces of Prussia, September 11, 1821, and was carefully 
reared by his parents, who bestowed upon him all the advantages possible in 
the way of obtaining knowledge. When he had reached the proper years he 
entered the medical college of Bon, Germany, where he studied six years. He 
was then graduated, and entering the Prussian Army spent nine years in 
discharging the duties devolving upon an army physician and surgeon. He had 
charge of many serious cases, and performed many critical surgical operations, 
as he has since done in America. The knowledge which Dr. Meyer had obtained of 
the United States led him to believe that a broader field would be opened 
before him in this country, and he therefore determined to leave his native 
land and seek a home in the New World. In the fall of 1854 he engaged passage 
for himself and family on a vessel which sailed from Antwerp to New York. They 
reached the latter city after a perilous voyage of sixty-five days. Storms 
swept the vessel clear of its masts and rigging, and the five hundred 
passengers nearly died from starvation before the desired haven was reached. 
The Doctor came at once to Chicago and opened an office in that city, where he 
pursued his chosen calling with marked success until 1872. He then removed to 
Beecher, which has since been his home, and the center of his well-directed 
efforts to alleviate the sufferings of mankind. The first wife of our subject 
was Miss Theresa A. Haerman, a native of one of the Rhine Provinces, in which 
she spent her entire life, dying when but twenty-three years old. She left one 
child, Lena, now the wife of Adam Rauen, whose home is Chicago, and who is 
connected with the water-works there. Dr. Meyer chose for his second companion 
Miss Gertrude Hann, who was also born and reared in a Rhine Province in 
Germany. This marriage has resulted in the birth of a large family, four of 
whom are now living. Of the eight who have been removed by death, all died 
young and most of them in infancy. The survivors are Michael, Peter, John and 
Anna. The first is foreman of the painting department of the car shops; he is 
a clever artist, wielding the brush in other lines than those required in the 
business. He married Miss Augusta Heinz. Peter is a prominent fresco, sign and 
landscape painter, and he also evinces considerable artistic talent; John is 
employed in the Cook County Court House; Anna is the wife of John Pauly, a 
dealer in wines and liquors, at No. 100 Randolph Street, Chicago. Dr. Meyer is 
a believer in the principles embodied in the Democratic platform, and in all 
national elections supports it with his vote. He is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, being enrolled in Blue Lodge No. 740, Grand Park. The entire 
family belong to the Catholic Church. The Doctor owns some fine property in 
Chicago.

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page 
Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens 
of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890 

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