Sedgwick County KS Archives Biographies.....Meyer, John F. W. 1862 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ks/ksfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com April 5, 2007, 4:10 pm Author: O. H. Bentley (1910) John F. W. Meyer, familiarly known in Wichita, his home city, as "Billy" Meyer, is a native of Bassum, Germany, and was born in 1862, the son of A. R. Meyer and Sophia Meyer. He attended school in his native place, and when nineteen years old, in 1881, came to the United States and settled at Wichita, Kan. He first found employment as a clerk in the dry goods store of Thomas Lynch and later with Messrs. Innes & Ross. From 1890 until 1896 he was employed as bookkeeper by Messrs. Mahan Bros., and resigned that position to accept the office of deputy sheriff. After one year's service he returned to the employ of Mahan Bros. In 1898 he was the candidate on the Democratic ticket for City Clerk, but failed of an election. When in 1902 the business of his former employers was incorporated as the Mahan Supply Company, Mr. Meyer became its vice-president and manager, and so continued until the company transferred its business to Kansas City in the spring of 1907, when he discontinued connection with the company. In the fall of that year Mr. Meyer associated himself with and was made secretary of the Cox Bottling Company, located at No. 115 South Rock Island avenue, and still retains that relation. He is also financially interested in and treasurer of the Wichita Vinegar Works Company, and besides has interests in several other commercial enterprises of Wichita. Mr. Meyer is active in fraternal organizations, being a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Knights of Pythias, Eagles and Sons of Herman societies of the city and state. He also holds membership in the Commercial Club. He is one of the most prominent German-Americans of Wichita and widely known all over Kansas. In 1896 he was elected Grand President of the Sons of Herman (a strictly German lodge) for the state of Kansas and from 1901 to 1909 he was Grand Representative of the State Grand Lodge to the National Grand Lodge, in which body he held an office for four years. In 1893 he visited his early home in the Fatherland and in 1894 he married Miss Nellie Murphy, of Fulton, N. Y., and enjoys the comforts and pleasures of a happy home. Again in 1909, accompanied by his wife, he visited his old home and parents and at the same time made an extensive trip through Germany, Switzerland, France and Italy. Mr. Meyer, although proud of his native country and, a lover and defender of the German customs, is a true German-American, always ready to boost the country of his choice, and above all his home city, Wichita. Additional Comments: Extracted from History of Wichita and Sedgwick County: past and present, including an account of the cities, towns and villages of the county Editor in chief: O. H. Bentley Chicago: C.F. Cooper & Co. (1910) File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ks/sedgwick/bios/meyer378gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ksfiles/ File size: 3.3 Kb