Sophia Meyer Westerhouse parents were Hermann Meyer and Amalia Edler. Sophia Meyer Westerhouse is my grandfather, Oscar Westerhouse mother.
Hermann was born in Prussia in 1837 and immigrated to America. This is shown in census records, but no birth or immigration record has been found. The first record of Herman is in the 1860 Federal census. It shows him living in Beouf, Franklin, Missouri. Additionally, it shows the post office as Berger, and his occupation as laborer.
1860 federal census for Beouf, Franklin, Missouri (Henry Meyer household)
The 1863 Civil War Draft register lists Hermann living in Morns Switch, Franklin, Missouri; Un Married; having an occupation of wood chopper. No further military records have been found for him.
Civil War draft registration for Second Congressional District of Missouri
Jul 1863
Amalia was born in Minden, Minden-Lubbecke, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 28 Jul 1846. At the age of eight, Amalia immigrated to America with her parents and siblings. They departed from the port of Brake, Prussia during 1856 and arrived in New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana 12 November 1856, based Departure Record and Arrival Passenger List.
Herford
District Departure Record for the Charles Edler family
New Orleans Arrival Passenger List for Charles Edler family - 12 Nov 1856
The family traveled from New Orleans to Pinckney, Warren, Missouri to make their home in America. The 1860 federal census shows the family living in Pinckney. This is the only record showing the family in Warren County, Missouri.
1860 federal census for Pinckney, Warren, Missouri (Charles Edler household)
Later the family moved to Big Spring area of Loutre, Montgomery, Missouri.
Hermann Meyer and Amalia Elder Montgomery County courthouse marriage record shows his name as Herman F. Meir and her name as Mary E. Adler. The document shows they married 23 Mar 1863 in Upper Loutre, Montgomery, Missouri.
Marriage Record of Hermann Meyer and Amalia Edler
Soon after marriage Hermann and Amalia moved to the Hesper area of Eudora, Douglas, Kansas and bought an 80 acres farm.
The 1870 federal census lists Hermann, age 33, farmer, real estate value $2000, personal estate value $800, born in Prussia. Describes Amalia as Mollie, age 22, keeping house, born in Prussia. Shows children William and Sophia age two and one, born in Kansas.
1870 federal census for Willow Springs area of Eudora, Douglas, Kansas
(Hermann Meyer household)
The Grasshopper Plaque of 1874 and other harsh weather events were too much for the family to live in the area, so they move back to Missouri during 1874. They bought a 212-acre farm for $1200, located in Big Spring area of Loutre, Montgomery, Missouri. Hermann and Amalia purchased an additional 140 acres 26 Jul 1881 in the Big Spring for $1540.
The 1876 Missouri state census shows Herman, age 39, William age 9, Mollie age 30, Sophia age 7, Mini age 6, Matilda age 3.
1876 Missouri state census for Township 47 (Big Spring)
The 1880 federal census shows Herman, age 42, married, farmer. Describes Mollie, age 34, wife, married, keeping house. Lists William, age 13, son, working on farm. Lists Sophia, age 11, daughter, assists keeping house. Lists Mini, age 9, daughter. Lists Matilda, age 7, daughter. Lists Charles, age 3, son.
1880 federal census for Big Spring area of Danville, Montgomery, Missouri
(Hermann Meyer household)
Herman Meyer and Amalia Edler Meyer
Hermann Meyer died 17 Aug 1988
Hermann Meyer gravestone
at Big Spring Methodist Church Cemetery (Big Spring, Missouri)
After Hermann died, Amalia continued to live on the farm and met Frederick Meyer. Fredrick had lost his wife, Louise, 4 Sept 1886. He may have been the brother of Hermann, as he is listed with Hermann in the 1863 Civil War draft registration and both living in Morns Switch, Franklin, Missouri; Un Married; having an occupation of wood chopper.
Civil War draft registration for Second Congressional District of Missouri
Jul 1863
Frederick and Amalia married in Big Spring, Missouri 18 Oct 1890. The marriage documents are recorded at the Courthouse in Hermann, Gasconade, Missouri.
Frederick Meyer and Amalia Meyer marriage license - 16 Oct 1890
Frederick moved onto Amalia's farm in Big Spring. He brought four children from his marriage with Louisa (Anna, Albert, Charles, Oscar); Amalia had five children from her marriage with Hermann (William, Sophia, Wilhelmina, Matilda, Charles).
The 1900 federal census shows Frederick, born Mar 1840, age 60, married, married for 35 years (actually 10), born in Germany, immigrated 1857, in the United States for 43 years, naturalized citizen, working as farmer, own farm. Describes Mollie, wife, born Jul 1846, age 53, married for 35 years (actually 10), born in Germany, immigrated 1856, in the United States for 44 years, not naturalized. Lists Charles, son, born Jan 1877, age 23, single, born in Missouri, works as teacher, unemployed six months.
1900 federal census for Big Spring area of Loutre, Montgomery, Missouri
(Frederick Meyer household)
Frederick and Amalia Meyer
Frederick Meyer died 8 Nov 1903 and was buried next to his first wife at the Big Spring Methodist Church cemetery.
Frederick Meyer obituary (Montgomery Standard) - 20 Nov 1903
Frederick Meyer gravestone
at Big Spring Methodist Church Cemetery (Big Spring, Missouri)
Louise Meyer gravestone
at Big Spring Methodist Church Cemetery (Big Spring, Missouri)
After Frederick's passed away, Amalia's youngest son, Charles, and his family stayed with her on the farm until her death.
The census below from 1910, 1920, 1930, shows Mollie as a widow, living with her son, Charles, and his family on her farm. Shows Mollie renting the farm to Charles in all three censuses. The 1920 census shows Mollie unnaturalized, can read English but cannot write English.
1910 federal census for Big Spring area of Loutre, Montgomery, Missouri
(Charles Meyer household)
1920 federal census for Big Spring area of Loutre, Montgomery, Missouri
(Charles Meyer household)
1930 federal census for Big Spring area of Loutre, Montgomery, Missouri
(Charles Meyer household)
Amalia Meyer died 18 Jan 1931
Amalia Meyer Obituary - Montgomery Standard - 30 Jan 1931
Amalia Meyer gravestone
at Big Spring Methodist Church Cemetery (Big Spring, Missouri)
