Story of Hermann Meyer and Amalia Wilhelmine Edler

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

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)

Story of Mary Anna Westerhouse and Heinrich Conrad Edler

Peter and Anna Westerhouse oldest daughter was Mary. At the age of six, Mary moved with her parents and siblings from Lexington, Missouri to Eudora, Kansas Feb 1863.

At the age of seven, Henry immigrated with his parents and siblings under the name, Heinrich Conrad Edler during 1856.

Herford District Departure Record of Carl and Amalie Edler and Children

Mary Westerhouse married Henry Edler on 18 Feb 1885, in Eudora, Douglas, Kansas, according to the marriage record found at the Douglas County Courthouse. Henry was an older brother of Katie Edler (Henry Westerhaus wife), was from Township 47 (Big Spring), Montgomery, Missouri. 

Mary Westerhouse and Henry Edler marriage license - 4 Feb 1874

Daily Kansas Tribune - 7 Feb 1874

Henry was from Big Spring, Montgomery, Missouri, a farming community in central Missouri, 300 miles east of Eudora, Kansas.  They moved to Big Spring soon after their marriage.  The 1876 Missouri state census shows Henry, Mary, and their first child, Addie. They also had a son Henry, and another son that died as an infant.

1876 Missouri state census for Township 47 (Big Spring)

Henry died 31 Mar 1879 and is buried in the Edler Cemetery in Big Spring.

After Henry's death, the 1880 federal census for Lexington, Johnson, Kansas, lists Mary living with her children in the household of Henry Meinke.  The census indicated Henry, her uncle, and Emma Huscher also living in the household.  Emma was the daughter of Mary Westerhouse Grubart Huscher and a niece of Peter Westerhouse.  

1880 federal census for Lexington, Johnson, Kansas (Henry Meinke household)

Additionally, the 1880 federal census from Eudora, Douglas, Kansas, lists Addie and Henry Edler living with their grandparents, Henry and Anna Eggers.  Mary was not listed in this census. 

1880 federal census for Eudora, Douglas, Kansas (Henry Eggars household)

Based on family stories, Mary's daughter, Addie, went to live with Mary’s Aunt, Katherine Westerhaus Uphaus and her husband, Peter Uphaus, near Concordia, Lafayette, Missouri.  The Uphauses had no children of their own but raised many children whose parents had died early.  Mary lived with her infant son, Henry, at her mother, Anna, and her stepfather, Henry Eggers’ farm in Captain Creek, Eudora, Douglas, Kansas.  Mary worked fifteen miles away as a housekeeper in Lawrence, Douglas, Kansas. During 1884, Addie was re-united with her mother, Mary, and her brother, Henry.  They lived the next two years with the Edward Westerhouse family in Hesper, Eudora, Douglas, Kansas.  

During Mary’s time living with the Edward Westerhouse family, she met David Clark. Mary Edler married David Clark 18 Feb 1885 in Eudora, Douglas, Kansas.  David was a Civil War veteran from Indiana who was living in Eudora when they met.  

Mary Edler and David Clark marriage license - 14 Feb 1885

After marriage, Mary moved with children, Addie Edler (11) and Henry Edler (6) to live with her new husband, David Clark on his 160-acre farm in Palmyra, Douglas, Kansas, near Anna and Henry Eggers farm. David and Mary raised her two children into adulthood. Mary and David had five additional children, Mary, David, Howell, and twins Oscar and Homer. Mary, David, and Howell died as children from diphtheria. The twins survived.

David died 22 Feb 1904 and is buried at the Deay Cemetery in Eudora.

After David's death, Mary moved into town where she lived until her death. The 1920 census shows Mary living in Eudora at 150 (B) Birch Street with her twin sons, Homer and Oscar, both twenty years old.

Mary Clark obituary (Eudora Weekly News) - 28 Aug 1930

David Clark application for military gravestone at Deay Cemetery (Eudora, Kansas)

David Clark military gravestone at Deay Cemetery (Eudora, Kansas)

David and Mary Clark gravestone at Deay Cemetery (Eudora, Kansas)

Story of Henry Westerhaus and Katherine Edler

 Peter and Anna Westerhouse oldest son was Henry Westerhaus. He did not Americanize his last name, keeping it as Westerhaus.

Before marriage, Henry moved with his parents and siblings from Lexington, Lafayette, Missouri to Eudora, Douglas, Kansas Feb 1863. 

Before marriage, As an infant, Katherine immigrated with parents and siblings under the name, Caroline Wilhelmine Louise Henriette Edler during 1856.

Herford District Departure Record of Carl and Amalie Edler and Children

 

Katherine went by the name Katie and is shown in the 1876 Missouri state census for Township 48 (New Florence) at the age 20.

1876 Missouri state census for Township 48 (New Florence)

Katie Edler

Henry Westerhouse married Katie Edler on 10 Jul 1879, in Eudora, Douglas, Kansas, according to the marriage record found at the Douglas County Courthouse.  Katie, a younger sister of Henry Edler (Mary Westerhouse's first husband), was from Township 48 (New Florence), Montgomery, Missouri.  Mary Westerhouse was Henry's younger sister.

Henry Westerhouse and Katie Edler marriage license - 9 Jul 1879

Soon after Henry and Katie were married, they changed the spelling of their last name from Westerhouse to Westerhaus.  Initially, they settled on a farm east of Weaver, Douglas, Kansas. During 1904, Henry and Katie bought the WB Roberts farm at Weaver Bottom, Eudora, Douglas, Kansas and developed a large farming business.  Later, purchasing another farm nearby and built a more elaborate home.  

Henry Westerhaus

Katie Westerhaus

Katie Westerhaus passed away 28 Jan 1912 from gallstones with complications of appendicitis at Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas.

Katie Westerhaus obituary - Eudora Weekly News - 1 Feb 1912

Henry’s obituary tells, in 1914, developing a new interest in religion, and taking a deep interest in the Bible. He became well versed in the scripture and continued so until his death. In 1919 he retired from active farming, buying a home at 720 Rhode Island Street in Lawrence, Douglas, Kansas and 501 North Street in North Lawrence, Grant, Kansas, living at both residences for the next 20 years. The 501 North Street property was near 800 North Street, where Edwin and Cora Lamont lived. Henry’s nephew, Oscar Westerhouse in-laws were Edwin and Cora.

Henry Westerhaus

Henry went to live with his daughter, Minnie Westerhaus Dickens, for the last two and half years of his life in Lexington, Johnson, Kansas, based on his obituary. He passed away 1 Mar 1942

Henry Westerhaus obituary from Lawrence Daily Journal World on 2 Mar 1942 

Henry WESTERHOUSE, age 87, died yesterday evening at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Minnie DICKENS, three miles west of DeSoto. Funeral services will be held from the Methodist church at Eudora tomorrow afternoon at 2:30. Rev. W.O. WATSON will officiate. Burial will be in Eudora cemetery. Mr. Westerhouse is survived by his daughter, a son, Henry Westerhouse, of Topeka; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Ed Westerhouse and Amos Westerhouse, both of Eudora.

Henry Westerhaus obituary from Lawrence Daily Journal World on 12 Mar 1942 

Henry WESTERHOUSE was born at Lexington, Mo., March 22, 1854, and died March 1, 1942, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Minnie DICKENS, three miles west of DeSoto, at the age of 87 years. He was united in marriage to Katie EDLER, and they settled on a farm east of Weaver, where their three children were born and grew up. One son, Charles, preceded him in death. In 1904, he moved on the W.B. ROBERTS place in Weaver Bottom, where for many years he pursued farming on an extensive scale. Later he bought a nearby farm on which he built a fine home. Following the death of his wife, January 28, 1912, even tho alone, he always maintained a well-kept and hospitable home. About 1914 he experienced a new interest in religion, and from then on took a deep interest in the Bible, becoming well versed in the scripture, and continued so until his death. In 1919, he retired from active farming, buying a home at 720 Rhode Island street, Lawrence, living there and at 501 North street, North Lawrence, for 20 years. Two and a half years ago he went to live with his daughter, Mrs. Minnie DICKENS, near DeSoto. He is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Minnie Dickens, of De Soto, and one son, Henry Westerhouse of Topeka; five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and two brothers, Ed and Amos Westerhouse of Eudora. 

Henry and Katie Westerhaus gravestone at Eudora City Cemetery (Eudora, Kansas)