Meeker County MN Archives Biographies.....Mayer, Simon 1834 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mn/mnfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 January 17, 2015, 9:42 pm Source: See Below Author: Alden, Ogle & Co. SIMON MAYER, residing on section 23, is an ex-Union soldier, and is one of the most prominent and successful farmers and stock-raisers in Union Grove. He is a son of Gregor and Mary (Winterholden) Mayer, and was born in Wuetemberg, Germany, on the 20th of October, 1834. His parents died when he was fifteen years old, and he was apprenticed to learn the turner's trade. When he was eighteen years old, in 1852, he came to the United States and for three years worked at his trade in New York city and in Paterson, N. J., after which he came to St. Paul, where he remained for two days, but as he could not find work, he left his trunk at the hotel and walked to Stillwater, one Sunday night. He secured work on a raft and made three trips to St. Louis, thus spending one summer. He next worked on farms and spent one winter in the pineries; also worked for L. D. Bartlett, running a ferry from Lakeland to Hudson, for several summers. In the fall of 1861 he went to Fort Snelling and enlisted for three years in Company B, Third Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and went South the same1 fall. He participated in many skirmishes, but not in any pitched battle. When his three years were ended here-enlisted at Little Rock, Ark. The Third was surrendered to General Forrest at Murfreesboro and was paroled and sent to Benton Barracks, Mo., and from there was sent to the relief of the settlers in Minnesota, and started for Forest City. Seventy-five men of the Third reported at Forest City. A history of their movements will be found in the chapter devoted to the Indian troubles. When they landed at Fort Snelling Governor Ramsey made them a speech and requested them to march for Forest City that night, which they did. From this campaign they went to Sibley Camp, Fort Ridgely, and joined Sibley in his expedition through the Northwest. Mr. Mayer participated in the bloody fight at Wood Lake. The Third Regiment left Sibley and joined Governor Marshall, and captured the Indians who were hung at Mankato. January 15, 1863, Mr. Mayer returned South and served until August, 1865, when he was mustered out at Fort Snelling. He then went to Hudson, Wis., and was married to Ellen Moody. October 10, 1865. She was a daughter of Arnold and Olive Moody, and was born November 16, 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Mayer have been the parents of two children, as follows: William, born January 11, 1868; Della, born October 4, 1873. Mr. Mayer is a republican in political matters, and has taken an active and prominent part in township affairs. He has held various township offices, having been chairman of the supervisors three years, school treasurer twenty-one years, road overseer, and in other minor positions. He is one of the best posted and most intelligent men in the township, and is a careful business man. He stands high, wherever he is known, for his integrity and uprightness, and is one of the leading citizens of his township. Mr. Mayer now owns 500 acres of land, a good deal of which is under cultivation, and he has good building improvements. Additional Comments: Extracted from Illustrated Album of Biography Meeker and McLeod Counties, Minnesota 1888 This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mnfiles/ File size: 3.8 Kb