Springfield-Greene
County LibraryEarly and Recent History and Genealogical Records
of Many of the Representative Citizens
B. E. MEYER. For many years B. E. Meyer has been one of Springfield's most progressive men of affairs and most influential in public life. Strong mental endowment, coupled with an honesty of purpose that hesitates at no opposition, have so entered into his composition as to render him a dominant factor in the business world and a leader of men in important enterprises. He is essentially a man of affairs, sound of judgment and far-seeing in what he undertakes; and every enterprise to which he has addressed himself has resulted in gratifying financial returns, while at the same time he has won and retained the good will and confidence of all classes.
Mr. Meyer was born in Columbus, Ohio, on December 27, 1863. He is a son of B. E. and Mary L. (Fisher) Meyer. The mother was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, and the father was born in Baden, Germany. They emigrated to America in 1849. The father's birth occurred in 1834 and the mother's ten years later, in 1844. These parents grew to maturity in their native locality, received good educations and were married in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and there established their home, Mr. Meyer engaging in the brewery business in Allentown for a number of years, later removing to Columbus, Ohio, and from there to Urbana, that state, continuing in the same line of business. Selling out in the last named city in 1866, he came to St. Louis and was connected with the Phoenix Brewery for some time. During the Civil war he served several months in the Union army, being sent home from the front on account of sickness. Politically he was a Republican in his earlier life, but later was a Democrat. He belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Knights of Honor. He was a good business man and always provided well for his family, which consisted of seven children, all of whom are still living but one, namely: B. E., Jr., of this sketch; Nellie, Charles D., A. E., Mary, Jane and Louis, the last named being deceased. The parents of the above named children finally located in DeSoto, Missouri, where the death of the father occurred in 1894, and there also the mother passed away in 1896.
B. E. Meyer, of this sketch, received a practical education in the public schools, and when a boy went to work for the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Association, with which he has remained continuously to the present time, this being his thirty-seventh year with this concern. His long retention would indicate that he has been faithful in the discharge of his duties and has been reliable and industrious, looking well to the company's interests in every respect. He came to Springfield in 1895 and took charge of the Springfield Ice & Refrigerator Company, with which he is still connected as manager and secretary, and he is also manager and secretary-treasurer of the Ozark Ice & Storage Company, and is general manager at Springfield for the Anheuser-Busch Brewery Association. Thus it will be seen that he has a vast amount of business to claim his attention, but being a man of rare business acumen and industry, he manages his affairs in a successful manner without friction and worry and whatever he turns his attention to brings gratifying results. The plants with which he is connected are well equipped in every respect, employing a large number of men and doing a mammoth annual business which extends over a vast territory.
Mr. Meyer was married on June 5, 1889, in St. Louis, to Louise A. Meyer (no relation), who was born in Berne, Switzerland; she is a daughter of Gustav and Anna Meyer. Her father, who was a tailor by trade, is now deceased. He and his wife grew up in their native land, were educated and married there, and when our subject's wife was a child immigrated to America and located in St. Louis, where Mrs. B. E. Meyer received her education. Her mother is living at St. James, Missouri.
The union of our subject and wife has resulted in the birth of five children, namely: Charles A., born on June 8. 1890, died in 1902; Lydia M., born on February 19, 1892, died in 1892; Lelia, born on July 16, 1893, died in 1894; Bert E., born on October 14, 1895, grew up in Springfield and was educated in the local schools and is now foreman of the storage house with which his father is connected; Irena A., born on November 24, 1897, was educated in the Springfield schools and is at home with her parents.
Politically Mr. Meyer is a Democrat and has long been active in party affairs, in fact, a leader. He was a member of the city council in 1902-3, and was elected mayor of Springfield in 1904, and having made an excellent record during his first term, was re-elected in 1906, his administrations being marked by a comprehensive idea of what the city needed for its general development, and all parties regarded him as one of the best chief executives the city has ever had, his being a straightforward, conservative and yet most effective administration. He is a member of the Springfield Club and the Country Club, and is prominent in fraternal circles, being a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights and Ladies of Security, Royal Arcanum, the Improved Order of Red Men, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, having been exalted ruler three consecutive times of Florence Lodge, No. 409. He is also a. member of the Knights of Pythias.
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