George
William Meister was born on September 29, 1818 in Reichelsheim, Hessen Darmstadt,
Germany. He was the son of unknown parents. The 1900 census states that he came
to the USA in 1837.
Anna Marie "Mary" Germann was born on January
21, 1820 in Bayern, Germany. She was the daughter of Peter
Adam Germann & Anna Elizabeth Lauer
THE FAMILY OF GEORGE WILLIAM MEISTER & ANNA MARIE GERMANN
 |  | George William Meister & Anna Marie "Mary" Germann: | George
Meister came to the USA in 1837 according to the 1900 census. According to a Carroll
Co., Illinois history book George had worked on a canal in Maryland after coming
to America, before farming in Pennsylvania. George William Meister & Anna
Marie "Mary" Germann were married on August 28, 1837 in Franklin Co.,
Pennsylvania and they had 11 children. They had daughters born in Pennsylvania
on December 19, 1837 and July 15, 1839. The family is listed on the 1840 &
1850 census of Guilford Twp., Franklin Co., Pennsylvania. They moved from Pennsylvania
to Carroll Co., Illinois in April 1856, and George bought 40 acres of land there.
The family is listed on the 1860 census of Carroll Twp., Carroll Co., Illinois.
They are listed on the 1870 & 1880 censuses of Mt. Carroll, Carroll Co., Illinois,
and George is listed as a farmer on the 1878 Carroll, Carroll Co., IL Directory.
Mary died on May 15, 1883 in Carroll Co., Illinois. George is age 81 on
the 1900 census of Mt. Carroll, Carroll Co., Illinois, listed as widowed father-in-law
in the household of John & Catherine (Meister) Fulrath. George died on
September 24, 1901 in Mt. Carroll, Carroll Co., Illinois. His obit states
that he had suffered with paralysis for many years before he died, and that he
died from a stroke. George & Mary are buried in the Center Hill, United Brethren
Cemetery, Carroll Co., Illinois. Thanks to Chris Rummel for many of the photos
on this page. |
The children of George William Meister & Anna Marie "Mary" Germann:
 | Catharine Meister | Catharine Meister was born on December 19,
1837 in Franklin Co., Pennsylvania. She is listed with her parents at age
12 on the 1850 census of Guilford Twp., Franklin Co., PA. Catharine married John
Fulrath about 1855 in PA and they had 8 children. John & Catharine probably
moved from Pennsylvania to Illinois with her parents in April 1856. The family
is listed on the 1860 census of Carroll Twp., Carroll Co., IL. They are listed
on the 1870, 1880 & 1900 censuses of Mt. Carroll, Carroll Co., IL. A write-up
of a tornado that hit in 1898 states that "John Fulrath’s barn was unroofed
and the house slightly damaged.". Catharine Meister Fulrath died on October
02, 1904 in Mt. Carroll, Carroll Co., Illinois. John is listed as widowed
in the household of his son Samuel on the 1910 census of Mt. Carroll, Carroll
Co., IL. Children of John P. Fulrath & Catharine Meister are: Amanda (1856),
Margaret (1858), Mary Elizabeth (1861), William H. (1864), Emma (1866), Samuel
(1869), Dora (1872) & Hiram (1874). Photo at left is believed to be Catharine,
but not confirmed. Notes for Catharine Meister Fulrath |
 | Christianna "Anna" Meister | Christianna "Anna"
Meister was born on July 15, 1839 in Franklin Co., Pennsylvania. She is listed
with her parents as Christine, age 10, on the 1850 census of Guilford Twp., Franklin
Co., PA. Her family moved from Pennsylvania to Illinois in April 1856 when she
was age 16. On the Illinois marriage index there is a record for Christiana Meister
and John A. Stakemiller in Carroll Co., IL on Sept 8, 1859. John &
Anna had 9 children. John & "Ann M." are listed in the household
of John's parents, Jacob & Ann Stakemiller, on the 1860 census of Carroll,
Carroll Co., IL. They are listed with their children on the 1870 & 1880 censuses
of Mt. Carroll Twp., Carroll Co., IL. There is a bio of John A. Stakemiller in
the 1878 Carroll Co., IL Directory that stated that he married "Hannah Meister"
and lists 7 children. At that time it stated that John "commenced teaching
at the age of 17, and has taught school 16 winters; is engaged in farming; owns
170 acres land; has held offices of Road Commissioner and School Director many
years." Christianna "Anna" Meister Stakemiller died on July
15, 1896 in Carroll Co., Illinois. After Anna's death, John was remarried
to Mrs. Lydia Julian, and they are listed on the 1900 census of Salem,
Carroll Co., IL. John is listed as widowed, age 71, in the household of his widowed
daughter Rebecca Ank on the 1910 census of Salem, Carroll Co., IL. Children of
John Stakemiller & Anna Meister are: Twins Samuel & Sumner (1864), Rebecca
(1866), Nancy Ellen (1868), Mary (1870), Effie (1872), Frank (1875), Anna (1878)
& Amy (1885). Photo at left is believed to be Christianna, but not confirmed.
Notes for Christianna "Anna" Meister Stakemiller |
 | Margaret Meister | Margaretha "Margaret" Ann Meister
was born on August 02, 1841 in Chambersburg, Franklin Co., Pennsylvania. She
is listed with her parents at age 8 on the 1850 census of Guilford Twp., Franklin
Co., PA. Her family moved from Pennsylvania to Illinois in April 1856 when she
was age 14. Margaret married William Washington Smith on February 27, 1858
in Carroll Co., IL and they had 8 children. A history of Carroll Co., IL states
that William bought a brick house on Water Street in Mt. Carroll, Illinois after
their marriage, and that they lived in it for 4 years. During this time, William
worked as a teamster driving teams between Mt. Carroll and Savanna. The family
is listed on the 1860 census of Mt. Carroll, Carroll Co., IL. In September 1863,
William traded his home in Mt. Carroll, Illinois for 40 acres on Section 8, Mt.
Carroll Township, Carroll County, Illinois, and he added to it until he owned
308 acres. The family is listed on the 1870 census of Mt. Carroll, Carroll Co.,
IL. William died on June 5, 1877, and Margaret is listed as widowed on the 1880,
1900 & 1910 censuses of Mt. Carroll, Carroll Co., IL. In 1900, Margaret is
listed as having 10 births with 8 surviving children, and in 1910 she is listed
as having 7 births with 5 surviving children. A 1913 history of Carroll Co., IL
states that Margaret was "farming the home place" with son John W. Smith
at that time. Margaretha "Margaret" Meister Smith died on March 10,
1915 in Center Hill, Carroll Co., IL. William & Margaret are both buried
in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Mt. Carroll, Carroll County, Illinois.Children of William
Washington Smith & Margaret Meister are: Dora Belle (1861), Mary (1863), John
(1865), George (1866), Albert (1868), Charles (1870), Katie (1874) & Gertrude
(1877). Notes for Margaretha "Margaret" Ann Meister Smith Gravestone of Margaret Ann Meister Smith |
 | John P. Meister | John P. Meister was born on October 24,
1843 in Franklin Co., Pennsylvania. He is listed with his parents at age 5
on the 1850 census of Guilford Twp., Franklin Co., PA. His family moved from Pennsylvania
to Carroll Co., Illinois in April 1856 when he was age 12. John (last name misspelled
Masters) is listed as age 16, farm laborer, in the household of Caleb Walter on
the 1860 census of Caroll, Carroll Co., IL. John moved to Missouri by the time
he was age 26, and he is listed as a farmer in the household of Benjamin &
Mary (Meister) Shearer on the 1870 census of Grant Twp., Caldwell Co., MO. His
brother Hiram is also living in the same town in 1870. John married Louisa
E. Mumpower on February 9, 1871 in Caldwell Co., MO, and they had one son,
born about 1878 in MO. They are listed on the 1880 & 1900 censuses of Kingston,
Caldwell Co., MO. Louisa died sometime between 1900 to 1910, and John is listed
as a boarder, widowed, age 60, on the 1910 census of Kingston, Caldwell Co., MO.
He is listed as living in Kingston, Missouri in a 1913 history of Carroll Co.,
IL. I have not found him on the 1920 census at this time. John Meister died
on October 4, 1918 at the State Hospital #2, St. Joseph, Buchanan, Missouri.
His physician was the informant on his death certificate and he did not know John's
parents or birthdate. Cause of death was Arteriosclerosis, with Contributory condition
listed as Insanity. John had been at the State Hospital for one month when he
died. His occupation was listed as Farmer on his death certificate. He was buried
October 10, 1918 in Hamilton, Caldwell, Missouri. Child of John P. Meister and
Louisa Mumpower is Henry (1878). Notes for John Meister |
 | Hiram A. Meister | Hiram Augustus Meister was born on June
22, 1846 in Franklin Co., Pennsylvania. He is listed with his parents at age
3 on the 1850 census of Guilford Twp., Franklin Co., PA. His family moved from
Pennsylvania to Illinois in April 1856 when he was age 9. He is listed with his
parents on the 1860 census of Carroll Twp., Carroll Co., IL. Hiram moved to Missouri
before he was age 21. He is listed as a farmer in the household of Peter Bosserman
on the 1870 census of Grant Twp, Caldwell Co., MO. His brother John is also living
in the same town with their married sister Mary Meister Shearer in 1870. Hiram
married Martha "Mattie" Leamer Potter on January 08, 1872 in
Caldwell Co., MO. Mattie had a young son named Oscar Potter from a previous marriage.
Hiram & Mattie had one daughter, Beatrice Kate Meister. The family moved to
Nebraska in 1877. Hiram & Mattie are listed on the 1880 census of Plymouth
Pct., Jefferson Co., NE, and on the 1900, 1910, 1920 & 1930 censuses of DeWitt,
Saline Co., NE. Hiram Augustus Meister died on January 6, 1931 in DeWitt, Saline
Co., NE. Mattie had nursed Hiram through a long illness, and then contracted
pneumonia shortly before he died and she died nine days later on January 15, 1931.
The Family of Hiram Meister & Mattie Leamer Notes for Hiram Augustus Meister Records for Hiram Meister |
 | Mary Ann Meister | Mary Ann Meister was born on September
13, 1848 in Chambersburg, Franklin Co., Pennsylvania. She was possibly named
Anna Maria for her mother, but her marriage and death records both list her name
as Mary A. She is listed with her parents as Mary, age 2, on the 1850 census of
Guilford Twp., Franklin Co., PA. Her family moved from Pennsylvania to Illinois
in April 1856 when she was age 7. She is listed with her parents as Ann M., age
11, on the 1860 census of Carroll Twp., Carroll Co., IL. Mary married Benjamin
Franklin Shearer on December 31, 1867 in Carroll Co., IL, and they had 5 children.
They moved to Missouri about 1868 and they are listed on the 1870, 1880, 1900,
& 1910 censuses of Grant Twp., Caldwell Co., MO. In 1870 Mary's brother John
was living with them and her brother Hiram was in the same town. In 1900 &
1910 Mary is listed as having 5 births with 3 surviving children at that time.
Mary is listed as living in Polo, Missouri in a 1913 History of Carroll Co., Illinois.
Benjamin died on July 17, 1913 in Grant, Caldwell Co., MO. Mary Ann Meister
Shearer died on September 19, 1919 in Grant, Caldwell Co., MO. She died of
breast cancer. Benjamin & Mary are both buried in the Kingston Cemetery, Polo,
Caldwell Co., MO. Children of Benjamin Shearer & Mary Ann Meister are: Cora
(1868), Ethel (1879), Bertha (1881) & Effie Grace (1889). |
 | George F. Meister | George Franklin Meister was born on May
26, 1851 in Franklin Co., Pennsylvania. His family moved from Pennsylvania
to Illinois in April 1856 when he was age 4. He is listed with his parents on
the 1860 census of Carroll Twp., Carroll Co., IL and the 1870 census of Mt. Carroll,
Carroll Co., IL. George married Louisa Elinor Margileth on December 14,
1871 in Carroll Co., IL and they had 7 children. George is listed as a Carpenter
in the 1878 Carroll, Carroll Co., IL Directory, but the family moved to from Illinois
to Iowa about 1878 based on birthplaces of their children. (George's married sister
Elizabeth Kesslar also moved to Iowa with her husband about that same time.) George
& Louisa & family are listed on the 1880 census of Vinton, Benton Co.,
IA. George Franklin Meister died on September 15, 1890 in Bruce Twp., Benton
Co., Iowa. He died when he was kicked by a mule over the heart. At the time
of his death he was 39 yrs 3mo 20 days. "Peace be to his ashes" states
a Meister family Bible. A spring wagon was used to take George's casket for burial
in the Fairview cemetery, in Benton Co., IA. His widow Louisa is listed as head
of household and widowed on the 1900 census of Clark Twp., Tama Co., IA. At that
time she is listed as having 7 births with 6 surviving children. Louisa died on
June 24, 1944 in Oswego, Kendall Co., IL. Children of George Franklin Meister
& Louisa Margileth are: Melvin (1872), Charles (1874), Mary Etta (1876), Edward
(1879), Bertha (1882), Rosa (1885 & Della (1887). Notes for George Franklin Meister |
 | Daniel Meister | Daniel Meister was born on January 01, 1854
in Franklin Co., Pennsylvania. His family moved from Pennsylvania to Illinois
in April 1856 when he was age 2. He is listed with his parents on the 1860 census
of Carroll Twp., Carroll Co., and the 1870 census of Mt. Carroll, Carroll Co.,
IL. Daniel married Eliza M. Croft on March 14, 1878 in Carroll Co., IL
and they had 4 children. The family is listed on the 1880 & 1900 censuses
of Mt. Carroll, Carroll Co., IL. They are listed on the 1910 & 1920 censuses
of Fairhaven, Carroll Co., IL. In 1900 & 1910 Eliza is listed as having 4
births with 4 surviving children at that time. Daniel Meister died on August
8, 1925 in Chadwick, Carroll Co., IL. Eliza is listed as widowed mother-in-law
in the household of Fred & Laura (Meister) Heth on the 1930 census of Covina,
Los Angeles Co., CA. Eliza died on December 16, 1936 in LaJara, Conejo, Colorado,
where her son Howard was living at the time. Children of Daniel Meister &
Eliza Croft are: Howard (1879), Mamie (1882), Laura (1885) & Luva (1897).
Photo at left is believed to be Daniel, but not confirmed. Notes for Daniel Meister |
 | Elizabeth Meister | Sarah Elizabeth Meister was born on June 25,
1858 in Carroll Co., Illinois. She is listed with her parents on the 1860
census of Carroll Twp., Carroll Co., IL and the 1870 census of Mt. Carroll, Carroll
Co., IL. Elizabeth married Jacob C. Kessler on Dec 20, 1877 in Carroll
Co., IL and they had at least 3 children. They moved from Illinois to Iowa about
1878, and they are listed on the 1880 census of Bruce Twp., Benton Co., IA. Elizabeth's
brother George Franklin Meister also moved to Benton Co., IA about that same time.
Based on birthplaces of their children they were in Iowa at least through 1883,
but at some point moved back to Illinois. I have not found them on the 1900 or
1910 censuses at this time. In 1920 Jacob & Elizabeth are listed on the census
of Mt. Carroll, Carroll Co., IL. Jacob died sometime between 1920 to 1930, and
Elizabeth is listed as widowed, age 72, on the 1930 census of Mt. Carroll, Carroll
Co., IL. "Mrs. Lizzie Kessler of Mt. Carol, Illinois" is listed as a
surviving sister (and only surviving sibling listed) in Hiram Meister's obit in
January 1931. Sarah Elizabeth Meister Kessler died on February 12, 1931 in
Freeport, Stephenson, Illinois. At the time of her death, her place of residence
was Mt. Carroll, Carroll Co., Illinois. Children of Jacob Kessler & Elizabeth
Meister are: Dorman (1880), Albert (1882) & Mamie (between 1900-1910) Photo
at left is believed to be Elizabeth, but not confirmed. Notes for Sarah Elizabeth Meister Kessler |
 | William Meister | William E. Meister was born on May 19, 1861
in Carroll Co., Illinois. He is listed with his parents on the 1870 census
of Mt. Carroll, Carroll Co., IL. William married Anna Taylor on November
24, 1886 in Carroll Co., IL and they had 4 children. The family is listed on the
1900, 1910 & 1920 censuses of Spring Creek Twp, Tama Co., IA, but on the 1905
& 1915 censuses of Gladbrook, Tama, Iowa. Occupations for William on the census
are Barber (1900), Laobrer, odd jobs (1910) and Restaurant Proprietor (1915 &
1920). William E. Meister died between 1920-1930, but I'm not sure where.
I do not find him or Anna in online cemetery listings in Iowa. Anna is listed
as widowed in the household of her married son George Meister on the 1930 census
of York, DuPage Co., Iowa. Children of William Meister & Anna Taylor are Neal
(1888), Grace (1891), George (1892) & William (1904). Photo at left is believed
to be William, but not confirmed. Notes for William E. Meister |
| Franklin Meister | Franklin Meister was born on June 19, 1864 in Carroll Co., Illinois. He died as an infant. Franklin Meister died in September 1864 in Carroll Co., Illinois. He is buried at Mt. Carroll, Carroll Co., IL. |
