Bio: Meyer, Stephen (1833 - ?)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Meyer, Frey, Kohlbeck, Hirsham, Wallenwaiter, Rebsamen, Mayer, Frie, Frei, Braun, Steins, Bovermund, Bears, Michalek, Burger, Berres, Senartins

----Source: Rietbrock centennial Booklet (1880 - 1980)

Meyer Farm

On October 2, 1878, Stephen Meyer, his wife Maria (Anne Maria Frey), and their 8 children, ranging in age from 22 to 18 years, left their native land, Switzerland. The main reason for leaving was to find a new home where they could practice their religion freely and without being forbidden to worship in public. On October 5, they left a seaport at Havre, France, on a voyage that took 13 days --10 of which were stormy. Because of the extremely high waves, the captain shut off all power on the ship, letting it take its own course and thus prevent it from capsizing. August Meyer recalled that he was five years old aboard ship when a large wave swept across the 400 foot long by 50 foot wide ship and completely drenched his mother's clothes. She went to the hold and had her clothing dried; buy they were so stiff with salt they were uncomfortable.

Their first attempt was to settle in the area of Detroit, Michigan; but they did not find that to their liking. They then traveled to Milwaukee and were informed there that land was available in Marathon County. They arrived by train at Wausau, then had one day of travel by ox cart to Rib Falls. From Rib Falls they still had another day of travel to the present farm, because they needed to cut a trail with saws and axes.

At that time a building located east of Poniatowski was available to all newcomers who wished to establish a home in the area. Here they could live expense- free until a building of their own could be erected. This building was known as the Court House, because all differences which arose were also settled in this building.

The Meyers stayed only one night in this building, for reasons known only to the family. Their first home, therefore, was just a temporary shelter. They cut down a large tree and erected a shelter over the stump, which served as their first table. Cut boughs of fir trees were used as a bed, for bedding they brought along.

The following year they built a two story log house and other farm buildings.

Robert Meyer, then 14, told of the family's being called at 3 o'clock in the morning to cut hay, with a scythe, around the stumps until sun-up; then when the dew was off, they would turn the hay with forks. Later they raked it, loaded it and unloaded it all by hand. The cradle and flail were main tools but Robert also said his father never hesitated to purchase machinery as it was made available.

The present house was built in 1897 and the barn in 1913. It was August Meyer who took possession of this farm in 1915. From 1946 until 1976 Irvin Meyer owned the farm. Presently his son Ronald lives on the Meyer homestead.

*Anne Maria Frey was the wife of Stephen Meyer

1880 Federal Census, Rietbrock, Marathon, Wisconsin, United States, pg. 391

Stephan Meyer, married American male farmer
father's birthplace : Switzerland
mother's birthplace : Switzerland

Household Members
self Stephan Meyer M 46 Switzerland
wife Mary Meyer F 44 Switzerland
son Joseph Meyer M 18 Switzerland
son Emil Meyer M 17 Switzerland
son Robert Meyer M 15 (1865) Switzerland
daughter Anna Meyer F 13 Switzerland
daughter Josephine Meyer F 11 Switzerland
daughter Mary Meyer F 9 Switzerland
son August Meyer M 6 Switzerland
son Albert Meyer M 4 Switzerland

1900 Federal Census, ED 94 Rietbrock town, Marathon, Wisconsin, United States, pg. 2

Stephen Meyer, white married, male

years married: 40
father's birthplace: Switzerland
mother's birthplace: Switzerland

estimated marriage year: 1860
immigration year: 1878

Household Members
head Stephen Meyer M 67 (Dec 1833) Switzerland
wife Mary Meyer F 65 (Aug 1835) Switzerland, 8 living children, both parents b. Switzerland
son August Meyer M 27 (Oct 1873) Switzerland
son Albert Meyer M 24 (May 1876) Switzerland

Wisconsin Marriage Records

Emil Meyer
bride's name: Anna Kohlbeck
marriage date: 29 Nov 1883
marriage place: Marathon, Wisconsin
groom's father's name: Stephen Meyer
groom's mother's name: Anne Maria Frey
bride's father's name: John Kohlbeck
bride's mother's name: Catherine Hirsham

Arnold Wallenwaiter
bride's name: Anne Mayer (Meyer)
marriage date: 17 Feb 1887
marriage place: Marathon, Wisconsin
groom's father's name: John Wallenwaiter
groom's mother's name: Anne Rebsamen
bride's father's name: Steven Mayer (Meyer)
bride's mother's name: Mary Frey

Robert Meyer
bride's name: Appolinia Braun
marriage date: 10 Apr 1888
marriage place: Marathon, Wisconsin
groom's father's name: Stephen Meyer
groom's mother's name: Mary Frie
bride's father's name: Mathew Braun
bride's mother's name: Gertrud Steins

Peter Jos. Bears
bride's name: Josephine Meyer
marriage date: 19 Nov 1890
marriage place: Marathon, Wisconsin
groom's father's name: John Bears
groom's mother's name: Catharine Bovermund
bride's father's name: Stephen Meyer
bride's mother's name: Mary Frey

Joseph Meyer
bride's name: Martha Piotrowski
marriage date: 13 Jul 1892
marriage place: Marathon, Wisconsin
groom's father's name: Stephen Meyer
groom's mother's name: Mary Frei
bride's father's name: Joseph Piotrowski
bride's mother's name: Apolonia Michalek

Wm. Braun
bride's name: Mary Meyer
marriage date: 30 Sep 1892
marriage place: Marathon, Wisconsin
groom's father's name: Maltuas Braun
groom's mother's name: Mary Stein
bride's father's name: Stephen Meyer
bride's mother's name: Mary Frei

Albert Meyer
bride's name: Clara Burger
marriage date: 30 Apr 1902
marriage place: Marathon, Wisconsin
groom's father's name: Stephen Meyer
groom's mother's name: Mary Frei
bride's father's name: Leo Burger
bride's mother's name: Staeg

August Meyer
bride's name: Eleanor Berres
marriage date: 13 Jun 1906
marriage place: Marathon, Wisconsin
groom's father's name: Stephen Meyer
groom's mother's name: Maria Frei
bride's father's name: Thomas Berres
bride's mother's name: Senartins