PETER MEIREIS
Page 421
PETER MEIREIS
Page 421
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PETER MEIREIS. The following is a brief sketch of the career of Mr. Meireis, whose present substantial position has been reached entirely through his own perseverance as whose life shows what can be accomplished by a person with enlightened views. During his childhood he experienced many disadvantages and for years had to struggle against a seemingly adverse fate. But notwithstanding discouragements he pushed ahead and the result proves the wisdom of his course. He is at present residing in Havana, where he is engaged in carrying on a prosperous business in the manufacture of brick. A native of Germany, our subject was born May 10, 1835, and is the son of John and Catharine (Larch) Meireis, the former of whom lived and died in the Fatherland. He spent the first nineteen years of his life in Germany, where he was given a good education, and in 1855 decided to try his fortune in America, and boarding a sailing vessel, landed in New York City several days later. He remained in that place for about three months, when he came west to Beardstown, this state, and in 1864 made his advent into Havana, where he engaged in the manufacture of brick in company with John F, Reichel. This connection lasted for about 3 years when our subject purchased his partner's interest and conducted the business alone, until taking into the concern A. England. They operated together for about thirteen years, but for the last five years Mr. Meireis has carried on the business alone. His brick yards are located near the Jacksonville South-eastern Railroad tracks, and there he manufactures building and joining brick of a very superior quality, and has furnished the material for the erection of many of the best business blocks in the city. In May, 1864, Peter Meireis and Miss Catharine Ringel were united in Marriage. The lady was also born in Germany, and died in March, 1873. He was later married to Miss Mary A. Haeix, who by this union has become the mother of eight children, namely: Carrie, Katie, George, Mary, Albert, Henry, Minnie and Freddie. Both our subject and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church, and have done much to advance all religious causes throughout the community. The political sympathies of our subject are with the Democratic party. He is a man of good habits and is well thought of in the community where he has resided for so many years, and as one of the self made citizens of Mason County we are pleased to present his sketch in this Record. |