Henry Meyer 1862-1937

MEYER

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 7/7/2025 at 14:17:20

Henry Meyer
(August 16, 1862 – January 20, 1937)

Obituary of Rev. H. Meyer
The Pomeroy community was deeply moved by the sad death of the Rev. H. Meyer, beloved pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church for over 48 years. In 1889 he came to Pomeroy a pioneer missionary, and began work with 11 families; today the St. John’s Congregation which he founded numbers almost 600 souls. As a devout Christian, a talented pastor he was both loved and admired by all who knew him; and his passing will be mourned not only be the members of St. John’s but by all who made his acquaintance. The Rev. H. Meyer had been in failing health the past years, but has been able to take care of his pastorate until June the 18th of last year, when he decided to retire. He had been anxious to complete a half century of work here, but his health did not permit. It is indeed an enviable record, which Rev. Meyer established, by the grace of God spending his whole life time of pastoral service in one and the same congregation. That he could do so is a testimony to his faithful work and to the love and esteem in which he was held by his people. The Rev. H. Meyer was born the 16th of August 1862, in Suderwittingen, Province Hanover, Germany. His parents were Christoph and Katharina Meyer. Soon after birth he was baptized in the name of the Triune God, and through this washing of regeneration, he received the faith which was to be a controlling power in his whole life. He attended both public and private schools and was confirmed 1876 in the church at Wittingen, by superintendent Berkenbusch. The desire to serve the Lord as a missionary soon filled his heart, and he entered the Mermansburg Missionhouse, where he had as his teachers the famous Director Egmond Harms, his brother Max, an Pastor Gottfried Oepke. In the year 1889 he took his final exams and came to America, joining the former Joint Synod of Ohio. This same year he was joined in marriage to Marie Schultz. Late in fall 1889 a call was extended him to Pomeroy, Iowa, and on the 22nd of December he was both ordained and installed by the sainted Pastor Carl Dagefoerde. The first years Rev. Meyer also served the congregation at Newell and a preaching station at Varina. Both congregations were very small, the one at Pomeroy consisting of 11 members, having no church property, the one at Newell had 7 members and the church owned 5 acres of land. However under enthusiastic leadership there was soon to be progress, not only spiritually also outwardly. In 1890 a new church was built, and the next year, 1891, one in Pomeroy. The year 1901 brought a great sorrow to Rev. Meyer’s home. His dear wife, the mother of 3 children, departed this life and entered the eternal rest. Some years later Rev. Meyer entered the holy estate of matrimony with Anna Schroeder. This union was blessed with four children. Up to 1907, the departed served both Newell and Pomeroy congregations but now that the local St. John’s congregation was continuing to grow rapidly, the services being necessary every Sunday, Rev. Meyer resigned from all other charges and concentrated his work in Pomeroy. The 25th and 40th anniversary of Rev. Meyer’s ordination and installation were fittingly celebrated, the evidence of the love and esteem in which the congregation held their pastor these many years. During his 46-year ministry in the service of St. John’s, Rev. Meyer administered 695 baptisms, confirmed 394 confirmants, joined 175 couple in holy wedlock, and officiated at 187 burials. In all his ministry he even held high the means of grace, the Word of God and the Sacraments. Fervently did he preach the Word from the pulpit, diligently did he teach the word in school. May his labors be blessed with an abundant eternal harvest. He started and finished his labors in this congregation and by the grace of God built it from a humble beginning of 11 members to be an organization today numbering almost 600 souls. In all his success he remained of the humble confession: Not I, but the grace of God that was with me. The beginning of June 1936, the Rev. H. Meyer resigned from office and the congregation once more took advantage of the opportunity to give evidence of the high esteem and the tender regard in which they held their beloved pastor, by arranging a beautiful farewell service. The departed hoped to enjoy a quiet and peaceful life’s evening on the old home. However that evening was to be cut short. Although during the summer months, he was spry for the number of his year, yet already early in fall his heart, which had caused him so much difficulty last winter, began to trouble him again. Since November he was confined to his sickroom, and during this time he enjoyed the untiring care of his children. Wednesday, January 20, shortly after seven o’clock in the evening he peacefully entered into his rest, having attained the age of 74 years, 5 months and 4 days. His passing is mourned by his wife; three sons, the Rev. Erick of Glenville, Nebr., Theodore of Germany, Martin of Palmer, Iowa; four daughters, Frieda, R. N. of Des Moines, Bertha, Mrs. George Bangert, Ericka, Ph. D. of South Hadley, Mass., Marie, B. A. of Forest City, Iowa; ten grandchildren, other relatives, brethren in the ministry, his congregations and a host of friends. Funeral services were held in the St. John’s Lutheran Church, Pomeroy, Iowa, Sunday, January 24. The Rev. W. E. Meyer and C. Wenger delivered the funeral addresses, and the local pastor, E. Schlachtenbauten, officiated. The Revs. P. Buenting, H. Buenting, W. Lewinski, H. Zibell, W. Wolf, H. Gold served as pall bearers. Hundreds of people came to pay their last respects and the overflow crowd was accommodated in the church basement by amplifying system. According to the wish of the departed, there were no flowers at the funeral services. He was a great friend of memorial wreaths and it was his desire to have the thought with all: Instead of flowers upon a loved one’s grave, gift of love immortal souls to save. Interment was made in Union Cemetery. May he rest in peace. His memory will continue to live and may it be a source of blessing to many. Pomeroy Herald, Pomeroy, Iowa, Thurs., Jan 28, 1937, p.1