Henry  Meer

          Henry Meer,  Sheriff of Shelby County, was born in Hanover, Germany, April 1, 1847, and is the son of  Harman and  Effamia (Wesling) Meer, natives of Germany.  The first twelve years of his life were passed in his native country, at the end of which time, in 1859, he accompanied his parents to the United States, and settled in Franklin County, Ind., where, at the age of thirteen, he began life upon his own responsibility.  Two years later he took up the shoemaker's trade, which he continued with success and financial profit for a period of fifteen years, moving to Shelby County in the meantime (1867), locating at the village of Prescott, about five miles east of Shelbyville.  He subsequently embarked in the general mercantile business at this place, which he carried on in connection with the grain trade, having had charge of the railroad and express offices at the same time.  He early took an active interest in political affairs, and while a resident of Prescott held the office of  Justice of the Peace for four years, besides making an unsuccessful race for the office of County Treasurer, in which he was defeated by a very small majority.  In 1885, he disposed of his interests in Prescott, and moved to Shelbyville, and the following year was elected Sheriff of Shelby County, defeating his competitor, the Republican nominee, by a majority of over 400 votes.  Mr. Meer is a noted example of what energy and determination can accomplish in the face of adverse circumstances.  Beginning life in an humble sphere, he has by diligent application and persevering industry, succeeded in winning for himself an honored place in the estimation of the people of his adopted county.  He cast his first presidential vote for  Horatio Seymour,  since which time he has been an earnest supporter of the Democratic party, hi 1868, he was united in marriage to  Miss Rebecca J. Newton, daughter of  John H. and  Mary Newton.  Mrs. Meer was born in Shelby County, November 17, 1849, [?]  mother of six living children, whose names are as follows, to-wit.:  John H.,  Annie A.,  George L.,  Arthur F.,  Frederick O.,  and  Mary.  Mr. and Mrs. Meer are leading members of the Shelbyville Catholic Church.
History of Shelby County, Indiana,  "Shelbyville Sketches," page 514-15, Chicago: Brant & Fuller, 1887.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming
 
Arthur Meer

Picture from Boetcker's 
Picturesque Shelbyville
, 1909


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