From Doris' geneology work done on Ancestors.com, she gives wonderful details about the Meinhard family story. That story is one of grit, transition, and the pursuit of the American dream. From the decks of a steamship in Antwerp to the battlefields of the Civil War, and finally to the fertile soil of the Iowa frontier, Frederick Meinhard’s 64 years represent a quintessential chapter in our family history.
From the Old World to the New
In April 1854, a twelve-year-old Frederick stood on the deck of the Helicon as it pulled away from Antwerp, Belgium. Traveling with his brother Jacob, he was part of a larger family migration. By the time they reached Troy Grove, Illinois, Frederick was already learning the family trade: milling. He spent his teenage years assisting his father, Michael, in the local mill, a profession that required mechanical precision and physical stamina.
A Soldier of the Republic
Frederick’s life took a harrowing turn at age 20. On March 13, 1862, he enlisted in Company I of the 65th Illinois Infantry. His military record reads like a tour of the Civil War’s most intense theaters:
Captured at Harper’s Ferry: In April 1863, Frederick was taken as a prisoner of war and held at Camp Chase.
The Atlanta Campaign: Following his exchange, he served in the 23rd Army Corps under General Burnside. He marched through East Tennessee and participated in the brutal, pivotal campaign to take Atlanta.
Honorable Discharge: He survived the conflict and was mustered out on May 15, 1865, returning home to Illinois to resume civilian life.
Roots in Troy Grove
Post-war life brought stability and growth. In 1868, Frederick married Marie Henrieta Emelie (Emily) Vitt. Family stories suggest Emily had come to work for the Meinhards, and the two families shared deep roots back in Germany. Together in Troy Grove, they began their own branch of the family tree, welcoming three sons: Henry (1870), Rudolph Karl (1875), and Alfred Oswald (1878).
It is at Troy grove that the Meinhard Family Cemetery commerates the Meinhard ancestry.
The Great Migration to Iowa
The most significant geographical shift occurred after the death of Frederick’s father in 1896. Seeking new opportunities, Frederick moved the family to Buena Vista County, Iowa.
The move was a calculated success. In Hayes Township, near Storm Lake, Frederick purchased a half-section of land for the then-significant sum of $2.50 per acre. He was only the second owner of this land, having bought it from a man who received the original patent from the federal government. This property became more than just a farm; it was a legacy that Frederick eventually divided among his three sons, ensuring the Meinhard name remained tied to the Iowa soil for generations to come.
A Final Transition
Frederick’s journey ended on March 24, 1905, at the age of 64. In a poignant historical coincidence, his brother Gerlach passed away on the very same day. Frederick was laid to rest in Storm Lake, Iowa—a long way from the shipyards of Antwerp, but a place he had truly made his own.
As we reflect on his life, we see a man of service, a builder of industry, and a father who labored to provide a literal "half-section" of the future for his children.
1 comment:
We have a private family cemetery in Troy Grove. This summer, let's do another maintenance party and update on its status. https://meinhardsamseldiary.blogspot.com/search/label/Cemeteries.
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