William H. Meyer 

 

"William H. Meyer was the Lieutenat Govener of Colorado from 1883-1885. He died on 22 August 1923 in Costilla County, CO."

William H. MEYER married Maria VIGIL in 1868. They settled in Costilla County (now Alamosa) and had a large ranch. Their children were Charles J. MEYER, Edwina MEYER DEN, Amelia MEYER ANDERSON, Frieda MEYER HAYWARD, and others who died young.

    posted October 18, 2000

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    Posted 2006

    Born: Hanover, Germany (April 14, 1847)
    Died: Costilla County (August 22, 1923)
    Married: Mary Vigil (1868)

    Cattleman. Came to U.S. around 1862; lived in Kentucky, Missouri, and New Mexico, before settling in Costilla County, sometime during 1865-1867. Became a cattle baron of the region including large land holdings. Always identified with interests of southern Colorado. Took active part in Territorial and State government as: Clerk of County and District Courts, 1867-1876; member of Territorial House of Representatives, 1870 & 1874; member of Constitutional Convention of 1875; member of Senate of General Assembly, 1877-1879, 1899-1903, 1907-1911. Gave life-long support to public school legislation and the cause of education. Served as member of first board of Trustees of State Normal School 1889.
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    Edmond Cornelius Van Diest was born in Buitenzora, Island of Java, Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) August, 1865, the son of Josephine and Pietre Heinrich van Diest. His father and grandfathers for three generations were governors on the Island of Banca, off Java, for the Dutch Government in the Hague, Holland. The van Diest Family immigrated to the United States in 1872, when Mr. van Diest was seven years of age, where P. H. van Diest had accepted a position with the newly opened Colorado School of Mines as a Meteorologist (might be Metallurgist?) . He also opened in Denver an assay office where gold from the Cherry Creek Nederlands and Western Slope areas were tested. The family, comprising four sisters and Edmond, were educated in the Denver Public Schools prior to entering Colorado colleges. In 1884, P.H. van Diest accepted a position as manager of the Sangre De Cristo grant and brought his family to San Luis, Colorado, where he remained with his family until 1904.

    In 1890 Edmond married Anna Louise Meyer at Costilla, New Mexico. There were five children, three of whom survived--Alice E. van Diest, professor of Sociology, Colorado College (retired); Annette Josine van Diest Weldie, manager of Personnel, Hermann Hospital, Houston Texas, and wife of Ralph E. Weldie; Eloise Margaret van Diest Skilling, prominent social leader in St. Louis, Missouri and wife of Dr. David M. Skilling, Jr. who is an eminent internist and diagnostician in St. Louis.

     

That might be the William H. Meyer who cash-claimed  a quarter in 27, 6N 50W in 1891.

In 1870 Costilla County, William Meyer is 23, with Manuelita 18, and Isidor Martin , 18.

In 1880 Mora, New Mexico, W.H. Meyer is 38, Manuelita 27, with Carlos 9, Preston 7, and Eduvihina 1.

In 1885 Costilla County, W. H. is a stockman, with Emma 31, Charles 14, Christina 13, Danina 8, Amelia 5, and brother Fred 26.

In 1900 Costilla County, W.H. born April 1847 is married 9 years to Manuelita born Feb 1854 in New Mexico.  Edwina Oct 1880, Emilia July 1884, Frieda Aug 1888.

In 1910 Costilla County, Colorado, Wm. H. Meyer is 62, farming, born in Germany, married 41 years - but no spouse listed.  Wm.. H. Jr. is 3, born in Colorado.  Wm. H. Jr. born July 4, 1907, died May 31, 1916 - buried in San Acacio, Colorado cemetery, per the Costilla County history.

In 1920 Costilla County, William H. Meyer, 72, immigrating in 1861, naturalized in 1868, is married to Josepheta, 46, Colorado.  Josephita's daughter Beatrice Lazares, 22, born in Colorado, is with them.

 

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