Joseph Mettemeyer (1869 - 1933)

Born 17 Nov 1869 in Quincy, Adams County, Illinois

Ancestors

Son of Henry Mittemeyer and Anna Catherine (Lansing) Mettemeyer

Husband of Caroline (Hummel) Mettemeyer — married 19 Feb 1900 in Quincy, Adams County, Illinois

Descendants

Died 24 Apr 1933 at age 63 in Quincy, Adams County, Illinois

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Biography

Joseph Mettemeyer was born on November 17, 1869 in Adams County, Illinois, the second child of Prussian Catholic immigrants, Henry Mittemeyer and Anna Lansing. His father, Henry, served as a Private in the 119th Illinois Infantry of the American Civil War, organized in Adams County. Joseph was baptized by Rev. Elsing of the Franciscan Friars of Quincy on November 21, 1869, with sponsors Joseph Hildebrand and Anast. Otendorf. Joseph is the progenitor of the entire Mettemeyer family, as his two brothers changed their last name to “Myers”.

Joseph married Carrie Hummel, the daughter of Landolin and Mary Hummel, on February 19, 1900 at St. Joseph's Church. Their witnesses were Joseph's brother, Henry, and Carrie's sister, Mary. They had 6 children.

Children of Joseph and Carrie:

• Alvena (Dempsey)
• Leona (Mast)
• Albert
• Ralph
• Helen (Reinhart)
• Florence (Klues)

Joseph was a lifelong resident of Gilmer township, having been born there in 1869. When Joseph was 14, his father burned down their family home and was charged with domestic abuse and arson. His mother filed for divorce, but it wasn't long after that Henry was found hanging in his cell in the Adams county jail.

He received his First Communion on January 8th, 1882. He was confirmed at St. Francis Solanus Church on October 26, 1882. His confirmation name was Henricus, and his sponsor was William Weibring.^[1]

Joseph married Carrie Hummel in 1900, also a resident of Gilmer township. Their witnesses were Henry Meyer (likely Joseph's brother, who changed his last name), and Mary Hummel. The family continued to reside and raised their children on the same farm on section 18 and 19 of Gilmer township, where his father had lived. Carrie's parents were also German immigrants. Both families were members of St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

Joseph Mettemeyer was elected as commissioner of Gilmer Township in 1904, and was elected again in 1916. He held many leadership roles in the planning of St. Joseph’s Parish picnic over the years.

He passed away in 1933. Carrie lived until 1947, and the farm was transferred to their son, Albert Mettemeyer. Later, it was purchased by the Dempsey family, descendants through their daughter, Alvena.^[2]

Obituary

Joe Mettemeyer, widely known farmer and a resident of Gilmer township for more than half a century, died in his home Monday afternoon at 3:30. He had been in ill health several years, a month ago he was stricken with paralysis and had been bedfast two days. Heart trouble was the cause of death.

The son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Mettemeyer, he was born in Quincy, November 17, 1869, and had resided on his farm in Gilmer township fifty-five years. He was married to Miss Carrie Hummel, February 21, 1900, in St. Joseph Catholic church. Surviving are his widow; two sons, Albert and Ralph Mettemeyer, at home; four daughters; Mrs. Harry Dempsey, Ellington; Mrs. Tim Mast, Melrose; Mrs. Ralph Reinhart, Paloma, and Miss Florence Mettemeyer, at home; eight grandchildren; two brothers, Henry Mettemeyer, Bennet, Iowa, and Theodore Mettemeyer, Venice California; a half-brother, Bernard Ostendorf, Philadelphia, Missouri, and two sisters, Mrs. Theodore Nodler, Mexico, Missouri, and Mrs. Elizabeth Bauer, Quincy. Mr. Mettemeyer was a member of the Holy Name society and attended St. Joseph church.^[3]

Sources

1. ↑ U.S., Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield Sacramental Records, 1853-1975
2. ↑ First hand entered by Brian A. Stump, from family knowledge and newspaper archives
3. ↑ The Quincy Herald Whig, Tuesday, April 25, 1933; Page: 12

See also:

• "Joseph Mettemeyer", FamilySearch.org. https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/KJ56-Q7S
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/25925883/joseph-mettemeyer