Christian and Caroline Myers, my husband's great-great grandparents, were both born in Germany in the Hanover region. Christian, born March 6, 1814, named his birthplace as Neerseen, a principality south of Hanover. Caroline's birthplace, as told in her obituary was Hevenseen, Lower Saxony and her birthdate, April 17, 1812. My guess is that they lived in the same village, as travel to find a wife was quite limited and most married people from their own immediate area.
The couple married in March, 1840 and immediately emigrated out of Germany, settling in Hocking County, Ohio. They settled in Laurel Township, Hocking County, and joined the St John Lutheran Church there; here all their children were baptized and confirmed. They were farmers, like most others in that county and their children farmed, as well.
Their oldest daughter, Dora (Teena, Jena) Myers married John Wesley Kline and they had a son, Daniel, my husband's grandfather. Dora's siblings, as I know now, were Jacob, Frederic, Caroline, Louisa, Melvina, Elizabeth and Wilhelmina.
Christian and Caroline lived on a Laurel Township farm their whole lives and that is where death found them. Christian died on March 24, 1884, at 70 years old. His obituary appeared in the Hocking Sentinel, Logan, Ohio, on April 10, 1884:
"Mr. Henry Frederick Christian Meier was born March 6, 1814, in Neersen, Germany, and died at his late residence in Laurel Tp., Hocking County, Ohio, March 24, 1884, aged 70 years, 18 days.
The deceased was consecrated to the Lord through the sacrament of Holy Baptism in his infancy, and when 14 years of age, was confirmed in the Lutheran Church and thereby admitted into full membership of said church.
In 1840, Mr Meier joined himself in holy matrimony to Miss Mary C. Young, and this newly married couple soon afterward left with the Rehren family their native country and came with them to America and settled in Hocking county.
The married life of Mr. and Mrs. Meier was a happy one, and was blessed with 9 children, 2 sons and 7 daughters, of whom, however, 3 daughters have preceded their father to eternity.
The deceased was an industrial and honest man, a loving husband, a kind father, bringing up his children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and an active and faithful church member.
In general, he possessed the great gift of good health, until about four years ago , it began to fail him. An aillment of the lungs took hold of his otherwise robust and vigorous constitution. This complaint subsequently resulted into dropsy (edema). But all these sufferings, the deceased bore with truly Christian patience and resignation, firmly believing and ardently hoping admidst sighs and prayers, that Christ, his Savior, would soon come and deliver him from his sufferings, and translate him from this world of sorrow into the Heavenly Kingdom.
This wish was granted him on Monday noon, March 24th, when he fell asleep, as we hope, in Jesus, to live with HIm in joy and bliss forever.
His funeral took place on Wednesday, and was conducted by Rev. L. F. Miller, Pastor of the Ev. Lutheran Church of Laurel Tp., of which the deceased had been a member for over 40 years.
The widow, two sons, four daughters, and seventeen grandchildren mourn his departured. May the God of all consolations and blessings also console and bless these bereaved ones."
St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Maysville, Hocking County, Ohio
Caroline passed away on April 23, 1888 - her obituary:
""Departed this life, April 23d, 1888, at her residence in Laurel Twp, Hocking Couinty, Ohio, Mrs. Mary Caroline Myer. The deceased was born April 17th, 1812 in Hevenseen, Hanovre, Germany.
In early infancy, she was given to the Lord through the sacrament of Holy Baptism and at the age of 14 years, she was, by the rite of confirmation, received into full membership of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
In 1840, she was married to Mr. Christian Myer. To them were born nine children, of whom four have preceded their mother to eternity and five, 2 sons and 3 daughters, survive her.
Shortly after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Myer left their native country and emigrated to the United States of America and settled in Hocking County, Ohio. The deceased has lived in the community for 48 years. Four years ago, the departed had to experience the severe loss of being deprived of her life's companion, Mr. Myer, by death. She bore this loss with Christian patience and submission, hoping to meet 'ere long in a 'better land.'
In general, the deceased enjoyed good health until about 8 months ago, symptoms of dropsy made their appearance. This ailment grew daily worse. During her sickness, she gave proof of her strong faith in Christ my clinging firmly to Him and by expressing a great desire to be delivered and go to her heavenly home.
The days of her early pilgrimage numbered 78 years and 6 days. Her funeral took place April 25th and was largely attended by friends and relatives. After suitable service in the Ev. Lutheran Church, St. John's of Laurel Tp, of which the deceased had been an active member, by Rev. L. F. Miller, her body was laid to rest by the side of her husband to await the summons of the Lord for resurrection on that great day.
Two sons and three daughters and 24 grandchildren mourn their severe loss which to her is endless gain. May God absolutely comfort them."
