David J. MEYER  

contributed by DAVE MEYER  

Oconto Falls Herald
November 25, 1921

Killed While Hunting Deer
David J. Meyer, of this city, Victim of Accidental Shot
Buried Tuesday, With Largest Funeral Ever Held Here. 

"Last Saturday afternoon a telegram was received in this city by J. C. Meyer, brother of D. J. Meyer, dated at Florence, in Florence County, stating that David Meyer had been instantly killed in the hunting woods. Within an hour the sad news was known in every part of the city, due to the fact that the victim of the accident had been a resident of Oconto Falls for nearly twenty years, and was intimately known and highly respected by every resident in the place. Possessed of a pleasant manner and genial disposition, his greetings were always kindly and cheerful, qualities that attracted the friendship of all. His enemies were a minus quantity."

"Just a week before the unfortunate accident occurred, he left his home in this city for a vacation in the northern woods, hoping, in addition to participating in a health-giving outing, to bring home a deer. It was while in quest of a deer that another hunter, Blaine Page of Shawano, located in the same camp, mistook the moving body at a distance in the woods for a deer and shot with a precision that was too fatal in its results. The bullet entered Mr. Meyer's shoulder blade and pierced his heart. Mr. Page, anxious to find the game supposed he had shot, ran to the spot and found his friend just breathing his last. Hastily summoning help the body of "Dave" was conveyed to camp and the coroner of Florence County summoned. The verdict was accidental death."

"In response to a wire a casket was forwarded from this city Saturday night, and C. F. and John C. Meyer brothers of David accompanied by F. O'Neill, undertaker proceed to the ramp. On Sunday night the body, accompanied by the friends arrived here and was taken to the home of the deceased on Caldwell Street."

"The funeral occurred Tuesday afternoon at 1:30, and was conducted at the First Methodist Episcopal Church by Rev. H. Srugies, pastor of the St. Jacobs Lutheran Church. The Methodist church had been offered for the purpose, as it was much larger than the Lutheran, and would furnish more room for the very large attendance. As it was the church and lecture room extension were both crowded to such an extent that every seat and chair was filled and every foot of standing room occupied. Rev. Mr. Strugies read the funeral service in German and preached short sermons in both German and English."

"At the conclusion of the service the funeral cortege proceeded to Morgan Cemetery, where three children of Mr. and Mrs. Meyer are buried. Arrived at the cemetery the final obsequies were in charge of and conducted the by Oconto Falls Lodge No. 193, F & A. M. of which the deceased was a member, and with the closing words of that beautiful and impressive ritual D. J. Meyer was consigned to his final earthly resting place beside the little ones who had preceded him from this abode of joys and sorrows to the limitless glories of the great beyond."

"David J. Meyer was born in the town of Morgan July 31, 1879 and grew to manhood on the farm of his father, Carl Meyer of this city. In the common school of his native town he obtained his education, which had been greatly enlarged by reading and study in the later years of his life. On July 31st, 1900, he was united in marriage with Miss Lydia, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Schroeder, also of the town of Morgan, and shortly after they came to Oconto Falls and have resided here ever since. Mr. Meyer engaged in various businesses until about five years ago when he affiliated with the sales department of the Oconto Ford Motor Car Co., and on the reorganization of that concern about three years ago he became a stockholder and owner. His business as salesman and owner had made it necessary for him to visit almost everyone of Oconto county during which he formed innumerable acquaintances, with his cheerful and accommodating style, many of which developed into warm and personal friends. He was one of the most widely know men in the county."


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