MEYR FAMILY REUNION PLANNED AUG. 5

Life in the United States began for the Meyr family when Josef Meyr, father of Gustav Meyr (man in middle with bow tie) married Anna Marie Starzinger and immigrated from Wells, Austria, in 1852 to New Wells. New Wells was so named for the town in Austria that the family originated from. Josef Meyr was one of the founders of Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Wells.

The Meyr family reunion will include a potluck meal at noon Aug. 5 in the basement at Immanuel Lutheran Church at New Wells.

The following is a brief biographical sketch of the Meyr family.

* Rufina Meyr Mirly married Arthur Mirly, who was a farmer in New Wells.

* Pauline Meyr (Gustav Meyr's second wife) married Gustav Meyr on Feb. 11, 1901. Pauline and Gustav produced 11 children.

* Gilbert Meyr, the only surviving family member in the photo, farms on the old homestead in New Wells.

* Alma Meyr Haertling married a New Wells farmer, Eldor Haertling.

* Wiona Meyr Hutteger married Melvin Hutteger, a dairy farm employee who later drove for a California car transport trucking firm and then a Jackson firm.

* Albert Meyr made a living with a custom thrashing machine and combine. He later became a New Wells farmer.

* Gustav Meyr was a farmer who had five children with his first wife, Clara Louise Scholl, who died at age 32. He later married Pauline Marie Perr, with whom he produced 11 children, totaling 16 children in all.

* Oscar Meyr worked with his brother on the custom thrashing machine and combine. He later became a carpenter.

* Herbert Meyr began his career with the Army Air Corps. and later became a pilot for Pan Am.

* Edward Meyr was a farmer in New Wells.

* Rudolph Meyr was a carpenter in New Wells.

* George Meyr owned Meyr Brothers Garage and ran the business for at least 50 years.

* Arthur Meyr owned Meyr Brothers Garage, along with his brother George.

* Lucie Meyr Mangels married Martin Mangels who earned his living as a Montana homesteader.

* William Meyr owned Schuppen and Meyr general merchandise store (along with Schuppen) and later became postmaster from 1918-1951.

* Walter Meyr was a farmer first in New Wells and later in Gordonville.

* Ottilie Meyr married August Lichtenegger, a grocery store owner in Cape Girardeau.

* Rosa Meyr Doberenz married Helmuth Doberenz, who was first a farmer in Shawneetown and later became a grocery store employee in Jackson.