Harold Meissner

Family/Spouse: Anna. Anna was born about 1897 in Scotland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Biography:
From the 1896 "Canadian Album":
Carl August Meissner, general manager of the Londonderry Iron Co., Ltd., Acadia Mines, N.S., was born September 20th, 1859, at Staten Island, N.Y. He is a son of the late Frederick Meissner, of New York, in his day a prominent oil exporter, and Bertha Niemeyer. The former was born in Germany in 1827, and the latter in 1831. Mr. Meissner was educated at Columbia College, New York, where he graduated in 1880 with the degree of Ph.B. He had previously studied two years, 1874-76, at Erfurt, Germany. He then became assistant chemist for the Joliet Steel Co., and in 1882 head chemist of the Brier Hill Iron and Coal Co., of Youngstown, O. After remaining in this position for three years he returned to the Joliet Steel Co. as head chemist, where he served until July, 1887, when he removed to Sterlington, N.Y., to accept the position of manager of the Sterling Iron and Railway Co He held this important position until August, 1890, then went to Birmingham, Ala., and became vice-president and general manager of the Vanderbilt Steel and Iron Co., organized by the Roeblings, of Trenton, N.J., himself, and relatives. In 1895 ne accepted the position of general manager of the Londonderry Iron Co., which he has since filled with ability and satisfaction to the stockholders. When in the United States he took an active interest in politics, and rendered good service to the Republican party as organizer. Was president of the Harrison Republican League of Sterling, New York, 1888; one of the Republican committeemen of Birmingham, Ala., 1894; knight of the Ancient Essenic Order, Birmingham Chapter. In religion he is an Episcopalian. Mr. Meissner was married November 8th, 1883, to Miss Clara Ayer, daughter of James Ayer, of Angola, N.Y., whose ancestors settled in Massachusetts prior to the Revolution, and who have been since then prominent in the military and civic affairs of that state. His family consists of five children, one daughter and four sons.

Died:
He was likely on a business trip.

Carl married Clara Ayer on 8 Nov 1883. Clara (daughter of James Ayer, Jr. and Marcy Hathaway Terry) was born about 1855 in Evans, New York; died after 1930. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Name: Clara Meissner

Notes:

Biography:
According to his brother he lived on their father's farm. In 1850 and 1860 it was valued at $6000 and $7000 respectively. He recruited, trained, and was captain of a Company that fought in the Civil War as did his brother Ira. His company was Company K, 116th Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry. He died of disease in camp during the Civil War. Post No 202 of the Grand Army of the Republic (Union veteran's organization) named themselves the James Ayer Post in his honor. His brother Ira was a member. A memorial book by the James Ayer Post to Ira Ayer gave the following description of James Ayer:
Captain James Ayer was the youngest brother of Captain Ira Ayer. He was born in what is now the town of Evans, August 14th, 1813, and died in camp at Baton Rouge, La., May 22, 1863.
I have heard it stated at various times, though I am not prepared to substantiate the fact from any records, that James Ayer was the first white male child born within the present limits of the town of Evans. His early life, like that of his older brother, developed military ability.
When a young man he was Captain and afterwards, by successive promotions, Major, Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel of a Regiment of New York State Militia.
He resided all his life in the town and upon the same farm where he was born.
As a citizen he was honored and beloved by all. In a long acquaintance with him and with those among whom he resided I never heard other than words of esteem spoken of him as a neighbor, a friend and earnest and exemplary Christian citizen.
Like his brother he had been called to pass through great affliction.
A short time before he offered his services to his country he buried his wife and was left with two motherless children of tender age to care for.
He, however, did not falter in his convictions of duty and receiving authority to recruit a company he soon found himself mustered into the service as Captain of Company "K," One Hundred and Sixteenth Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry. He was an efficient officer and had he lived would undoubtedly have gained promotion, as he had the entire confidence of his superior officers.
In the service he exhibited the same spirit of kindness and solicitude for others welfare that had ever been a prominent trait in his life and character and the more intimately the members of his company came to know him the stronger was their attachment to him as a friend and their admiration of him as an officer.
A few days before we left Baton Rouge on the Port Hudson campaign, he was taken sick and much against his wish compelled to remain in his tent, not wishing to go to the hospital.
... His symptoms, however, grew more alarming. He was taken with fever, followed by inflammation of the bowels and at 5 P.M. of May 22nd he passed away.
... After the war had ceased his remains were removed from Southern soil and placed by the side of his beloved wife in the town where he was born.

James married Marcy Hathaway Terry in 1839. Marcy was born on 6 Feb 1810 in Evans Center, New York; died on 4 Jan 1862; was buried in Forest Ave Cemetery, Angola, New York. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Name: Marcy Hathaway Ayer

Other Events:

• Census: 1820, Eden, New York

Notes:

Biography:
He bought a farm in Haverhill about 1796 on the Merrimac River. In about 1811 he sold the farm and moved his family in a covered wagon to Erie County, NY and built a log cabin on a 430 acre farm outside of Buffalo. His gravestone still exists and reads:
In Memory of
James Ayer,
formerly of Haverhill
Massachusetts, who died
March 13, AD. 1839,
aged 73 years 1 month
& 13 days
Blessed are the dead who died in the
Lord

Census:
Head, 110201-120100 1 male under 10, one 10-15, 2 16-25, 1 45 and over, 1 female under 10, 2 10-15 and 1 26-44.

Buried:
In Memory of
James Ayer
formerly of Haverhill
Massachusetts who died
March 13, AD 1839
aged 73 years 1 month
& 13 days

James married Sarah Bradley on 14 Dec 1794 in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Sarah (daughter of Enoch Bradley and Mary Low) was born on 1 Feb 1774; died on 7 Dec 1844; was buried in Evans Center Cemetery, Evans Center, New York. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Name: Sarah Ayer

Notes:

Biography:
Her gravestone still exists and reads:
Sarah B. Ayer,
Wife of
James Ayer,
Died Dec. 7, 1841,
Aged 70 Y'rs. 10 Mo's.
& 7 days.
The righteous ...