GEORGE A. MAYER

George A. MAYER, the old gentleman of whom this is but an imperfect sketch, was born in the city of Mosbach, Germany, 01 Jan 1797. He received what may be termed a liberal education in his native country, and, on 29 Feb 1824, married Miss Margaretta STROHAUER, unto whom there were born nine children, only three of whom attained to their majority, Louisa, Jacob F. and Virginius M. Virginius being born on the high sea during his mother's coming to this country. Mr. MAYER before leaving Germany, became a member of the Milhausen Immigration Society, whose agent in this country was John ROEBLING, the great Master Engineer, who was latterly chief in charge of the building of the Brooklyn Bridge, the grandest iron and steel structure known to inventive genius. Mr. ROEBLING, by accident lost his life before the completion of the work, and was succeeded by his son.

Mr. MAYER arrived at New York in August 1832, and settled at Pittsburgh, PA, where he remained until the early part of 1834, when he removed to Evansville, Indiana. He had learned the trade of gunsmithing in the old country, and for this, determined to earn his livelihood in this new land. He remained in Evansville for only a short time, but while there, built, on the corner of Main and Second Streets, the first two-story frame building, and the first building erected in Lamasco by a German in that town. While he resided in Evansville, there were only four or five hundred inhabitants, and no exceeding eighty houses, all told.

In February 1835, he removed to Henderson and was among the first occupants of the present residence of F. W. REUTLINGER, corner of Fourth and Elm Streets. He immediately embarked in gunsmithing in an old frame shanty situated on the northeast side of Mill or Second Street, between Main and Water. He continued in this building for several years, when he removed to the old FULWILER brick on Main Street, now adjoining C. H. JOHNSON's book store. By close attention to business, honest work, and reasonable compensation, Mr. MAYER held the entire gunsmithing trade of the country for several counties, and his prudence led him to lay aside enough to increase his business and make himself financially comfortable. His trade continued to increase until he found it necessary to have a more roomy storehouse, and, to that end, he purchased and built the present house, now occupied by his son, Jacob F. MAYER. In this house he continued to do business in partnership with his sons, Jacob F. and Virginius M., whom he had educated most excellent business men and mechanics, until old age bade him desist from further labor and spend the remainder of his days in rest and quiet.

Of his three children, Louisa married French GOBIN, an influential and esteemed citizen, and they had two children, one of whom is now living. Maggie J. who married Joseph J. JOHNSTON and they have six children, four of who are now living; Eugenia, an accomplished young lady, just grown; Joseph Russell, Robert Evans, and Gilbert Ludson. Mrs. GOBIN died 18 March 1874.

Joseph F. MAYER has been married twice, first to Miss Lucie BOND, of Iowa, by whom he has three living children: Fred V., Walter and Harry. Fred married Miss Else WYMOND of Evansville and has one child, a daughter. Jacob married secondly, Miss Mattie WOODRUFF, of New Jersey, a highly cultured and devoted Christian lady, by whom he had four children, three of whom are living; Frank, Herbert and Maurice.

Virginius M. MAYER married Miss Lottie LOTZE, of Cincinnati, a lady of high, social and domestic character, and unto them have been born three children: Amanda, a charming young lady just budding into womanhood, George Adolphus and Virginius, both very promising.

Mr. MAYER was scrupulous in all his dealings, and has always, through his business life, aimed to give perfect satisfaction, and to oblige, to the fullest extent, his patrons. He has throughout his entire life, shown himself a man of marked energy and sound judgment. It is not astonishing, therefore, that, in his career and character are to be found elements composing a man very useful as a citizen and very successful in business affairs. During his life in Germany he was a member of the Army Reserve Force; his brother David MAYER was in Napoleon's Russian Campaign, was present at the burning of Moscow, and was one of the number who perished in Napoleon's memorable retreat.

For seven or eight months in 1848, Mr. MAYER was totally blind, cataracts having formed over his eyes, but he subsequently recovered, and now, at his old age, enjoys a good eyesight. He is a great reader, loves his smoke and glass of wine, and awaits the coming of his Maker with a spirit become a philosopher.

Starling's History of Henderson County, Kentucky, 1887.

GEORGE A. MAYER REFERENCES

MARRIAGES IN HENDERSON COUNTY, 1806 - 1858

George A. Mayer - Mrs. Eliza Johnston, 27 Dec 1854, Book 002, Page 186

MARRIAGES IN HENDERSON COUNTY, 1858 - 1900

Harry C. Mayer - Sara K. Bradshaw, 01 Jan 1896, Book 026, Page 120
Jacob F. Mayer - Martha Woodruff, 07 Jan 1879, Book 016, Page 009
Samuel B. Mayer - Minnie Rosenfield, 11 Mar 1886, Book 019, Page 525

1850 CENSUS OF HENDERSON COUNTY

George Mayer, age 58, Page 11, House No. 82; Margaret age 51; Jacob F. age 19; Virginia M. age 17
**Census has Virginia M. listed as female, would suspect this is actually Virginius male.**

1860 CENSUS OF HENDERSON COUNTY

George Mayer age 60, Page 28, House No. 252; Eliza age 39; Jacob age 29; Lucy age 22; V. M. (m) age 29; Emma age 1 ALSO LISTED WITH FAMILY: L. M. Gobin (f) age 32; M. T. Gobin (f) age 10; Joseph Johnston age 19

1870 CENSUS OF HENDERSON COUNTY

George Mayer age 73, Page 177, House No. 65; Eliza age 49; Lizzy age 10; Louisa Hack (servant) age 20

Virginus Mayer age 38, Page 213, House No. 66; Charlotte age 28; George age 6; Amanda age 4; Virginia age 1

Jacop Mayer age 39, Page 214, House No. 67; Lucie age 32; Virginia age 7; George W. age 2 and Joseph age 5 listed as (f) ALSO LISTED WITH FAMILY: Philipona Sibert (f) age 19; Louisa Weiner age 9; Charles Meyer age 25; Fred Eckels age 33

1880 CENSUS OF HENDERSON COUNTY

G. A. MAYES age 84 and Lizzie MAYES age 18 are listed with several other listings on Page 70, House No. 21

INTERMENT RECORDS

Emma Mayer, 06 Sep 1861, Fernwood, age unknown, 450, 4
Joseph A. Mayer, 30 Aug 1877, Fernwood, age unknown, 450, 3
Ellen Lizzie Mayer, 03 Jul 1881, Fernwood, age unknown, 450, 10
Walter Mayer (inf), 30 Nov 1888, Fernwood, age inknown, 450, 1
Jacob F. Mayer, 28 May 1890, Fernwood, age unknown, 450, 4
Frank W. Mayer, 17 Oct 1895, Fernwood, age unknown, 450, 12

HENDERSON COUNTY DEATH RECORDS, 1839 - 1911

Geo. A. Mayer
M - W - Widower - Unknown
d) 26 Nov 1894
pl) Henderson
bur) unknown
cause) old age
Dr. Ben Letcher
age) 98 age) 60
born) Germany
res) Henderson
parents unknown

Jacob F. Mayer
M - W - Married - Merchant
d) 28 May 1890
pl) Henderson
bur) unknown
cause) consumption
Dr. W. M. Hanna
born) Germany
res) Henderson
f) G. A. Mayer, Germany
m) Unknown, Germany