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Matilda Rebecca Smull was the fifth child of Peter Smull and Mary Waggoner. The brother presumed to have been born prior to her is unknown, though we know by news account that there were 12 children - six boys and six girls - and by the census records prior to 1850 that a male would fit into this spot. Matilda was born 15 Oct 1828 in Centre County, Pennsylvania. In 1851, in Miles Township, Centre County, she married Daniel Meyer, son of Henry Meyer and Hannah Bierly. The Bierly name is one seen frequently in both Centre County and Stephenson County, Illinois.
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| Matilda R Smull Meyer 1828-1915 Dakota Cemetery |
Daniel's great grandfather, Anthony Bierly (1747-1825) was one of the pioneer settlers of Brush Valley, the same area where the Brothers Smull settled. He was born in Bavaria and came to Snyder County before settling in Brush Valley. He and Daniel's grandfather, Nicholas, cleared enough land to begin work on his 300 acres near Rebersburg. Anthony served in the militia during the Revolutionary War, but little is known of his involvement.
Daniel served an apprenticeship as a cabinet maker in his youth in Pennsylvania under Major John Meyer, but wanted to seek his fortune out west. They arrived in Stephenson County on the last day of 1853. Finding there was no great need for cabinet makers, Meyer started farming and was successful. He retired in 1895 and they moved into Dakota for their retirement. Matilda died in December 1915 and Daniel on 28 Sep 1918 in Dakota.
The Meyer's had nine children, six of whom preceded their parents in death.
1. Sarah was born 19 Dec 1851, in Rebersburg. She married George McGilligan on 02 Mar 1875 in Stephenson County. They had one son, Willard Erwin McGilligan, born 03 Apr 1876 and died 07 May 1944 in Bremer County, Iowa. Sarah died 08 Mar 1898 in Chicago and George died 12 Sep 1924 in Bremer County.
2. Dora Hanna was born 22 Oct 1853 and died 01 Apr 1854 in Stephenson County.
3. Newton Henry was born 28 Jan 1855 and died 01 Jan 1873 in Stephenson County. He died as a result of an accidental shooting while hunting.
4. Thomas Ephriam was born 03 Oct 1856 in Rock Run, Stephenson County. He married Hilda Charlotte Nelson, born 20 Sep 1858 in Sweden, and they had five children. He died 01 Aug 1897 in Winnebago County, Illinois and she on 08 Apr 1935 in Pecatonica, Winnebago County.
5. John Franklin was born 21 Nov 1858 in Stephenson County. He married Anna May Holsapple (another name found in both Centre and Stephenson Counties) on 18 Jul 1883 in Chicago. Anna was born 21 Sep 1870 in Dakota. They had five children. J. F. died in 1950 and Anna on 22 Aug 1928 in Rock Run, Stephenson County.
6. Peter David was born 09 Apr 1861 in Stephenson County and died on 11 Feb 1875 in Rock Run, Stephenson County.
7. Emma Jane was born on 22 Oct 1863 in Dakota. She married Edwin Dietz Lauck on 08 Jan 1885. Ed was born to John A Lauck and Anna Christina Marean on 18 Oct 1863 in Rock Grove, Stephenson County. They operated a creamery and ice cream factory in Spencer, Iowa and in 1905 moved to farm in Peabody, Kansas. I highly recommend you visit this website to learn tons about the history of Ed's family and the early days of Ed and Emma. Ed died 20 Nov 1933 in Peabody, Marion, Kansas and Emma on 16 Nov 1945 in Peabody. They had four children.
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| Emma, grandson Bobby, and Edwin photo Donald Good |
8. Effie Susan was born 09 Mar 1866 in Rock Run. She married Lincoln A. Goodman in 1893 and they had two children. Lincoln was born 11 Nov 1863 in Wisconsin. He died 19 Jul 1935 in Rock Run from the heat after working near his timber land on the farm. Effie died 14 Oct 1943 in Freeport, Stephenson County.
9. Mary was born 11 Aug 1868 and died 20 Sep 1868 in Stephenson County.
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