Emigrants

List of all emigrants

"William" Franz Wilhelm Meyer zur Capellen

emigrated about 1857 to the United States and settled in Sturgis, Meade County, South Dakota.

William is a brother of August Meyer zur Capellen from Remsede near Bad Laer in Germany, Ancestor of Georg Meyer zur Capellen who is the husband of Lore Waldmann.
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letter

William was married. His wife's name is Amelia. They had a son called Fritz or Fred who was born about 1873. Fred married Amelia Burger on December 26th, 1898. Their son William Frank Meyer was born November 27th, 1899 in Sturgis, South Dakota. The US Census of 1900 for South Dakota doesn't mention Fred and his family so they seemed to have left South Dakota soon after their son had been born.

Black Hill Press, July 21st, 1896
Death of Wm. Meyers
Wm. Meyers died last Thursday morning of a complicated Diseases.
Mr. Meyers was born at hanover, Germany, in March, 1830, and was therefore 66 years of age at the time of his death. At 16 he came to this country and soon found himself in California where he spent many years. Afterwards going to Montana and coming from there to the Black Hills in 1876, locating on Bear Butte creek, where he conducted very extensive farming operations until his death. He was a man of wonderful constitution, but years of hard work broke him down.
Life was with him a battlefield, with some victories and many defeats - at times worth a fortune and then again almost penniless.
The funeral was held at the house, Rev. Atwater officiating, and was one of the largest ever held in the county. Thirty three carriages following the remains to the grave.

Black Hill Press, July 18th, 1899
Amelia Meyers
, widow of the late William Meyers, died at the home of her son 3,5 miles east of Sturgis, from taking carbolic acid, which resulted in her death after a few hours of most excruciating agony.
Mrs. Meyers came to the Hills in the early days of '77 with her husband and one child, a son. Fritz. Her life was full of hardships during the first years of ranching in this new country. A most devoted wife and mother, never thinking of herself when her dear ones were in the consideration. When her husband died a few short years ago she was almost broken hearted and longed to go to the unknown land and be with the one choice of her youth, only her dear son was a strong tie for her to this world of trouble. For many years she toiled and saved to leave a small gift for the idol of a good mother's heart, her son, but she has gone to the long sleep and rest, and the loved name of mother will be in the past. Not a man loses a mother but loses their best and truest friend and Fritz many friends weep and sympathize with him over his loss. May the good Father comfort and help you is the prayer of your friends.
The funeral services were conducted from the Catholic church, Rev. Father Quinlan officiating.