Pipe Organ Database

From the OHS PC Database, derived from A Guide to North American Organbuilders, by David H. Fox (Richmond, Va.: Organ Historical Society, 1991). -

Jerome B. Meyer was born January 26, 1872 in Ammerschwihr, Alsace-Lorraine, France; he was the husband of Anna Mary ('Mamie W.') Meyer, brother of Frank A. Meyer, and father of Jesse R. and Charles T. Meyer, Sr.

Meyer immigrated to the United States in 1888, at age 16. He started with Phillip Wirsching of Salem, Ohio, that year, as a pipemaker. He was with Carl Barckhoff Organ Co. of Salem, Ohio, from 1890; then with Lyon & Healy of Chicago, Illinois, 1897-1908, as foreman of pipemakers. He briefly operated his own firm in the Battle Creek, Michigan area; then was a partner with Henry Reinisch 1908-1909 in Battle Creek. He then operated his own pipe making shop in the Wangerin-Weickhardt factory of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1909, followed by a time with the Schaefer Organ Co. of Schleisingerville {now Slinger}, Wisconsin, 1922-1926, where he became a director. Meyer died September 17, 1949, at age 77, and was succeeded by his son.

Sources:

• The Diapason, September 1925, 40.
• The Diapason, August 1943, 16.
• The Diapason, October 1949, 8.
• Family Records.
• Organ Handbook, (Organ Historical Society, 1984), 29.
• Organ Handbook, (Organ Histoical Society, 1986), 16.
• Elizabeth Towne Schmitt.
• The Tracker, 23:2, 18.