Meister Musings

I spend a lot of time reading old newspapers on microfilm at the Lorain Public Library, and it’s always interesting when I see a mention of one of the area’s pioneer families of Black River Township. 

In this case, it was the obituary of Mrs. Gus Meister, which appeared on the front page of the Lorain Times-Herald on May 20, 1920.

What’s interesting is that she was a member of the Jaeger family, and married into the Meister family.

Before marriage she was known as Frances Jaeger. Both the Meister and Jaeger families are remembered with their names assigned to roads on the west side of Lorain today.

It’s easy to see that Meister Road was likely named because the Meister farm was located at the western terminus.

Portion of 1857 Black River Township Map

Portion of 1896 Black River Township Map

Portion of 1912 Map

Note that the adjoining property was owned by the Fulmer family; it’s not surprising that today’s Meister Road ends where it meets Fulmer Drive, which then runs north to West Erie Avenue.

****

Although I wasn't planning on researching the Meister family, they are well represented on the FamilySearch website. At least two of the children of Gus and Frances Meister have well-written biographies on the website: F. W. Meister and John A. Meister.

****

Meister Road is a frequent topic on this blog. Besides the fact that it used to represent the southern city limits of Lorain, it was also important because two of the city’s airports bordered on it.