Issac Meier Homestead

To mention all of our outstanding citizens would be almost an impossibility. To acknowlege them all would fill at least a half of this page.

One that does come to mind is Govenor J. Andrew Schulze. Mr. Schulze operated a mercantile business at 114 West Main Avenue. He entered politics as early as 1806 when he was a member of the House of Representatives of Pennsylvania. In 1813, he served as Clerk of Courts for the newly found county of Lebanon.

He held that position until 1821 when he was elected to represent Lebanon County in the state Legislature. Before he could complete a full year of that position he was selected as Democratic candidate for Govenor. He won that election and was Govenor of Pennsylvania from 1823 to 1829.

Govenor J. Andrew Schulze

1861, the country again was at war. This time within itself; North against South, family against family, father against son, brother against brother. The Civil War.

Two Companies were recruited from Myerstown. One under the command of Captain John Bassler, which was known as the "Jackson Guard" and part of the 149th Regiment. The other was with the State Guards Calvalry Company under Captain William Tice. Many of the men fought under these two Captains during the full three years they were in command.

Captain Tice was wounded May 30, 1964 at Old Church Tavern, VA and Captain Bassler was wounded July 1, 1863 at Gettysburg, PA. Though neither of these two men were mortally wounded, fourty-four soldiers were and are buried in the Union Cemetery.

In the years of the late 1800's to the early 1900's, the people of Myerstown were industrious and creative. This led to establishing many types of business and industry to supply the people of the area. Some of these still exsist but only nostalgic memories and quaint pictures remain of the ones that are by gone.

Finally the town "broke away" from Jackson Township and was incorporated as a borough on February 5, 1912.

With the turn of the century, the world seemed to become a smaller place. Much of this was due to the advances in travel and communication. Unfortunatly, with this came a lot of world turbulance.

As with the wars before, the citizens rallied to the aid of their country. This monument, located on South Railroad Street at the Myerstown Elementary School, honors those men and women that gave their service during WWI, WWII, the Korean War, the Viet Nam Conflict and the Persian Gulf.

There is so much more that could be printed here. Every family, building, church and organization has a significant history within itself. We have only touched the surface, but hope we have enlighten you with our highlights.

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