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J. E. Meyers

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J. E. Meyers
J. Edward Meyers, 1919
27th Mayor of Minneapolis
In office
1919–1921
Preceded byThomas Van Lear
Succeeded byGeorge E. Leach
Personal details
Born
J. Edward Meyers

(1862-12-22)December 22, 1862
Dayton, Ohio, U.S.
DiedJune 11, 1944(1944-06-11) (aged 81)
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Political partyLoyalist
Alma materUniversity of Minnesota Law School
Professioninsurance salesman

J. Edward Meyers (December 22, 1862 – June 11, 1944) was an American insurance salesman, philanthropist, and politician and the 27th mayor of Minneapolis.

Early life and education

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Meyers was born in Dayton, Ohio and moved to Minneapolis to attend the University of Minnesota Law School.

Career

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After a brief period spent in Duluth, Minnesota, he returned to Minneapolis in 1888 and began a career in the insurance business with Aetna. In 1918, Meyers ran for mayor on a patriotic platform supporting America's soldiers in World War I dubbed the "Loyalty Party." He defeated socialist incumbent Thomas Van Lear and served for a single term, working particularly hard to ensure returning military veterans were able to find housing and jobs. He did not run for re-election but later became involved in the city's board of education and board of estimate.[1][2]

Personal life

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Meyers died in 1944. Just a month before his death, it was revealed that Meyers has been the anonymous benefactor behind a Minneapolis-based group called "Youth, Incorporated" which provided Americanist materials to Minneapolis children. He is buried in Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis.[1][2][3]

References

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  1. ^ a b "J. E. Meyers, Former City Mayor, Dies". Minneapolis Star. 12 June 1944.
  2. ^ a b "Former Mayor J. E. Meyers Dies". Minneapolis Tribune. 12 June 1944.
  3. ^ "J. Edward Meyers (1863–1944)". Find A Grave.