San Joaquin
County
Biographies
GEORGE L.
MEISSNER
One of the leading and influential citizens of Lodi, who has demonstrated his ability and resourcefulness in other cities, is George L. Meissner, president of the Valley Lumber Co., rated among the leading lumber companies of the San Joaquin Valley. A native of Wisconsin, he was born at Madison on July 15, 1867, and remained there until he was four years of age, when his parents removed to Iowa, where he was reared. His education began in the public schools of Iowa and was supplemented with a course at the Iowa State College at Ames; he then went to Lincoln, Nebr., and for the following twenty years was identified with the banking interests of that state; he owned the controlling interest in a bank at Liberty, Neb., for six years; then removed to Crete, Neb. and purchased the First National Bank and became its president, and was closely identified with the social, educational and commercial affairs of the state during his residence there. Under the strain of his varied interests his health was impaired and in the fall of 1910 he came to California to recuperate and finally settled in Lodi. He purchased the Smith & Bryant Lumber Company, one of the pioneer lumber companies of this district, incorporated it under the name of the "Valley Lumber Company of Lodi" and became the president. The business of the company has steadily grown and is in a very prosperous condition, owing to the efficient management of its president. Mr. Meissner is president of the City Improvement Company; is a charter member of the Rotary Club; is past president of the Lodi Business Men's Association, similar in organization and purpose to the Chamber of Commerce; and for six years he was a member of the grammar school board of Lodi and is still actively interested in educational matters.
Mr. Meissner's marriage united him with Miss Minerva De Pue, a native of Ohio, and they are the parents of two daughters, Ruth, a graduate of Stanford University; and Alice. Mrs. Meissner passed away in March of 1921. She was president of the Woman's Club of Lodi and an active member of the Congregational Church and of the Eastern Star. Mr. Meissner is affiliated fraternally with the Lodi Odd Fellows No. 259; the Blue Lodge of Masons in Lodi; the Royal Arch and Knights Templar of Stockton, and Ben Ali Temple of Sacramento. He is a member of the Congregational Church of Lodi. Mr. Meissner is a natural leader and his influence and support count in all affairs that have for their ultimate goal the upbuilding of the community with which he is vitally and honorably associated.
Transcribed by V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: Tinkham,
George H., History of San Joaquin County, California , Page 1200. Los Angeles, Calif.: Historic
Record Co., 1923.
©
2011 V. Gerald
Iaquinta.
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County Biographies
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