J. E. Meyers

J. Edward Meyers
J. Edward Meyers, 1919
27th Mayor of Minneapolis
In office 1919–1921
Preceded by	Thomas Van Lear
Succeeded by	George E. Leach
Personal details
Born	(1862-12-22)December 22, 1862 Dayton, Ohio, U.S.
Died	June 11, 1944(1944-06-11) (aged 81) Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Political party	Loyalist
Alma mater	University of Minnesota Law School
Profession	insurance 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[]

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

Career[]

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[]

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[]