Fred A. Meyn, of Hanover, Kan., belongs to that type of business men who have so largely contributed to make Kansas the great State that it is. By industry and keen business foresight, with the ability to see opportunities or make them, he has become one of the dominant factors in the commercial life of Washington county.

Fred A. Meyn was born in Washington county, Kansas, November 2, 1876, and is a son of John D. and Marie (Gamar) Meyn, natives of Germany. They came to this country and settled in Kansas at an early date. The father was a ship builder by trade, but after coming to Kansas devoted his attention to farming and the cattle business. He was one of the first cattle dealers in Washington county and was engaged in that business up to the time of his death. He was very successful in this line of endeavor and accumulated a large tract of land, owning about 600 acres at the time of his death, which occurred in August, 1899. Fred A. was educated in the district schools, which he attended during the winter terms, and worked on the farm in the summer months. He commenced life for himself when quite young. He first bought 320 acres of land and at the time had only $900 in money, but he borrowed the balance and rented the land, and then set to work to pay off the interest and principal. During the first year he paid $700 of the principal, besides the interest, having a good crop that year. After the death of his father he remained at home with his mother until 1901, and at the same time renting out his own farm. In 1901 he moved onto his own farm and lived there from five to six years, when he sold it at a good profit and bought two farms in Nebraska. In the fall of 1907 he removed to Hanover and bought the Hanover Roller Mills. This mill has a capacity of 150 barrels per day and is now undergoing a thorough remodeling and overhauling, and when completed will be equipped with all modern mill machinery and be up-to-date in every particular. Mr. Meyn also owns and operates the electric light plant in connection with his mill, and furnishes electricity to the city of Hanover. In addition to the mill and the electric business he has an elevator and also conducts a coal, hay, grain and feed business. His business as a whole is one of the largest in this section of the State. Mr. Meyn was married in April, 1903, to Miss Susie Prall, a daughter of William Prall, a farmer of Washington county. Mrs. Meyn died in 1905, and on December 22, 1909, he was united in marriage to Miss Rosie, daughter of Henry and Sophia Hellberg, of Chicago, where Mrs. Meyn was born, reared and educated. They have two children, Viola and Clements.

Mr. Meyn has served several years as a member of the school board of his district and was township trustee for one term. He is a member of the Commercial Club, of Hanover, Kan., and a member of the Lutheran church.