Max was the middle child of three children born to Anna Rebecca Ferl and Carl F. Meyer. His siblings were Hilda Eleanor (Meyer) Balaam (1897-1964) and George Charles Meyer (1899-1954). His mother was the daughter of Santa Barbara horticulturist William Frederick Ferl (1835-1906), well-known at the turn of the 19th Century, whose home, ranch and banana plantation were located in the Montecito hills above the town.
In the 1918 yearbook of Santa Barbara High School, the Olive & Gold, Max is listed as a radio operator aboard the heavy cruiser USS Pittsburgh. The yearbook was dedicated to its students who were serving in the Great War. Max was destined to graduate with the class of 1918 but like many of his classmates he left school to join military service. The USS Pittsburgh, under its previous name the USS Pennsylvania, had the distinction of being the first ship to have a fixed-wing aircraft land on its deck. On January 18, 1911, in San Francisco Bay, a plane flown by Eugene Ely landed on a platform constructed on the ship's after-deck, using a tailhook apparatus to halt the plane. This doubtless impressed the 13-year-old Max who had already become interested in the sea and ships as evidenced by a small book entitled "Captain Jack" which was in his possession in 1909.
While the Federal Census on Jan. 1, 1920 lists Max again at the home of his parents in Santa Barbara, the Federal military and naval census transcribed Feb. 26, 1920 lists Max as a 2d class petty officer aboard the new Wickes-class destroyer USS J. Fred Talbott, which was based at the Mediterranean seaport town of Spalato in Dalmatia. Its mission was to foster stability in post-war Europe. The ship was eventually reassigned stateside, arriving in port June 21, 1920. Max's tour of duty ended July 13, 1920, but he re-enlisted for 4 years as a Radioman first class in the Naval Reserve, Twelfth Naval District, San Francisco, on Aug. 8, 1929. Max served also as a Naval officer in World War II.
Max resided and worked in San Francisco beginning in the 1920s where his name appears in several city directories at various addresses in the northwest portion of the city. His occupation is listed as clerk in the following capacities: 1923, Federal Prohibition Officer; 1925-26, U.S. Internal Revenue Laboratory; 1929, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture; 1934-35, U.S. Comptroller of Customs. The 1930 Federal Census lists Max as a roomer, single, in a home in San Francisco located at 139 5th Avenue. The 1934 and 1935 San Francisco city directories list his residence as 3099 Washington, an attractive apartment building which still stands.
Around 1934 Max married Betty Christensen. Betty served in a variety of government clerical positions through the late 1930s and during World War II. Max re-enlisted and served in World War II as a Naval officer. Betty was employed as a receptionist for the German Consul General in San Francisco in 1954. In 1959, Max and Betty moved to Sacramento. Betty's family had settled in Sacramento when they left Idaho, where Betty was born in 1907.
No records of Max and Betty having children has been found.
**********
The story of how a family keepsake led to the search for details of Max's life is recounted in "Imagining Max Meyer: or, Captain Jack Goes to War," by Terry Ellen Ferl, published in Ancestors West, Vol. 39, no. 4, Nov. 2014, pp.12-17. A digitized version of the article is available online.
**********
Sacramento Bee, Jan. 19, 1984:
MAX H. MEYER, CUSTOMS COLLECTOR
Max Hugo Meyer, 85, a former federal customs collector, died Monday (Jan. 16). Mr. Meyer fought in both World War I and World War II, as a Navy enlisted man in the first war, and as a Navy officer in the second. A native of Santa Barbara, Mr. Meyer was a member of a San Francisco chapter of the Masons. He was the husband of Betty Meyer. Private services were held. Inurnment was at Sunset Lawn Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. [page B2]
MEYER, Max H.-- Of Sacramento, January 16, 1984. Loving husband of Betty Meyer. Also survived by 1 nephew, George Meyer of Palm Desert. A native of Santa Barbara, CA., aged 85. A member of F.&A.M. of San Francisco. Private services were handled by Sunset Lawn Chapel of the Chimes, 4701 Marysville Blvd. Remembrances may be made to the Heart Assoc. or local SPCA. Private Inurnment Sunset Lawn Memorial Park. [page H3]
In the 1918 yearbook of Santa Barbara High School, the Olive & Gold, Max is listed as a radio operator aboard the heavy cruiser USS Pittsburgh. The yearbook was dedicated to its students who were serving in the Great War. Max was destined to graduate with the class of 1918 but like many of his classmates he left school to join military service. The USS Pittsburgh, under its previous name the USS Pennsylvania, had the distinction of being the first ship to have a fixed-wing aircraft land on its deck. On January 18, 1911, in San Francisco Bay, a plane flown by Eugene Ely landed on a platform constructed on the ship's after-deck, using a tailhook apparatus to halt the plane. This doubtless impressed the 13-year-old Max who had already become interested in the sea and ships as evidenced by a small book entitled "Captain Jack" which was in his possession in 1909.
While the Federal Census on Jan. 1, 1920 lists Max again at the home of his parents in Santa Barbara, the Federal military and naval census transcribed Feb. 26, 1920 lists Max as a 2d class petty officer aboard the new Wickes-class destroyer USS J. Fred Talbott, which was based at the Mediterranean seaport town of Spalato in Dalmatia. Its mission was to foster stability in post-war Europe. The ship was eventually reassigned stateside, arriving in port June 21, 1920. Max's tour of duty ended July 13, 1920, but he re-enlisted for 4 years as a Radioman first class in the Naval Reserve, Twelfth Naval District, San Francisco, on Aug. 8, 1929. Max served also as a Naval officer in World War II.
Max resided and worked in San Francisco beginning in the 1920s where his name appears in several city directories at various addresses in the northwest portion of the city. His occupation is listed as clerk in the following capacities: 1923, Federal Prohibition Officer; 1925-26, U.S. Internal Revenue Laboratory; 1929, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture; 1934-35, U.S. Comptroller of Customs. The 1930 Federal Census lists Max as a roomer, single, in a home in San Francisco located at 139 5th Avenue. The 1934 and 1935 San Francisco city directories list his residence as 3099 Washington, an attractive apartment building which still stands.
Around 1934 Max married Betty Christensen. Betty served in a variety of government clerical positions through the late 1930s and during World War II. Max re-enlisted and served in World War II as a Naval officer. Betty was employed as a receptionist for the German Consul General in San Francisco in 1954. In 1959, Max and Betty moved to Sacramento. Betty's family had settled in Sacramento when they left Idaho, where Betty was born in 1907.
No records of Max and Betty having children has been found.
**********
The story of how a family keepsake led to the search for details of Max's life is recounted in "Imagining Max Meyer: or, Captain Jack Goes to War," by Terry Ellen Ferl, published in Ancestors West, Vol. 39, no. 4, Nov. 2014, pp.12-17. A digitized version of the article is available online.
**********
Sacramento Bee, Jan. 19, 1984:
MAX H. MEYER, CUSTOMS COLLECTOR
Max Hugo Meyer, 85, a former federal customs collector, died Monday (Jan. 16). Mr. Meyer fought in both World War I and World War II, as a Navy enlisted man in the first war, and as a Navy officer in the second. A native of Santa Barbara, Mr. Meyer was a member of a San Francisco chapter of the Masons. He was the husband of Betty Meyer. Private services were held. Inurnment was at Sunset Lawn Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. [page B2]
MEYER, Max H.-- Of Sacramento, January 16, 1984. Loving husband of Betty Meyer. Also survived by 1 nephew, George Meyer of Palm Desert. A native of Santa Barbara, CA., aged 85. A member of F.&A.M. of San Francisco. Private services were handled by Sunset Lawn Chapel of the Chimes, 4701 Marysville Blvd. Remembrances may be made to the Heart Assoc. or local SPCA. Private Inurnment Sunset Lawn Memorial Park. [page H3]
Max was the middle child of three children born to Anna Rebecca Ferl and Carl F. Meyer. His siblings were Hilda Eleanor (Meyer) Balaam (1897-1964) and George Charles Meyer (1899-1954). His mother was the daughter of Santa Barbara horticulturist William Frederick Ferl (1835-1906), well-known at the turn of the 19th Century, whose home, ranch and banana plantation were located in the Montecito hills above the town.
In the 1918 yearbook of Santa Barbara High School, the Olive & Gold, Max is listed as a radio operator aboard the heavy cruiser USS Pittsburgh. The yearbook was dedicated to its students who were serving in the Great War. Max was destined to graduate with the class of 1918 but like many of his classmates he left school to join military service. The USS Pittsburgh, under its previous name the USS Pennsylvania, had the distinction of being the first ship to have a fixed-wing aircraft land on its deck. On January 18, 1911, in San Francisco Bay, a plane flown by Eugene Ely landed on a platform constructed on the ship's after-deck, using a tailhook apparatus to halt the plane. This doubtless impressed the 13-year-old Max who had already become interested in the sea and ships as evidenced by a small book entitled "Captain Jack" which was in his possession in 1909.
While the Federal Census on Jan. 1, 1920 lists Max again at the home of his parents in Santa Barbara, the Federal military and naval census transcribed Feb. 26, 1920 lists Max as a 2d class petty officer aboard the new Wickes-class destroyer USS J. Fred Talbott, which was based at the Mediterranean seaport town of Spalato in Dalmatia. Its mission was to foster stability in post-war Europe. The ship was eventually reassigned stateside, arriving in port June 21, 1920. Max's tour of duty ended July 13, 1920, but he re-enlisted for 4 years as a Radioman first class in the Naval Reserve, Twelfth Naval District, San Francisco, on Aug. 8, 1929. Max served also as a Naval officer in World War II.
Max resided and worked in San Francisco beginning in the 1920s where his name appears in several city directories at various addresses in the northwest portion of the city. His occupation is listed as clerk in the following capacities: 1923, Federal Prohibition Officer; 1925-26, U.S. Internal Revenue Laboratory; 1929, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture; 1934-35, U.S. Comptroller of Customs. The 1930 Federal Census lists Max as a roomer, single, in a home in San Francisco located at 139 5th Avenue. The 1934 and 1935 San Francisco city directories list his residence as 3099 Washington, an attractive apartment building which still stands.
Around 1934 Max married Betty Christensen. Betty served in a variety of government clerical positions through the late 1930s and during World War II. Max re-enlisted and served in World War II as a Naval officer. Betty was employed as a receptionist for the German Consul General in San Francisco in 1954. In 1959, Max and Betty moved to Sacramento. Betty's family had settled in Sacramento when they left Idaho, where Betty was born in 1907.
No records of Max and Betty having children has been found.
**********
The story of how a family keepsake led to the search for details of Max's life is recounted in "Imagining Max Meyer: or, Captain Jack Goes to War," by Terry Ellen Ferl, published in Ancestors West, Vol. 39, no. 4, Nov. 2014, pp.12-17. A digitized version of the article is available online.
**********
Sacramento Bee, Jan. 19, 1984:
MAX H. MEYER, CUSTOMS COLLECTOR
Max Hugo Meyer, 85, a former federal customs collector, died Monday (Jan. 16). Mr. Meyer fought in both World War I and World War II, as a Navy enlisted man in the first war, and as a Navy officer in the second. A native of Santa Barbara, Mr. Meyer was a member of a San Francisco chapter of the Masons. He was the husband of Betty Meyer. Private services were held. Inurnment was at Sunset Lawn Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. [page B2]
MEYER, Max H.-- Of Sacramento, January 16, 1984. Loving husband of Betty Meyer. Also survived by 1 nephew, George Meyer of Palm Desert. A native of Santa Barbara, CA., aged 85. A member of F.&A.M. of San Francisco. Private services were handled by Sunset Lawn Chapel of the Chimes, 4701 Marysville Blvd. Remembrances may be made to the Heart Assoc. or local SPCA. Private Inurnment Sunset Lawn Memorial Park. [page H3]
In the 1918 yearbook of Santa Barbara High School, the Olive & Gold, Max is listed as a radio operator aboard the heavy cruiser USS Pittsburgh. The yearbook was dedicated to its students who were serving in the Great War. Max was destined to graduate with the class of 1918 but like many of his classmates he left school to join military service. The USS Pittsburgh, under its previous name the USS Pennsylvania, had the distinction of being the first ship to have a fixed-wing aircraft land on its deck. On January 18, 1911, in San Francisco Bay, a plane flown by Eugene Ely landed on a platform constructed on the ship's after-deck, using a tailhook apparatus to halt the plane. This doubtless impressed the 13-year-old Max who had already become interested in the sea and ships as evidenced by a small book entitled "Captain Jack" which was in his possession in 1909.
While the Federal Census on Jan. 1, 1920 lists Max again at the home of his parents in Santa Barbara, the Federal military and naval census transcribed Feb. 26, 1920 lists Max as a 2d class petty officer aboard the new Wickes-class destroyer USS J. Fred Talbott, which was based at the Mediterranean seaport town of Spalato in Dalmatia. Its mission was to foster stability in post-war Europe. The ship was eventually reassigned stateside, arriving in port June 21, 1920. Max's tour of duty ended July 13, 1920, but he re-enlisted for 4 years as a Radioman first class in the Naval Reserve, Twelfth Naval District, San Francisco, on Aug. 8, 1929. Max served also as a Naval officer in World War II.
Max resided and worked in San Francisco beginning in the 1920s where his name appears in several city directories at various addresses in the northwest portion of the city. His occupation is listed as clerk in the following capacities: 1923, Federal Prohibition Officer; 1925-26, U.S. Internal Revenue Laboratory; 1929, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture; 1934-35, U.S. Comptroller of Customs. The 1930 Federal Census lists Max as a roomer, single, in a home in San Francisco located at 139 5th Avenue. The 1934 and 1935 San Francisco city directories list his residence as 3099 Washington, an attractive apartment building which still stands.
Around 1934 Max married Betty Christensen. Betty served in a variety of government clerical positions through the late 1930s and during World War II. Max re-enlisted and served in World War II as a Naval officer. Betty was employed as a receptionist for the German Consul General in San Francisco in 1954. In 1959, Max and Betty moved to Sacramento. Betty's family had settled in Sacramento when they left Idaho, where Betty was born in 1907.
No records of Max and Betty having children has been found.
**********
The story of how a family keepsake led to the search for details of Max's life is recounted in "Imagining Max Meyer: or, Captain Jack Goes to War," by Terry Ellen Ferl, published in Ancestors West, Vol. 39, no. 4, Nov. 2014, pp.12-17. A digitized version of the article is available online.
**********
Sacramento Bee, Jan. 19, 1984:
MAX H. MEYER, CUSTOMS COLLECTOR
Max Hugo Meyer, 85, a former federal customs collector, died Monday (Jan. 16). Mr. Meyer fought in both World War I and World War II, as a Navy enlisted man in the first war, and as a Navy officer in the second. A native of Santa Barbara, Mr. Meyer was a member of a San Francisco chapter of the Masons. He was the husband of Betty Meyer. Private services were held. Inurnment was at Sunset Lawn Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. [page B2]
MEYER, Max H.-- Of Sacramento, January 16, 1984. Loving husband of Betty Meyer. Also survived by 1 nephew, George Meyer of Palm Desert. A native of Santa Barbara, CA., aged 85. A member of F.&A.M. of San Francisco. Private services were handled by Sunset Lawn Chapel of the Chimes, 4701 Marysville Blvd. Remembrances may be made to the Heart Assoc. or local SPCA. Private Inurnment Sunset Lawn Memorial Park. [page H3]
