Jacob Mier (1793-1873). gunsmith. Somerset boro. In 1822 there were two men named Jacob Mier in Somerset: one was listed as a wheelwright and the other was a single freeman, gunsmith. In 1846 Mier the wheelwright was no longer listed but in place of his name was "estate." We may guess that the gunsmith was a son of the wheelwright. The Census of 1850 showed Jacob Mier, age 57, gunsmith, value $1000, born in Pennsylvania, with these children: Ellen (23); John C. (21), cigar maker; Samuel (18), gunsmith; and William (18) wagon maker. In the Census of 1860, Jacob Mier (67), gunsmith, had $1550 in real estate and $200 in personal value; John M. (35); Ellen J. (30); William (23). In 1870 the census showed Jacob (78), gunsmith, with $800 in property and $150 in personal value; Ellen (42); John (40); and William (37).
The Somerset Lutheran Church baptismal records show the baptism of Mary Louise, born 8 August 1837 and baptized 1 November 1837. She may have died young as there was no listing of her name in the censuses. In 1859 Mier was burgess of Somerset. In 1872 he was listed in the tax records as a gentleman and in 1873 the tax records show "estate."
The Union Cemetery of Somerset boro has headstones of Jacob Mier, died 15 March 1873, age 80 years; and, Margaret, his wife, died 29 September 1839, age 38 years.
William B. Mier (1834-1903). wagonmaker. William B. Mier, was called a wagon maker in most public records. He reportedly made a few guns. The Somerset Herald of 16 September 1903 and the Somerset Democrat of the same date carried obituaries for William Mier. They said that he had been a long time employee of Western Union as a lineman; and of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. The Union Cemetery has a grave marker for William Mier, died 15 September 1903, age 69 years; and Ellen J. Mier, died 10 September 1909, age 79 years.
John Mier (1829-1909). gunsmith. John was a son of Jacob and brother of William and Samuel Mier. Tax and census records listed him as a cigar maker, federal tax collector, store keeper and distiller. He reportedly made a few guns.
After a painful illness of many weeks duration, John Mier died Monday afternoon at 3 o'clock at his home in Somerset, at the advanced age of 80 years. He was a son of Jacob Mier, a famous gunsmith in the early history of Somerset; and a brother of Hon. Samuel Mier of this place. Mr. Mier was appointed to a clerkship in the office of the assessor of Internal Revenue in 1862, and was afterward appointed store keeper and gauger in the revenue service. He held this position till about 1884, when he retired from active life . . . . The funeral services were held . . . in the house in which Mr. Mier was born and lived all his life.
[Somerset County Star, 17 June 1909]
Samuel Mier (1831-1909). major gunsmith. Samuel Mier was one of the best known and important of the Somerset gunsmiths. He was a son of Jacob Mier and a brother of Jacob, William and John Mier. The Census of 1850 showed Samuel Mier, age 18, gunsmith, living with his father in Somerset boro.
The U.S. Census of 1860 showed Samuel Mier, gunsmith, age 27, married to Harriet (19) in Elk Lick Township. In the 1870 census Samuel (38), gunsmith, and Harriet had these children: Bertha (9); and John (6) in Salisbury. In 1880 Samuel Mier (48), gunsmith, and Harriet had John (16), Willie (
and Nellie (2) and two boarders who were coal miners, living on Grant St., Salisbury. On 1 August 1879 Sam advertised in the Meyersdale Commercial that he was closing his gunshop on December 1 and that anyone who wanted a good gun of his manufacture had better order soon. He offered a half-stock rifle with bird's eye maple stock, checkered grip, patent breech, brass mounted "and all attachments" for $15; and "whole stock rifles" for $14 and steel barrel rifles for $18. All his guns had gain twist barrels. He would make "any kind of gun this season, at the very lowest figures - single or double barrel rifles and shot guns." The railroad to Salisbury was now open so Mier would ship to any point in the United States.
On 12 October 1880 Mier was assigned half interest in a gun lock and trigger mechanism invented and patented (no 233,100) by Alfred Johnson of New Geneva, Fayette County.
The Odd Fellows Cemetery in Elk Lick Township has stones for Samuel Mier, born October 7, 1831/ died 19 December 1909; and Harriet, his wife, born 21 June 1841/ died June 8, 1895.
