Priscilla (Hearn) Meek

MEEK, HEARN, MCBRIDE, ELLIOT, RAYN, CARTER

Posted By: Denice Quenon (email)
Date: 11/24/2002 at 22:57:53

Hand dated-died 1905

THE LATE MRS. PRISCILLA MEEK

Charleston, Iowa, March 13-Died, at her home one mile west of Vincennes on March 11, at 4:12 a. m., Mrs. Priscilla E. Meek. Mrs. Meek was an early settler in Lee County. She came to Lee County in 1833 and with the exception of about two years has resided in the county ever since. Mrs. Meek was the daughter of Samuel Hearn, who wasin the 50s' and 60's proprietor of the Pioneer House then situated on Fourteenth and Main Streets in Keokuk. Mr. Hearn was an early pioneer of Lee County, coming to this county in 1829. He carried the U.S. mail from Saint Francisville to Rock Island, Ill. Mrs. Meek was first married to Robert McBride with whom she lived until his death. She afterward was married to Johnson Meek in January 1850.

Mrs. Meek lived when the Indians were here. She learned the Indian tongue so as to be able to understand and to converse in it. She knew both Chiefs Keokuk and Blackhawk of whom she with many old settlers speak in highest praise. She agreed with Squire Harlan's testimony that "Blackhawk was a man among men." Mrs. Meek did not have a very good opinion of Chief Keokuk's honesty and reliablility. Mrs. Meek in early days was acquainted with Gen. Robert E. Lee who was stationed at Montrose while there was a garrison of soldiers there. Gereral Lee often visited her father, Sam Hearn, who resided on his farm on the Des Moines River, opposite Saint Francisville, Mo.

Mrs. Meek was born in Ohio. October 3, 1819, and was eighty-five years, 5 months and eight days old. She was one of God's noble and pure women, respected and honored by all who knew her. If each one of whom she said a good word and to whom she did a good deed were to bring a flower to her last resting place she would sleep under a wilderness of flowers. The world was better because she had lived in it. Her long life was full of good deeds of many kinds. She is survived by one sister, Mrs. Margaret Ellott, of Indiana, and four children who were present at her demise; Mrs. Jane Ann Rayn, Otto B. Meek, Mrs. Blanch Carter and R. B. Meek. all of this place; also an adopted son, W. H. Meek of Croton, Iowa.

It is with sorrow her friends and relatives know that she is gone from their sight. But they know that she now lives in the land of eternal love and morning. Funeral will be held at the family residence on Tuesday, 14th inst. at 3 p. m.