Cyntha Ingels Meek 1827-1906

INGELS, MEEK

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 12/2/2001 at 11:21:31

Cyntha Ingels Meek.

Cyntha Ann Ingels was born near Galliopolis, Ohio, June 28, 1827, and died July 31, 1906 at 2:20 A. M., aged seventy-nine years, one month and three days.

At two years of age she with her parents came to Columbus, Indiana, and there resided until she was fifteen years old. On with the westward tide in 1842 they came to Iowa settling on the Des Moines river two miles above Bentonsport at a place called Columbus, now non-existing.

At seventeen years of age she was married to Mr. Isaiah Meek of Bonaparte, Iowa, where she has lived sixty two years. To them were born three sons and three daughters, viz., Hugh, Kirk, Byron and Mrs. T. W. Boyer of Bonaparte, and Mrs. John S. Moore and Mrs. W. B. Daniel of Keokuk, all of whom are living. Mr. Isaiah Meek preceded his wife in death fourteen years ago last April.

The parents of Mr. Isaiah Meek first came to Bonaparte July 31, 1837, sixty-nine years ago, the parents on the wife's side arriving five years later, sixty-four years ago; so that on both sides these people rank among the pioneers of the state.

Of the privations and hardships of these early settlers none of us may know, hence we cannot fully appreciate the consequent thus bequeathed us in the many superior advantages and privileges we now so much enjoy.

We are the reapers of benefits upon which we bestowed no labor, hence now so much greater are our obligations to likewise develop and improve if we would have the proportionate consequent to bequeath to those who come after us, neither are we excused though we have but one talent allotted to our share; for of him who had but one as well as of those who had the two and live was it required.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Ingels was always a place for the Methodist itinerant to lodge and rest. A home where the Methodist preacher found a welcome and made a preaching place, that being the time before school houses and churches. Mr. Ingels himself was a Methodist exhorter who in those days held meetings and filled appointments of preaching in the absence of the minister in charge. Reared in such a home it was but natural, being well disposed, that this daughter should early incline to be religious, so it was that very early in life she untied with the Methodist Episcopal church, to which as a faith and practice she has always adhered.

Mrs. Meek is the last one of ten children to depart this life, the last one preceding her, a brother, who died in California about two years ago.

Of Mrs. Meek and encomiums or eulogy would be useless. All that was good, true and noble in the life of woman can truly be said of this pioneer mother who has journeyed on to the silent land from whence there is no return.

"Her Memory , like a cloudless sky;
Her Conscience, like a sea at rest."

Source: Entler Scrapbook, vol 3, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA

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I am not related to this individual but post this item for those who may find this information of interest.