Johnson Meek 1805-1893

MEEK, KEAN, MCBRIDE, HERN

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 7/21/2014 at 10:39:55

DIED - At his home in Vincennes, Monday, Mr. Johnson Meek, at the ripe age of eighty-eight years. He was a pioneer of Lee county. He is survived by his wife and six children, three sons and three daughters. The relatives from Bonaparte and vicinity attended the funeral yesterday. Mr. Joe Meek is the surviving brother.

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ONE OF THE EARLIEST.

Johnson Meek, Who Died at Vincennes, on Monday, the Third White Settler in Des Moines township.

{Special to the (Keokuk) Con.-Dem., Jan. 12}

Johnson Meek who died at his home in this place Monday, was the third oldest white settler in Des Moines township, he having crossed the Mississippi river in November, 1836 and settled on the land which now constitutes his homestead. He was among the first men to purchase an interest in what is known as the "half breed tract." From a small beginning he worked along, living economically and making additional purchases of land from time to time, until his death he owned one of the largest and most fertile farms in the Des Moines river bottoms.

Mr. Meek was a native of Brooke county, West Virginia, having been born there March 3, 1805, and was the eldest of a family of eight children. He was married April 15, 1829, to Miss Mary Kean, who came with him to Iowa and died in Des Moines township, April 7, 1844 leaving two children. Mr. Meek was the second time married, January 24, 1850, in Des Moines township, to Mrs. Priscilla McBride, whose parents Samuel and Jane Hern, were the first white settlers in the township. She together with six children, survives him.

The excellent traits of character of Mr. Meek were recognized in his early life, and he was soon called upon to fill prominent offices of his township, all of which he held with great credit to himself and satisfaction to his townsmen. Politically he had been identified with the greenback and democratic parties, and while strong in his convictions was always willing to listen to argument and reason. He was fully entitled to be termed an honest man and a good citizen, and as one of the little band of pioneers who are fast passing away, he was held in great reverence and respect. The funeral was held at the residence Tuesday afternoon, interment being made in the neighborhood cemetery.

[dates not given for either article but position in scrapbook would suggest January, 1893]

Source: Entler Scrapbook, vol. 6, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA