Allie E. Meek 1873-1901

MEEK, KING

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 10/2/2001 at 21:16:30

THE REAPER
Death Again Enters Our Little
City and Causes Sorrow

A PROMINENT TEACHER
And Friend Succumbs to the Inevitable--
Miss Allie Meek Passes Away at
Her Home on Saturday.

Born August 9, 1873; died September 14, 1901 is the simple inscription which contains a world of sorrow for the relatives and friends of the late Allie E. Meek. Sad, infinitely sad is the ending of this useful life. A little while ago, there in the same room in which it's softly fluttered back to its maker, was born into this life a spirit and to those who watched it grow and blossom into beautiful womanhood it seems but a short day. But it was a long life, should you enumerate each kindly act, each hour spent at the bedside of a sick neighbor and the years spent in preparing herself for useful work. Early in life Allie conceived the idea that teaching should be her life's work and with this laudable aim in view she carefully prepared herself for the duties.

At the age of seven she entered the Bonaparte schools and continued until 13 when she entered the St. Mary's academy in Wisconsin. On finishing at this institution she secured her first school and taught in the Thos. Paine neighborhood, later going to the Big Mound and Mt. Hamil schools. Some four years ago she was offered an exempted the grammar department of our schools and since that time has retained the position. Early in the year nature asserted itself and she was advised to rest in a change of climate and later she went to Nebraska, but that terrible malady, consumption had too completely undermined the heretofore robust constitution and after a few weeks in the west she returned to the saddened home a shadow of her former self.

On Saturday the sad intelligence was brought to us that the end had come at about 4 o'clock p.m. and although we had long known that the illness must almost necessarily end with her life, the tidings could hardly be realized.

The funeral was held from the home Tuesday, Sept. 17, 1901, conducted by Father Jas. H. Renihan of Keokuk, assisted by Father Daly of Farmington. In his talk Mr. Renihan said in part that we are here today to honor the memory of a friend, one whose life had been spent in a noble work and he had admonished us to heed well her counsels. He spoke of her as a personal friend and paid a beautiful tribute to the well spent life.

At the close of the services the friends were permitted to pass through and view the remains.

At the grave the services were simple. The casket was lowered into the grave which had been robbed of its harshness through the touch of loving friends, and sorrowing we turned away. She is universally mourned and her memory will remain with us, a green spot in the desert of this work that day world.

The pall bearers were Mike, Albert, Tom, John, Dan and Ed King, brothers, and cousins of the deceased.

The floral tributes were many and very beautiful and at the grave the banks of flowers testified to the love born her by her friends.

Allie had always been with us with the exception of the few years she had spent abroad preparing for her life work, that of teaching. She was kind and noble and a friend ever to the needy. It was only yesterday that with tears streaming down her cheeks, we heard a friend relating how, in a time of dire necessity, Miss Allie was more than a friend to her and her family. And there are many more who can reate [sic] acts performed by her, which could spring only from a heart replete with human kindness. It can hardly be realized that she has gone from us forever. A few months ago she was of robust constitution, happy hearted and with little thought that next we would mournfully lay her to rest with the fading summer. But God's will be done. She was with but a short time but in that life she performed many acts that will benefit those who came in contact with her nature.

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I am NOT related and am posting this obit for those who may find this person in their family history.