Meek, Charles D.

MEEK

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/29/2021 at 13:52:23

History of Warren County, Iowa from Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, by Rev. W. C. Martin, Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1908, p.419

CHARLES D. MEEK
Charles D. Meek is engaged in the dry goods business as a member of the firm of Meek & Robertson, and is classed with the enterprising merchants of Indianola, where he carries a large line of dry goods and enjoys a growing trade. He is one of Warren County's native sons, his birth having occurred in Hartford on the 1st of January, 1872.
His father, Joseph T. Meek, was born in Indiana in April, 1833, and is of Scotch-Irish descent. On leaving his native state he came to Iowa, settling in Richland Township, Warren County. At Hartford he engaged in the operation of a sawmill and there remained until elected sheriff of the county, when he removed to Indianola. On his retirement from the office he turned his attention to the manufacture of brick and tile, being associated with others in the enterprise, his connection therewith continuing for several years. At length he withdrew from industrial pursuits and turned his attention to the real-estate business, negotiating many important property transfers while thus engaged. Eventually he retired and is now enjoying a well earned rest. He has been very successful in his undertakings and a handsome competence now supplies him with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. He now resides at Los Tanos, New Mexico, where he is accounted one of the respected and progressive citizens, his influence always being on the side of progress, reform and improvement. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and also belongs to the Odd Fellows society and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In politics he has been a lifelong Democrat, and upon the party ticket was elected sheriff in 1874. His incumbency covered a term of four years and his duties were of the most strenuous character. He discharged them, however, without fear or favor, and proved a capable official.
In 1857, in Indianola, Joseph T. Meek was united in marriage to Miss Louisa J. Pressley, who was born at Indianapolis, Indiana, March 5, 1837, and was of Scotch an­cestry. She resided in her native city until 1855, when she accompanied her parents on their removal to Indianola, and two years later she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Meek. They traveled life's journey together for about forty-eight years and were then separated by the sudden death of Mrs. Meek, occasioned by heart disease, July 16, 1905. The Rev. Dr. W. C. Martin officiated at the funeral, and amid the deep regret of many friends who sincerely mourned her loss, she was laid to rest. This worthy couple were the parents of seven children: Evelyn M., who is the wife of A. R. W. Robertson, a member of the firm of Meek & Robertson; William L., whose death occurred in 1883; Dollie, the wife of F. P. McKay, a druggist of Des Moines; Joseph, who passed away at the age of three years; Elmer, whose demise occurred when he was six months of age; Charles D., of this review; Louise, the wife of Frank J. Camp, secretary of the Brown-Hurley Hardware Company of Des Moines.
Charles D. Meek attended school in Indianola and at the age of nineteen years entered upon his business career as an employee in the dry goods store of Barker & Johnson. He thus became acquainted with the trade and with the methods in vogue in commercial circles. After three years spent in that estab­lishment he became a salesman in the store of Kittleman & Buxton, with whom he continued for a year, and afterward spent a year in the large estab­lishment of Younker Brothers at Des Moines. In 1900 he formed a partnership with A. R. W. Robertson and opened a dry goods and shoe business, in which they have continued with marked success to the present time. They have a large, modern store on the east side of the square, owning their own building, which is a brick structure, thirty by ninety feet. They occupy the entire first floor, and a part of the upper story. The store has tasteful equipments and the business methods of the house have secured to it a liberal and well merited patronage.
Mr. Meek was married to Miss Minnie M. Main, a daughter of the Rev. D. S. Main, aminister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Meek have two children: Margaret Mildred, born August 31, 1902; and Joseph T., born January 5, 1904. The parents are members of the Presbyterian Church, and are prominent socially, enjoying the warm regard of an extensive circle of friends. Mr. Meek belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and also affiliates with the Masons and the Knights of Pythias. His political allegiance is given to the Republican Party. He is now numbered among the representative merchants of Indianola. There has never been anything spectacular in his career, but he has endeavored to make all his acts and commercial moves the result of definite consideration and sound judgment. There have never been any great ventures or risks, but he has practiced honest, slow-going business methods, supplemented by energy and good system.