Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 350

THOMAS MEEKER,residing on section 18, Seventy-Six Township, was born in the county which still continues to be his home on the 17th of June, 1845. His parents are Jonathan and Martha ( Shellabarger ) Meeker, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of Pennsylvania. They reared a family of five children : Mary E., wife of John W. Brookhart, now living in Muscatine County ; Margery Ann, whose home is in Wyoming ; Warren and Joseph, who reside in Muscatine, and Thomas.

The education of our subject received in early life was only such as the district schools afforded, but it has been supplemented by subsequent reading and observation. He remained at home aiding his father upon the farm until eighteen years of age. The war was then in progress, and having attained sufficient age to enter the service he enlisted, Feb. 22, 1864, in the 11th Iowa Infantry, becoming a member of Company A. With his regiment he was taken down the Mississippi River to Vicksburg, and later engaged in the battle of Big Shanty,where hostilities were continued for two weeks. Later he served in the Atlanta campaign, from May 7 to July 22, when he was wounded, his wound disabling him for four months. He was also with Sherman on his famous march to the sea, and participated in the battle at Bentonville, N. C., the last regular engagement of the war. After taking part in the general review at Washington he left the capital city for Parkersburg, W. Va., where he received his discharge July 15, 1865, and thence home by rail.

Immediately after his return Mr. Meeker began the occupation of farming. On the 13th of December, 1866, he led to the marriage altar, Miss Annabel Collins, daughter of Samuel and Mary Jane ( Irwin ) Collins, the former a native of New Jersey, and the latter of Ohio. They are both yet living in Illinois. They had a family of eight children : Elizabeth, the eldest, is now living in LaCrosse, Wis., and is the wife of Asa Critchfield ; Laura is now deceased ; Luella is the wife of Morris Rippie, of Columbus Junction, Iowa ; Ida, who wedded Alexander Gibson, of Chicago, Ill.; William, whose home is in Fulton, Ill.; Edward, also residing in the same city; and Eva, who is yet with her parents in Fulton.

Mr. and Mrs. Meeker began their domestic life upon a farm which he rented of his father, and where they resided for eight years. They then removed to Page County, Iowa, where he engaged in the cultivation of a rented farm for three succeeding years, after which they returned to this county, where they have since made their home with the exception of two years spent in What Cheer, Iowa. Mr. Meeker now owns 100 acres of land received from his father's estate, and carries on general farming and stock-raising. He is a public spirited citizen, ever ready to aid in the promotion of any enterprise for the welfare of his native county.

Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Meeker : Nelson, who was born, Jan. 18, 1868 ; Dayton, Sept. 13, 1869 ; Alta, Nov. 27, 1871 ; Elmer, March,21, 1874 ; Jennie, Nov. 18, 1875 ; Harlen, June 10, 1878 ; and leslie, Nov. 28, 1880, all yet at home. The parents and three of the children are members of the United Brethren Church. We are pleased to record this brief sketch of Mr. Meeker and his family, who hold a high position in the social world, and who are respected by all who know them.


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