Pennsylvania has contributed to Washington County [Iowa] some of her most enterprising men, among whom may be mentioned the MEEK family. The first of these to be mentioned is Robert MEEK, son of Samuel and Polly (WELLS) MEEK. They were of Scotch descent. Samuel's father was a Samuel MEEK, born and reared in Scotland, who, about the year 1760, moved to Ireland, and lived there ten years, then emigrated to America and settled in the glades of Maryland. In 1784 he crossed the mountains and settled in Brooke County, Virigina, where he blazed out a tract of land and remained the rest of his days.

Samuel and Polly (WELLS) MEEK, were married about the same year 1787, in Brooke County, Virginia. Their son Robert was born in the same county, where he resided until his twenty-fifth year. He then wedded Esther McCOMBS. She was born in Ireland, of Scotch parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph McCOMBS, who emigrated to America in 1792, settling in Washington County, Pennsylvania. Joseph McCOMBS had two brothers: James became a General of the British army, and lived and died at New Garden, New Brunswick; John McCOMBS was Colonel of a regiment in General HARRISON'S division during the War of 1812, and at its close he settled in Brooke County, Virginia, remaining during his lifetime. Esther McCOMBS, had one sister, Nancy, who became the wife of Thomas ALLEN, who removed to Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and both are deceased.

In the spring of 1815, Robert and Esther MEEK, both now deceased, removed from Pennsylvania to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, settling nine miles east of where New Philadelphia now stands. They were among the first residents of that county. In 1853, they sold their Ohio farm and came to the State of Iowa, settling in this county [Washington Co., Iowa] near Washington on the farm now owned by Col. David PALMER. There were eleven children of the MEEK family. The first of these to be mentioned is Joseph, the eldest son, who was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, Dec. 28, 1814, and on March 30, 1837, married Eliza SCOTT, daughter of Alexander and Gertrude (KERR) SCOTT, of Scotch descent. Joseph and Eliza MEEK are the parents of eleven children, of whom nine are living. Their children, Alexander S., Caroline, Susanna G., Robert K., deceased, and Jane E. were born in Ohio, and removed with their parents to this county, where they were residents for many years. Alexander S. MEEK wedded Mary E. ABBOTT, of Page County, Iowa, July 12, 1863; they have three children and one grandchild, and reside in Bedford, Iowa; he is a prominent jeweler. Caroline is the wife of Alexander TRIMBLE, farmer of Warren County, Iowa; they have five children and two grandchildren. Susannah G. married Edward S. STEWART, deceased, March 21, 1866, they had one daughter, her present husband is B. F. WARFEL, ex-Recorder of this county; they are residents of Washington. Jane E. is the wife of Hugh ARTHUR, a farmer of Jackson Township; they are the parents of nine children. The remaining six children were born in this county; they are namely: Clark J.; Albert K., deceased; Lewis M., Marcellus R. and Sarah M., twins; and Ella F., are all residents of this county, and remain under the parental roof, except Sarah M., who is the wife of W. F. GARNER, of Oregon Township.

Joseph MEEK citizenship dates from March 17, 1849. He located in Washington and remained four years; he then entered a tract of land in Jackson Township, of 480 acres, and on April 5, 1853, he with his family, moved to their prairie home; he is still the possessor of 120 acres of that beautiful farm, upon which he intends to remain. This has been the place where their children have grown to man and womanhood. This aged couple celebrated their golden wedding March 30, 1887, and as they sit under the shade of majestic maples planted by their own hands more than thirty years ago, they have reason to thank the Giver of all good for such blessings as have come to them.

Mary MEEK, daughter of Robert and Esther MEEK, was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, May 23, 1816, and in December, 1836, became the wife of John RALSTON. Both are deceased.

Mary Ann MEEK, deceased, was the wife of John F. KILGORE. They were the pioneers of the family, coming about 1844, and finding a home in Washington, where he worked at the trade of bricklaying, and aided in the construction of the first brick residence of that place. They then moved to their fine farm in Washington Township, where they reared a family of eleven children, four of whom were born in Ohio, and the remaining seven in Washington County. Three of their sons served through the war, and of the three soldiers, Robert is now an Advent minister, and a resident of Illinois; David is deceased, and Joseph is Superintendent of the County Farm, and is the only resident here. John L. KILGORE is a venerable man and respected by all who know him; he resides in Washington with his second wife, who was formerly Mrs. Louisa LEASON [LESAN?].

Samuel MEEK, who was the husband of Mary GALLOWAY, now deceased, resides in Jackson Township. She bore him six children, of whom four are living: Arvilla is the wife of Rev. John TAYLOR, resident, and pastor of the United Presbyterian Church near Red Oak, Iowa. They are the parents of four children. Oscar wedded Miss Florence McCOY, and is a farmer in Jackson Township; Willie G. and Georgie May reside with their father. Samuel MEEK removed from Tuscarawas County, Ohio, to Washington, and in 1853 entered nearly 500 acres of land in Jackson Township, a part of which he has since dispensed of. He is advanced in years, and is a respected citizen and well known throughout the county.

Thomas Allen MEEK, deceased, married Sarah McCAUSLIN, of Carroll County, Ohio, and in 1853 they emigrated to this county. He bought and entered 320 acres in Washington Township, where they located and lived until his death in 1863. There were seven children born to them, and all have grown to man and womanhood. Their sons are enterprising young men. McG. and Joseph are located in Pawnee City, Neb., where they are engaged in the hardware business. Their mother and three sisters reside with them. James L. is Postmaster at Dexter, Iowa, and William R. is in the agricultural implement business at the same place. They were all prominent citizens of this county for many years.

Susannah MEEK, wife of James GALLOWAY, emigrated to Linn County, Iowa, in 1852, from Carroll County, Ohio, and removed to Washington, where he worked at the carpenter trade for several years and then removed to their farm in Washington Township. they have four sons and four daughters, of whom their eldest son, William, is a resident of Washington Township, and is engaged in farming; he married Miss Fanny ARMSTRONG, and educated lady of Pennsylvania, by whom he has two sons and one daughter. Their daughter Anne married a wealthy merchant of Mount Ayr, Iowa, and their other sons and daughters are located in Ellsworth County, Kan., where the parents now reside.

Nancy MEEK married William GEORGE, of Carroll County, Ohio; they removed to this county in 1856, and bought a fine farm of 320 acres in Jackson Township, where they reared a family of ten children, all but one son living to be honored and respected men and women. In 1876, they moved to Nebraska, where they now reside. Their sons, Meek and Lycurgus, are farmers in this county. This aged couple and their family will long be remembered by many in Washington county.

John W. MEEK came from Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and located in this county, where he resided for many years. He now lives in Abilene, Kan., with his second wife, who was formerly Mrs. HASTINGS. She bore him one daughter, Christina, who is married and lives in the same place.

James Bruce MEEK married Hester SIMMINGTON. He was a resident of this county for many years, and killed on the plains by the Indians, July 18, 1864. Their children are William, deceased, who was murdered, his team stole in the Indian Territory; and three daughters. They reside in Texas. Their mother is now Mrs. FISHER.

Robert and Anderson MEEK, deceased, sons of Robert and Esther MEEK, complete this family.

We have here represented six generations of this numerous family, and there are many old settlers of this county who recognize in this sketch many names of those who, in an early day were participants in various enterprises in this county.

NOTE: James GALLOWAY and Susannah (MEEK) GALLOWAY were interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Iowa.

SOURCE: Portrait and Biographical Album: Washington County, Iowa. Pp.630-31. Acme Pub. Chicago. 1887.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, October of 2010