MEEK, John H. - Putnam

JOHN H. MEEK. The record of the gentleman whose name forms the caption to this biographical review is that of a man who has worked his way from modest beginnings to a place of influence and comparative independence, his life having been one of unceasing industry and perseverance, and the notably systematic and honorable methods he has employed have won him the unbounded confidence and regard of those with whom he has come in contact. John H. Meek was born in the central part of the state of Missouri in 1856, and is the son of Abraham and Sarah Ann (Rakes) Meek. Abraham Meek was born September I, 1831, in Morgan county, Indiana, and was the son of James and Samyra (Staley) Meek. His father died when he was but four years of age, and he inherited a tract of land in Mill Creek township, Putnam county. On attaining mature years he married and then lived on this land until 1862. He then sold the farm and moved to near Bedford, Iowa, where he ran a stage line and operated a hotel. Subsequently they moved to Missouri, but a year later they returned to Indiana.

In 1862 they again went to Iowa, where they remained a year or two, and then returned to Putnam county, locating in Jefferson township, where they spent the remainder of their lives, the mother dying on March 12, 1906, and the father on June 3, 1909. He was a man of prominence in the community and served as justice of the peace. Abraham Meek was married in 1848 to Sarah Ann Rakes, a daughter of John and Marjorie Rakes. She was born in Kentucky and in her young girlhood was brought to Indiana by her parents, who bought land in section 9, Jefferson township, Putnam county. At that time the young lady planted a cottonwood tree, which is still standing and which is now sixteen feet in circumference. Only about four acres of land had been cleared on this land, but the father went to work with a will and eventually developed a fine farm, and there he and his wife spent their remaining years. The father was a radical Republican in political faith and stood high in the esteem of those who knew him. John H. Meek was reared on a farm and accompanied his parents in their several removals, finally locating in Putnam county, where he has spent his active years. He secured a fair education in the common schools and has always followed the pursuit of agriculture.

At the time of his marriage, in 1878, he and his wife established their home where he now lives, his real estate then amounting to twenty-seven and a half acres, on which was a small pioneer home. This humble building was subsequently remodeled into a very comfortable home, which served the family as a residence until February 1, 1906, when it was totally destroyed by fire, causing a serious loss. However, on the 14th of the following May the family moved into a new home which had been erected on the ashes of the old, the present home being very comfortable and attractive. Mr. Meek's present farm comprises two hundred acres of splendid, fertile land, practically all of which is under cultivation and well improved in every respect. All Mr. Meek has is the result of his own efforts and he is eminently deserving of the success which has crowned his efforts. Besides a general line of farming, he has run a threshing machine, been a dealer in and shipper of livestock, and owned a sawmill, and in each of these lines he was successful. He possesses good business ability and sound judgment and is practical and methodical in all his operations. On October 13, 1878, Mr. Meek married Alice Lewis, a daughter of Gaskin and Margaret (Brinton) Lewis. She was born on the farm which she now lives, her father having been a native of Ohio and her mother of Kentucky. Her paternal grandfather was James Lewis, an early pioneer of this section of the state, while her maternal grandparents were Bryant and Mary (Tharp) Brinton, who came here in an early day and entered a quarter section of land lying in sections 9 and To, Jefferson township. Gaskin Lewis followed farming, and was also a successful school teacher, having also served as assessor of Jefferson township. He died in 1872, being survived a number of years by his widow, whose death occurred in June, 1897. To Mr. and Mrs. Meek have been born five children, namely : Ora Everett, who lives on the home place, married Marie Farmer; Elsie Jane is the wife of Harrison Hunter, of Marion township, and they have two children, Helen Irene and Harold Harrison; Margaret Ann, Emma Opal and Wilfred Claude. Politically Mr. Meek is a stanch Republican and has taken an active interest in the success of the party in local elections, having served for twelve years as chairman of the township committee. He has also served as township assessor. Fraternally he is a Freemason, belonging to the blue lodge at Cloverdale. Mr. Meek has taken an intelligent interest in the welfare of the community and gives his unreserved support to every movement that promises to benefit the community along moral, educational or material lines. Genial and courteous in his relations with his fellow men, he enjoys a large circle of warm friends, who esteem him for his personal worth. -- Thanks to the Indiana State Library digital collection