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HENRY M. EICHER, of the firm of Dewey & Eicher, attorneys and counselors at law of Washington, is a native of the county, born in Marion Township, May 29, 1858, and a son of Rev. Benjamin Eicher and his wife, Lydia Sommer, of this county, to whom he was united in 1855. The elder Eciher was a native of France, who emigrated to this county when seventeen years old, locating in Wayne County, Ohio. In 1853 or 1854 he emigrated to Washington County, where he bought an improved farm of forty acres, to which he subsequently added 160 more, giving now a fine farm of 200 acres, on which he has a creamery and an artesian well, making it worth at least $75 per acre. Mr. Eicher is a well-read man, having received a liberal education in his native country. Several times he has been a candidate for the Legislature on the Democratic ticket, but the county being Republican by 200 to 400 majority, has always been defeated, although at one time by only sixteen votes.
Henry M. Eicher was reared on the farm, and after leaving the district school, completed his education at the Eastern Iowa Normal School. He chose the law for a profession, and in 1880 began reading in the office of Dewey & Templin at Washington, in his native county. His studies were interrupted for a time by ill-health, but in September, 1883, he was admitted to the bar, and in the following month formed a copartnership with A. R. Dewey, Esq., on e of the ablest lawyers of the Washington bar. The firm takes leading rank in the profession, and Mr. Eicher, young as he is, has shown himself possessed of the ability to command success in his chosen life work. Both as a lawyer and citizen he is held in esteem by the people of his native county, and by all others who know him.
WILLIAM W. SNYDER, a progressive farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 34, English River Township, was born in Monongalia County, Va., March 14, 1832. He is the son of Jeremiah and Anna (Rich) Snyder, also natives of the Old Dominion, and the parents of twelve children, of which number nine are yet living: George and John are deceased; Abram is a resident of Greene County, Pa.; Rollo, deceased; Casandra is the widow of George Hogg, who was killed in the army; Jeremiah, Jr., is farming in Lime Creek Township, this county; Jacob, a retired farmer, is residing in Iowa City; Colby is farming extensively in Johnson County, Iowa; Samuel, in Adair County; Elizabeth is the wife of George Figgins, a farmer of English River Township, and W. W., the subject of this sketch.
The father followed the occupation of a farmer in his native State until 1842, when, hearing of the opportunities offered in the far West, and believing it would be for the advantage of his large family of children, he concluded to emigrate. He first proceeded with his family to Wheeling, thence by boat to Keokuk, Iowa, and from there overland to English River Township. He entered 250 acres of land on sections 1 and 12, and commenced to open up a farm. As one of the pioneers of this county, he became well known by all old citizens, and was a man held in high favor. Although not connected with any church, Mr. and Mrs. Snyder were strong believers in the divinity of Christ and took an interest in all Church work. The mother died in 1860 and the father in 1873. Both rest in the old Snyder Cemetery, near which stood the Snyder Chapel. Many lessons of truth, charity and integrity were presented in the lives of these good old people.
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The early life of the subject of this sketch was passed on his father's farm and in attendance at the common schools until he reached the age of twenty, when he started out for himself, and began working for $8 per month. On the 9th of December, 1852, he was untied in marriage with Miss Martha Gwin, a native of Menard County, Ill., born March 27, 1834, and the daughter of Richard and Nancy (Watkins) Gwin, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Kentucky. They were married in Indiana, whence they removed first to Illinois at an early day and thence emigrated to Iowa, settling in Des Moines County in 1836, thus being among the pioneers of the State. The father died Jan. 7, 1884, and the mother July 6, 1884, in Wilson County, Kan. They were well-known and useful citizens in the different localities in which they lived.
Mr. and Mrs. Snyder became the parents of five children: Ida, the wife of A. M. turner, a farmer in Potter County, Dak; Charles F., pursuing the same vocation there also; Anna, the wife of S. A. Rodgers, a farmer of the same locality; Eva, at home, preparing herself for a teacher; Adella, at home. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have given all of their children good school advantages, and all are members of the Missionary Baptist church, thus comprising a devoted Christian family.
After the marriage of our subject he continued to reside on the old homestead until 1869, when he first took possession it had only a small frame house on it, in which the family lived and worked happily together until 1882. The old house was then moved back to give place to a more modern and convenient dwelling. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder are now in the evening of life, some of their children growing up around them and some leaving home to seek their fortunes in a new country, as did their parents before them. They have witnessed many and great changes. Their farm, which at the time of purchase was unimproved, is now under a high state of cultivation and one of the most valuable in the township. They have seen the building of the church upon the hillside and the school-house in the valley, and have taken an active part in all religious, temperance and public affairs. During the past five years Mr. Snyder has turned his attention to the raising of high-grade stock, having on hand a number of superior Clydesdale horses, and a fine lot of Chester White hogs and Short-horn cattle. Politically, Mr. Snyder is a Democrat, and has held various township offices.
OLIVER H. PRIZER, M.D., one of the oldest practicing physicians of Washington County, is a resident of Brighton. He was born in Dauphin County, Pa., on the 16th of January, 1814, and is the son of Henry J. Prizer, born in Chester County, Pa., in 1792, and Rebecca (Jackson) Prizer, born in Dauphin County, Pa., in 1797. (See sketch of John W. Prizer for the family record.)
The subject of this sketch lived in Dauphin County till he was fourteen years of age and then went to Perry County, in the same State, where he was educated in the select schools. In May, 1844, he turned his face toward the setting sun and came to Iowa and located in Brighton. Previous to coming to Iowa he read medicine in the office of Dr. Steeze for a time, but not sufficient as he though, to enable him to practice. On coming to Brighton he entered the office of Drs. Thomas and William Mayley, where he pursued his studies for some time, and in the winter of 1846-47 attended lectures at the Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati. Soon after returning from college he here commenced the practice of medicine, in which he has been actively engaged for a period of thirty-nine years, being one of the oldest practicing physicians in the county. The Doctor is a member of the Washington County Medical Society, and has been President of the same. He is also a member of the District Medical Society.
On the 27th of JUne, 1843, the Doctor was united in marriage with Miss Eliza R. Griffith, a daughter of Rev. Samuel J. Griffith, of the Methodist Episcopal church. She was born in Maryland in 1817. By this union there were nine children, seven of whom are living: Alzina, the widow of
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Charles Evans, of this county; Samuel H., of the firm of Prizer Bros. who enlisted in the 184th Ohio Infantry, when but sixteen years of age, from Holmes County, Ohio; George W., a farmer residing in Osborne County, Kan.; Clara, wife of A. J. Morris, of Chicago, who is the general manager of the Operative Telegraph Company of Chicago; John O., a druggist residing at Alton, Osborne County, Kan.; Edith, residing at home, and Charles S., of the firm of Prizer Bros.
Dr. Prizer is one of the stalwart Republicans of Washington County, and was Chairman of the first convention in which an organization was effected of those endorsing the principles of the Republican party in this county. In 1854 he was a candidate for the Lower House of the General Assembly, but was defeated by three or four votes. In 1862 and 1863 he was a member of the Board of Supervisors of the county. In 1849 he was appointed Postmaster of Brighton and served four years. Dr. Prizer has always been a friend of popular education. For many years he was one of the School Directors of Brighton, and at the time of the organization of the High School, was Chairman of the building committee. In everything pertaining to the welfare of village or county, he is always in the lead.
Dr. Prizer came to Brighton two years before the admission of Iowa into the Union as a State. He has been identified with it ever since; he has worked for its interests at all times, and has no cause to look back with regret upon his past life. A poor man when landed at that place with a young bride, and only the future before him, his medical education incomplete, he has yet pressed on, faithfully discharging every duty that was before him, and is now entitled to a place among the representative citizens of the county.
EBENEZER B. CUMMINGS was born in Bridgeport, N.H., in 1810. He is the son of John H. and Mary (Hubbard) Cumings. They were married in that State, and were probably born there, but full information could not be obtained. They left that rocky State and located in Steubenville, Harrison Co., Ohio, six weeks after the birth of our subject. John H. Cumings was a blacksmith by trade, and at once opened a forge in Steubenville. One of his first achievements was the manufacture of a rag wheel for a paper mill of that place, which was operated for many years and is, perhaps, yet running. Five children were born to them in New Hampshire—Luther, John H. Sarah, Amos and Ebenezer. The eldest son learned the trade and worked with his father for several years. The father died when fifty-five years of age.
Our subject, Ebenezer Cumings, was married to Elizabeth Kendrick, in 1821, who bore two children: Calvin, deceased, and Mary Alepha, now the wife of Miles Beck, of Henry County, Iowa. Mr. Cumings learned the trade of boat-building, and and for a number of years built flatboats which were loaded with flour at Steubenville, and were then floated down to New Orleans. In 1823 he removed to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, where he farmed and also burned several kilns of brick. The next year the death of Mrs. Cumings occurred, after which he removed to St. Clair County, Ill., where he also burned brick and erected some town property.
[Note: I think the birth date of Mr. Cumings is incorrect, or the date of the marriage, unless he was married at the age of eleven years.]
While a resident of Centerville Mr. Culmings returned to Ohio and was wedded to Miss Matilda Young, of Canal Dover. The young bride was taken back to Illinois, and for seven years they resided in Centerville, where Mr. Culmings was engaged in the occupation above mentioned, and in addition he built two residences and improved the town property which he owned. His money was carefuly saved, but only a living was made during the first years of their wedded life. While living in Centerville, Emily, Nancy and John were born. They accompanied their parents to the western country in 1847, where Mr. Cumings entered the northeast one-quarter of section 31, upon which he still resides. The family found quarters in an old log house that had been long unoccupied, and had only part of a clapboard roof, while the prairies swarmed with rattlesnakes. Mr. Cumings wanted to go back to Illinois, but his wife liked the broad prairies too much to leave.
After spending two years, hoping that his wife would agree to go back to Illinois, our subject concluded
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to stay, although he felt as if it was a hopeless task to undertake to farm so remote from navigation, and with no stock to eat his grain eve if he raised any. The first land he owned was not entered by himself, but was purchased from Thomas Parish, who made him a deed to forty acres for $80, upon which he built his log cabin, and split rails to fence a part of the land. Mr. Culmngs brought but little cash when he came. After paying for his 40-acre tract, purchasing a cow, and one sow and seven pigs, he bethought him that a few bushels of wheat would not be amiss, and so expended his remaining cash for ten bushels. This left him with one dollar. The winter was coming on and the team had to be cared for. He could purchase two stacks of oats from a neighbor if he had the money, but this was as scarce as good clothes with our subject. Learning that the Saunder Bros., of Mt. Pleasant, had money, Mr. Cumings decided to borrow some if possible. Although a stranger, he boldly walked in and asked if he could borrow $10 to buy oats for his team during the winter. Upon learning that he was an actual settler, the money was handed him and the oats purchased. These men have since don a business amounting to thousands of dollars between them, and their friendship has never diminished. The old log house that yet stands was built that year. Rails were drawn and a field fenced, which produced a splendid crop, and before he was aware of it Mr. Culmings had grain to sell. The log cabin was gladdened by the birth of a son, Sylvester, and as the children grew and his flocks increased, the happiness and prosperity of the family became proverbial.
The mother of our subject made her home with him during the latter years of her life, and her death occurred when eighty-five years of age, in the old log cabin already mentioned. All the land was broken by Mr. Cumings with oxen, and the products of one wheat crop which gave him such a start that from that day everything has gone easy with him. A grand frame house was erected, and the stately trees have all been grown since 1849. He has increased his 40-acre tract by hundreds of acres, and has given his son Calvin a handsome farm adjoining his own, and yet retains for himself 240 acres of choice land. As they have grown in years so have Mr. and Mrs. Cumings grown in popularity and in wealth. Thirteen grandchildren do them honor, and among the pioneers of Washington County none are more highly esteemed. Calvin wedded Nancy Coppack; Emily is the wife of Harvey Millhone; David wedded Nancy McKee; Enos is the husband of Jessie Noble. The remaining children are unmarried and reside upon the old home farm, happy in the love of a devoted mother and an indulgent father, who is yet a hale and heart man at seventy-seven years.
H. H. WILSON. Among the enterprising young agriculturists and stock-raisers of Washington County, none have attained better success than the subject of this sketch, who is located on section 3, Lime Creek Township. He was born in the township of his residence, on the 26th of June, 1854, and is the son of J. M. and Eliza (Moon) Wilson, the father being a native of Pennsylvania, and the mother claiming Maine as the State of her nativity. The parents of Mr. Wilson moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio, and from that State to Iowa. Our subject remained on the farm with his parents during his boyhood days, and was initiated into the rudiments of the calling of a farmer. After attending the common schools of the district in which he lived, he attended the Washington Academy, a well-known educational institution, for three terms. After completing his term in that school, he returned to the farm of his parents, and resumed work under their instruction and for their benefit.
At that very proper age, twenty-five, on the 16th of April, 1879, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Eva Runyon, who was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, on the 15th of August, 1853. Her father was a Virginian, and her mother a native of Pennsylvania. The latter, who was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, departed this life on the 12th of April, 1873, but a few months before the marriage of her daughter.
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In 1879 Mr. Wilson purchased eighty acres of land, and began in earnest the battle of life. He at once undertook general farming, and in addition to that, formed the nucleus for raising fine stock, which has since grown to considerable proportions. He has made a specialty of Short-horn cattle, and is now turning his attention to the breeding of Hambletonian and Bashaw horses. In his undertakings, both as farmer and stock-raiser, he has been so eminently successful during the short time he has so engaged, that his farm has grown from eighty acres to 195 acres, and the improvements thereon have increased and bettered in about the same ratio. These are tangible evidences of success which cannot be gainsaid, and they have come as the result of unremitting toil and judicious management, as well as from proper investments at proper times. In his earlier life Mr. Wilson engaged in school teaching, for which vocation he is peculiarly fitted by nature and education. He has taught successfully and satisfactorily nine terms of school in the county in which he resides, and in the profession stood deservedly high, and earned the popularity which he enjoyed. In this line of business he displayed the same good judgment which has characterized him in other pursuits.
It is but natural in one of his temperament and active brain, that Mr. Wilson should take a lively interest in political affairs, a field which affords excitement and recreation from the cares of business. HIs affiliations are with the Democratic party, and a good gauge of his popularity is that in a township that gives a Republican majority, he has been elected to the office of Assessor five terms. He was honored by his party with the nomination for Auditor of Washington County, and although the county is reliably Republican by 400 majority, Mr. Wilson was defeated by only eighty-five votes. These are tests which cannot be disregarded, when men are tried in the balance of public estimation. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have one child, a bright little boy, who was born on the 22 of November, 1880, in whom they place much store. He is not yet old enough to have made much progress in the school, but it is their determination to afford him every facility possible for obtaining a good and complete education. Mrs. Wilson is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and enthusiastically engaged in such work as will enhance the interests of the congregation to which she belongs. She and her husband are highly respected and esteemed members of society, and right cordially do they support all the movements inaugurated for the betterment of the condition of their neighborhood. Mr. Wilson is a man of infinite resources, untiring energy, and much ability, and these have enabled him to succeed well up to the present time, and are the guarantees of future success.
LENOX DAYTON. Three-quarters of a century is a long time to live, and fewer men of the new generation than of the old will reach that age. We live faster than did the pioneers who blocked out and built up the West, and like a clock that is wound up to run a given time, if we go faster than was intended we will run down sooner than the Maker calculated. That is what the present generation is doing, but there does not seem to be any help for it. The men like the subject of this sketch, who go slow but sure, using as much conservatism as possible in their business affairs and husbanding their strength for the latter end of life, are those who grow to a ripe old age. For forty-seven years Mr. Dayton has been a resident of Iowa, coming here when what is now a blooming prairie State was one vast, unbroken country, whose inhabitants were few and far between. He has seen the State grow for a frontier post of civilization to be one of the foremost and proudest in the Union, not only in material matters, but in intelligence and progressiveness, and he has the satisfaction of knowing that he has borne a hand in this work of transformation. Mr. Dayton has lived a life filled with good deeds and compensating achievements. He has reared a family of which any father might be proud, and in this contribution to the world lies his chiefest joy in his seventy-fifth year.Lenox Dayton was born on the 12 of November, 1812, in the State of Maryland, near the Virginia line. He is the son of John and Ellen (Mallory) Dayton, also natives of Maryland, and
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is the oldest of six children born to his parents. His father died when he was quite small, and at the age of twelve almost the entire support of the family devolved upon him, yet with the arduous labor required of him in that undertaking, he managed to attend the common school long enough to secure a fair education, which has availed him much in after life. HIs work, while growing to manhood, alternated between farming and blacksmithing, which latter had been his father's calling.
Mr. Dayton married in Maryland, in 1835, to Annie Coleman, a native of Alleghany County, Md., and a daughter of Alto and Rachel (Wilson) Coleman, who were natives of Virginia. To them were born six children, who are recorded as follows: Thomas C. M. and Patrick H., of Cedar Township; Hiram T. and Jefferson M.P., of Seventy-Six Township, and Mare T., the wife of J. M. Craven of Jasper County, Mo. Mr. Dayton and his wife came to Washington County in the year of 1840, and entered 320 acres of land on section 30, Cedar Township. At that time there were yet many Indians in this section of Iowa, and they were so troublesome that they added much to the dangers and hardships of pioneer life. The land then entered, under the careful manipulation of Mr. Dayton, became a splendid farm, upon which he continued to live until 1886, when he lost his residence by fire, and he and his estimable wife moved to the home of their son, Thomas C.M., where they are now welcome and honored guests. These venerable people are unostentatious Christians, Mr. Dayton being a member of the New-Light Church and his wife a member of the Baptist Church. While not taking a very active part in politics for the last few years, Mr. Dayton has not relinquished one jot or tittle of his enthusiasm as a Republican, of which political faith he has been since that party was organized.
Thomas C. M. Dayton, a son of Lenox Dayton, was born in Alleghany County, Md., on the 2d of January, 1836, and was reared to manhood on the farm of his parents. He received a good common-school education in Illinois. At the age of eighteen years he was first married on the 11th of September, 1854, and by this marriage there were seven children born: James. M., who accidentally hung himself at the age of fourteen years; Leonard died at the age of two years; Louis resides at home; Miranda B., wife of Franklin Crambly, a farmer of Los Angeles, Cal.; Celia, wife of Henry Patterson, of Seventy-Six Township; Mary E. and Pearley at home. The first wife died on the 29th of March, 1874, at the age of thirty-one years. Mr. Dayton was again married, on the 8th of October, 1875, to Rachel Sewell, a native of Knox County, Ill., and a daughter of Alexander Sewell. The children of this marriage were Emerson and Jesse, who were twins. This wife died on the 20th of May, 1885, at the age of twenty-seven years. On the 25th of September, 1861, Mr. Dayton enlisted in Co. I, 13th Iowa Vol. Inf., where he served as a private until 1863; during the time he was in the service he participated in the following-named engagements: Corinth, Shiloh, and all the skirmishes and minor engagements connected with those campaigns, after which he was honorably discharged on account of disabilities incurred in the line of duty. After his discharge from the army he returned home and engaged in farming, which he has followed since. On the 29th of March, 1886, he sold his property in Iowa and went to Colorado, from which place he returned on the 29th of September of the same year.
PATRICK H. DAYTON, a son of Lenox Dayton, was born on the homestead on section 30, Cedar Township, where he now owns 100 acres of land, and is extensively engaged in general farming and stock-raising. In February, 1864, he was married to Martha Fishburn, a native of Illinois, and a daughter of Henry Fishburn, who was a native of Ohio. They are the parents of a family of six children, whose names are—Jefferson, Arilla, James, Webster, Bessie and Ora. Mr. Dayton enlisted in the war for the Union in May, 1861, in Co. H 7th Iowa Vol. Inf., in which he served for twenty-two months, and was discharged on account of disabilities incurred. He returned home and engaged in farming until February, 1864, when he again entered the army, this time enlisting in the 45th Iowa Infantry, being assigned to Company B, in which he served until the close of the war. During his term of service he participated in the engagements at Belmont, Mo., Donelson, Pittsburg
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Landing in 1862, and the first and second battles at Corinth. In 1859 he made a trip to California, going by the way of New York and the Isthmus of Panama, and returned in the winter of 1860 on the steamer "Star of the West," which was the last trip that vessel made before it was fired into at Ft. Sumter. During his short stay in California he engaged in mining, but with only moderate success. He has lived in Washington County continuously since his return from California, excepting while in the army and on a trip to Missouri and Kansas. In 1886 the residence of Mr. Dayton was totally destroyed by fire, and temporarily the family took up residence in a building near the farm. Politically, Mr. Dayton is an enthusiastic Republican, and contributes his best efforts for the success of that party. The Dayton family, parents and children, are among the best known and most reputable in Washington County.
E. W. STONE, attorney-at-law of Washington, Iowa, is a native of the Buckey State, being born near Strongsville, Cuyahoga County, of parents who traced their descent back to the early settlers of the Union. He is the son of Harmon and Fanny M. (Clarke) Stone, the former born in the northern part of Vermont in August, 1800, and the latter in New Hartford, Conn., April 8,1807.
The parents of our subject early in life emigrated to Ohio, and located near the present site of the city of Cleveland, which at that time was a mere hamlet, composed of a few houses. Here they reared their family, and the father contributed his quota toward the cultivation of the soil of Northern Ohio. He was successful as a farmer and stock-raiser, and the family in due time included five sons and four daughters, of whom the record is as follows: Charles H. is a stock dealer in Litchfield, Ohio; Harmon E. died during the late war, having gone to the West, and enlisting in a California regiment; Frederick S. left home when a boy, and a few years thereafter was lost sight of; John W. learned the printer's trade, and when last heard of was in Kansas; E. W., our subject, was the fourth in order of birth; Delia A. is the wife of John S. Rice, of Keota; Frances J. is the general agent of a publishing house. The balance of the family are deceased.
Harmon Stone, politically, was a genuine Jackson Democrat, and became quite prominent in the political affairs of Cuyahoga County. He was placed in nomination as Sheriff, but being identified with the opposition party,was defeated with the balance of his ticket. He was popular in his locality and officiated as Justice of the Peace for a period of twenty-five years. HIs early labors had been attended with rare success, and he had accumulated a competency, but in the financial crash of 1857, with many others, he lost his entire property. Soon afterward he came to the West and locating near Iowa City, purchased a tract of land where he carried on farming until his death from apoplexy in January, 1872. The mother is still living, and is a devoted member of the Episcopal Church, which the family always attended.
Young Stone pursued his early studies in the common schools, and completed his education at the Iowa State University after having taken a course in the Academy at Washington. He had in the meantime taken up the study of law in the office of Patterson & Rinehart, and being without means, met his current expenses by teaching school. He perservered through many difficulties and was admitted to practice at Iowa City in January, 1870. He has since followed his profession successfully, and in the fall of 1878 was elected Prosecuting Attorney for the Sixth Judicial District, in which position he served four years with great credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents.
Mr. Stone is essentially a self-made man, who has worked his way up to his present position through many difficulties and secured his education through his own exertions. He is a close student and has a good understanding of the intricacies of common law.
The marriage of our subject to Miss Effie A. Stinson, was celebrated at the home of the bride, in Washington, March 31, 1874. Mrs. Stone was born in Portsmouth, Ohio, Jan. 5, 1851. They have one child only, a son, Dudley. They occupy
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a pleasant home and enjoy the society of the cultivated people of their community. Mr. Stone, politically, is a stanch Democrat, and has done good service for his party in this county. Socially he is a Master Mason, belonging to Washington Lodge No. 26.
THE MEEK FAMILY. Pennsylvania has contributed to Washington County 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, Va., 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, Va. 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, Pa. 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 Gen. Harrison's division during the War of 1812, and at its close he settled in Brooke County, Va., remaining during his lifetime. Esther McCombs, had one sister, Nancy, who became the wife of Thomas Allen, who removed to Westmoreland County, Pa., 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 tot he State of Iowa, settling in this county 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, Pa., 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. Gardner, of Oregon Township.
JOSEPH MEEKS 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, Maryc 23, 1816, and in December, 1836, became the wife of John Ralston. Both are deceased. Mary Ann Meek,
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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.
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 Crroll 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 Mt. 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 count.
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.
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