Notes for McDonald Meeks

Notes for McDonald Meeks Our Merged Meeks Families

Notes for McDonald Meeks

McDonald (M. D.), according to his family Bible records, was bornOctober 10, 1844. M. D. Me eks served as a Private in Co. D of the 1stReg't of the Arkansas Cavalry during the Civil Wa r according to theMuster Rolls. However, in his Proof of Service statement when heapplied fo r a pension on 2 July 1903, it states that he served from1861 through 1865 in Company B, Regi ment 12, Arkansas Infantry. Thephysican's statement indicates that he was wounded in the han d by agunshot. A pension of $50 was approved. In the mid to late 1860's, M. D. ran a store a nd saloon in Antoine. In addition to thisbusiness, he apparently was a partner in another st ore (Lewis andMeeks) with D. H. Lewis, also in Antoine. On April 3, 1869, aconflict arose a t the saloon between Jim McLaughlin, Zack Davis, andBob Reid. In an attempt to calm the situ ation, M. D. Meeks becameinvolved in the difficulty and before it was over, shot and woundedJ im McLaughlin; McLaughlin died two days later. After hearing thetestimony of several witnes ses, it was found that M. D. Meeks acted inself defense and no further action was taken. (Sou thern Standard 1869:State of Arkansas 1869). In the 1870 census, McDonald is listed inthe ho usehold with his brother Abner in Pike County. He is listed asa "ret. dry goods merchant. " On 20 December 1872 he and Fannie D.Barton (b. 2 July 1847, d. 5 October 1875) were marrie d by J. P.Copeland (Clark County n.d. 169). Ib September 4, 1882, M. D. Meekswas elected con stable of Terri Noire Township. He apparently resignedthis position in January, 1883 (Clar k County n. d. d.) The 1900 censuslists D. Mack Meeks as a 54 year old widower living in th e householdof his brother-in-law, W. P. Barton in Terre Noir Township, ClarkCounty. His fami ly Bible indicates that he died in 1907 at Mrs.Barton's at Antoine and that he was buried a t the Barton home place byhis wife at Clear Springs. No additional information on M. D. Meek shas been located.