James Meek 1802

24. James Meek was born about 1802 in Henry Co., KY. He is listed in the 1850 census of Clay Co., IL and Marion Co., IL in 1860 and 1870. It is known that his brother Jonathan also owned land in both counties.

He married Mary Elizabeth Stewart on 19 Apr 1822 in Gallatin Co, KY. She was born about 1807. She died 5 Nov 1895 in Marion Co., IL. She was known as Mary Betsy Stewart in the marriage record and Eliabeth Meek in later records. James Meek and Mary Elizabeth Stewart had the following children:

131. Jeremiah Meek was born about 1825 in Kentucky according to the the 1860 census of Clay Co., IL. He married Eliza Jane Mahoney 19 Feb 1848 in Henry Co., KY. Her parents were Lloyd Mahoney and Jane Clark. Her father was mentioned in the marriage records which indicate that she used the name Jane and her brother Owen signed the marriage bond. She was born about 1834 in Kentucky according to census records. However, this date is disputed by Mahoney researchers. They resided in Louisville TWP, Clay Co., IL in 1860. Eliza marries (2) Almanzer Craig 12 Dec 1869 in Marion Co., IL. They are listed in the 1870 Census of Clay County with Meek Children W. D. Meek, age 9, and Jerry R. Meek, age 8. See rational for connection to this family.
- 260. George T. Meek was born about 1849 in Kentucky. He married Marian Robinson (Daughter of Jonathan Robinsons) 8 Sep 1874 in Clay Co., IL. She was born about 1853 in Illinois. The are reported in the the 1910 census of Louisville TWP, Clay Co., IL.
- 261. Eliza A. Meek was born about 1851 in Kentucky. She married Benjamin D. Craig 19 May 1871 in Clay Co., IL According to marriage records. He was born about 1852 and is listed in the 1870 census of Clay Co., IL , age 18, with John Craig, age 58 and Nancy Craig, age 45. See explanation.
- 262. Elvessa Meek was born about 1853 in Illinois. There is a Marion Co., IL marriage record dated 21 Apr 1872 for Charles O. Ames and Elvessa J. Meeks.
- 263. Malissa A. Meek was born about 1856 in Illinois.
- 264. William Douglas Meek was Aug 1863 in Clay Co., IL according to the 1900 census of Greene Co., IL. His age is consistent in the 1910 and 1920 census. He died 28 Apr 1940 In Greene Co., IL according to his death certificate. His tombstone list the year of his birth as 1858. He is not listed in the 1860 census with Jeremiah. He married (1) Mary J. Bishop 25 Jul 1885 in Greene Co., IL according to his marriage license. His age is 24 and his parents were named Jerry Meeks and Eliza Mahoney. Mary's parents were Henry Bishop and Caroline Williams. She was born 26 Mar 1867. She died 26 Jul 1886. He is listed alone in the 1900 census living with Benjamin Edwards.
  - 505. Nora Meek was born in 1886. She died in 1971. She married John Williams Feb 1903.
    This is the family of Roger D. Shaw
  He married (2) Laura Whitlock. She was born about 1880. She died in 1939. They were reported in the 1910-1930 censuses of Rockbridge TWP. Greene Co., IL.
  - 506. Charles Meeks was born in 1901. He died in 1918.
  - 507. Arnold "Ben" Meeks was born 27 Jul 1904 in Greene Co., IL. He died 23 Dec 1991. He married Velma A. Hudson Mar 1927. She was the daughter of Homer Hudson and Dicy Cook. She was born 4 Dec 1900. She died 19 Apr 1987.
  - 508. Cora Meeks was born 27 Apr 1906.
  - 509. Blanche Meeks was born 30 Aug 1910 Greene Co., IL. She died in 2000.
  - 510. Von Meeks was born 10 Jan 1912 in Greene Co., IL. He died 23 Mar 1990 in Greene Co., IL. He married B. Lodema Long 17 Dec 1938 in St. Charles, MO.
  - 511. Lora Belle Meeks was born 15 Aug 1914 Greene Co., IL.
  - 512. Freda Mae Meeks was born Sep 1916.
  - 513. Commodore William Meeks was born about 1919. was born 23 Dec 1918 in Rockbridge, Greene Co., IL. He died 22 Nov 2001 in Hancock Co., IL. He married Phyllis Kathleen Hudson 23 Dec 1942 in Savanna, Carroll Co., IL. She was the daughter of Everett Hudson and Luella Dickhut. She was born 27 Feb 1922 in Hancock Co., IL. She died 08 Jan 1993 in Hancock Co., IL.
  - 514. Hattie Jane Meeks was born 10 Feb 1922 in Illinois. She died 30 Aug 2003 in Greene Co., IL. She married Elmer Brannan.
- 265. Jerry Riley Meeks was born about 1862 according various records. He died in Mar 1908 at the age of 45. He married Sarah E. Bishop 5 Sep 1888 in Greene Co., IL. His age was 26. His parents were listed as Jerry Meeks and Eliza J. Mahoney. Her parents were Henry Bishop and Caroline Williams.
132. Female Meek was born between 1820 and 1830.
133. Mary Meek was about 1828.
134. Joshua Meek was 8 Feb 1835 in Kentucky according to his death certificate. He died 26 Aug 1918 in Marion Co., IL. His death certificate lists his parents as James Meek and Elizabeth Stewart. He enlisted in the Civil War 14 Aug 1862 in Co K, 111 ILL Inf. He mustered out 7 Jan 1865. He is listed in the 1900 census of Marion County. He married (1) Sharlotta Land 27 March 1855 in Marion County, according to marriage records. See Notes for Joshua.
- 266. John Andrew Meek was born 16 Apr 1857 in Illinois. He died 17 Jul 1920 in Gray Harbor, WA. He married Elizabeth Mullen 7 Aug 1877 in Marion County. She was born 9 Nov 1855 in OH to Sylvester Mullen and Margaret Anderson. She died 11 Mar 1926 in Oakville, Lewis Co.,WA. They are reported in the 1880 census of Marion County. He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery.
  - 515. Joshua Meek born 22 Oct 1878 IL. He died Jul 1880.
  - 516. Margaret Alice Meek born 14 Feb 1881. She died 3 Sep 1961 in Centralia, WA. She married John Hill Lamb.
  - 517. Anna Meek born Mar 1887 in Illinois. She married _____ Sparks. She died Oakvile, Lewis Co., WA.
  - 518. John Wesley Meek born 4 Jun 1893 in Illinois. He died Feb 1967 in Centralia, WA.
  - 519. Ida Meek died age 9.
  This is the family of Cindy Frogner
Joshua married (2) Sarah J. Copple 22 Jun 1858 in Marion County, according to marriage records. She is out of the family by 1870 as Joshua and his two children are living with his father in the 1870 census.
- 267. Eliza Meek was born about 1863 in Illinois.
Joshua married (3) Harriet Bryant 25 Feb 1869 in Marion Co., IL. This marriage is mentioned in the marriage index as well as Joshua's pension record.

Joshua married (4) Mary Louisa Scheer 05 Jan 1882 in Taylorville, IL. She was born was born 17 Oct 1856. She died 30 Nov 1925 in Marion County. Her father was Henry Scheer.
- 268. Dora L. Meek was born Mar 1885.
- 269. Bertha E. Meek was born May 1889.
- 270. Harrison Augusta Meek was born 12 Apr 1892. He died 20 Feb 1968. He never married.
- 271. Edward Vincent Meek was born 27 May 1894. He died 26 Aug 1967 in Marion County. He married (1) Tillie Schilling in 1915. She was born 20 Jul 1890. She died 17 Jul 1949. They were divorced.
  - 520. Edward H. Meek was born 24 Apr 1917. He died in 1983. He married (1) Ruth Braden 10 Dec 1938. She died 27 Jul 1970. He married (2) Norma J. Johnson 23 Jul 1971. She married (1) ______ Bain.
  - 521. Luther Edward Meek was born 30 Apr 1920 in Clinton Co., IL. He married Sylvia Irene Davis 13 Apr 1943 in St. Louis, MO. She was born 17 Feb 1924 in ST. Louis. She was the daughter of Cleve Merle Davis and Mary Edna Phelps.
    - 667. Carolyn Ann Meek married Daniel Robert Menhennett.
  - 522. Clinton Meek was born 9 Apr 1949.
- 272. Sophia K. Meek was born 21 Oct 1896 in Marion County. She died 27 Feb 1957 in Marion County. She married _______ Hays.
  This information provided by Betty Meek and Sylvia Meek
135. James D. Meek was about 1837. He died 4 May 1917 according to cemetery records. He served in the army from Marion County from 16 Aug 62 to 7 Jun 1865, Co K 111 Ill Inf. This is the same unit and time that Joshua served. He is listed in the 1880 census of Marion County #77/77. His age is given as 39 and he was a widower with a daughter. He married (1) Susan Hill 2 May 1866 in Marion County.
- 273. S. Ellen Meek was born about 1867.
He married (2) Martha E. Blalock 17 Sep 1887 in Clinton Co., IL. She married (1) John Stratton 11 Mar 1869 in Marion Co., IL.
136. Sarah N. Meek was about 1840 in Kentucky. She married (1) Joseph Craig 17 Jul 1856 in Marion Co., IL. They are listed in the 1860 census of Marion Co., IL with Ellen, age 2. John Joseph Craig was living alone in Jun 1870.
- 274. Ellen Craig was born about 1858.
- 275. Jesse A. Craig was born 19 Dec 1867 in IL. He died 17 May 1949. He married Alta J. Richardson Dec 1887 in Marion Co. IL. She was born 4 Sep 1867. She died 28 Aug 1945. He used the name of his step-father William Bryant.
- 276. Edward Wiley Craig was born 17 Feb 1870 in Salem TWP, Marion CO. IL. He died 6 Nov 1946 in Lakeworths, FL. He married Mary Elizabeth Stringfellow 17 Feb 1889 in Salem, Marion CO. IL. She was born 4 May 1871 in Mobile, AL. She died 26 Jun 1965 in Marion Co., IL. It is believed that he was the son of Sarah's first husband. His marriage license names his parents as Sarah Meek and William Bryant. He used the name of his step-father William Bryant.
She married (2) William Bryant 6 Oct 1870 in Marion Co., IL. He was born about 1820 in KY. Sarah is living with William when the 1870 census was taken in Jun 1870.
He married (1) Levilla ______ . She was born Abt. 1823 in SC.
He married (2) Deliah ______ Bef. 1849. She was born Abt. 1820 in TN, and died May 17, 1875 in IL. He divorced Delilah 19 Apr 1870 in Marion Co. IL.

277. Cyrus Bryant
278. Eunice Bryant married _______ King.
279. John Bryant was born About 1875.

137. Martha Meek was about 1841 Kentucky.
138. Laurinda Meek was about 1847 in Kentucky. She married Andrew J. Fennermore 29 Jan 1865 in Clay Co., IL.( Not proven to be the Lorinda in the marriage records.)

James is thought to be the same person in the 1850 Clay Co., IL census on the strength of the evidence that his brother moved there. Elizabeth in the census could be Mary Betsy Stewart. The source for the first three children is the 1830 census.

He is believed to be the James Meek in the 1860 and 1870 census of Salem TWP, Marion Co., IL. His age was 59 and 68 born in Kentucky. Elizabeth age 53 and 64 in Kentucky. In 1870 also listed are Joshua age 33, KY; John 13, IL and Eliza 7, IL. This area in Marion County is very close to the part of Clay County where the other brothers lived.

Marion County marriages: Sarah Meek to Joseph Craig 17 Jul 1856. James D. Meeks to Susan Hill 2 May 1866; James D. Meek to Martha E. Stratton Sep 17 1887.

Note: Jeremiah Meek

There is absolutely no evidence that Jeremiah Meek is the son of James Meek. He is included here for the following reasons.

The oldest son of James Meek was born between 1820 and 1825 according to the 1830 census records of Henry Co., KY. He is the only unidentified grandson of Bazil Meek. James Meek is reported in the 1850 census of Clay Co., IL along with several brothers. He later moved to Marion Co., IL.

Jeremiah Meek of Clay Co., IL was born about 1825 in Kentucky according to the 1860 Clay County census. He lived between two known sons of Jonathan Meek, the brother of James. All of the other people in the 1860 census are known descendants of Bazil Meek. Jeremiah in the 1860 Clay County census had a wife named Eliza J., age 26, and his oldest child was George, age 11.

Although not in the 1850 census of Henry Co., KY, there is a Henry County marriage record for Jeremiah Meek and Jane Mahoney dated 19 Feb 1848. There are no other men named Jeremiah Meek in either Henry or Clay Counties.

Douglas Meek and Jerry R. Meek both left marriage records giving their parents names as Jerry Meek and Eliza Jane Mahoney. However, they are not listed in the 1860 census with Jeremiah. Jerry R. Meek's date of birth is consistently given as 1862. Douglas' death certificated listed his date of birth as 1858. However, it is more likely that he was born in 1860 after the census.

The 1870 census for Larkinsburg TWP. Clay Co., IL lists 128 Craig, A. S. 34 Ky; Craig, Eliza J 37 Ky; Craig, Viola 3 Il; Meek, W. D. 9 Il; Meek, Jerry R 8 Il. There is a Marion Co., IL marriage record for Almanzer L. Craig and Eliza J. Meek dated 12 Dec 1869. Jeremiah's daughters are not yet married and are not list with Eliza. So, there are still unknowns with the theory.

Note: Joshua

In the 1850 Clay County census Joshua is listed with his father at age 18 (born 1832). He is not in the 1860 census for either Marion or Clay Counties. In the 1870 census Joshua is listed with his father at age 33 (born 1837) along with John 13 and Eliza 7. I is assumed that these are Joshua's children.

It is not proven that the first two marriages are for the same Joshua Meek. However, there is no record of another person with this name in the area. We know that James had a son named Joshua and that he was living with his father in 1850 and 1870. It seems reasonable to conclude that one or both of the marriage records are his. Given the ages of the children in the 1870 census and that Joshua was there without a wife, it appears that Joshua was married to both. Joshua is connected to his parents through his death certificate. He is also connected to his third wife through various records.

Marion County marriages: Joshua Meek to Harriet Bryant Book D, page 58;

John A. Meek in the 1880 census is thought to be Joshua's son, based on the ages given in the census as well as the information in the 1870 census.

Note: Eliza A. Meek

The marriage record does not prove that this is same Eliza A. Meek. Ben is in the 1870 census with his parents. There was an Eliza A. daughter of Barlow and there may be other unknown female children in this big group.

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James Meek

(1802- )

By Christopher A. Meek