Person:Jeremiah Meek (1)

Information on Jeremiah Meek, his wife and children from: Christopher A. Meek, 242 Scotch Ridge Road, Carlisle, Iowa 50047 The Meek Family Of Hancock Co.,IN and Jasper Co., IA By Christopher A. Meek Jeremiah Meek was born about 1794 in Henry Co., KY. His father, Bazil Meek, had moved to the area several years earlier with his grandfather John Meek. At that time the area was part of Kentucky Co., VA. Kentucky became a state in 1792 and the area became Shelby Co., KY from Jefferson County. Jeremiah's father likely married in Shelby County. However, we have not been able to determine the family name of his wife Elizabeth. Henry County was formed in 1799. While it is fortunate that sufficient records were available to connect Jeremiah to his father and prove the identity of his wife and children, there is very little that sheds any light on what his life was like. He appeared to be a simple farmer in a large family of farmers. According to marriage records, Jeremiah married Rachel Rawlings on 29 Dec 1815. She was the daughter of Daniel Rawlings and Sarah Nuttle. Her name in some records helped establish the connection between Jeremiah and his father Bazil. As the oldest child in the family, Jeremiah started farming with his father when he became an adult. Early deed records suggest that he quickly began managing the family affairs as he was purchasing land in his father's name. His name appeared in the 1820 census and various tax records. Deed Book 7 Page 189, 24 June 1818 Jeremiah Meek to Bazil Meek, both of Henry County, Kentucky $100.00 for tract of land on waters of Drennon Lick Creek being part of Vincent Williams 2000 acre survey, patent bearing date 5 march 1805. Bounded by Jesse Meek to correct deed of January 2, 1816 by Abraham Hite to Jeremiah Meek for 150 acres he ought to have conveyed to my father Bazil Meek one hundred acres and to Jeremiah Meek, 50 acres signed Jeremiah (x) Meek Rachel (x) Meek Hancock Co., IN Jeremiah was one of eight sons of Bazil Meek. All of them grew to adulthood in Henry County. About 1828 Jeremiah moves to Hancock Co., IN with his parents. Jeremiah's name ceases to appear from the tax records. They left the rest of the family in Henry County where they remained for another 20 years. The reason for this move is not known and seems curious given the fact that the rest of the family did not move with them. However, they were not moving to unfamiliar territory. Some of Basil's brother's, who left Henry County 20 years earlier, had become established in Hancock County. Both Basil and Jeremiah appear in the 1830 census of Hancock County. Basil died on 19 Oct 1830 at the age of 56. Jeremiah died in 1831, at the age of 37, as he appears in the probate records. It is not known what caused these deaths. The probate record proves the existence of four of Jeremiah's five children. Jeremiah's wife, Rachel, married (2) Harmon Warram(Wearum) before May 1833 where she uses his name in probate records. They were divorced 1 Apr 1843 according to court records. She appears in the 1850 census of Hancock County residing with her daughter, Eliza. She is likely the person appearing in the 1870 census of Jasper Co., IA living with her son Stephen. Jeremiah's children Eliza Ann Meek was born about 1816. She married Moses Meek. He was a son of her guardian, Jeremiah Meek. This Jeremiah was a brother of her grandfather, Bazil. It is believed that she remained in Hancock County. She died in 1893. John Henry Meek was born 16 mar 1820. He married Nancy Anderson 28 Aug 1841. He moved to Madison Co., IN and died there in 12 Oct 1899. Levi Nuttle Meek was born about 1821. Stephen Basil Meek was born about 1825. He married Margaret J. Skinner 10 Aug 1848. He migrated with his brother Levi to Jasper Co., IA. Alice Meek was born between 1825 and 1830. He existence of this person is not at all certain. Levi's probate record makes a vague reference to an infant child. The William Meek family bible lists a child named Alice. However, this records has many errors. It is not known what happened to this person. Levi Meek Levi was born about 1821 in Henry Co., KY. Probate records prove the connection to his father. He married Ruth Amanda Likins 4 Dec 1845 in Hancock Co., IN, according to marriage records. She was the daughter of Leonard Likins and Ruth Carter. Little is known of their time in Hancock County. They appeared in the 1850 census of Center Township, Hancock County. His occupation was listed as a tailor. About 1853, Levi, his brother Stephen and his father-in-law move to Jasper Co., IA. Jasper Co., IA Levi and his family appear in the 1856 Iowa census. He received 40 acres on 13 Jun 1853 described as the NW 1/4 of NW 1/4 Section 22, Township 79N, Range 18W. The 1860 census shows them in the same area now known as Buena Vista Township. In October of 1869 he sold land in Section 18 and kept 81 acres. On 20 Dec 1869 he purchased 40 acres in Section 21. Levi and Ruth produced a family of 12 sons and 2 daughters. Six of the children died young or in early adulthood. Four of his sons became teachers in central Iowa. About 1870 Levi takes his family to Kansas. He appeared in the 1870 census of Osage TWP, Labette Co., KS dated June 7th. His occupation was listed as a farmer. While the reason for the move is not known, it is known that other members of the extended Meek family from Hancock County had previously moved there. Land was becoming available in the West during this time period. Levi died in 1871 at Cherryvale, KS according to the bible of his son William. He was 50 years old. This clearly disrupted whatever plan the family had. Ruth returns to Jasper County in 1872 where some of her sons had remained. Ruth lives on her own for several years in Jasper County. Eventually she starts living with her children in central Iowa. About 1908 she moves to Rapids City, SD with her daughter Ollie. Ruth dies in Rapid City on 11 Feb 1914 according to her obituary. Noble W. Meek Levi's son, Noble, appears to be the only member of the family that continues in Kansas. By 1891 he has moved to Logan Co., OK. However, the adventure does not last. By 1907 he is in Springfield, Missouri and by 1909 he has returned to Central Iowa. The majority of the family remained in central Iowa for 50 years. While many of Levi's descendants remain, the family has now spread throughout the country.