Biography of J. A. Meek - Craighead Co, AR

***********************************************************
Submitted by: Unknown < >
        Date: 26 Sep 1998
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
***********************************************************

SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northeast Arkansas.
Goodspeed Publishers, 1889.

page 346

J. A. Meek, attorney at law at Jonesboro, Ark., was born in Lincoln
County, Tenn., April 8, 1830, and is the only son of Urban E. and Nancy
(Dean) Meek, who were natives of the “Old Volunteer State.” The paternal
grandfather, Alexander Meek, a native of Virginia, emigrated to Tennessee
at an early day, and was among its pioneer settlers. Moving later to
Marshall County, Miss., he was among the early settlers of that State,
which was still largely inhabited by Indians. Though at the time but
sixteen years of age, he was a soldier of the Revolution, participating
in the battles at King's Mountain and at Cowpens. He was with four
brothers and two uncles during his military service. After the war he was
a pensioner for service rendered; and returning to his farm resumed his
occupation. He died in 1858, at that time one hundred years of age. The
maternal grandfather, too, lived to be almost a centenarian. Urban E.
Meek built the first house in Chulahoma, Marshall County, Miss., and
resided there until his death in 1847. He was a farmer by occupation, and
was a prominent man in the county, having held several offices of honor
and trust. His wife died in 1848. They were the parents of two children:
Joseph A. and Minerva E., wife of James H. ilburn, of De Soto County,
Miss. Joseph A. Meek was reared in Holly Springs, Miss., and there
received his education. His parents having died when he was about fifteen
years of age, he worked his way through school until able to teach; and
while teaching school, studied medicine under Rev. Stark Depree, of De
Soto County, Miss. In 1857 he entered McDowell Medical College of St.
Louis, and at the beginning of the late war enlisted as assistant
surgeon, and served in that capacity until the close of hostilities. He
then returned to Harrisburg, Poinsett County, where he had gone in 1858,
and resumed his practice, remaining there until 1873. During that time he
was twice elected to the legislature, first in 1866, and afterward in
1871. He entered the Atlanta Medical College in 1871, and graduated in
September of that year. In 1873 he came to Jonesboro, where he practiced
his profession until 1883, when he gave up the medical profession and
began the practice of law, having been admitted to the bar in Poinsett
County. The circumstances attending his admission are interesting and
unique. Once, in 1858, being on trial, he defended himself, showing such
unusual tact and ability that he was admitted by a petition from the bar,
and without examination. In 1881 he was elected to the legislature from
Craighead County, and was re-elected in 1883 and 1888. He was first
married November 19, 1856, to Miss Madella Russell, of De Soto County,
Miss., who bore him two children. One of them is now deceased, and the
other, Jodella, is the wife of W. M. Robertson. Mrs. Meek died August 12,
1860, and June 7, of the following year, Mr. Meek was united in marriage
with Miss Caroline F. Parker, a native of North Carolina, and a graduate
of Chawan College. He has been for years a leader of his party in both
Poinsett and Craighead Counties, untiring in his labors, and deserving
the honors bestowed upon him. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and he
and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.