BIO: Millard F. MECKLEM, Beaver County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja & Joe Patterson Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/beaver.html http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/beaver/bios/bbios.htm Index for this bio book. _________________________________________________________________ BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. This Volume Contains Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Buffalo, N.Y., Chicago, Ill.: Biographical Publishing Company, 1899, pp. 182-184. _________________________________________________________________ HON. MILLARD F. MECKLEM. There are but few counties in the state of Pennsylvania that can boast of as many brilliant lawyers as Beaver. They are a class of citizens which, more than any other class, has the power to attract public attention to a community, thus materially aiding in its growth and development. The gentleman, whose name appears above, is one of the most conspicuous members of the bar of the county, and resides at Rochester, where he has an extensive practice. Profound in his knowledge of legal principles and gifted with the power of eloquence, he has long been a prominent figure in the public eye, - serving for some time as president judge of the district. Mr. Mecklem is a son of Archibald M. and Margaret (Thompson) Mecklem, and was born in Pittsburg, Pa., October 15, 1851. His grandfather was Samuel Mecklem, who, in the year 1800, came from the state of New Jersey to North Sewickley (now Marion) township, Beaver county, Pa., being one of the pioneers of that section, lying in the beautiful valley of Brush Creek. He purchased a tract of land BEAVER COUNTY 183 covered with timber, and in the wild state in which it was left by the hand of nature. Stately trees fell before the onslaught of civilization, and a wonderful transformation took place. A log house and barns were erected and the wild lands became fertile fields of pasture and grain. The nearest neighbors were far distant, but there this hardy old pioneer lived in happiness with his wife and children until his death. He married Rachel McDonald, who was of Scotch ancestry, and their children were as follows: Jethro; John; Eli; Samuel; Archibald M.; Gideon; Sarah, the wife of Joseph Wolf; and Eliza, who became the wife of James Jones. Archibald McDonald Mecklem was born on the old farm in 1806, and as he grew up aided in clearing it. At that early day, money was little used as a medium of exchange, and the produce of the farm was bartered for any article which was desired. It was not easy to obtain an education at that day, and books were very scarce. Ambitious, and not afraid. of work, Archibald and his brothers made some splint brooms by taking a green ash tree, pounding the wood, peeling it up from one end, a distance of fifteen inches, and then cutting the balance down to a handle. Happy in the thought of the books these would buy, they made their way to the store, several miles through the snow, and were dismayed to find that their product was rejected, as the market was flooded with just such articles. As the kind merchant noted their disappointment, he asked what it was they wished to buy, and upon being informed that it was books, his heart went out to them and the exchange was effected. Archibald's diligent search for knowledge led him to abandon the backwoods and seek the culture and refinement of city life. He was yet in his teens, when he went to Pittsburg, and there applied his hand to anything he could find to do. Energetic and saving, he laid by as much of his wages as he could, and in time was enabled to enter the grocery business, which he conducted for many years on Liberty street, near where the Union Station now is. In 1855, he sold out and opened a general merchandise store at Darlington, which he operated for fourteen years, with the best of results. In 1869, feeling the weight of years, he decided to lessen his business cares, and, accordingly, sold out, and kept a small store at North Sewickley. A few years later he died aged sixty-eight years, and was buried in the North Sewickley Cemetery. His first marriage (with Rachel Barris) resulted in the birth of several children, all of whom died in infancy. She died at a very early age, of consumption. Mr. Mecklem formed a second matrimonial alliance with Margaret Thompson, a daughter of Joseph Thompson, a pioneer farmer of North Sewickley, and they had the following issue: Rose, the wife of C. T. Crawford, of Esplin, Pa.; Millard F., the subject of this personal history; Joseph T., a farmer of Franklin township, Beaver county; Jane, the wife of S. S. Bennett, of Rochester; and Ross D., who died in infancy. Mrs. Mecklem died at the age of fifty-nine years. Mr. Mecklem was very 184 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES strongly opposed to slavery, and assisted in the working of the old "underground railroad." Religiously, he was a faithful adherent to the faith of the Baptist church. Millard F. Mecklem received a good intellectual training and male the best of his advantages, attending the public schools of Darlington, the North Sewickley Academy, and a private school at the latter place. He taught for several years in the public schools, and then, having decided upon a professional career, registered as a law student in the office of Chamberlain & Pearsol, of New Brighton. He was admitted to the bar on March 10, 1882, and in the fall of that year located at Rochester, where he has since practiced his profession. In 1883, he was elected burgess of Rochester and served with such satisfactory results, that he was five times re-elected. Being a careful and faithful student, and withal, clear minded, he has acquired a fair knowledge of the law, and has secured a large clientage. He rose rapidly in his profession and was chosen district attorney, an office he held for five and one-half years, when he resigned to accept the position of president judge. He succeeded president judge John I. Wickham (who had resigned), and was appointed by Gov. Hastings, being the unanimous choice of the county. Mr. Mecklem then appointed D. M. Twiford, Esq., as his successor as district attorney. He meted out justice in an honest and impartial manner, obtaining favor with the public and the lawyers who practiced, in his court. Upon the expiration of his term, before anyone had left the courtroom he was presented with a beautiful gold-headed cane by W. B. Cuthbertson, Esq., and other well-known attorneys made remarks as to his ability and the esteem in which he was held by all. The Judge accepted in a fitting manner, and with his characteristic, unassuming style. In 1895, he became a director of the First National Bank, of Rochester. In 1881, Judge Mecklem was united in marriage with Ella Jackson, a daughter of Robert and Eliza (Thompson) Jackson, of North Sewickley township, and their children are: Erie Homer, Norman Jackson, Ella and Margaret Millard. Fraternally, he is a member of the Royal Arcanum and the Order of Elks. He is a member of the Baptist church, and his wife is a consistent member of the Presbyterian church. In 1890, Mr. Mecklem sold the home in which he lived, on Pennsylvania street, and built a handsome residence and office at the corner of Madison and Connecticut streets.