BIO: Reuben Heron MEEK, Centre County, Pennsylvania

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the 
Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, page 124

REUBEN H. MEEK. Among the sturdy Scotch who came from Edinburgh, Scotland, to 
America before the Revolutionary war, was Rebert Meek and his family, who 
located in Maryland. From there six of his sons enlisted in the war of 
Independence, and three of them gave up their lives for their country. John 
and William were taken prisoners, and while their fate was never definitely 
known, it was generally supposed they were among the victims that were fed on 
lime bread. Jonathan Wales, their body servant, as he was called, watched 
the prison until he saw two boxes of unusual length carried out; then he was 
convinced they were dead, as the Meeks were remarkably tall, one being six 
feet seven inches, and the other six feet four inches high. A third brother, 
Robert, was killed in battle.
  Capt. George Meek entered the service with his brothers. The father, Robert 
Meek, owned property in Cumberland county in 1761. The family of George Meek 
lived near Lewistown (now Mifflin county) in 1780, and he came into Centre 
county with James Harris on a surveying expedition in 1784. On the 21st of 
January, 1790, he took up a tract of land in Ferguson township, which is 
still owned by the Meeks. His children were: Mary, John, Robert, David, 
William, Sarah, Isabella and Jane.
  William married Elizabeth Breckinridge, whose family had settled in 
Huntingdon county about three miles southeast of McConnellstown, on the road 
leading from Huntingdon to Bedford, and where the father, eldest sister and 
younger brother had been murdered by the Indians. He settled on that part of 
his father's tract now known as the David G. Meek farm, and died in 1806, 
leaving his wife and four sons and a daughter born three months after the 
father's death. The children were: John B., born June 5, 1797, died in 
Washington, D.C., November 28, 1868; George W., born September 14, 1799, died 
May 27, 1877; Reuben H.; William J.; and Harriet Jane, who married James 
McCartney, and died in Bolivar, Penn., in 1881.
  Reuben Heron, the third child of William and Elizabeth Breckinridge Meek, 
was born on the 6th of October, 1801, at his father's home in Ferguson 
township. His mother, a woman of wonderful energy and ability, coveted for 
her children a good education, and gave them the best she could; John and 
Reuben were sent to Lewistown to school, but she compelled her boys, each 
one, except George, who looked after the farm, to learn a trade. Reuben she 
apprenticed to a blacksmith. Some time after learning his trade he went to 
Philipsburg where he taught school, and studied with his brother John, who 
lived there. He began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Lorraine; 
but was obliged finally to give up his cherished plan of becoming a 
physician, on account of his health, broken by sickness.
  In 1832 he married Mary Ann Gray, youngest daughter of Peter Gray, one of 
the pioneers of Patton township, and settled on a part of the old Gray 
homestead, where he lived until his death, March 7, 1873.
  Few men are endowed with a nature so affectionate and lovable, a mind so 
clear and bright, an exceptional memory, a personality pleasing and 
attractive, and so great a love of humor. Fond of books, he was a careful and 
a constant

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.  125

reader, an excellent talker, and his sweet voice and genial presence linger 
yet in the memory of those who heard him sing at camp meetings, address an 
assembly, or relate a good story. As long as he lived he was genuinely kind 
to every one, and ever considerate of others. His home, ever a pleasant 
meeting place for his friends, was always open to the needy and distressed.
  In politics he was an ardent Democrat, and loved his party; but his 
devotion to its principles were actuated by honest conviction. He never 
aspired to an office nor would he accept any.
  Converted at the age of seventeen, he was a thorough and loyal and lifelong 
Methodist, especially concerned about immortal things, holding both God and 
man near his heart, and giving himself out in the interest of both. He was 
instrumental in organizing the first Sabbath-school in Half Moon Valley, and 
was devoted to the work always.
  On April 14th, five weeks after his death, his wife died, in the fifty-
sixth year of her age. She was well known for her beauty in her younger days, 
and all through her life, hospitality, gentleness, unselfishness and devotion 
to duty distinguished her character.