BIO:  CHARLES BAUMSTER MECK, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
   
  Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Joe Patterson
  OCRed by Judy Banja

  Copyright 2004.  All rights reserved.
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/
  _____________________________________________________________

  >From Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,
  Chicago: The Genealogical Publishing Co., 1905, pages 804-805
  _____________________________________________________________

  NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios:
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/zeamer/

 
    CHARLES BAUMSTER MECK (deceased), formerly engaged at his trade of saddler
  in Carlisle, Cumberland county, is descended from early Pennsylvania
  pioneers. The Meck family is connected with the Bretz family, the founder of
  which landed at Philadelphia in 1750; and with the Baumgartner family, one of
  whom was an old Boniface in Harrisburg in the early days.

    Jacob Meck, father of Charles B., was a son of Henry Meck, and was born in
  Perry county, Pa., where his early years were passed. He received some
  education in the district schools, but was, after the custom of the time,
  soon put to work to earn his own way. His boyhood was passed on a farm.
  Coming in young manhood to Cumberland county, he began a business career that
  was financially successful, but which included a variety of occupations. For
  some time he was the landlord of the "Rising Sun" tavern, two miles above
  Carlisle, a popular resting place for the teamsters on the way to and from
  Baltimore. He, himself, also teamed to Baltimore at one time. Later he kept a
  tavern on what is now the vacant lot next to the New Lutheran Church,
  Carlisle. He also followed butchering, having an establishment near
  Plainfield, and attending the Carlisle market. On Jan. 7, 1819, he married
  Sarah Fossler, a native of Cumberland county, who bore him nine children, as
  follows: Ephraim, born Oct. 19, 1819, married, and died in Harrisburg;
  Leander William, born Aug. 10, 1821, died young; Humphrey Jacob, born Sept.
  10, 1822, a Methodist minister, married Sarah Elliott, and died in
  Logansport, Ind.; Alexander F., born May 28, 1825, a coachmaker, married
  Sarah Parkinson, and died in Carlisle; Mary Isabella, born Sept. 4, 1827,
  died young; Sarah, born Aug. 13, 1829, died young; Charles Baumster, born
  March 8, 1832; Margaretta, born Oct. 31, 1834, died young; and John D. Jacob
  Meck, the father, died in 1846, near Plainfield, and his wife passed away in
  Carlisle in 1844.

    Charles B. Meck was born in Cumberland county, and there grew to manhood
  and spent his life. In his youth he learned the saddler's trade, and
  consistently followed that occupation all his life, attaining no little skill

    CUMBERLAND COUNTY.  805

  in his line. He had as a partner Robert R. Noble, and their shop was located
  on Main street. He passed away at his home May 4, 1888, in the faith of the
  Lutheran Church. Earlier he had belonged to the Methodist faith, but
  eventually became a member of the First Lutheran Congregation. His politics
  were Republican, and he was active in local party work, and for some time he
  served as constable.

    On April 14, 1870, in Harrisburg, Mr. Meck was united in marriage, by Rev.
  G. F. Stelling, pastor of the First Lutheran Church, to Sophia Comp. Two
  children blessed this union; William H., who died at the age of three years;
  and Helen Augusta, who graduated at the Carlisle high school in 1898, and is
  now at home with her mother. Mr. Meck was a man of strict integrity, and was
  highly respected in the business world. He was kind to his family, and was
  greatly missed among his many friends.

    Mrs. Sophia (Comp) Meck was born on a farm near New Bloomfield, in Perry
  county, March 8, 1844, a daughter of Andrew Comp, and there was reared to
  womanhood. She has managed her affairs since her husband's death with a
  marked business ability, but with it all has kept her home a true home, like
  the noble woman she is.

    Andrew Comp was born near New Bloomfield and was a farmer all his life. He
  died in the spring of 1854, and his wife, Abigail Sunday, a native of the
  same neighborhood, died some years later. Andrew Comp was a son of Andrew
  Comp, Sr., one of the best known farmers in Perry county in his day, who died
  on his farm, leaving a large estate.