BIO: Frank E. MEILY, Lebanon County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Abby Bowman

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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Biographical Annals of Lebanon County Pennsylvania.
Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1904
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Pages 24-25

FRANK E. MEILY, one of the most prominent citizens and members of the Bar at 
Lebanon, and ex-judge of the Lebanon county court, was born in Lebanon October 
21, 1855, and is a son of the late Charles H. Meily, who was born on the Meily 
homestead, on the southeast corner of Ninth and Walnut streets, Lebanon, in 
1827, and died in May, 1890.  He married Sarah, daughter of Michael Steckbeck, 
and she died in 1889.  To this union children as follows were born:  Elizabeth, 
who married the late Joseph H. Light, the distinguished editor of the Lebanon 
News; Henrietta, who is unmarried; Alice; Emanual G.; Nora M.; Charles H., Jr., 
deceased; and Frank E.  In his younger days Charles H. Meily served as a clerk 
in a general merchandise store in Lebanon, but in 1857 he embarked in the lumber 
business with the late Judge Adolphus Reinoehl, under the firm name of Reinoehl 
& Meily, and continued that connection until a short time prior to his death.  
Mr. Meily was prominent in politics, and took an active part in local affairs, 
holding several offices, among which was that of treasurer of the school board.  
Socially he was a member of the Masonic fraternity and the order of Odd Fellows.

Emanuel Meily, the grandfather, was a native of Lebanon.  He was a weaver of 
carpets and old-fashioned quilts, and some specimens of his skill are still to 
be found among the people of Lebanon, his name being woven in the corner, and 
these are highly prized.  He married a Miss Shoemaker, and had issue as follows:  
Emanuel, now of California; John, deceased; George, now of Illinois; Edward, 
deceased; Samuel, deceased; Joseph, deceased; Milton, now of South America; and 
Charles H.

Judge Frank E. Meily graduated from the Lebanon high school and then entered 
Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pa., where he was graduated in 1876, taking first 
honors, being valedictorian of his class.  After his graduation he read law in 
the office of the late W. M. Derr, of Lebanon, and was admitted to the Lebanon 
county Bar in 1879, and subsequently to the Bars of all the other courts.  In 
1892 he was elected city solicitor of Lebanon, and in January, 1894, was 
appointed by Gov. Pattison Judge of the Lebanon County Court, which had just 
been created by the Legislature, the act making Lebanon county a judicial 
district by itself.  This position was held by him with distinction until the 
next general election, the following year.  Judge Meily is a man of wide 
experience, exhaustive reading and rare ability.  His mind is quick to act, but 
it is governed by a calm, keen judgment, which carefully weighs each side before 
deciding, and few men are better qualified naturally to uphold the law and 
defend the innocent.