Mcnairy County TN Archives Biographies.....Meeks, Hon. Orvil L. 1822 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Jackie Rhodes kjrhodes@tycom.net July 3, 2007, 11:16 pm

Author: Tennessee History and Biographies, McNairy County

Hon. Orvil L. Meeks, farmer and miller, and one of the leading citizens of

District No. 14, is a son of John and Elizabeth (Lane) Meeks. He was born in

Lincoln County, Tenn., in 1822, and is the eldest child born to his parents. The

father was born in South Carolina in 1783, and was of Welsh-English descent. He

was reared in Georgia and received his education in the common schools, was a

farmer and mechanic, and was twice married, his first wife being Miss Elizabeth

Henderson. His second marriage occurred in 1819 in Franklin County, Tenn. He

removed to Lincoln County at a very early day, and from there to McNairy County

in 1844. He died about 1877. His father, Littleton Meeks, was also a native of

South Carolina, but afterward located in Georgia. He was for many years engaged

as a missionary among the Indians. The mother of our subject was born about 1806

and died at the age of seventy. She was a woman of rare intelligence, fine

culture and high moral attainments. Both parents were membes of the Primitive

Baptist Church, and much esteemed by their many friends. Our subject was reared

at home and recieved a common school education. In 1841 he came to McNairy

County, and in December, 1845, he married Miss Cynthia L., daughter of John and

Rebecca Chambers. In 1854 Mrs. Meeks died; she was the mother of the following

children: John C., a wholesale merchant at St. Louis, Mo.; Marcus W., merchant

at Corinth, Miss., and Orvil L. (deceased). October 11, 1859, Mr. Meeks married

Miss Martha Michie, a native of McNairy County, born in 1839, the daughter of G.

G. Michie, and a member of the Christian Church. This union resulted in the

birth of eleven children--three sons and eight daughters; George T., Lovinia,

James L., Henry, Zilpha (Mrs. David Sharp), Ellen, Josie, Kate, Lillie, Flora

and Lucretia. Mr. Meeks has been a resident of his present home since 1845, and

is the owner of about 1,500 acres of productive land, four miles southeat of

Ramer, nearly all of which he has acquired by his own industry. He is well known

throughout the county as one of its best and most successful citizens. He served

for some time as colonel of the militia. In 1855 he was elected by the

Democratic party to represent Hardeman, McNairy and Hardin Counties in the upper

branch of the State Legislature, where he served one term. During the latter

part of the late civil war he served for several months in Forrest's cavalry. In

politics he is a stanch and active Democrat, and cast his first presidential

vote for James K. Polk in 1844. He has been a Master Mason for over thirty

years, and is one of the country's most respected citizens.

Additional Comments:
Transcribed as printed from McNairy County History; Chickago and Nashville: The

Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1887 by Jackie Rhodes

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