Ohio University, Athens, Ohio - 1929-1931

Maurice F. Kline

 A cache of old college photos was just discovered, once owned by the fellow on the right - Maurice Kline (Father -Daniel Kline, Grandfather -Wesley Kline).  Maurice attended Ohio University for two years with his goal to become a lawyer.  
After a couple years, money was so tight during the Depression that he was forced to quit.

The group of about ten college photos are not labeled except for two, sadly.  (Label your photos!)

 This photo was captioned -

"East Hill, Jan. 25, '31, Athens, Ohio"

Maurice Kline is on the right.  The other man is not identified.

Written on the back of this photo -
"An Exhibition by the fraternity on Homecoming Day, Nov. 1931.  Wesleyan vs. Ohio U. at Athens Stadium.  Score for the game - Ohio, 19 and Wesleyan, 0.

Sigma Delta Rho, Zeta Chapter.
Census of drunk (intoxicated) taken by Mr. X of the Sigma Delta Rho = 287
Subject to error because of recorders condition at time."

This photo was unlabeled, but Maurice Kline is on the right side, second row with a young man standing in front of him, slightly to the viewer's right.
Where was this taken?  On campus? And what is this construction of stones?

Hidden in the Closet ...

Soon, posts will be written on the Kline family of Hocking County, Ohio, but to begin, I must use these two photos which were just discovered among others in a plastic bag in the closet.  I don't recall ever having seen them! 

First, there was this:

 As you can see, this photo is in horrible shape - full of fingerprints, dirt, and the photo covering is peeling away.  I feel fairly confident that this is a photo of Wesley Kline, gg-grandfather.  Compare it to this -

 Do you agree that it is the same man with only age as the difference?  This is Wesley Kline and Dora Myers Kline from Hocking County, Ohio.

I have searched and searched for something on Eureka Photos, but have found nothing.  Any help out there?

And with Wesley's photo was this one:

 Is this a young Dora?  

 What do you think? 

James E. Meek, son of William Meek - HIs Civil War Pension

Born about 1838, James E. Meek was the son of William Meek and Elizabeth Eaton of East Palestine, Unity Township, Columbiana County, Ohio. William was a brother to great-great grandfather, James Meek.

James E. first enlisted in Company D, 19th Regiment, Ohio Infantry, at East Palestine on September 26, 1861.  He later reenlisted at Flat Creek, Tennessee, on January 1, 1864 as a Private in Company E, same regiment, commanded by Captain Mepson.

He was captured at New Hope Church, Georgia, and imprisoned at Andersonville where he eventually died of starvation and chronic diarrhea.

Photo from Wikipedia

Conditions at this camp were horrific, and over 13,000 soldiers died of disease, exposure or starvation while held there. 
James, who died on July 29, 1864, was buried at Andersonville in what is now a national cemetery.

www.findagrave

 

After the war, parents of those soldiers were allowed to apply for a pension, and William Meek did so on August 23, 1887.  William Meek, however, died on September 26, 1887.  However, his widow took up the request and applied again for the pension.  Her plea was included in the pension records:

"New Waterford, O.
May 22, 1889

Mr. Tanney,
I rite you this morning as a poor Widdow my Husband having died some 2 years ago, after having applied for a pention for his son that served three years in the servises reinlisted and vary soon was taken prisoner and died from starvation in the Andersonville prison   his last words ware of home and Mother as there is a Comrad that was with him in the prison.  the soldier was James E. Meek, Co. D, 19 regiment O. V. I.  I raised him from a boy small child  the agent that had the claim in Hand rote me some time ago that the pention bureau would pay the nursing and funeral expences of my Husband and yesterday he rote me to let the case drop, steded thare was nothing in it for me.   now I think thare is something rong a bout this matter   if the pention bureau agreede to pay the nursing and funeral expences, why should they go back and if now you would only allow a little, a few hundred Dollars it would be very thankfully recieved and of a grete Blessing to a poor lone widdow, 
please answer this and, Oh, do say you can do something for me
Direct to Mrs. Elisabeth Meek, New Waterford, O., Columbiana Co."

Mrs. Meek also filed an affadavit, witnessed by a Notary Public, as to the amount she expected to be reimbursed:

"In the matter of the death of William Meek, dependant father of James Meek.  The undersigned respectfully testifies that she was at the expence of keeping the said William Meek During his last sickness, and expense of his burial.
Said sickness being Paralysis and lasting one year and eight months.  That the expense was at least eighteen dollars per month.  The burriel expens about fifty dollars more being a total of four hundred and ten dollars.
Elizabeth Meek ( her mark)
Sworn to before me this 21st day of May 1888. 
S. H. Maneval, Notary Public"

Elizabeth Meek failed to mention that she was not the biological mother of James E. and first wife of William, Elizabeth Eaton Meek.  She was William's second wife, Elizabeth Owen Meek.  Since William was the only one who was entitled to the pension as the biological father and he died just a month after filing for the pension, the money due would not even have been enough to pay the attorney, according to the pension bureau.  

In addition, James P. McGuire, wrote a letter to the pension board exposing the fraudulent claim of second wife, Elizabeth Owen Meek:

Youngstown, Ohio, August 11, 1890
Hon. ... Baum
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.
Dear Sir
The claim of Elizabeth Meek of Waterford, O. now being presented by C. F. Callehan of Youngstown, I consider a fraudalent one.  
1st she is not the mother of Jas. E. Meek. 
 2nd he was of age when he entered the army.  
3rd he had not been allowed to live at home or be sent for by his Father, Wm. Meek, for several years prior to going into the army, but made his own living in other homes, not being allowed to live at home by the woman who now seeks to get his money while he lays in an unknown grave, starved to death at Andersonville.  
4th Elizabeth Meek by will receivd all the property left by her husband Wm. Meek
5th she has 4 sons and 1 daughter who can take care of her when she has squandered what of right belonged to Wm. Meek's first children.
If you desire proof, let me know and I can get dozens of ...affidavits to the truth of my assertions.  I hope she will not be granted any pension as she is certainly not worthy of it in law or justice.
James P. McGuire.
228 East Wick St
Youngstown, Mahoning Co. O."    

What was the connection of James McGuire to Elizabeth Meek?  I don't know, but he was not happy about her attempt to trick the government into paying her, now that William was dead.  Did she think she could get away with it because she had the same name as the first wife?  

Someone else wanted to make sure the Pension Board knew that she was not the mother of James E. Meek.  L. A. Paxson, 69, a resident of East Palestine, Columbiana County, submitted an affidavit, which stated that he -
"was at the funeral of Elizabeth Meek, wife of William Meek.  Her maiden name was Eaton.  She died very suddenly, was found dead on the floor beside the wash tub where she had been washing.  She was burried at East Palestine.  Her grave is marked by a headstone (which show) the date of her death is cut showing that it was February 6, 1846.  She was the first wife of William Meek and the mother of James E. Meek who died in a Rebel Prison."  Oct 5, 1891

One final affidavit, given by James Hassen, gave an even more extensive picture of the life of William Meek and his relationship with his son, James:

"I was well acquainted with James E. Meek, the above named soldier prior to his entering the U. S. service and know that he never married and died without leaving a wife or child.
Before he entered the service, said soldier contributed largely to the support of his father.  The soldier worked at days labor and gave him money to assist him, and after entering the service, frequently sent him money.  That during the year 1864 said Wm. Meek had no income except that derived from his daily labor which did not exceed $150.00 during said year.  He was very corpulent which made it difficult for him to walk or do any heavy labor.
During said year - 1864 - and each year thereafter and at date of his death, he owned not to exceed five acres of land valued at about $500 and that his income from same and all other sources did not exceed $200.00 per year which was not sufficient to afford him and his family a comfortable support.  Said Wm. Meek died on Sep 26th, 1887.  
I make this statement from personal knowledge."

The notary public who witnessed Elizabeth's Meek prior pleas to the Pension Board took pity on her and wrote to the Pension Board himself, making a plea in Elizabeth's favor.

 

 Despite this last effort in 1892, the pension was denied, as it should have been.

This is not to diminish the life of Elizabeth Owen Meek, as she married William Meek, a widower with six children, one an infant, and did raise those children with four more of their own.  When William's first wife, Elizabeth Eaton, died on February 6, 1846, she had had a child every year since her marriage.  William married Elizabeth Owen then on July 26, 1846.  So she did raise all the children from their childhood, James being the oldest.  He was about 8 when they married.

On the earlier censuses, beginning in 1850, William named himself as a farmer, but from 1870 on, he listed himself as a tanner with land valued at $1000-$1500.  It would have been a hard life, with a few acres and no consistent means of employment.  It is easy to understand why James, who was single, contributed to his parents' welfare.  In 1887, William was 87 years old and sick and his wife was but five years younger.  Too old to work and living hand to mouth.  So the pension money for them could have helped immensely. 
However, thankfully, the government did look out for fraud in the system and this time, they found some.
 

Maud Meek Hood - Daughter of Hiram and Mary Meek

Maud Meek was one of the children who remained at home in Hicksville, Ohio to care for her family and her widowed father.  For a time, she also lived next door to her uncle, Solomon Meek, and aunt, Edna Cannon, and it would seem likely that she also helped them in their elderly years. 

Born on August 27, 1866, she married Thomas D. Hood on December 31, 1895 when she was twenty nine years old. Thomas worked at the handle factory in Hicksville as a stenographer.  The couple had three children: Mary C., born December 7, 1896; John H. (called Hiram), born February 5, 1898; and Thomas H. (called Howard), born March 24, 1904.

Maud died relatively young at 47 years old, a much beloved wife, mother and citizen as evidenced by her obituary:

"Memoir.
There are times in the nation and in communities when we stand as one family.  It was so at the bier of Garfield and again at the bier of McKinley.

It is so in this community today.  Our little village is thrown into mourning by the sudden, untimely death of our beloved friend, Maud Meek Hood.  Maud, daughter of Hiram and Mary Meek, was born Aug. 27, 1866, died after brief illness Monday, Feb. 9, 1914, aged 47 years, 5 months and 12 days.  She was fifth of a family of eight children, five girls and three boys; all of whom are living, excepting one brother who died in 1876.

She was reared and grew to womanhood in the vicinity of Hicksville, beloved in her home and by all who knew her. Here her sweet girlhood ripened into noble and beautiful womanhood.

She was graduated from the Hicksville High School in 1888, about the time of the death of her mother, when she assumed charge of her father's home and cheerfully mothered the entire family.

1888 Hicksville High School Graduates

Supt. S. S. Lutz
Olive LaRue-Austen, Angola. Ind.
Della Maxwell-Hilbert, Hicksville. Ohio
Gertrude Miller-Ackley (deceased)
Charles B. Brown (deceased)
Maud Meek-Hood (deceased)
Mercy E. Coulter-Dorsey (deceased)

One of her great ambitions when a girl, was to acquire a higher education; but this privilege she sweetly sacrificed, in order that she might preserve a comfortable happy home for her lonely father and the several sisters and brothers.  She was married Dec.31, 1895, to Thomas D. Hood, to which union were born three children, Mary, Hiram and Howard,all of whom survive her.

The death of this good woman removes from our midst a woman of rare qualities of mind and heart, a woman of extraordinary judicial and executive ability.  A natural leader, she was sought by religious, educational, fraternal and civic organizations to exert her powers in the achievement of their various purposes.

When convinced that  a cause was good, she set forth with a courage and determination to succeed that was an inspiration to all who knew her.

At the time of her death, she was a member of almost a dozen local organizations, being president of two, namely: The Ladies Aid Society of the M. E. church, and the local branch of the Child's Welfare League of America, when she was called to her eternal home.

Thus, while she was sincerely interested in all humanity and gave much time to public work, the writer, who knew her most intimately, cannot recall a single time when she neglected her home duties or her beloved family to perform any outside work.

She was locally renowned for her genuine hospitality.  Her home, tho simple in its appointments, radiated with the light and warmth of the true Christian home.

In the death of Mrs. Hood, there comes to all an admonition as to the uncertainty of life; but happily for her she was well prepared for the Master's summons."
 
Maud Meek Hood is buried in the Forest Home Cemetery in Hicksville, Ohio.

Ulysses Sydney Grant Meek- son of Hiram and Mary Meek

Known as Grant Meek, this son of Hiram and Mary Batchelor Meek was born on August 9, 1871.  His father, a Civil War veteran, honored his Union leader, U. S. Grant, by naming this son after him.  Grant attended Eureka College in Eureka, Illinois, where his brother, Seth, was a professor at the time.

On December 2, 1896, Grant married Alda M. Fish, the daughter of Gabriel and Martha Fish, in Defiance, Ohio.  In the 1900 census, they were enumerated in Hicksville, Ohio with their son, Carl W. Meek, age 2, born July 1897. (Carl's actual name was Ulysses Carl.)  Around 1901, the family started their move west.  
The Hicksville Tribune reported on August 1, 1907:
"Mrs. M. G. Fish left for Harrisburg, Neb. Monday to visit her daughter and family, Mr. and Mrs. Grant Meek. She will remain about four weeks and then return with Mr. Fish, who is there now."

In the 1910 census of Long Springs, Banner County, Nebraska, Grant Meek, 38, a farmer, and Alda Meek, 32, and their child, Carl V. Meek,12, were listed. Living with them were a niece, Nellie Kincade, 6, and a hired man, Elmer R. Fletcher, 18.  The Hicksville newspaper again recorded this on September 8, 1910:
" Mrs. Martha Fish returned Wed. of last week from a three months visit with her daughter, Mrs. Grant Meek and husband in Nebrask.  She brought her little granddaughter, Nellie Kincade,home with her, she having been out there since early spring."

Alda Meek, however, was not well. In 1914, she came back to Ohio, according to the Hicksville paper, to "take treatments."  "She is in very poor health, but her relatives and friends are hopeful for a speedy recovery.  She stayed from January until March.

By 1920, Grant was elected a Commissioner for Banner County, Nebraska, and he was a successful farmer.  The Lincoln Star noted on October 23, 1927:
"Grant Meek, a heavy grower of Banner County, will realize $1800 from his bean crop. Two other heavy growers of he valley have received checks for $1700 each.  Mr. Meek had beans and grain side by side in the path of hail last summer.  He lost nearly all his grain by hail, while the beans remained intact."

Through the 1920 and 1930 censuses, Carl remained at home, single, and working with his father on the farm.  On August 24, 1918, he registered for the World War I draft as Ulysses Carl Meek, 21, born in Hicksville, Ohio, employed by Grant Meek.  His physical description included light blue eyes and dark hair.  In 1930, he was 32.

In 1932, a terrible tragedy happened when a murder - suicide occured.  The Kearney Daily Hub of June 6, 1932:
"Kimball, Neb. June 6.  
Grant Meek, Banner county pioneer, died in a hospital here early yesterday from gunshot wounds inflicted by his wife who afterwards killed herself.  Meek was shot at the family homestead near Harrisburg Saturday night. His wife fired as he entered the living room of the home, then reloaded the heavy gauge shotgun and turned the gun on herself.  Meek was conscious up until a few minutes before he died."

No one will ever know the motive, although some blamed it on a brain tumor for Alda.  Perhaps it was mental illness?  The bodies were discovered by son, Carl.

Carl eventually married Emma E. ? and moved to Oregon.  They had two daughters, Alda and Anna and Emma brought five children into the marriage.  The 1940 census of Wallowa, Oregon showed Carl Meek, 42, Emma Meek, 41, Alda A., 4 and Anna, 2, along with step-children, James H. Palmer 19, Frank C. Palmer, 18, Ronald R. Palmer, 17, Blanche H. Palmer, 14,and Ellen M. Palmer, 13.
Carl died at about 84 and is buried in Oregon. 

Seth Eugene Meek - son of Hiram and Mary Meek

Great-Grandfather Samuel Meek's brother, Hiram Meek, of Mark Township, Defiance County, must have really emphasized education in his family, as well as a sense of adventure.  Almost all of his children were either involved with teaching in some way and/or traveled to the West to better themselves or both.

One of the best known of Hiram's children was Seth, who was named after one of Hiram's brothers who died as a youth.  Seth was born near Hicksville, Ohio on 01 April 1850.  Still living with his parents at age 21, as evidenced by the 1880 census, he was a student. He went to Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.


As part of his education, he was sent to Washington DC in 1884.

 He married Ella Tourner on Christmas Day, 1886 and the couple settled first in Illinois.  
The 1900 census found the couple enumerated at 57th Street in the Hyde Park District of Chicago on June 12th.  Seth was 41 and working as a curator in a museum, while Ella, 38, ran the home which included four lodgers, all teachers.
In 1910, Seth's occupation becomes more distinct as the census stated he worked at the Field Museum of Natural History as a naturalist.  He and Ella owned their own home on Lafayette Avenue, Chicago.

Seth was, in fact, a prominent ichthyologist (a scientist who studies fish), and he traveled all over Mexico, Panama, and areas of the United States documenting his finds.  (See Wikipedia.)  Not only was he an author of books and articles on the subject, but he also discovered an previously unknown species of fish and had a fish named after him! Although he lectured all over the country, he didn't forget his Defiance County roots.  An article in the December 12, 1912, Hicksville Tribune announced one of his hometown lectures.

Sadly, Seth died relatively young from heart trouble that developed from a fever that he contracted on a trip to Mexico.  In August 1915, this obituary appeared:

"HICKSVILLE MAN DEAD.
Prof. S. E. Meek, Assistant Curator of Zoology at Field Museum, Chicago, Succumbs.

Prof. Seth Eugene Meek, author, assistant curator of zoology at the Field Museum of Natural History, and a zoologist of renown, died suddenly of heart disease at his home, 6733 Lafayette avenue, last night.  Prof. Meek had been in ill health since his recent trip to Mexico for the Field Museum.  He contracted a fever which affected his heart.

Prof. Meek was born at Hicksville, April 1, 1850.  He graduated from the Indiana university at Bloomington, with a B. S. degree, received an A. M. degree in 1884, and a Ph.D. degree in 1886.  He then attended Cornell university.

In 1886, he married Miss Ella Tourner of Bloomington, Ind. and accepted the chair of natural science at Eureka college, Eureka, Ill.  In 1887, he accepted the chair of natural science at Coe college, Cedar Rapids, Ia., and in 1892, became assistant professor of zoology and geology at the University of Arkansas. In 1896, he was appointed a member of the United States fish commission, and a few months later became associated with the Field Museum in Chicago.

Among many of the important books written by Prof. Meek are 'The Fishes of Mexico North of the Isthmus of Tehauntepec,' and one called 'Fish and Reptiles.'

Prof. Meek leaves a widow.  The burial will take place in Bloomington, and arrangements have been made to hold a short service at the Lafayette avenue home today."
Chicago Tribune 

The couple had no children, but Ella had siblings in Bloomington for support.  By 1920, she had her brother, Henry, 66, living with her.  He owned a jewelry store.
The same situation occurred in 1930 with Ella, now 65,the owner of a home valued at $10,000, as head of household, and her brother, Henry, was living with her. In addition, her sister, Anna B. Tourner, single and 50, a high school teacher, was also there.

Additional obituaries and information appear on www.findagrave here here.http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Meek&GSfn=Seth+&GSmn=E&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSst=17&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=139175193&df=all&

O'Ella J. Meek Pile - Daughter of Hiram Meek

Hiram Meek, of Mark Township, Defiance County, Ohio was spoken of in an earlier post, but I've chosen to expand his history by adding some information on a few of his children, a few of whom became exceptionally successful in their careers.  Hiram was an uncle to grandmother, Emily Meek, so the children were her cousins.

First O'Ella Meek, who was known for her work in education. She and her cousin, Emily, were both teachers in Defiance County in their younger years.

Hiram's oldest daughter was O'Ella Josephine Meek, born on March 17, 1858, in Defiance County, Ohio.  In her early childhood years, her father was off, fighting for the Union in the Civil War.  Her mother, Mary Usk Batchelor Meek held the family together during those times.  When Ella was just a few days shy of 25, on March 15, 1883, she married another young educator, James Madison Pile. It is unknown how they met, as James was teaching Chicago, but it was probably through her brother, Seth..

The account of their wedding appeared in the Hicksville News-Tribune:
"From Six Corners - Married at the residence of the bride's parents on last Thursday evening at 7 o'clock, Mr. J. M. Pile and Miss O'Ella Meek.  The ceremony was performed by Rev. J. W. Lilly, in the presence of about fifty invited guests.  A short time after congratulations, lunch was served, which everybody present seemed to enjoy.  The following is a list of their presents:
Mr. Hiram Meek, father of the bride, gold watch and chain.
Mrs. Hiram Meek, mother of the bride, one hundred dollars in gold and a Domestic sewing machine.
Mr. R. F. Kerr and wife, E. W. Crook and wife, and Willard Jeffries, an upholstered easy chair.
Mr and Mrs. F. M. Thompson and I. E. Griffin,handsome tea set.
Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Willet, silver sugar bowl.
Mr. H. R. Bloomfield and Miss Nettie Bunnel, silver cake basket.
Miss Allie Taylor, of Bedford, Iowa, silver pie knife.
Mr. T. C. Batchelor, of Vernon, Indiana, set of silver knives and forks.
Mr. E. M. Bildelbrek, silver pickle castor.
Miss Almeda Platter, silver pie knife.
Mr. Will Cory, toilet set.
Miss Lida Olds(?), pair linen towels.
Miss Sadie Climo and Miss Kittie Meek, glass set
Mr. and Mrs. A. Goodin, shaving mug and candy apple
Miss Lillie Batchelor and Miss Carey Meek, bread plate.
Mr. J. M. Pile is a young man of excellent character.  He is at present Prof. of Mathematics in the Metropolitan College in Chicago, Ills.  The bride is well known in the county as one of our teachers.  The happy couple left on the night train for Bloomington, Indiana, to visit a few days with S. E. Meek, brother of the bride.  They will then go to Chicago, Ills. where they expect to reside in the future.  The best wishes of their numerous friends go with them."

In Illinois, O'Ella's first son was born, named Fred, in January 1884.  But as shown by the census in 1900, the next two children were born in Michigan in 1886 and 1889, and by 1900, they were in Nebraska.  The enumerator working in Wayne, Nebraska, found J. M. Pile, born Jan. 1858, born Kentucky, and married 18 years, with no occupation given.  O'Ella, his wife, had three children and all three survived: Fred, 16; Helen, 13; and James, 11.  Living with them were Anna Meek, O'Ella's sister, 28, single, and two cooks, Minnie Moran and Mary Ellison who perhaps worked at the school  connected with the Pile family.

James Madison Pile

In 1892, James Madison Pile, with the help of the citizens of Wayne, Nebraska, began the Wayne Normal School, with an eye to educating future teachers.  Later the college expanded its offerings to other fields.  Ella Meek Pile took an active role in educating the teachers and keeping up on current trends of the times in education.  In April 1895, she presented a lecture at the Northern Nebraska Teachers Association which met in Wayne, and in 1908, she was sent abroad with a group of teachers to study education in Europe.  

 Sadly, her husband's life was cut short on March 11, 1909.  The newspaper reports insinuated that his death was caused by his stress over borrowed funds for the college, however, they also said he suffered from jaundice.  In The Norfolk Weekly News-Journal, Norfolk, Nebraska on March 12, 1909, J. M. Pile's obituary appeared, which elaborated on the beginnings of the college:

"J. M. PILE IS DEAD.  FOUNDER OF WAYNE NORMAL SCHOOL PASSES AWAY.
DIES THURSDAY NOON.  PRESIDENT OF THRIVING COLLEGE AT TIME OF DEATH.
WORRIED HIMSELF TO DEATH.
Issuing 40,000 Worth of Bonds Two Years Ago, Prof. Pile Allowed the Debt to Weigh Heavily Upon HIm Until He Expired.

Wayne, Neb., March 11, Special to the News.
Professor J. M. Pile, professor and founder of the Wayne Normal College of this city, and one of the best known educators in the state, died at 11:00 o'clock this morning after a year's illness with yellow jaundice.

The news of the death was a great shock to the entire community and will be to all of northern Nebraska, where he was held in high esteem.  

Professor Pile came to Wayne in 1891 and started the normal school which grew into magnificient proportions.  The citizens of Wayne formed a company to back the school.  They bought eighty acres of land,platted it into town lots, sold the lots out at $25 each and with the proceeds, paid for the land and then turned the surplus over to Pile as a fund with which to start the college.  He agreed to maintain an educational institution and at the end of ten years, the property became his.

He has added mroe than $170,000 in improvements since that time, so that the institution is worth over $200,000 today.

Worried Himself to Death.
Two years ago Mr. Pile floated $40,000 of ten year 5 per cent bonds with which to add a new building.  He built a building costing $50,000.  Wayne citizens took these bonds. It is confidently believed that the weight of this new debt, which worried Mr. Pile very greatly, ultimately caused his death.

Among the pioneer citizens who formed the company years ago,making it possible for Mr. Pile to start the school here: A. L. Tucker, D. C. Main, John T. Bressler, Dan Harringto, R. Phileo, D. R. Theobold, A. J. Ferguson, A. A. Welch.  Recently, Mr. Pile started an agricultural school at the college. He dies leaving a splendid college, with fine buildings, four large dormitories, a residence that cost about $7000, thoroughbred stock and expansive grounds.  

The Wayne Normal College will stand for all time as a fitting monument to the constructive, persevering and unending efforts of a man of large mind and ability.  Mr. Pile was feeling well day before yesterday, though confined to his bed.  His friends hoped against hope for his recovery, though the physicians never really had any hope of his recovery, it is believed. 

School Offered To State.
The Nebraska state legislature is at this very moment considering the purchase of the Wayne normal college to make it into a state normal college.  Its fitness is recognized by those who know the school.  The offer to the state was prompted by the heavy weight of the last bonded indebtedness, which proved fatal today.  Mrs. Pile and the family are here.  Mr. PIle was over fifty years of age.  Twenty years ago, J. M. Pile came to Norfolk to build a normal college. Norfolk business men at that time declined to back his enterprise, and he went to Wayne where he has erected a lasting and permanent normal college of genuine worth."

College archives

 James was buried in the Greenwood Cemetery, Wayne County, Nebraska.  

The next year, Ella was still in Wayne, Nebraska, living on Twelfth Street.  Ellen (Ella) M. Pile, 52, a widow who had been married 27 years, had her own income.  She lived with her two sons, Fred M., 26, single and teaching, and James H., 22, also single and teaching.  Ella was the head of a boarding house or dormitory which housed twelve other young men, probably near or on the college campus.  Her daughter, Helen, had married George R. Newton and they were found in the Rochester, New York census, married ten months.  George was working for the railroad.

A newspaper article on August 27, 1920 in a North Platte, Nebraska, paper helped place Ella, still in Nebraska.  I could not locate her on the census.
"Mrs. Ella Pile, who resigned her position as superintendent of the state reformatory for girls at York, gave as her reasons for leaving that the institution was unsanitary and facilities for its operation were inadequate."
Son, Fred, was enumerated in Salt Lake City, Utah, age 35, single and working as a teacher.
He graduated from the University of Utah in Commerce and Finance in May, and immediately took a teaching job at the Weber School, in Ogden, Utah for that year.  In 1921, he and his mother moved to Rochester, New York.

By the 1925 New York State Census, Ella and Fred were in Rochester, New York, near daughter/sister, Helen Newton and her family.  Ella was 58 (68) and listed herself as retired.  At the time of the census, Fred had no occupation,

In the 1930 census, Ella and Fred were renting a home/apartment for $60 a month on Thurston Road, in Rochester.  Ella, at 72, was not working, while Fred, 44 and single, was a principal at a public school.  Fred had experience in school administration as he had taken over as president of the Wayne Normal College/Nebraska Normal College for awhile after his father died and he was noted as the youngest normal school president in the state.

Ella Josephine Meek Pile died on July 31, 1936, and a brief obituary appeared in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle on August 2:  
"PILE.  Mrs. Ella J. Pile, widow of James M. Pile, entered into rest Friday at her home, The Flanders Apartments, 440 Thurston Road.  She leaves two sons, Fred M. of Rochester, James H. Pile of Wayne, Nebraska, one daughter, Mrs. George R. Newton of Rochester, three sisters, Mrs. H. Hunton of Evanston, Ill., the Misses Anna and Kate Meek of Pasadena, California, also seven grandchildren.  The remains are resting at the Ashton Funeral Home...from where the funeral will be held Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock.  Burial at the convenience of the family."

Ella was taken back to Wayne, Nebraska, to be buried next to her husband, James.

   
 When her son, Fred, died in 1948 at the age of 64, he, too, was buried next to his parents.  Brief obituaries appeared in a number of upstate New York newspapers, and putting them together, we can piece together his life:

"Rochester.  Fred M. Pile, 64, school principal and former president of Nebraska Normal College of Wayne, Neb., died last night in Highland Hospital after an illness of three months."

"Pile joined the Rochester school system in 1921, heading several schools.  He was the principal of School 21 at the time of his death."

"Pile was born in Chicago. After graduation from the University of Utah, he became president of the Nebraska Normal College which his father had founded."

Son, James H. Pile (1888-1945) and his spouse, Mildred Rhea Cheney Pile (1895 - 1985) and their child, Cooper Eugene Pile (1935 - 1985) were also buried close by.

 
 

Eliza C. (Fuller) Meek's Estate - 1909-1911

When, great-great grandmother, Eliza C. (Fuller) Meek died on July 2, 1909, she left no will.  Of her seven children, five were living and named in the letters of administration as heirs, and son, David, was named as administrator. Two sons, William Oscar and Solomon predeceased their mother.  Also given were the addresses of the heirs, which was a good clue to further research.

From the estate papers,  quite a bit of information can be gleaned about her financial and personal life.  She still had a farm, or at least some interest in one, because somewhat less than half of the worth of the estate was due to the sale of oats, wheat, corn, hay and clover seed.  She also had money to loan - to her son, John Meek, $500 to finance his mortgage, and to E. E. Root and C.D. Hitt, $200, and to John Brown, $130.

Eliza must have been sickly at the end because a nurse was hired to care for her.  Mrs. Florence Conner was paid $8.50 for her services, and Mrs. Sherman Meek was also compensated $50 for care of the deceased during her last illness.

An interesting mystery to solve was indicated by one line in the debits of the estate.  A telegram was sent to Attica, Indiana concerning the death of Eliza.  Did she have a sibling or other relative who lived there?  Who was informed of Eliza's passing?

By 1911, the estate was settled with each heir receiving $200, with an additional $31.67 later and when a CD was cashed it, they also acquired another $18.91.  Not a huge amount, but a nice sum for 1911, considering her funeral cost much less than that.

 

Where Are You, John Meek, Son of James and Anna (Cooper) Meek?

The Children of James and Anna (Cooper) Meek

Samuel Meek (great-grandfather) 1824 - 1902

David Cooper Meek (Samuel's twin) 1824 - 1901

Enoch Meek #1 1825 - 1901

                     Hiram   1826/7 - 1909  (Elizabeth's twin)

Elizabeth  1826/7 -1907 
Seth     1827 - 1845

Sidnah  1830 - 1872
James  1833 - 1865

Ednah  1834 - 1910

*John  1836- ?

Beulah  1837 - 1912

Enoch #2   1840 - 1864

                                            Solomon  1842 - 1917

I have spent hours and hours and hours, trying to verify that I had located the John Meek, noted on the 1850 census of Columbiana County, Ohio with his widowed mother and all his siblings.  Twice, I thought I had him!  In each case, an obituary or other record dashed my hopes by listing different parents than James and Anna Meek.  

I'm going to write about at least one John Meek, as I have gathered so much research on him.  I thought, for sure, John W. Meek, who settled in Hicksville Township, Defiance County, Ohio, was my man.  The birth years matched, the birthplace matched, his daughter stayed with one of the above siblings and was listed as a cousin (but it meant cousin to the head of household), and he settled near all the other siblings. But his obituary listed different parents, so he was a cousin to the generation I was researching.  I can't find a death record or even a tombstone for him.   
F R U S T R A T E D ...

Here in the obituary that dashed my hopes...
Hicksville Tribune, Thursday, November 9, 1911

"MEEK
John Wesley Meek was born on a farm near East Palestine, Columbiana county, Ohio, October 24, 1836, and died at Hicksville, Ohio, November 4,1911, aged 75 years and 11 days.  He was of a family of seven children born to Samuel and Sydney Welch Meek, pioneer settlers of south-eastern Ohio, and spent his early years before the war in that part of the state, having learned the trade of blacksmithing in early manhood.
He was married to Elizabeth Mummert at Canton, Ohio, March 1, 1866, and this union was broken by her death which occurred September 2, 1890  

To them were born three daughters and one son, of whom the son, Phillip Clyde Meek and one daughter, Flora May Meek, still survive.  Shortly after their marriage in 1867, they removed to Defiance county, settling on a farm about two miles east of Hicksville, where they continued to live until the death of Mrs. Meek, except about two years in which they lived in Hicksville. 

After the death of Mrs. Meek, the deceased and his children moved to Hicksville, where they continued to live until his death.  He had no church affliation but his parents being devout Methodists, had him baptized in infancy.  He was a man of a very quiet and retiring disposition and possessed of a fine sense of honor and a high degree of integrity.  Mr. Meek belonged to that rapidly disappearing class of citizens and patriots known as the 'old soldiers,' whose deeds of self sacrifice and valor have endeared them to their countrymen, and whose merits and praises will be extolled in history and song so long as our united coutnry and its beloved institutions shall survive.

Few men had a more honorable army record than deceased.  He enlisted in Co A., 19 O. V. I., April 24, 1861, for three months service and received his discharge August 27 of same year.  He re-enlisted in Co. D. of the same regiment September 10, 1861, for three years or until the close of the war, and received his discharge December 31, 1863.  The following day, January 1, 1864, he re-enlisted in the same company as a veteran volunteer and served until the close of the war, receiving his discharge at San Antonio, Texas, October 24, 1865, having had a military service of four years and 6 months.

The company and regiment of which Mr. Meek was a member participated in 28 battles, some of which were the most sanguiinary engagements of the entire war, and included the battles of Rich Mountain, Shiloh, Perrysville, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Kenesaw Mountain, Franklin and Nashville.  At the Battle of Chickamauga, the impact of the heavy artillery firing was so severe that his hearing was effected, and this interfered with his intercourse amount his fellows in later life.

The greatest comfort of the declining years of the deceased was in his association with his old comrades in arms, and in recounting with them and living over the experiences, hardships and incidents of army life, and in the ministrations of the G. A. R. of which he was an active member, and at one time, Commander. 

His was a simple, quiet and unostentatious life, but it is to he and such as he that a thankful and devoted country abscribe the salvation and upon whose brows is placed the laurels of victory.

Funeral services were conducted from the Lutheran Church Monday afternoon, under the auspices of the G. A. R., Rev. Albert officiated.  Interment in Forest Home."

To follow him in the records:

1860 - John W. Meek, Unity Township, Columbiana County, 23 years old, a blacksmith living with Amos and Sidney Keeler, farmer and twin girls, Louisa and Alvina.  I think now that Sidney Keeler might have been his mother.

Marriage record found on familysearch.org for John W. Meek and Elizabeth Memert, Stark County, Ohio, 01 March 1866

1870 - Hicksville Twp, Defiance County, Ohio - John W. Meek, 33, blacksmith, and his wife, Elizabeth, 28, keeping house with Flora M., age 2.

1877 - Birth record in Defiance County for Maud G. Meek, born 14 June 1877, to John W. Meek and Elizabeth Munnert.

1880 - Birth record in Defiance County for Philip Clyde Meek, born 24 Jan 1880, to John W. Meek and Elizabeth Mumnert

1880 - Hicksville Twp, Defiance County, Ohio - John W. Meek, 43, Farmer, and Elisibeth, his wife, 39 and children, Flora May, 12; Otta O., 8, both daughters and Phillip C., 4 months old.  Maud must have died by this time.

Death Record - Defiance County, Elizabeth Meek, born c. 1842, Stark County, Ohio, died 24 September 1890, Hicksville Twp, age 48 years, 9 months, 10 days, of typhoid fever.
Also in 1890, John appeared on the Veterans Census of Defiance County, although it only showed part of his service as compared to the obituary.

In 1896, Flora had a baby out of wedlock and there was a huge scandal.  

Fort Wayne Weekly Journal, 26 November 1896

 Birth Record, Defiance County, OH - Male Bly, Parents - Flora M. Meek and Charles Bly, born 27 December 1896, Tiffin Twp, Defiance County, Ohio.  I believe that Flora was in the Defiance County Home at that time and she is enumerated there later, in 1920.  In 1900, she was living with John and  Beulah Sensenbaugh, according to the census, and is listed as a cousin, possibly of Beulah, but I could not find her in 1910.  Otta also disappeared from all records.

1900 Census - Hicksville - John Meeks, head, born October 1836, 63, widowed, landlord, owns his home. Living with him was only Clyde (Philip Clyde), his son, born May 1879, 21, single.  In 1900, Clyde P. Meek was also enumerated at the Ohio Institution for the Blind, Columbus, Ohio, age 20, single, a pupil, born Jan. 1880, which is the date that matches the 1880 census.  Possibly John reported incorrectly to the enumerator in 1900. 

1910 Census - Maple Street, Hicksville, OH - John Meeks,widowed, 78, has his own income, and Clyde, 30, single, owns a retail confectionary.

In 1911, John W. Meek died.

Clyde was blind, and in 1908, received a stipend from the county Blind Commission, one of seven in the county to get this.  He received $100 a year, but he was quite an entrepeneur, according to the papers of the times.  Known in Hicksville as the "blind boy," even when mature, he was often chosen to pick the winning tickets in raffles and lotteries, as then there could be no question of any cheating.  He ran a "peanut emporium," a cigar store, a shooting gallery in Butler, Indiana, a restaurant, and a bowling alley, first in Hicksville, then in Sherwood.

Clyde registered for the draft on September 12, 1918, at the age of 38, giving his birthday as January 24, 1880, and his address as 126 North Main, Bryan, OH.  His occupation was a self-employed owner of a pool room and bowling alley.  He described himself as of medium height,stout build with light brown hair and blind.  Someone noted, "Eyes gone."

The newspapers noted that he sold his Hicksville businesses in 1914 and 1915, and moved to Bryan. In 1920, he was enumerated in the Pulaski, Williams County, OH census.  Clyde Meek, head, 39, single, owned a bowling alley and lived with Pete Psars, partner, 28, single, immigrated 1907, alien from Turkey, spoke Greek, occupation, shoe shiner, working for wages.

This is where the trail ended...this is where I learned that I had the wrong man...
In genealogy, one travels many roads sometimes that do not follow a straight line.
So this is a cold case right now!
  


 

Bickering Bank Woes With Some Meeks

The players in this tale of money and banking are
Hiram Meek and his son-in-law, Thomas Hood (husband
to his daughter, Maud), his two unmarried daughters,
Anna and Kate, and his sister, Edna Meek Cannon.  
The newspaper article which tells the tale appeared in
The Tribune, Hicksville, Ohio, August 8, 1907.  

"BRINGS SUIT
Another Legal Action Follows Bank Closing.

Action was commenced last week at Defiance, by Leonard Dorsey and James Ames, against Hiram and Anna Meek. The complaint alleges the fraudulent sale to them of certain stocks or shares of the First National bank, while in the full knowledge that the institution was insolvent.

The outcome of this, with the previous suit mentioned in our last issue, will be watched with much curiosity by our citizens.  Suits by other parties of a similar kind may also be expected.

In the matter of the T. D. Hood sale of stock, Mr. Hood having been assistant cashier, a compromise has been reached that affects a settlement of the civil features of the case.  Mr. Lechner, the injured party, has been secured for the restitution of his purchase money, $1000. This, however, leaves him shy of about $300 that he paid as a premium on the stock.The wisdom of Mr. Hood returning here from California and making some kind of a settlement will readily be seen in considering the following:

On June first Mr. Lechner was approached to purchase the ten Hood shares in question.  At the time, Mr. Lechner paid down $100 to hold option on the stock, agreeing to have the remainder of the funds in a few days.  The stock was then in the name of Mr. Hood, and legally should have there remained until the option was carried out.  Three days after that, namely June 3, Hood transferred the title to his sister-in-law, Miss Anna Meek.  When the purchaser came forward to complete the conditions, it was she that then signed the stock to him..  This, of course, placed a supposed innocent second party between the transactions, but of course was not legal, as Hood held the stock in his name and received the first money.  

At the same time, to still more completely hedge, Mr. Hood transferred 39 shares out of forty he held in the Hart, Hood & Widney Incorporation, to his brother, leaving but one share of $100 remaining.

Simultaneously, Mr. Meek transferred his bank stock to Anna Meek, a daughter, and his real estate to Miss Kate Meek. Miss Anna Meek then transferred this stock to Messrs. Leonard and Allen Dorsey, and Mr. James Ames, laying foundation for the above cited suits at law.

Ascertaining that Miss Meek still has $2700 on deposit here, attachment papers were secured and Sheriff Kopp was here and served the same last Friday, attaching the same in the hands of the First National.  Other complications are expected as a result of the various sales and transfers of the stock, and hotly contested suits are sure to result.

To still add to the general mix-up, Mrs. Cannon, a widowed aunt of Mr. Hood, has taken judgement against him for $317.40, borrowed funds.  It is also understood that she will attack the validity of the transfer by Mr. Hood of the stocks to his brother. 

To counter, or choke her off, Mr. Hood is reportedly by his confidents as threatening to force her on to the tax duplicate with certain monies she has had in the bank for some time.  In the meantime, the bank has resumed with a clear slate and is once more one of our solid and worthy institutions."

Hmmm...I wonder how comfortable a family reunion might have been that year?