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.

 
 

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?

Hiram Meek - His Pension Record

Hiram Meek was a patriot and soldier who served
twice during the Civil War, once as a Second Lieutenant in Company D, 111th Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  He resigned after several years in January 1864, due to his health.  Then we went back again in March of 1865, first as a recruiter and then as a Captain in Company D of the 195th O.V. I. 

A Civil War soldier or his widow or even a dependent mother or father could apply for a pension.  The pension laws became liberalized over time, so an applicant could keep requesting more money, depending on what claims he made. From Hiram's pension file, obtained from the National Archives, it appeared that his first pension was $3.75 a month, based on his resignation due to poor health in 1864.  He claimed chronic diarrhea or dysentry, which was a very, very common complaint among all the soldiers.


In the Disability Act of 1890, the government granted pensions to any soldier or sailor (Union) who had served 90 days and was now incapacitated for manual labor, to the point where he could not support himself.  If a man could prove this, he would be allowed an extra pension of $6 - $12 a month.  One source noted that pensioners increased from 300,000 in 1885 to over a million by 1893, stressing the government's budget, and allowing fraud to enter the process.  In 1894, it was required that extensive testimony be given from neighbors, employers, or fellow soldiers in proof of a claimant's disability and the fact that it was a result as his service as a soldier. 

Hiram Meek's file is a wealth of affadavits and depositions, hoping to prove that he obtained a hernia/ rupture while serving in Kentucky and because of that, he could not do manual labor.  He began the process as early as 1892, and by December 1895, the government began the process of interviewing people Hiram knew. He had paid a lawyer, F. M. Thompson, to file his claim at a $2.00 cost, and Hiram wanted only Hiram Hootman interviewed because they had served together in the war and had shared a tent.  E. W. Pierce, the Special Examiner from the Pension Office, did not like that idea, however, and proceeded to interview at least ten other acquaintances.

The whole process began with Hiram Meek's deposition to Mr. Pierce on October 24, 1895. Some pages seem to be missing, but to hear his voice tell his own story was wonderful, so I present it here:
  
"I am 68 years old and my residence and P. O. address is Hicksville, Ohio.  I am the same Hiram Meek who served in Co. F 111th O.V.I. from Aug. '62 to Jan. '64.  I resigned on account of being unable for duty on account of chronic diarrhea for which I am pensioned at $6.00 per mo.  I am also claimant for pension on account of rupture of left side which I incurred late in the fall, Nov. or Dec. '62 when the Co. was at Fort Baker near Bowling Green, Ky. the first winter we were out.

For five years before I went in the service, I lived five miles N.E. of HIcksville, Defiance Co., O. on a farm.  I was 37 years old when I went in the service. I had lived in that neighborhood seven or eight years.  Before that I was a single man knocking around from place to place- was four years in California.  Made my home at East Palestine, Columbiana Co., O. just before coming here.  I do not remember that I ever had an accident happen to me before the service.  I was never injured about the groin or the lower part of the abdomen in any way.  I never had anything like a rupture before I went in the service.  I did not know what a rupture was.  Had never seen one before the service.

Prior -Frederick...no, Joseph Miller knew me well before I went in the service. The men who knew me most intimately are dead.  Philip Miller lived a half mile from me and I changed works with him a good deal.  He is dead.  John Lawson was another near neighbor. He is dead.  Amos Forlow is living and he knew me well and lived less than a half a mile from me. Also John L. Ginter, Chesaning, Saginaw Co., Mich. and William Crow, 6 1/2 miles N.E. here. These are all I can think of who knew me intimately before I went in the service.
Robert Chaiss, Unity, Columbiana Co., Ohio, knew me well while I lived there - worked for him some.  I can not remember anyone else there except an Aunt Agnes Meek, East Palestine, Columbiana Co., Ohio and Samuel Eaton of some place, a cousin.

In service-
The regiment spent the first winter we were out at Bowling Green, Ky.  Our Co. was detached and located at Fort Baker two or three miles from town.  My rupture, left side, came on me in the following manner.  I had a bad cold and cough and I was taking a sweat to break it up, had gone to bed and was covered up as closely as I could.  Thereafter I had gone to sleep, a citizen came into the fort and reported some spies in his neighborhood about seven miles from the fort.  The noise he made with the men talking waked me up.  I was sweating freely.  The Capt. was away from the Co.  The First Lieut. said he couldn't go and I felt it was my duty and raised up in bed and said, "I'll go."  So I dressed myself as warmly as I could and with a detail of eight men and a Sergt. went out with the citizen as a guide and captured the spies and brought them back to camp.  We left the fort about midnight and got back about daylight.  It was a cold night and snow on the ground - one of the coldish nights I experienced in Kentucky.

As a result of the experience, I took more cold and I had a terrible cough.  It seemed as if I would cough my lungs out.  It lasted about a week.  I got very sore across the lower part of my abdomen and a lump as large as a hickory nut with the shuck off came where this rupture is now.  I didn't know what it was until Hiram Hootman of my Co. saw me dressing one morning and called my attention to it, and told me it was a rupture.  It was on the left side exactly where it is now.   The other Lieut. Callender, is dead.  I do not know that any one but Hiram Hootman saw this rupture in service.  It did not bother me so much after my cough got better.  I could not wear my sword belt around me without being in misery and I only wore my sword belt after that when it was absolutely necessary on dress parade or something of that kind.  This fact would be known to most anyone in the Co.  I did not wear a truss in service.  
I do not remember as First Lieut. John W. Cleland.  That must be a mistake. Johnson O. Took was made a 2nd Lieut. after I left the Co.  The Ex'r made a mistaking in calling for list of comrades in this case - giving date of discharge as Dec. 18, '65 from F 111th OVI when correct date is Jan. 16, '64.  Dec.'65 was date of discharge from second service and no list of comrades from second service is with the case.

I bunked with Capt. John E. Hill and Lieut. Callender. Callender is dead.  Hill was state treasurer of Nebraska, P. O. Omaha, I think.  He was a defaulter, I think, in that office, and I understand his testimony in that office is not accepted by the Department.  Serts. Beebe and Sweet might know something about it though I did not complain of it much.  See Jonas Miller, Hicksville, O., Hiram Rice, Farmer, O. & E. E. Hall, Hicksville, O.

After resigning from Co. F. 111 OVI I came back to my farm here in Defiance Co., O. and worked on the farm, where I was able to work until I went out in Co. D. 195th OVI in Mch. '65.  I had partially recovered my health and thought I could stand it again.  My rupture did not get any worse and did not give me any pain unless I lifted.  I did not wear a truss - did not consult a doctor about it - did not show it to anyone that I remember.  My wife is not living.  The hardest service I had in the 195 OVI was the marching.  I was Capt. of the Co. and being Capt. had opportunities to take good care of myself and did.  I did not know a man in the Co. until I made their acquaintance officially.  The men who slept in my tent were 2nd Lieut. H. H. Peppard, W. Unity, Williams Co., O. and First Lieut. H. B. Taylor who was in Toledo, O. the last I heard of him.  They would be the only ones in the Co. who would know anything about it and I do not know whether they would or not.  I do not remember whether I called their attention to my rupture or not.  It kept about the same size during my service in the 195th OVI.

After I came home from my service in 195th Regt. the next spring, I went to Dr. Kinmont of this place and he told me by all means to get a truss and put it on which I did and I haven't been a day without a truss since there.  I have heard the above read over and my answers are correctly recorded."  Hiram Meek"

Advertisement found that shows the truss that might have been used by Hiram

So Mr. Pierce, the government examiner, began his work interviewing witnesses and taking their depositions.  Between December 9 and December 13, 1895, he took the statements of H. H. Peppard, Alice Fritz, Samuel K. Fritz, Hiram F. Rice, Wm. H. Crow, Amos Forlow, Edwin E. Hale, C. R. Curtiss and Hiram C. Hootman.  He also spoke to Christopher Mierly, John Sleesman, F. H. Horton, Enoch Randall, Emanuel Byers and Wm. Roan, but decided that they had no knowledge to add to the case. In addition, he had testimony and a complete health history of Hiram from Dr. Rakestraw and Dr. Kinmont from Hicksville.  Mr. Pierce also noted that Hiram was a man of excellent reputation and he was "universally well spoken of in the community."  

Hiram Hootman's testimony was positive for Hiram Meek

Pierce rated the witnesses from Excellent to Not Good.  A few soldiers remembered that it hurt Hiram to wear his sword belt so he carried it over his shoulders and that he had complained of a rupture.  Some of the neighbors testified that they knew he couldn't work for long periods at a time or that he often put his hands in his pants to push down on his abdomen. Others knew nothing of a rupture. One set of neighbors seemed biased against Hiram, so they were rated as poor witnesses. 

Pierce put all these together and submitted them to the Commissioner of Pensions. The request was put under investigation

At one point during this process, Hiram went out to Wayne, Nebraska, to stay with his daughter Ella Meek Pile.  While there, he was granted $20 a month, total disability, under the Act of February 6, 1907, due to his old age.  He did not reap this for long, however, as he died in 1909.

Last pension given to Hiram Meek.  His daughter, Ella Pile was his witness in Nebraska.

Often a pension record provides so much information beyond the military.  In this record, Hiram reported the names of all his children (of which Fred is not one) and their dates of birth.  A marriage record was included and names of his neighbors and where they lived in relation to him.  His complete health history was there, along with a description of him at 6', 185 lbs.  A pension record for your ancestor can be well worth obtaining, not just for the story it may tell, but for the additional genealogical information that may reside there.

 

Hiram 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

"You definitely do not descend from a colorless character, " one fellow Meek researcher commented, referring to my husband's great-great uncle, Hiram Meek of Mark Township, Defiance County, Ohio.  Born in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, the son of James and Anna Meek, on August 6, 1827, Hiram was one of fourteen children.  The early years of his life were spent with his family in Columbiana County, Ohio.

When Hiram was about 22, he decided to try his luck in the gold fields of California.  One of his obituaries stated, 

"In 1849, he joined an overland party to California in search of gold.  He remained in the west 4 years, returning to Ohio by way of the Isthmus of Panama."

So he was one of the forty-niners, lured out West by the promise of quick wealth in the gold fields. Perhaps he went with David Cooper Meek, his brother.  Even though he was gone during the 1850 census, he was enumerated with his mother and siblings in Unity Township, Columbiana County.  The enumerators were directed to list "...the name of every person whose usual place of abode on the first day of June 1850, was in this family...including names of those temporarily absent on a visit, journey, or a voyage..."

Upon his return, he married Mary Usk Batchelor, an immigrant from England.  They married in Jennings County, Indiana on November 12, 1856.  Eventually, the family settled in Mark Township, Defiance County, Ohio, on a farm in Section 7 that would be 180 acres by 1890.  In the 1860 census, Mary and Hiram had two small children: O'ella, 2, and Seth, 1.  Hiram, 32, and Mary, (who was born at sea), 30, had real estate worth $2000 at that time and personal goods worth $200.

When the Civil War broke out, the young farmer enlisted as part of Company F, 111th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. His pension file held his own account of his troop's movements:

I enlisted in the U. S. Army August 13, 1862, and was mustered into the U. S. service as Second Lieut., Company F, 111th O.V.I. at Toledo, Ohio, September 5, 1862.  We left Toledo on the 7th and arrived at Covington, Ky. the 9th.  Left Covington about the 20th and arrived at Louisville about the 23rd.  Left Louisville about Oct. 1 and went to Shelbyville and from there to Frankfort.  From Frankfort to Crab Orchard by way of Lawrenceburg.  We arrived at Crab Orchard the next morning from the Perryville fight.  We left Crab Orchard for Bowling Green, Ky. and arrived there about the first of November '62.  Remained in Bowling Green doing post duty until near the last of June."

During his time at Bowling Green, Hiram was involved in the capture of three spies that were reported to the Army by some townspeople.  An injury that occurred at the time of this incident became the basis for an appeal for a greater pension later on in his career.  In a pension deposition, Hiram described the event at Bowling Green:

"In the fall of 1862, about the last of November while we were quartered at Fort Baker near Bowling Green, state of Kentucky, I contracted a severe cold and one evening I had taken a sweat and gone to bed expecting to get up in the morning feeling better.  But about midnight, a citizen came in and reported 3 spies located about 8 miles in the country.  The duty fell to me to try and capture them.  I got up all wet with sweat and dressed as warm as I can and made a detail of eight or nine men an went.  It was quite cold and frosty with a light snow on the ground.  I done the best I could to keep warm but was considerably chilled & came back with my prisoners and a worse cold than I had before which settled in my throat and lungs causing me to have a severe cough which I could not control.  I coughed so hard that it produced a hernia on which I claim a pension, at first it did not seem to amount to much although it was very painful..."

Hiram continued with his company, however, from Bowling Green, traveling eventually back to Cincinnati, Ohio, where his company patrolled the Ohio River to prevent Morgan of the Confederates from crossing.  About August 1, 1863, the company was moved to a camp near Lebanon, Kentucky, where they drilled and equipped themselves for a campaign through Tennessee. On August 20, Meek recounted that the group began their march over the mountains and across the Cumberland River, reaching Louden, Tennessee, about September 1, and remaining there until driven back by Longstreet in November.  Eventually, Hiram resigned his Second Lt. position and was discharged from the 111th on June 16, 1864, because of severe diarrhea, a condition shared by many of his company.

Hiram wrote, "It was in January (1864) after the siege of Knoxville, my health became so poor...I tendered my resignation and was sent home."  There he remained until March of 1865 "when I felt I had recovered my health sufficiently to stand another campaign."   So, leaving a wife and now four children behind, he was sent to Toledo to help in recruiting men for Col. Moses R. Brailey. There Meek's patriotism took over again and not satisfied with the recruiting position, he accepted a position as commander of Company D of the 195th O.V.I. as Captain.  He was with this group through Virginia, arriving at Alexandria in July 1865, where they did provost duty until mustered out of service in December 1865.  He was 38 years old and had seen a great deal of life...and death...already.

By the 1870 census, Hiram, 42, was back in Mark Township with his greatly expanded family, including wife, Mary, 39, and children: Oella, 12; Seth, 11; James P., 9; Kate, 6; Maud, 3; Carrie, 2; and Sarah A., 5 months.  The value of his real estate had grown to $4000 and his personal effects to $1650. In 1876, young James P. Meek would die on January 24th at the age of 14 years, 6 months and 28 days.

By the 1880 enumeration, one more son would be added - Ulysses Sidney Grant Meek - born when Hiram was about 52.  This son would be known by "Grant" - what a significant name bestowed on him by Hiram and Mary.  Mary's father, James, a widower and 76, lived with them in 1880, as well.

Hiram's name appeared often in the newspapers of the day as he was an active citizen, serving on county juries, working in the Agricultural Society, and on the township road committee.  In 1882, his father-in-law died, as noted in the Defiance Democrat on April 20, 1882:
"Mr. Bachelor, father of Wesley Bachelor, died at the residence of Hiram Meek, in Mark township, on Monday last, at an advanced age."

In 1885, Hiram lost his beloved wife, Mary Usk Batchelor Meek.  She and later, he, were buried at Forest Home Cemetery in Hicksville, Ohio.  This bit of information about Mary was found on www.findagrave.com:
 
"Mary Usk Batchelor was the daughter of James and Sarah Cogswell Batchelor. Her middle name stems from the custom of naming any baby born during a voyage to be named after the ship. She was born aboard the USK on the Atlantic Ocean on 1 Oct 1831."

The above article goes on to mention Fred as one of the sons of Hiram and Mary, but I have not come across him in the censuses or birth records.  Hiram's obituary mentioned that he had three sons -James P., Seth, and Grant- and five daughters - O'Ella (Ella), Catherine (Kate), Mary Alice (Carrie), Maud and Sarah Anna.  So Fred remains a mystery.

By the 1900 census, an elderly Hiram lived with his daughter, Maud, and her husband, Thomas D. Hood.  The couple had two young children, John H. and Ella, ages 3 and 2.  With Hiram, listed as a boarder, was Ella Meek, single, 40, a boarder, as well. Was Ella misnamed in the census?  His daughter, Ella, was married and in Nebraska. Could this have been Kate instead?  A mystery.

On October 14, 1909, Hiram Meek passed away at the age of 82 years 2 months and 8 days.  An adventurous, patriotic man came to his rest.

 Another obituary in the Hicksville Tribune, on October 21, 1909

"On Thursday evening at an early hour, Hiram Meek, a pioneer resident of this neighborhood and prominent citizen passed into the great beyond after a lingering illness...
In his young manhood he took to wife Mary Batchelor, and to them were born 8 children, 3 sons and 5 daughters.  Of these one son and the mother preceded him in death, the wife and mother about 27 years ago.  Those surviving are Seth Meek, Anna Meek, Kate Meek, Mrs. Pyle, Mrs. T. D. Hood, Mrs. Carrie Hunton.  
When the Civil War broke out, deceased organized Co. F of the 111th O.V.I. and went out as second Lieutenant in that company.  He afterwards was made a captain and served near Washington until the war closed, leaving the service a brevet Major.
He was a forty-niner, crossing the plains in the search of gold and coming home by way of the Ithmus of Panama.  In addition to the survivors of his immediate family, he leaves a brother, Saml. Meek and two sisters, Mrs. Edna Cannon and Mrs. John Sensabacher.  Funeral services were held Monday afternoon from the Disciple Church.  Interment in Forest Home."