Moses Meeker (1790 - 1865)

Born 17 Jun 1790 in Newark, Essex, New Jersey

Ancestors

Husband of Eliza Pridden (Shackleton) Meeker — married 2 Mar 1837 in Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., OH

Descendants

Died 6 Jul 1865 at age 75 in Shullsburg, Lafayette, Wisconsin

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Biography

This biography is a rough draft and needs to be edited.

Birth

Birth:

Date: 17 JUN 1790

Place: Newark, Essex Co., NJ^[1][2]

Death

Death:

Date: 06 JUL 1865

Place: Shullsburg, Lafayette Co., WI

Note: or 7 Jul 1865^[3][4][5]

Religion

Religion: Presbyterian, admitted to membership in First Presbyterian Church, Cincinnati 13 Sep 1815^[6]

Note

"Moses Meeker was born in New Jersey in 1790. His education was received in his native State, and in 1817 he removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he engaged in the manufacture of white lead [lead carbonate, used in making paint.] While on a visit to St. Louis in 1822, he was informed of an expedition to the lead-mining region, the Fever River. Imbibing in the spirit of adventure, he disposed of his business in Cincinnati and joined fortunes with Col. Cole. At that time the journey from Cincinnati to the present site of Galena was dangerous, from the natural contour of the country and the presence of the insatiable Indian who not having ceded the mining territory,guarded in most jealously from encroachment. The journey led through a tangled wilderness, without roads or bridges, and only after a perilous voyage did the adventurers ultimately reach their destination on the 12th of November, 1822. An exploration of the region satisfied him of the mineral wealth, and Mr. Meeker determined to embark in mining operations. He then returned to Cincinnati on horseback, and entered into a correspondence with John C. Calhoun, Secretary of War, soliciting information regarding the method of mining. This correspondence having been submitted to President Monroe, resulted in the issuance of an order, permitting Mr. Meeker to build furnaces, operate the mines and make other improvements. On receiving this order in Cincinnati, Mr. Meeker purchased a substantial keel-boat, enlisted several families, numbering forty-three persons in all, and on the 5th day of April, 1823, started for the lead regions by way of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, and arrived at Galena, [IL] in June of the same year. Heat once commenced the building of furnaces, and in August of that year a census was taken, showing the population of Galena to be seventy-four whites and 500 Indians. The furnaces were completed in the spring of 1824, and during the first year 425 pounds of smelted ore was produced.

"The disruption of business, occasioned by the Black Hawk war,caused a temporary suspension of work. During the interregnum, Mr. Meeker took a prominent part in the war, acting under a Captain's commission. After the Indian troubles had been effectually quelled, he removed to Iowa County, [WI] and commenced the erection of a blast furnace on the Blue River. The accumulation of business absorbed his entire attention intil1842, he was elected to the [WI] Territorial Legislature, and at the expiration of his term of office was re-elected in 1843.

"In 1846, he represented Iowa County in the First Constitutional Convention, and served in the responsible capacity of Chairman of the Committee on Internal Improvements. To his innate sense and sound wisdom, the country is indebted for the embodiments of the article governing public improvements, which alone has often prevented the Legislature from plunging the State into irretrievable debt.

"He resided in Iowa County until 1854, when he removed from Mineral Point to his farm at Meeker's Grove, in Lafayette County, [WI] and withdrew from active life. In 1865, he removed to Shullsburg, [WI] where he died very suddenly of paralysis, on the 7th day of July. Dr. Meeker was a man of high moral and religious character; he was patriotic, courageous, honest, hospitable, and his house was ever the welcome asylum of the stranger and homeless. Dr. Meeker was twice married, first in 1818 to Miss Mary R. Henry, who died in 1829, and again in 1837 in Cincinnati, to Miss Eliza P. Shackleton, who still survives. He had a large family of children, who occupy prominent social stations in the walks of life."^[7]

See Also: The Sesquicentennial History of Shullsburg 1827-1977 ^[8]

Census

1840 US Federal Census Western, Iowa Co., Wisconsin

In 1840, Moses Meeker was living in Western Iowa Co., WI. In his household there were 11 persons, 8 males and 3 females: Males, 1 40-50yo, 1 30-40yo, 3 20-30yo, 2 15-20yo, and 1 under 5yo; Females, 1 30-40yo, 1 5-10yo, and 1 under 5yo. One person was involved in mining and three were involved in agriculture.^[9]

1850 US Federal Census Mineral Point, Grant, Wisconsin

In 1850, Moses Meeker, a 59yo physician b. NY, was living with his wife Eliza P., 40yo b. ENGLAND, and 5 children b. WI: Emma S., 12yo; Edwin P., 10yo; Julia C., 9yo; Moses B., 5yo; and Eliza R., 3yo, and an apparently unrelated person,Stephen Hatch, 15yo, born in OH.^[10]

1860 US Federal Census Benton, Lafayette, Wisconsin

In 1860, Moses Meeker, a 69yo physician b. NJ, owned real estate worth $6560 and personal property worth $250. He lived with his wife Eliza, 51yo b. ENGLAND, and 3 children b. WI: Julia C., 18yo; Moses P., 15yo; and Eliza R., 12yo.^[11]

Death and Burial

Death: July 6, 1865

Place: Shullsburg, Lafayette, Wisconsin^[12]

Burial:

Date: JUL 1865

Place: Old City Cemetery, Galena, Jo Daviess, IL^[13][14]

Marriage

Husband: Moses Meeker

Marriage:

Date: 10 FEB 1810

Place: Flanders, Morris, New Jersey^[15]

Sources

1. ↑ Source: #S65 Page 97
2. ↑ Source: #S66 Page 666 - Bible Records: Meeker Bible
3. ↑ Source: #S65 Page 97
4. ↑ Source: #S67 Page: p. 9
5. ↑ Source: #S66 Page 666 - Bible Records: Meeker Bible
6. ↑ Source: #S69 Page 298
7. ↑ Source: #S70 Page: 612
8. ↑ Source: #S71 Pages 18, 23 and 36
9. ↑ #S72 Page 60
10. ↑ Source: #S100 Page 637 b, Stamped Page 319b
11. ↑ Source: #S101
12. ↑ #S168 Page 97
13. ↑ Source: #S68
14. ↑ Source: #S67 Page 9
15. ↑ Source: #S68

• Source: S65 Title: 1840 US Census WI, Iowa Co.

• Source: S66 Title: Genealogies of New Jersey Families from the "Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey'' Publication: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1996 Vol. 2

• Source: S67 Title: Jo Daviess County, Illinois, Tombstone Inscriptions: Old City Cemetery, Vol. 7, Publication: Robert Hansen 1985 Repository: Family History Library, Salt Lake City Call #977.3343 V3

• Source: S68 Title: LDS Ancestral File

• Source: S69 Jean Young Houston, "Covenant - First Presbyterian Church Records, 1790-1840, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio," National Genealogical Society Quarter, Vol. 63 (December 1975): 296-300

• Source: S70 History of Iowa County, Wisconsin. Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1881. Open Library

• Source: S71 Title: The Sesquicentennial History of Shullsburg 1827-1977 Publication: Badger Historical Society of Shullsburg, Inc., 1977, Second Printing 1983 Repository: Family History Library, Salt Lake City Call # US/CAN 977.579/S1 H2s

• Source: S72 Title: 1840 US Census, WI, Iowa Co., Western.

• Source: S100 Title: 1850 US Census WI, Grant Co., Record Type: Census

• Source: S101 Title: 1860 US Census WI, Lafayette Co., Record Type: Census

• Source: S168 Title: Some Lafayette County, Wisconsin Deaths 1849-1907 Compiled and published by Cheryl D. Lemanski, Fennimore, WI 1995 Repository: Family History Library, Salt Lake City Call #US/CAN 977.579 V29le