Rev. John Meek
Rev. John Meek was the son of Isaac and Mary Meek, born in Short Creek. Carroll County. Virginia, January 7, 1781. His father was a descendant of a Scotch family who came to Ohio early in the century and located in Jefferson County. Our subject very early in life was impressed with the notion that he was divinely called to the ministry, and yielding to these convictions, he was licensed to preach when only nineteen years of age. In September, 1803, he was appointed by the Baltimore Conference to the Scioto Circuit, and came to Ohio with Rev. William Burke, his presiding elder, and by him was introduced to Governor Tiffin, a local preacher.
His first circuit had its extreme southwest point on Eagle Creek, a few miles from what is now known as Fitch's Chapel. Then by Bryan's, on Three Mile Creek, to George Rodgers, near the mouth of Cabin Creek, up to Manchester, thence to Peterson's on Ohio Brush Creek, Joseph Moore's, then at the mouth of Turkey Creek; then up the Scioto River to Pee Pee Prairie to Snowden Sargeants; then to Thomas Foster's at Big Bottom; then from Foster's to Chillicothe; from Chillicothe to Bowdles, at Hay Run; then to White Brown's on Deer Creek; from there to West Fall on the Scioto River; to Walnut Creek through the wilderness to old Brother Stevenson's; then to John Robbins' on Buckskin Creek; then to Hare's at the Falls of Paint Creek; then to Braughter's Tavern; up over a blind Indian trail to Benjamin Graces' near New Market in Highland County; then to Odell's, near Briar Ridge, thirty miles distant, and from Odell's to the place of beginning, near mouth of Eagle Creek, or Elk River.
In 1805, he was appointed to Hocking Circuit with the Rev. James Quinn as senior preacher. He was here for a time and then returned to the East. Before Mr. Meek returned again to Ohio, he was married to Miss Ann Jones, daughter of John and Ann Jones, and sister of the Reverend Greenbury R. Jones, who was very well known in Adams County in the early days. His wife was a clear-headed woman who appreciated fully her posititon as the wife of an itinerant preacher, and she was during her lifetime a true helpmeet. She died in the triumph of the great field in February, 1855.
John Meek was ordained deacon in October, 1805. His certificate is dated October 3. 1805, and signed by Richard Whatcoat. In March, he was ordained as elder. His certificate of ordination is dated March 16, 1810, and signed by William McKendree. Rev. Meek's son, William McKendree Meek, was named for and baptized by Bishop McKendree.
Our subject was a man of fine presence and possessed a noble bearing, unflinching courage, and polished manners. He was intellectually a strong man and ever ready to defend the doctrines and policies of the church of his choice. He was a camp meeting preacher of wonderful power. He had a very fine voice, clear as a bell, and it rang out quite a distance. Reverend Maxwell P. Gaddis says: "I shall never forget a sermon which I heard him preach more than forty-five years ago at the old camp ground in Adams County, Ohio, from these words: 'He that rejecteth me and receiveth not my words hath one that judgeth him. The words that I have spoken the same shall judge him in the last day.' (John 12:48.) It would be impossible to describe the scene at the close of that eloquent effort. I felt that I was fully compensated for the long and dusty ride even to hear him read the opening hymn, 'That awful day will surely come.'"
John Meek was always in sentiment and feeling an anti-slavery man. He was earnest in the support and advocacy of colonization, the then best remedy for the evils of slavery. He closed his sixty years in the ministry in August, 1860, and on the thirtieth day of December, 1860, at his home in Felicity, in Clermont County, Ohio, he passed quietly away. His death was peaceful and quiet, signalizing a patient confidence in Christ, a fitting close to the long life in the ministry. His remains rest in the cemetery at West Union.
From "History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time" - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900