Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-03-13
obituary.
For me REFLECTOR.

FOR ne REFLECTOR.
When last Tuesday Mr.. W. E. A.
Meek breatbed his last there was moth
ing but sorrow felt in this community
and as the news spread over the coun-
ty friends spoke everywhere of the loss
that they and the county had sustained.
It seemed that none had d harsh or
sighting word to speak and all were
willing to go-out of their way to ex-
press their sympathy for the friends
who remained.
Mr.. Meek was born June %, 1929, in
Knox county, near Knoxville, rennes-
see. He became a member of the
Presbyterian church at the age of 10
and was until the day of his death an
earnest, hard-working christian, ever
loyal to the cause of his master. For
more than thirty years he was an elder
in the church and he was superintend-
ent of the first Sunday school ever or
ganized in Ridge tOwnship-at that
time Ridge and Hope townships were
one. He also did much to organize the
Presbyterian church OF Abilene.
He was married July IA, 1858, to the
daughter of Rev. G.. S. White, of Knox
vile, and the long years of welded life
were continual honeymoon, SO tender
and thoughtful was the affection felt
by the husband and wife for one an
other.
In 1872 Mr.. Meek moved to Dickin-
son county, being the leader of what
has ever since been known as the 'Ten-
nessee colony" A number of families
came from that state and settled near
each other in the vicinity of Dillon.
AL were hard working, cultured, God
fearing people and their colony has
been noted for its prosperity and pro-
gress. Mr.. Meek was in many ways
its spokesman, Gifted with the ability
to address public gatherings in an easy
and convincing manner, quick to see
the necessities of the people and to act
upon the light given him, he was fore
most in many public movements.
In politics he was strong republi-
can and his counsels were always for
the uplifting of the. party. His advice
was always for taking fair, unequiV-
ocal ground, and so we'll was this char
acteristic known that on many Occas-
ions when dissensi0ns in the ranks
were imminent his voice turned the
scale toward harmony. He was often
chairman of the county conventions
and was honored with positions Of
trust and confidence.
Everyone who has been interested in
Sunday school or educational work
must recognize how much Mr.. Meek
did in that direction. The young were
his especial charge and many young
man and woman has been influenced
to higher things by the strong words
of faith and integrity that he was ever
ready to speak.
Enjoying excellent health all his life,
he was at last Weakened by age and
few weeks ago suffered severely from
the prevailing influenza. A relapse
resulting in pneumonia followed and
the strong, vigorous frame gave UP the
fight. When it became known that he
could not live he did not lose courage.
Instead, he seemed ready and willing
to cross the river. All the children1
except one that is dead, with the
grandchildren and mother were pres
ent at the last hour.
Mr.. Meek was conscious up to within
a few moments of his death and eX-
pressed an earnest desire to meet all
around him in heaven. Words of re-
membrance were sent to absent friends
and sublime faith was expressed in
his salvation. When too weak to speak
and when the angel CT death was at
hand he pointed with firm faith to-
ward heave, nand $50 passed the brave,
heroic soul away"
The next day, amid the mourning of
friends, all that was mortal of the
loved father and leader was laid to rest
in the little prairie cemetery in the
midst of the community for which he
had done so much.
His life was an inspiration and
power; its record is one full of kindly
deeds and honest purposes. Yet well
though he lived,
Nothing in his life
Became him like the leaving of it; he died.
As one that had been studied in his death"
L.