My Genealogy Hound

John D. Meeks, farmer, Murfreesboro, Ark. John D. Meeks, one of the most highly respected and deservedly popular citizens in Thompson Township, was born March 8, 1828, in Independence County, Ark., and is the second of five children born to John and Elizabeth Meeks, natives, respectively, of Missouri and Illinois. The parents moved to Independence County, Ark., after their marriage, and there resided until the death of the mother. The father then moved to Clark County, Ark., where he resided until his death, at the age of seventy-eight years. He was an old line Whig in politics. John D. Meeks was reared principally in Independence County, Ark., and on account of the scarcity of schools he received but a limited education. At the age of eighteen years he began for himself as a farmer, and this has since been his occupation. He at present owns 140 acres, with forty acres under cultivation. In 1852 he went to California, where he worked in the gold mines for three years, and after his fourth year in this State he returned to Arkansas, and in 1861 enlisted in the Confederate army as a private in Company D, Twelfth Arkansas Regiment. He participated in the following engagements: Prairie Grove, Pine Bluff, Jenkins’ Ferry (on Saline River), and was also in numerous skirmishes, but was never wounded; After the war he returned to Clark County and engaged in tilling the soil, which he has continued up to the present day. He was married in 1869 to Miss Anna Money, a native of North Carolina, and the fruits of this union were four children, two deceased. Those living are Tessora and Minnie M. The former was married in 1889 to C. H. Willett, who is a farmer residing in this county. Mr. Meeks is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having joined in 1863, is also a member of the K. of H., the Farmers’ Alliance, and the Agricultural Wheel. He was elected treasurer of Pike County in 1870, and served in that capacity for one term. He and wife and children are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and Mr. Meeks is a liberal supporter of all enterprises for the good of the county. He is a Democrat in his political views, and a worthy man in every particular.