Courtney Walker Meek, deceased. One mile and one half west from Fletcher is the home allotment where the widow and descendants of the subject of this article resides, and which was also the home of Mr. Meek before his death. His name is known all over the northwest, not only on account of the prowess of his father but also because of his own activities, achievements, and personal worth. He was a man of fine appearance, strong intellectual powers, well versed in law and history and in every respect a public minded and patriotic citizen. He did pioneer work all over the northwest, fought the warring Indians, and as occasion provided settled down to producing the fruits of the field.
Courtney W. Meek was born in Idaho when it was a part of Oregon territory, on December 7, 1838, and his death occurred on May 13, 1896, being drowned in the Willamette River. His parents were the well known historical characters of Joseph L. and Virginia Meek, of whom especial mention is made in another portion of this work. Our subject was brought up at Hillsboro and attended the district school us well as the Indian school, which was located where part of the Forest Grove institution is now situated.
Mr. Meek was seventeen years old when the Indian war of 1855 broke out and he and his father fought with Captains Layton and Goff. Our subject endured al the hardships and dangers incident to such a position and was also with Colonel Steptoe at the Medical Lake fight. During the Civil war he enlisted, being in Captain E. Palmer’s Company B of the Oregon First Regiment of Infantry, the date of taking his place being December, 1864. On December 26, he was promoted as Corporal and saw service against the Indians. He was discharged at Vancouver on July 23, 1866. Following this he farmed in Washington County, Oregon, took a prominent part in developing the country and held County offices. In 1895 he sold out and came to his allotments and did considerable labor in locating settlers.
On September 24, 1878, Mr. Meek married Miss Adell, daughter of George and Eliza (Cathleen) Newton, natives of New York, and died in 1884 and 1896, respectively. Mrs. Meek was born in Wisconsin, on July 7, 1851. She has two sisters and one brother, Sarah, Eliza, Clark. The children born to this marriage were Josephine and George Newton, both deceased. Leonora E. and Cella W. Mrs. Meek has shown remarkable fortitude and business skill since the death of her husband. She has conducted the business, has improved the land, erected good buildings, has a large barn, a fine eight room house and is one of the enterprising residents of the region. Mr. Meek was a member of the Pioneers’ Association of Portland, the G. A. R., and of the Good Templars.
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Source: An Illustrated History of Northern Idaho, Embracing Nez Perce, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone Counties, Western Historical Publishing Company, 1903