ISAAC MEATS was born in England, in 1836, December 9, in Herefordshire, son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Lawford) Meats. Isaac, Sr., was born in 1812 and was a farmer. Marrying in 1842, he turned his face for the United States, sailing from Liverpool. Landing in New York he went from there to Chicago, and from there to the Mississippi River, down which he sailed until he came to St. Louis and landed at Griggsville. The trip from Liverpool to New York took five weeks. Mr. Meats brought his wife and four children with him and five more were added to the family after arrival in this country. Mr. Meats first rented in Elkhorn township until 1863 and then bought ninety acres in Hancock county, where he lived until 1868, and then sold out and moved to Woodford county, Kansas, and bought 300 acres of and partly improved. He later sold that and traveled in California for a month or two, then went to Benton county, Oregon, and bought a small farm, where he lived in retirement until his death, at the age of seventy-four years. His wife was born in the same place as he, and she still lives in Benton county, Oregon, with her son, William. Mr. and Mrs. Meats, Sr., were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for years. Mr. Meats was an old line Whig and later a Republican. He first voted the Republican ticket for John C. Fremont.
Isaac C. Meats, Jr., lived at home until he was twenty-six years old, working on the farm. He enlisted in 1861, September 5, in Company I, Thirty-third Illinois Infantry. He was mustered out November 24, 1865, at Vicksburg. Mr. Meats receives a pension for injuries received which confined him in a hospital and from which he has never recovered. Part of the time Mr. Meats served in special detached service. After he was discharged at Fort Butler, in 1865, he returned home and spent the winter visiting. In the next spring he went to Hancock and resided there for two years, and in 1869 moved to his present farm and rented for several years. He was so well satisfied with the land that he bought 185 acres, known as the old Winslow farm. Here he has lived ever since. He has been a Commissioner for six years, succeeding Mr. McDonald. He has also held various other offices, among which was Trustee for several years.
He was married, March 4, 1866, to Martha Ingram, born in Pike county, April 17, 1842, a daughter of Henry and Paulina (Kingston) Ingram. The former was born in Smith county, Tennessee, December 1, 1815. He came with his parents to Illinois and settled in Pike county, in 1856; from there he moved to Brown county and bought a farm in Elkhorn township, of 200 acres. Here he died, January 7, 1890. He was a son of John and Rachel Ingram, also of Tennessee, who came here in 1850 and died when very old people. Mrs. Meats was one of six children. The family were all mechanics.
Mr. and Mrs. Meats had eight children, Mary E. residing in Hancock county; George is at home; Fred J. is also at home; Jessie, deceased; Nellie; Francis; Dollie and Ralph.
Mr. Meats is a member of the G.A.R. of Versailles. The family are attendants of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Meats is a member of the I.O.O.F., Irene Lodge, No. 72, at Versailles, and has held different offices in the order. He is a Democrat in politics and voted for S. A. Douglas. He and his wife are highly respected members of the township in which they live.