THOMAS M. MEEK, whose farm of two hundred and forty acres is situated on section 26, Rockbridge township, is numbered among the native sons of Illinois, his birth having occurred near Carrollton the 14th of March, 1857. His father, John M. Meek, was born November 23, 1823, upon the farm where our subject's birth occurred. The paternal grandfather, Thomas Meek, was a native of Yorkshire, England, and belonged to a family closely identified with royalty, one of its members having been knighted by Queen Victoria. On crossing the Atlantic to the new world Thomas Meek established his home in Greene county, Illinois, in 1821, becoming one of the early pioneers, and he took an active and prominent part in the early development of this region. He entered land from the government and opened up the farm on which his son John M. Meek was born and reared. Having attended school in England, he had acquired a much better education than the majority of his associates at that time and became a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, carrying the Word from place to place without thought of recompense. In politics he was a Whig but never aspired to public office though much of his life was devoted to the welfare of his fellowmen. He died on the old homestead in this county, January 23, 1866, honored and respected by all who knew him.

After arriving at years of maturity John M. Meek was married in this county to Miss Jane Webster, a native of England, who was born in Yorkshire and was a daughter of Benjamin Webster, who died in England. John M. Meek owned and operated the old home farm near Carrollton and there he reared his family of nine children, of whom three sons and a daughter are now living. He died July 18, 1876, at the age of fifth-three years, while his wife passed away in July, 1901, at the age of seventy-nine.

Thomas M. Meek was reared on the old family homestead and acquired a good common-school education, remaining with his father until the latter's death. He continued to reside at the old homestead until twenty-seven years of age and in connection with his brother carried on the farm. On the 14th of February, 1884, in Greene county he was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Griswold, a native of this county, and they began their domestic life upon the farm which he had purchased just previous to his marriage. This comprised one hundred and sixty acres and with characteristic energy he began its development. Later he built a good two story residence, also erected the necessary outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock and planted an orchard. He purchased more land, becoming the owner of a tract of eighty acres, which added to his other, makes his farm of good size. He is engaged in the raising of grain and also a high grade of cattle and hogs. Both branches of his business are proving profitable, for he is practical in his methods, prompt in the execution of his business affairs and reliable in all that he undertakes.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Meek have been born four children: Chester M., Hattie, Stella and Floyd A. The parents are members of the Rockbridge Methodist Episcopal church, Mr. Meek serving as one of the official board and also taking an active interest in the work of the Sunday-school. He has never faltered in his allegiance to the Republican party since attaining his majority, yet he has never sought office as a reward for party fealty. His interest in the general good is that of a public-spirited citizen who desires rather the growth of his party and the welfare of his community than self aggrandizement. He has a wide acquaintance in this part of the state, in which he has always lived, and his efforts in business life have been so discerningly directed that he has won a very desirable competence.