ROBERT MEATYARD may be regarded as one of the pioneers of Macoupin county. He was born in Dorsetshire, England, December 8th, 1812. In 1831 he left his native land and emigrated to America and settled in new York, where he remained until November, 1835, when he came west and stopped at Alton, Illinois. In the spring fo 1836 he came to Piasa, in Macoupin county, where he entered land and commenced farming. The town of Piasa was afterward laid out and built upon a portion of the land originally entered by him. He remained there until 1853, when he removed to Shipman where he built a store house and engaged in general merchandising. He at the same time was appointed agent for the Chicago, Alton and St. Louis railroad, which position he held for sixteen years. In 1853 he was appointed postmaster, and has held that office up to the present time, with the exception of four years, from 1857 until 1861. At present he is still engaged in general merchandising, in which he has been more than ordinarily successful. In politics Mr. Meatyard is a republican. In former years he was one of those who believed that the system of slavery was wrong. At the formation of the republican party he joined its ranks and has been a firm supporter of its tenets ever since. He has been for a number of years a consistent member of the M. E. church. As a man he is universally respected for his probity of character and honorable dealings among his fellow citizens.