In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1909) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio .. (1901), Centennial history of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio (1909)
CLAUD E. MEEKER.
The history of a state as well as that of a nation is chiefly the chronicle of the lives and deeds of those who have conferred honor and dignity upon society. The world judges the character of a community by that of its representative citizens, and yields its tribute of admiration and respect for the genius, learning or virtues of those whose works and actions constitute the record of a state's prosperity and pride; and their characters, as exemplified in probity and benevolence, kindly virtues and integrity in the affairs of life, are ever affording worthy examples for emulation and valuable lessons of incentive.
From the beginning of the nineteenth century the name of jMeeker has been inseparably interwoven with the history of Ohio, and the subject of this review has been an active factor in pohtical circles and is now a most prominent business man of Columbus. He was born in the capital city, in 1861, and the history of his ancestry is given in connection with the life record ot his father, the Hon. George \V. Meeker, on another page of this work. He gave up the study of civil engineering to enter the field of journalism, and for some time his was a well known name in journalistic circles. He was first employed as a reporter on a paper in his native city and afterward went to Cincinnati, where he obtained a similar situation in connection wath the Enquirer, which he represented for fifteen years, rapidly winning advancement. As a political editor, reporter and special correspondent he developed unusual ability and talent. He also became special correspondent to the New York World. His popularity as a reporter was evidenced by the people of Cincinnati, who at the celebrated church fair voted to him a magnificent gold-headed cane as the most popular reporter of the city. As a political editor he exerted a wide influence in Ohio. Nothing can measure the effect of the newspaper, but its power is widely recognized and acknowledged as d factor in holding public opinion and shaping public action, and in this way Claude Meeker became a leader in political circles. In 1889 James E. Campbell became a candidate for governor and was elected to that office. During the campaign Mr. Meeker accompanied him on his tour through the state and made many able addresses, holding the attention and convincing the minds of his hearers. Governor Campbell attributed his election in a large, manner to Mr. Meeker's reports and the Cincinnati Enquirer, and on assuming the office appointed him to the position of private secretary, in which, capacity he served from 1890 until 1892. The following year he was appointed, by President Cleveland United States consul at Bradford, England, where he served, in a most creditable manner, until 1897. This is one of the most important commercial consulates on account of the exports from America to Bradford, and involves great work and responsibility on the part of the consul, whose staff numbers nine assistants.
In 1897 Mr. Meeker returned to his native land and once more took up his above in Columbus, where he joined his brother in the establishment of the firm of Meeker Brothers, investment brokers. They are the leading firm in their line in Columbus, and have special telegraph connection with New York and Chicago. Their business has assumed mammoth proportions and has brought to them gratifying returns.
In 1890 Mr. Meeker was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Parks, a daughter of Dr. J. M. Parks, of Hamilton, Ohio. Her father was one of the best-known physicians in the Miami valley throughout a long period, being freely accorded the leadership in his profession. He was also highly esteemed as a citizen and a man of sterling worth. He died in Hamilton in 1890, at the advanced age of eighty years. Mr. and Mrs. Meeker are the parents of three children, — Marjorie, Campbell and Marion, all of whom were born in England. Mr. and Mrs. Meeker attend the Episcopalian church, and he holds membership in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, also the Knights of Pythias and the Masonic fraternity. Kindness, amiability and courtesy not only characterize his social relations, but are a marked feature in his business life. It is not because of special prominence in public affairs that he has, and is justly entitled to, the respect and confidence of his fellow men, for his personal qualities are such as to make men esteem and honor him.
As printed in A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio .. (1901). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
CLAUDE MEEKER.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
In 1890 was celebrated the marriage of Claude Meeker and Mis- Elizabeth Parks, a daughter of Dr. J. M. Parks, of Hamilton, Ohio, who was a distinguished physician of the Miami valley and esteemed equally high as a n and citizen. He died in Hamilton in 1890 at the venerable age of eighty years. The three children of Mr. and Mrs. Meeker. Marjorie, Campbell and Marion, were all horn in England, during his service as consul at Bradford. The parents attend the Episcopal church and Mr. Meeker holds member-hip with the Knights of Pythias, the Masons and the Elks. He is a man of attractive social qualities, always courteous and kind, and has just appreciation for the social amenities of life. That he views the world from the broad standpoint of liberal culture, wide study, and extensive research into those problems which are to the man of affairs of deep import both to the country and the position which he fills today in the regard of his fellow citizen-, especially in Columbus, where he is best known, is the merited tribute to his personal worth.
As printed in Centennial history of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio (1909). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: Claude Meeker
The printed record stops around 1901. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.