Constantine in Saint Joseph County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
William Meek
Founder of Constantine 1829
By Duane Hall, July 9, 2014
1. William Meek Marker
William Meek came to the area in 1828 from Ohio. In 1829, he purchased 121 acres where the Fawn River joins the St. Joseph River. His family came in 1829, as did four others. In 1831 the Village was platted. Meek built a grist mill and a saw mill. By 1837 there were many homes and businesses: carriage and wagon factories, blacksmiths, 3 saddle shops, 3 mercantile houses, Meek’s gristmill and sawmills, a shingle mill and flour mills, a fanning mill factory, several mechanics, cabinet and furniture shops, a foundry, tanneries, and farm machinery and equipment factories. The Village of Constantine was incorporated in 1837, but for several years people in the surrounding areas continued to call it “Meek’s Mills.” . . In 1836 Meek sold his property and followed the Frontier West into Iowa.
William Meek came to the area in 1828 from Ohio. In 1829, he purchased 121 acres where the Fawn River joins the St. Joseph River. His family came in 1829, as did four others. In 1831 the Village was platted. Meek built a grist mill and a saw mill. By 1837 there were many homes and businesses: carriage and wagon factories, blacksmiths, 3 saddle shops, 3 mercantile houses, Meek’s gristmill and sawmills, a shingle mill and flour mills, a fanning mill factory, several mechanics, cabinet and furniture shops, a foundry, tanneries, and farm machinery and equipment factories. The Village of Constantine was incorporated in 1837, but for several years people in the surrounding areas continued to call it “Meek’s Mills.”
In 1836 Meek sold his property and followed the Frontier West into Iowa.
Erected 2009.
Location. 41° 50.533′ N, 85° 40.098′ W. Marker is in Constantine, Michigan, in Saint Joseph County. Marker is on E. Water Street east of S. Washington Street (Business U.S. 31), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 138 E. Water St, Constantine MI 49042, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies
By Duane Hall, July 9, 2014
2. William Meek Mural and Marker
Also see . . . William Meek - Pioneer Farmer. A short article about Meek focusing on his emigration to Oregon and California. (Submitted on July 11, 2014.)
Categories. • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers •
By Duane Hall, July 9, 2014
3. William Meek Mural and Marker
Mural and marker are located on the west wall of the Meek's Mill Cafe
By Duane Hall, July 9, 2014
4. View to east along E. Water Street
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on July 11, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 267 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 11, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.
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