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Below is a family biography included in the Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania published in 1905 by The Genealogical Publishing Company.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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CHARLES BAUMSTER MEEK (deceased), formerly engaged at his trade of saddler in Carlisle, Cumberland county, is descended from early Pennsylvania pioneers. The Meek family is connected with the Bretz family, the founder of which landed at Philadelphia in 1750; and with the Baumgartner family, one of whom was an old Boniface in Harrisburg in the early days.

Jacob Meek, father of Charles B., was a son of Henry Meek, and was born in Perry county, Pa., where his early years were passed. He received some education in the district schools, but was, after the custom of the time, soon put to work to earn his own way. His boyhood was passed on a farm. Coming in young manhood to Cumberland county, he began a business career that was financially successful, but which included a variety of occupations. For some time he was the landlord of the “Rising Sun” tavern, two miles above Carlisle, a popular resting place for the teamsters on the way to and from Baltimore. He, himself, also teamed to Baltimore at one time. Later he kept a tavern on what is now the vacant lot next to the New Lutheran Church, Carlisle. He also followed butchering, having an establishment near Plainfield, and attending the Carlisle market. On Jan. 7, 1819, he married Sarah Fossler, a native of Cumberland county, who bore him nine children, as follows: Ephraim, born Oct. 19, 1819, married, and died in Harrisburg; Leander William, born Aug. 10, 1821, died young; Humphrey Jacob, born Sept. 10, 1822, a Methodist minister, married Sarah Elliott, and died in Logansport, Ind.; Alexander F., born May 28, 1825, a coachmaker, married Sarah Parkinson, and died in Carlisle; Mary Isabella, born Sept. 4, 1827, died young; Sarah, born Aug, 13, 1829, died young; Charles Baumster, born March 8, 1832; Margaretta, born Oct. 31, 1834, died young; and John D. Jacob Meek, the father, died in 1846, near Plainfield, and his wife passed away in Carlisle in 1844.

Charles B. Meek was born in Cumberland county, and there grew to manhood and spent his life. In his youth he learned the saddler’s trade, and consistently followed that occupation all his life, attaining no little skill in his line. He had as a partner Robert R. Noble, and their shop was located on Main street. He passed away at his home May 4, 1888, in the faith of the Lutheran Church. Earlier he had belonged to the Methodist faith, but eventually became a member of the First Lutheran Congregation. His politics were Republican, and he was active in local party work, and for some time he served as constable.

On April 14, 1870, in Harrisburg, Mr. Meek was united in marriage, by Rev. G. F. Stelling, pastor of the First Lutheran Church, to Sophia Comp. Two children blessed this union: William H., who died at the age of three years; and Helen Augusta, who graduated at the Carlisle high school in 1898, and is now at home with her mother. Mr. Meek was a man of strict integrity, and was highly respected in the business world. He was kind to his family, and was greatly missed among his many friends.

Mrs. Sophia (Comp) Meek was born on a farm near New Bloomfield, in Perry county, March 8, 1844, a daughter of Andrew Comp, and there was reared to womanhood. She has managed her affairs since her husband’s death with a marked business ability, but with it all has kept her home a true home, like the noble woman she is.

Andrew Comp was born near New Bloomfield and was a farmer all his life. He died in the spring of 1854, and his wife, Abigail Sunday, a native of the same neighborhood, died some years later. Andrew Comp was a son of Andrew Comp, Sr., one of the best known farmers in Perry county in his day, who died on his farm, leaving a large estate.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania published in 1905 by The Genealogical Publishing Company. 

View additional Cumberland County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Cumberland County, Pennsylvania Biographies

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