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THE LATE CHARLES M. MEEKS, Five Generations Will Gather Around His Kier This Evening. The date Charles M. Meeka, whose death on Thursday at 604 Halsey street, in his 90th year, was recorded in yesterday's RacuE, was notable in many respects. He had long enjoyed the dis tinction of being the oldest public official in this city and possibly in the country, and was the oldest member of the Tammany society in New York. Up to three weeks ago,when He was at tacked with the grip which finally resulted in his death, it was his wont to go about his duties with as much vigor as a man of 40. He was very methodical in everything. For the past eighteen years he had been in the tax and assestle ment department of the controllers office and rarely missed a day from his desk. He could be seen daily sitting on his high chair going over columns of figures. His well knit frame, snow white hair and beard, his kindly and un wrinkled face was familiar to all habitues of the city hall. He was an excellent panman and one of the beat clerks in the offices of the city wall. Among his associates in the office he was justly popular and respected. Long ago he was elected the historian of the city hall by consent, and to him were re ferred all matters in dispute covering a period of a century. Itas in political events that he was regarded an authority. A Democrat from the time he attained his majority he never voted any other ticket, and never missed voting at but two elections in close on to seventy years. He re membered well the Jackson campaign, and often compared the elections then with those of the present time. Mr. Meeks always took a lively part in politics. His first political Place was in the New York register’s office, to which he was appointed in 1835, and remained there for nearly twenty years. He never held an elective office, but was once a candidate for mem ber of assembly in New York and met defeat. He was a devoted adherent of Samuel J. Tilden, and had a large picture of him in his parlor. Mr. Meeks had a remarkable memory and a fund of anecdotes and reminiscences. When General Lafayette visited New York he was a member of the old governor's orga guards, who acted as an escort to the distinguished French general. Upon his departure for Boston the guards accompanied him as far as Harlem. While on route to there the wheels of Lafayette,a carriage became hot and Mr. Meeks stopped to ol them. He had a long talk with the general. While engaged in oiling the wheels of the coach the horse guards returned without Mr. Meeks. Wien missed a platoon of men were sent after him and he was court mate tialed as a deserter. He made known the reason of his absence and the cause was dismissed. He took part in the raising of the flag at the battery when the British left this country. Mr. Meeks was born in New York City on Feb ruary 4,1802. Had he lived one more day it would have been exactly the ninetieth anniver sary of his birth. The fourth day of the month had a singular interest for him. He was married on the fourth day of June, 1822, his wife died March 4, 1870, twenty-two years ago yes terday, and seven of his grandchildren and three great- grandchildren were born on the fourth of the month. He always adhered to the belief that he would die on the fourth, but this end came a few hours sooner. Mr. Meeka came of an old family. His grandmother was Susan Helene Molyneux, a daughter of a French Hugue not minister; she acted as an interpreter to Washington and Lafayette. When Mr. Meeks was 8 boy his family lived on Fair street, now Ful ton street, New York. The limit of the city did not extend much beyond Canal street. There was no means of travel between Brooklyn and New York except small boats. Mr. Meeks treqsantly vowed across the river in a skiff. He was noted oarsman and an expert horse rider. His early acquired love for these sports never lessened. During the late war Mr. Meeks invited one of his sons, who was quartermaster general on the island at Roanoke, N. C. He expressed a desire to take a ride, when his son brought one of the most spirited and unmanageable horses. Ha mounted the steed and drove for several miles, returning with the vicious animal entirely sub dued. Mr. Meake had ten children, six of whom are living, four sons and two daughars. Ha leaves nineteen grandchildren, fourteen great grand children and one great great grandchild, which latter was born August 17,1891, and was the occasion of a family gathering. The children are Charles F., George W., William E., Robert L. Meeks and Mrs. Emma Fairbanks and Mrs. Try phena Heddington. The eldest, Charles, is 70 years of age and is as old looking as his father. George W. Meske is employed in the county clerk’s office, New York. Mr. Meaka also leaves one brother, ex- Justice and ex-Coroner William C. Meeks of Mount Vernon. Among his descendants are many of the oldest and most respected families on Long Island. The death of Mrs. Hewlett Smith, his only surviving sister, at Rockville Center, L. A., last summer affected Mr. Meake. Mrs. Smith was the mother of Mrs. William C. Kingsley, the widow of the ex-president of the Brooklyn bridge. None of the family has died under the age of 85 for three generations. Mr. Meeks desired to live another year to see his favorite grandson, Charles F. Fairbank, graduate from the high school. He taught the latter in his letters, heard him his lessons nearly ‘up to the time of his death, and took an especial internet in his education. The last time Mr. Meeks was out, three weeks ago, he was fesling in excellent health. He contracted a cold which turned into the grip and ultimately resulted in his death. On the day he took to his bed he sang,for his grandchildren, a pleasure in which he delighted. Funeral services over his remains will be held at the residence of his son in law, beaumont H. Fairbank, 594 Halsey errest, to-night, at 8 o’clock. The services will be conducted by the Rev. Dr. Montgomery of the Janes M. E. church. The associates of Mr. Mocks will attend in a body. The funeral will take place privately tomorrow and wil rein the family plot at Greenwood.
Newspaper Details
Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Brooklyn, New York, US
Sat, Mar 05, 1892
Page 9
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 12 Jul 2026
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