Durham, N. N.  "Spokane and the Inland Empire; History of the City of Spokane
and Spokane County Washington."  Vol. 3.  S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1912.  
p. 678.
 
SYLVIAS VAN BUREN MEEK

     One of the prominent farmers engaged in wheat-raising in the Palouse
country who is widely known both personally and by reputation, is Sylvias Van
Buren Meek, living near Johnson in Whitman county, Washington. He was born in
Doddridge county, West Virginia, October 7, 1864, a son of Hezekiah and Mary
(Pepper) Meek, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of West Virginia.
The boyhood days of the son were spent in the latter state, where he secured a
common-school education and assisted his father until 1884, when he removed to
Kansas where he obtained employment on a cattle ranch. He followed this business
until 1887, when, responding to the calling of the prosperous far west he
removed to the state of Washington and settled nine miles south of Pullman,
where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land upon which he began
farming. He was diligent in business and conducted his agricultural activities
with success so that from time to time he added to his holdings of land until he
brought them up to four hundred acres. He has brought his farm under a good
state of tilth, adding suitable improvements and. making of it one of the really
good farms of  the community. Ambitious, however, and desirous to increase his
holdings he has continued to extend his operations until he is at present
cultivating twelve hundred acres, making him one of the large raisers of wheat
of which he makes a specialty. He is also interested to a considerable extent in
the breeding of mules and in his business has met with most enviable success,
     Mr. Meek was married in Moscow, Idaho, in December, 1890, to Miss Lora May
Taylor, of Washington, a daughter of James S. and Anna (Billups) Taylor, both
natives of Iowa. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Meek have been born eight children, Winnie,
Ray, Laura, Hazel, Wayne, Thora, Lulu and Harry, all yet at home. Mr. Meek is
connected with the Farmers Union, where his voice has weight in matters
concerning the policy and purpose of the society. Being greatly interested in
educational matters he has been particularly active in school work and has been
a member of the local school board for sixteen years. Politically his
affiliation is with the republican party but he has never taken a conspicuous
part in politics, preferring to give the best of his endeavors to his business,
the education of his children and his home life. It will be noted in reviewing
the history of Mr. Meek that he started, on his career with no financial
advantages but with a commendable ambition. to succeed, and undaunted
perseverance in gaining his object. His present success is attributable alone to
his own efforts which have always been well, directed and to the industry which
has always characterized him. He is vitally interested in the affairs of the
great northwest and his faith in his community, is unbounded. To the many
friends and acquaintances of Mr. Meek few men appeal as being of better
citizenship or more worthy in the communities in which they live.

*******************

Submitted to the Washington Biographies Project in February 2008 by Diana
Smith.  Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family
mentioned above.