Joseph Meek
Joseph Meek | |
|---|---|
| Legislator in the Provisional Government of Oregon | |
| In office 1846–1847 | |
| Constituency | Tuality District |
| Marshal of Oregon Territory | |
| In office 1848–1853 | |
| Appointed by | James K. Polk |
| Preceded by | Position created |
| Succeeded by | James W. Nesmith |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Joseph Lafayette Meek February 9, 1810 Washington County, Virginia |
| Died | June 20, 1875 (aged 65) Hillsboro, Oregon |
| Spouse | Virginia (3rd wife) |
| Relations | Stephen Meek (brother) James K. Polk (cousin) |
| Occupation |
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Joseph Lafayette Meek (February 9, 1810 – June 20, 1875) was an American pioneer, mountain man, law enforcement official, and politician in the Oregon Country and later Oregon Territory of the United States. A trapper involved in the fur trade before settling in the Tualatin Valley, Meek played a prominent role at the Champoeg Meetings of 1843, where he was elected a sheriff. He was later elected to and served in the Provisional Legislature of Oregon before being appointed as the United States Marshal for the Oregon Territory.