The boards used in the new house were probably one by twelves, sixteen feet long, either set upright to form what was known as a box house, or nailed lengthwise on a frame of hewn logs and poles and covered by a shingled roof. This unpainted building was large enough for a house-warming dance, but very inadequate according to present standards. It was a one-story affair, with an attic, no doubt, that could accommodate one or more sleepers. The effective size of the front room was reduced by storage of saddles, pumpkins, apples, and other produce. Thus, although the long kitchen was adequate, the large and maturing family had little more than one-room sleeping quarters. Used to better conditions in the east, daughter Olive, after her return in the fall of 1862, promoted improvements. Unbelievably, there was room for over-winter visits of relatives.
The successive family houses on the original site no longer stand, and the 1866 barn has been torn down. Fortunately, the home of Mrs. Emma Ross Deardorff, in which she has lived since 1872, still exhibits what are close similarities to the dwelling in which Colonel Meek lived during his last years. Living on the original residential site, now the Ernest Zurcher farm, are Mrs. Zurcher (Marjorie Meek), her husband, and the grandchildren of Stephen A. D. Meek—the great grandchildren of Joseph L. Meek.
There was a “lost generation” of Meeks. The Civil War and racial discrimination in the years that followed were principally responsible for the fact that marriages of all surviving Meek children were delayed until later in life than is normal. The grandchildren of Joseph L. Meek, who are now at the peak of their careers as average, respected, useful citizens. Best known in Oregon is druggist J. Fred Meek who is now, after another reelection, serving as representative in the state legislature.
The West Union Baptist Church
Ruth McBride Powers
Oregon Historical Society
“We the undersigned agree to pay the sum annexed to our names severally for the purpose of Erecting a house of worship; to be the property of the West Union Baptist Church of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour; said house to be built in Washington County O. T., upon a lot of land furnished by David T. Lenox which the said Lenox and wife secures to the church by lease as long as they shall use it for a house of Worship, together with a burying ground, the lot of land is on the east side of the Lenox land claim at a point of timber adjoining the prairie, the house to be of good style frame 30 foot by 40 foot Square finished in good Style, the payments to be made to the trustees, David T. Lenox, Henry Sewell and Reubin W. Ford.”
* * * * * * * *
Thus reads a subscription paper dated April 20, 1853, which records pledges of $749.70 toward the total cost of $1,512.43 of the West Union Baptist Church. The average gift was $5.00 but David T. Lenox heads the list with $200.00, his son, Edward, $60.00. Generous pioneers of other faiths made contributions, including Dr. John McLoughlin, D. H. Lounsdale, and James Failing.
On May 25, 1844, five Baptists met in the log house of David Lenox on Tualatin Plains, about eight miles northwest of Hillsboro, and constituted the first church of the Baptist denomination in Oregon. Their Minute Book shows that they named their church the West Union Baptist Church, decided to meet once each month at the homes of members, and elected David T. Lenox temporary Moderator. Subsequent entries clearly show that Lenox was the leading member of this pioneer church.