HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
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mild climate from a chronic disease which had been troubling him for years, but died in that city, March 16, 1899, within three weeks of having reached his 76th birthday. The conspicuous features of his character were a strong individuality and indomitable perseverance, which led him never to accept defeat. A few weeks previous to his death, facts were developed going to show that, in 1881, he was offered, by President Garfield, the position of Postmaster-General, which was declined, when he was tendered the choice of any position in the Cabinet except two which had been previously promised; also, that he was offered a position in President Harrison's Cabinet, in 1889.
MEDILL, (Maj.) William H., soldier, was born at Massillon, Ohio, Nov. 5, 1835; in 1855, came to Chicago and was associated with "The Prairie Farmer." Subsequently he was editor of 'The Stark County (Ohio) Republican," but again returning to Chicago, at the beginning of the war, was employed on "The Tribune," of which his brother (Hon. Joseph Medill) was editor. After a few months' service in Barker's Dragoons (a short-time organization), in September, 1861, he joined the Eighth Illinois Cavalry (Colonel Earns worth's), and, declining an election as Major, was chosen Senior Captain. The regiment soon joined the Army of the Potomac. By the promotion of his superior officers Captain Medill was finally advanced to the command, and, during the Peninsular campaign of 1862, led his troops on a reconnaissance within twelve miles of Richmond. At the battle of Gettysburg he had command of a portion of his regiment, acquitting himself with great credit. A few days after, while attacking a party of rebels who were attempting to build a bridge across the Potomac at Williamsburg, he received a fatal wound through the lungs, dying at Frederick City, July 16, 1863.
MEEKER, Moses, pioneer, was born in Newark, N. J., June 17, 1790; removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1817, engaging in the manufacture of white lead until 1822, when he headed a pioneer expedition to the frontier settlement at Galena, Ill., to enter upon the business of smelting lead-ore. He served as Captain of a company in the Black Hawk War, later removing to Iowa County, Wis., where he built the first smelting works in
