Meeker and Gunn

Eliza Gunn was born on the old Gunn homestead in Napoleon Township on October 14, 1846. She was the oldest of nine children, the others being George. Lucian, Helen Florence, Augusta, Landon, Charles and Cyrus. They were the children of Elliott H. and Elizabeth Cover Gunn, who were married in 1845.

Elliott Gunn was born in Damascus, Henry County, Ohio on December 5, 1818, one of the first white children born in the county. His parents were Charles and Elizabeth Gunn, natives of New York State. They located near the Maumee River at Damascus. Charles Gunn was an Indian trader, and was the first justice of the peace elected when Henry County was organized. He performed the first marriage ceremony in the county. Charles and Elizabeth died in 1832. Elizabeth Cover Gunn was born in Perry County, Ohio, on August 16, 1827, and was taken to Ottawa County as a small child.

When Charles and Elizabeth Gunn came to Henry County they lived in a log cabin with a quilt instead of a door, a clapboard roof, and had an abundance of wild game in the woods, including bear and wolves.

Elliott Gunn died on September 22, 1890 and his wife died on March 25, 1893.

Eliza Gunn married William A. Meeker in 1870 in Napoleon Township. He was born in Butler County, Ohio, on July 24, 1831. His parents were Chalon and Mary Ammons Meeker. Chalon was born in New Jersey, and Mary in Ohio. About 1836, the family moved from Butler County to Ottawa County, Ohio. Chalon was a drover and drove stock overland across the country. He was seventy- three when he died. He married twice, and his second wife and he were married only a few weeks when he died. He and his first wife had nine children, including William and Amanda McKay.

William came to Napoleon Township in 1873. He and Eliza had three children. George and Miley died in infancy. Lawson A. Meeker became a medical doctor. He married Ima Boulton of Henry County and they had Daphne, Ruth and Elliott.