BIOGRAPHY: Hugh L. McMEEN, Reeds Gap, Juniata Co., PA
  
  Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Mike Williamson 
  Transcribed by Patty Frank
  
  Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/juniata/
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/juniata/runk1897/runk-bios.htm
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  The Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley, 
  Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, and Perry, 
  Pennsylvania.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, Volume II, 
  Pages 867-868.
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    HUGH L. McMEEN, Reeds Gap, Juniata county, Pa., son of Josiah and
  Margaret J. (Junk) McMeen, was born at Waterloo, Juniata county,
  March 8, 1836. His father, Josiah McMeen, was born in Adams county,
  Pa., and was reared on a farm. When a young man he removed to
  Waterloo, where he kept store for some years, and then went into the
  hotel business at Waterford. Here he remained until 1861, when he
  began farming at Reedis Gap. Mr. McMeen was an old line Whig. He was
  married to Margaret J. Junk, a native of Ireland, whose father became
  a farmer in Mifflin county. Mr. and Mrs. McMeen had six children: Anna
  E. (Mrs. Alexander McClure), deceased; Mary J. (Mrs. Charles McKim),
  resides in Louisville, Ky.; Matilda B. (Mrs. Scott Hardy), died in
  Indiana; Hugh L.; John S., deceased; and an infant, deceased. Mrs.
  McMeen died in January, 1841, and her husband in 1867, at the home of
  his son, Hugh L. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and a
  kind husband and loving father.
    Hugh L. McMeen attended the public schools at East Waterford,
  Juniata county, and Airy View Academy, at Port Royal, Juniata county.
  He worked at home until he was seventeen years old, when he entered
  the foundry to learn the moulderis trade. Some years later, after
  opening the foundry very successfully for four years, he sold out and
  bought the James Robinson farm of 128 acres, near Reeds Gap. He has
  since built a fine barn, planted an orchard, and made other
  improvements. Beginning life with no capital or financial
  expectations, Mr. McMeen managed his business affairs with such skill
  and ability that in the course of a few years he possessed a
  comfortable living. In 1879, he was elected commissioner of Juniata
  county, and three years later was re-elected as the Republican
  candidate to the same office. During his administration, good bridges
  were built and many public improvements effected. He also served as
  assessor and for twelve years as school director, always taking the
  deepest interest in educational matters. In connection with his
  farming interests, he is now profitably engaged in raising live stock.
    Mr. McMeen was married in 1858, to Eliza, daughter of Thomas Van
  Sweringen, a farmer and stock dealer of Tuscarora township. Their
  children are: Annie (Mrs. Howard Randolph), of Tuscarora township;
  Charles McK., a farmer of Tuscarora township, married Ida A. Kunkle,
  has four children: Harry H., of Chicago, married Elizabeth E. Lawson;
  Hugh L., of Chicago; Grace (Mrs. Harry Lawson), of Tuscarora township;
  Edgar Van S., at home; and Cora C., at home. The family are
  Presbyterians, Mr. McMeen being one of the church trustees. He is
  popular, and deservedly so, being known as a loyal friend, kind
  neighbor, and good citizen.