Louisa Rodgers Meek Allen (1839-1904) was born in England and joined the LDS church in 1853. She married Benjamin Enniss Meek in 1860 in England and they had three children. In 1866, she immigrated to Utah with her husband, daughter Ann, and her in-laws via Liverpool and Castle Garden. Her husband died along the Mormon Trail in Nebraska. She married Andrew Jackson Allen in 1869 in Salt Lake City and had five more children. She lived the rest of her life in the Draper, Utah area with her children and is buried there.
Story of The Soldier Son Portrait who died to save others
Louisa Rodgers Meek Allen
1. Louisa Rodgers Meek Allen (1839-1904)
Louisa Rodgers
Birth 14 August 1839, Castling, Pike, Lea, Herefordshire, England
Death: 11 October 1904, Charleston, Wasatch, Utah, United States
Became a member of LDS Church during 1853
PARENTS
Father: John Rogers 1809-1856)
Mother: Harriet Wilkes Rogers (1811-1888)
LEA (St. John), a parish, in the union of Ross, hundred of Greytree, county of Hereford, 4½ miles (E. S.
E.) from Ross. This parish is situated on the road from Gloucester to Ross.
Her Father, John Rogers, passed away 26 January 1856, Weston Under Penyard, Herefordshire, England
Her Mother, Harriet Wilkes Rogers (1811-1888) MARRIED George Meek (1834-1883)
On 11 October 1857 at Weston Under Penyard, Herefordshire, England
George Meek is a brother of Benjamin Enniss Meek
2. Louisa Rodgers
MARRIED Benjamin Enniss Meek 14 October 1860, Weston under Penyard, Herefordshire, England
Benjamin Enniss Meek
Birth: 6 December 1837, Weston under Penyard, Herefordshire, England
Death: 21 Jul 1866, On Plains - West Of Wyoming, Neb on the way to Utah
Became a member of LDS Church during 1861
PARENTS of Benjamin Enniss Meek
Father: Thomas Meek
Birth: 27 September 1807, Weston, Herefordshire, England
Death: 6 Jul 1891, Kaysville, Davis, Utah
Became a member of LDS Church during 1841
Mother: Ann Enniss
Birth: 25 February 1808, Weston under Penyard, Herefordshire, England
Death:14 Oct 1885 Kaysville, Davis, Utah
Became a member of LDS Church during 1843
Louisa Rodgers & Benjamin Enniss Meek
CHILDREN: Born in England
William Meek (1860-1865) Died in England
Ann Meek (1861-1913) Immigrated to Utah with Parents & Meek Grandparents
Charles Meek (1864-1965) Died in England
During 1866 Benjamin & Louisa Rodgers Meek and child, Ann, plus Benjamin’s parents made their way to
Liverpool, England and along with 764 LDS Church members board the immigrant chartered ship
“John Bright”
http://mormonmigration.lib.byu.edu/Search/showDetails/db:MM_MII/t:voyage/id:193/keywords:Meek
Ship Name “John Bright”
Departure: Liverpool, England 30 Apr 1866 from Liverpool
Arrival: New York, new York 6 Jun 1866 at New York
PASSENGERS
• BenjaminMeek, Father Age 28
• Mother Age 27Meek, Louisa
• aughter Age 5Meek, Ann D
• sMeek, Thoma Father – Father-in-Law Age 58
• other – Mother-in-Law Age 58Meek, Ann M
Passengers arrived at Castel Garden Immigration Receiving Center at New York, New York
3. After arrival at New York the immigrants boarded riverboats and trains which headed for the wagon
trains staging area at Wyoming, Nebraska.
The following excerpts summarize the travels from New York to Wyoming, Nebraska during 1866
Diary of Caroline Hopkins Clark – A 12 day riverboat & train trip
June 7--We were taken into Castle Garden today about twelve o'clock. We had to stay there until twelve
o'clock at night. … At ten o'clock we had to [p. 3] walk about two miles to a steamboat. The lame, old, and
children had to have cars, so we fell in with that number. We had to sit in the boat all night, so you guess how
comfortable we were.
June 8--We rode all night. (To Albany, New York) . At break of day we were hurried out (of the steamboat) to
go to the train. We rode all day. It is a pleasing country. It is impossible to describe the acres of land that lays
uncultivated. Riding in the train is very tiresome. It shakes very much
June 9--We still are riding by rail. We went through British Canada. We also went through Toronto and
Montreal. We were stopped on the road and searched by soldiers; thinking we wore firearms. We had to
change trains at Montreal. …. The houses are mostly built of wood. They look well. The people dress fine about
here.
4. June 10--Still continue on by rail…. Soldiers are stationed every short distance along the road. We are riding
day and night.
June 11--We are still journey by railway. We had to change cars and drop over a river into the United
States. There we got refreshments, and started again on our journey.
June 12--Still continue by rail. It is very tedious, riding by rail so long. The country looks well. We have passed
by nice villages. It is very hot in the day time…
June 13--Still going by rail. Very sad news to tell of today's journeying. Mr. Cox was taken worse during the
night and remained so until about nine o'clock, then he died. The name of the place was called Michigan. He
was taken on to Chicago. We then bought a coffin and had him buried at a cemetery about four miles from
Chicago. We stayed there during the night….
June 14--Today's journey is a sad one to us, on account of the death of our dear baby. It grieved us much. She
died at the place where Mr. Cox was buried. We then left Chicago, and proceeded by train to Quincy. We
changed trains, and crossed the river.
June 15--Then we took the train and proceeded to St. Joseph. We stayed all day and night there.
June 16--Then we took a (riverboat) boat, and went up the Missouri River. The water is very dirty with
undercurrents. We saw Indians on the bank…
June 17--We still keep going up the river, we have to be on top deck. We can lie and see the moon and stars
shining upon us. We do not fear being exposed to the air, because we are getting used to it.
June 18--We are still on the river. It remains very hot. The water keeps very muddy all the way.
June 19--Arrived in Wyoming [Nebraska] very early in the morning. The heat is very oppressive. You should
see the children, they are blistered with the sun. Little Frank's arm is very bad. We can see something like
sparks of fire. They are small insects. There are not many houses. The teams came to the river for our luggage
and took it on to the grove.
The Meek’s family, traveling with different group, would have arrived a few days earlier but had similar travel
experience.
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The outfitting post at Wyoming, Nebraska
(the west bank of the Missouri River about 40 miles south of. Omaha).
Thomas E. Ricks Company
The Meek’s Family became part of the THOMAS E. RICKS COMPANY
DEPARTURE Wyoming, Nebraska 6-10 July 1866
ARRIVAL: Salt Lake City, Utah, 29 August 1866
NUMBER IN COMPANY 46 Wagons 256 Immigrants in the total Company of 272
Meek, Benjamin Age 28
Meek, Louisa Rodgers Age 28 Listed as Louisa Rogers in Company roster
Meek, Ann Age 5
Meek, Ann Ennis Age 58
Meek, Thomas Age 58
5.
6. 1866 - During travel with Thomas E. Ricks Wagon Co. Benjamin Enniss Meek, became ill and died
21 July 1866 and was buried along the trail.
Trail Reports place the THOMAS E. RICKS COMPANY at Cottonwood, Neb on 20 July 1866.
That is along the Platte River & Mormon Trail about 100 miles West from Kearney, Nebraska.
Today the town of North Platte, Nebraska (not present in 1866) is about 100 miles west of Kearney, Neb.
A short time after arrival at Salt Lake City the family settled at Kaysville, Davis Co., Utah
Louisa Rodgers son, Benjamin Rodgers Meek, was born 7 September 1866 at Kaysville
12 April 1869 Louisa MARRIED: Andrew Jackson Allen at Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., Utah
The family home was at Draper, Salt Lake Co., Utah.
Andrew Jackson Allen previously married to Delilah Emaline Andrews, they have 11 children.
Delilah Emaline Andrews passed away 5 Dec 1869, Draper, Utah
Louisa Rodgers & Andrew Jackson Allen
CHILDREN:
Jackson Rial Allen 1869-1943
John Wilford Allen 1871-1950
Thomas Warren Allen 1874-1946
Edwin Lewis Allen 1877-1879
Arthur Pratt Allen 1879-1955
Louisa’s Mother , Harriet Rogers Meek, came to Utah aboard the steamship “Idaho” during 1870.
She and husband, George Meek and his parents, lived at Kaysville, Davis Co., Utah.
Andrew Jackson Allen Died: 18 July 1884, Draper, Salt Lake, Utah
At some time. Louisa’s Mother, Harriet Wilkes, Rogers Meek, came to Draper, and lived with Louisa.
Harriet’s husband, George, died during 1883 and was buried at Kaysville, Utah
Harriet Meek died 14 Sept 1888 and was buried in Draper, Utah
During 1900 U.S. Census, Louisa Rodgers is living with her son, Jackson Rial Allen, and his family at
Draper, Utah.
Louisa Rodgers Allen Died: 11 October 1904 Charleston, Wasatch, Utah (Near Draper, Utah) probably
living with one of her children.
7. Louisa Rodgers Meek Allen
Find A Grave
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=9553594
Louisa R. Allen
Draper City Cemetery
Draper, Salt Lake County, Utah
Plot: A-37-8
Benjamin Enniss Meek – Find A Grave
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=118700539
Andrew Jackson Allen – Find A Grave
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=13425781
Prepared by J.E. Anderson for Aunt Jane Matilda Allen (1903-1974)
Grand Daughter of: Andrew Jackson Allen (1818-1884) AND Louisa Rogers (1839-1904)