Joseph Meek

Joseph Meek
Legislator in the Provisional Government of Oregon
In office
1846–1847
ConstituencyTuality District
Marshal of Oregon Territory
In office
1848–1853
Appointed byJames K. Polk
Preceded byPosition created
Succeeded byJames W. Nesmith
Personal details
Born
Joseph Lafayette Meek

February 9, 1810
Washington County, Virginia
DiedJune 20, 1875(1875-06-20) (aged 65)
Hillsboro, Oregon
SpouseVirginia (3rd wife)
RelationsStephen Meek (brother)
James K. Polk (cousin)
Occupation
  • Pioneer
  • mountain man
  • law enforcement official
  • politician

Joseph Lafayette Meek (February 9, 1810 – June 20, 1875) was an American pioneer, mountain man, law enforcement official, and politician in the Oregon Country and later Oregon Territory of the United States. A trapper involved in the fur trade before settling in the Tualatin Valley, Meek played a prominent role at the Champoeg Meetings of 1843, where he was elected a sheriff. He was later elected to and served in the Provisional Legislature of Oregon before being appointed as the United States Marshal for the Oregon Territory.