Meeker, Nathan Cook, 1814-1879

Colorado pioneer, Nathan Cook Meeker was born in Ohio in 1817. He worked as a newspaperman, traveling salesman and teacher throughout the United States. Meeker was selected by Horace Greeley, editor of the New York Tribune, to found the agricultural community known as the Union Colony of Colorado at present day Greeley, Colo. Greeley provided major funding for the colony. Based on utopian and religious ideals, the organization was established in 1869 with approximately 700 colonists and was known for its organization and extensive use of agriculture. The colony, which was a private enterprise, was not a financial success. When Greeley died in 1872, Meeker found himself deeply in debt to Greeley's heirs. In 1878, Meeker was appointed as Indian Agent to the White River Ute Indian Agency in Western Colo. His wife, Arvilla managed the agency store and their daughter, Josephine, became the agency's schoolteacher. Unfortunately, Meeker encountered difficulties working with the Ute Indian Tribe. His call for Army troops in September 1879 triggered and uprising in which Meeker and 10 other agency employees were murdered in what has become known as the "Meeker Masacre." The town of Meeker, Colo. is named in his honor. His name is also found on Mount Meeker, a shorter neighbor to the more famous James Peak, the tallest mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park.