Jotham Meeker
Jotham Meeker was a Baptist missionary, printer, who lived and proselytized among various Native American peoples, including the Delaware, Ottawa, and Shawnee. He was born near Cincinnati, Ohio, and at the age of 21 became a teacher of the Indians, first at Carey Station, headed by Isaac McCoy. near present-day Niles, Michigan, November, 1825. Also joining the Station was 17-year-old Eleanor Richardson, who later became Jotham's wife.
Meeker and Richardson moved to Thomas Station at the rapids of the Grand River in 1827. The site is now in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Ottawas were led by Chief Noonday with contributions by Blackfeather.
Jotham died January 12, 1855, and was buried in the Ottawa Cemetery as was Eleanor who died a year later. The grave was near those of Indian Chiefs Comchau and Notinno.
