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Note: N4812 William Augustus Meriwether
© The Meriwethers and Their Connections (1964)
William Augustus Meriwether, b. May 26, 1825 on his father's farm below the Falls of the Ohio, near Louisville, Kentucky., d. Jan. 5, 1903. He was educated in the common schools of Kentucky but far more was the education he received from his mother, Sarah Leonard Meriwether. As his father was actively engaged in politics, the care and management of the plantation fell largely on his shoulders, and at age fifteen he found himself acting as his father's superintendent. He early showed those traits of character that made him in after life one of the most honored and respected men of his community. He fought with the rank of Major in the Mexican War in 1849 under his father's friend, Gen. William O. Butler of Jessamine County, Kentucky., and he was present at the fall of Mexico City. For the next few years he helped his father in his political campaigns but when the question of the Union came up, he and his father differed and William A. Meriwether became an ardent Unionist. During the Civil War he acted first as Deputy and then U.S. Marshal. At the chose of the war he entered actively into state and local politics, which interest be retained until his death in 1903.
William Augustus was in the real estate business for many years, acting as secretary-treasurer of the Highland Park Land Co. Many times he neglected his own busy affairs that he might give time and thought to the relief of the needy, the miserable, and the afflicted. The City Hospital, the Almshouse, and Jail were familiar with his patriarchal appearance and words of hope. In 1855 his father gave him a farm next to his own where he built a home. (NHM)
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Note: N4809 US Army Service, Mexican War
He fought with the rank of Major in the Mexican War in 1849 under his father's friend, Gen. William O. Butler of Jessamine County, Kentucky, and he was present at the fall of Mexico City.
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Note: N4806 Flake's Bulletin (San Antonio, Texas), 7 October 1868
Organized Resistance To the United States Court.
Louisville, Sept. 20—On Thursday last, U. S. Marshall Meriweather, accompanied by forty United States soldiers, under command of Lieut. Drury, left Louisville to protect the Marshall and Deputies in the execution of processes in Nelson and Larue counties. Arriving at Howard's Mills, on the Rolling Fork, which formed the boundary of Nelson and Larue counties, the soldiers went into camp. Mr. Howard, who resides at the mills, invited Mr. Merriweather to his house for supper. He accepted the invitation, but had not finished his supper before three men entered the house with pistols in hand, and demanded his surrender. Being unarmed, he complied.
They then proceeded with him towards the woods, threatening to make short work of him when they got there. Mr. Howard, however, overtook the party, and told them they should not hurt the marshal. Mr. Howard then accompanied the marshal to the camp where the soldiers were.
After arresting Chas. Howard, Mr. Holt and Joseph Mahony, the parties charged with assisting the outrages upon the Deputy Marshals some weeks since, and executing several summons in debt against persons in that neighborhood, they returned to Louisville.
There is beyond a doubt a regular organization in Larue, Nelson and Marion counties to prevent the execution of any process from the United States Courts, numbering from two to three hundred men.
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Note: N4807 Cincinnati Daily Gazette (Cincinnati, Ohio), 29 April 1876
Banckrunptcy
W. A. Merriweather, of Louisville, late Clerk of the United States District Court there, has filed a petition in bankruptcy. His liabilities are $210,000; assets, $330,000.
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Note: N4813 Newspaper unknown (?Louisville, Kentucky), date unknown (died January 5, 1903)
Death Comes Suddenly to William A. Meriwether
Had been in Poor Health
Conditions Did Not Become Serious Until Yesterday
Close Friend of Lincoln
Served in Gen. Butler's Staff In Mexican War and Held Numerous Federal Offices.
Interest in Civic Affairs
Mr. William Augustus Meriwether, one of the most widely known and respected citizens of Louisville, died suddenly yesterday afternoon at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Samuel Dorr, 1311 Second street. The immediate cause of his death was inflammation of the bladder, though he had been a sufferer from a complication of diseases for a number of months.
The suddenness of Mr. Meriwether's death is shown by the fact that he was not confined to his bed until yesterday morning, and that the members of his family were conversing with him up to the time of his death. When Dr. Skinner arrived yesterday morning at 10 o'clock he noticed the critical condition of his charge and summoned Dr. W.O. Roberts. After a brief consultation the immediate members of the family were summoned and were at his bedside when the end came.
Native of Louisville
Mr. Meriwether was born in Louisville on May 25, 1825, and was seventy-eight years of age. He was the eldest son of David Meriwether. His father was Governor of New Mexico during the Civil War. The surviving children are Mrs. Charles Mengel, Jr., Miss Lilly E. Tryon, Mrs. Samuel Dorr, Dr. Frank T. Meriwether, a prominent physician of Ashville, N.C, and Mr. D. Leonard Meriwether, an insurance agent of city.
Efforts To Regain Health
Mr. Meriwether left Louisville last September for Portsmouth, N.H., where he went to spend the summer with his daughter, Mr. Charles C. Mengel, Jr. While there he was taken ill and went to the Wentworth at Ashville, in August, in the hope of an improvement in his condition, but failing to secure any permanent relief he came back to Louisville the first of October upon the advise of his son, Dr. F. T. Meriwether, who was attending him. Since his return he ad been confined to the house, but occasionally took a drive with one of his children.
Led Active Life
At the time of his death, Mr. Meriwether was secretary of the Highland Park Land Company.
He was a stanch Republican, and always took an active interest in the party's affairs. He held many positions under the Government, and also served in the General Council during the terms of Mayor George D. Todd and Charles P. Weaver, having been elected from the Sixth and Seventh wards. Mr. Meriwether and Abraham Lincoln were warm personal friends, and it was when the latter was President that he appointed Mr. Meriwether Marshall of the United States Court. The first official position that Mr. Meriwether held was in the early 60's when he was appointed a Deputy United States Marshall by President Johnson. IN the latter part of 1869 he was appointed to the marshallship and served until 1878.
Clerk of Federal Court
Mr. Meriwether was then appointed Clerk of the United States Court. During the Mexican War Gen. W.O. Butler appointed Mr. Meriwether to his staff and he served with great distinction.
Mr. Meriwether was generous to a fault, and those who were in need were never turned from his door without having been helped. A friend of Mr. Meriwether, in speaking of his death, said: "He gave so generously and freely that the left hand never knew what the right was doing."
He was a devout churchman, and every Sunday afternoon, rain or shine, he would visit the City Hospital and talk to the inmates. Reading matter at the institution was always supplied by him, and on Christmas a tree filled with presents for those who were unable to be at home with their loved ones was also provided through the thoughtfulness of Mr. Meriwether.
Relatives Are Notified
Mr. Charles C. Mengel, who is in New York on a business trip, was notified of his father-in-law's death, and will reach home tomorrow. His son, Dr. Frank T. Meriwether, who lives in Ashville, was also notified of his father's death and will arrive tomorrow. The funeral arrangements will not be completed until their arrival.
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