R. P. Meeks (1849–1916)

R.P. Meeks was a student at Prudy University in McNairy County, TN, Mars Hill, Florence, Alabama under T.B. Larimore, and later at Bethany College, W.Va. 1871-1875. His father, John H. Meeks (1814-1898) was a Representative in the Tennessee State House Of Representatives for many years. He was a well known educator and gospel preacher in West Tennessee from about 1878. He was the principle of the Bible Department of West Tennessee Christian College 1889-1893 (forerunner of Freed-Hardeman University). In 1890, N.B. Hardeman, a student at WTCC, was highly influenced by the teaching of Meeks, resulting in his baptism. One of the most interesting things about R.P. Meeks was that he was the brother-in-law of T. B. Larimore. His wife, Mollie, was T. B.'s only sister.