Nancy Gwinn is a native of Monroe county, Virginia, born October 17, 1809. Her parents, Joseph and Mary Gwinn, were both natives of Virginia. Her father died April 3, 1862, and her mother, June 23, 1872. November 27, 1832, she was married to John Meadows, a native of Monroe county, Virginia, born May 24, 1809. Soon after marriage, this couple started out empty handed, but determined to win for themselves a home, and after working nine years in Virginia, they secured a team and started for Missouri, and on November 12th, 1841, after a long and tedious travel, they landed and located on the present homestead in Daviess county. Mr. Meadows died March 10, 1880; he was a strict member of the Presbyterian Church; was president of the Farmer’s Bank, of Gallatin, for many years; and was a man widely and favorably known, and one in whom the people had great confidence; his loss was deeply mourned by his family and a large circle of friends. He left a fine estate worth about 830,000 and some 650 acres of choice land.
Eight children were born to them; viz., Mary E., Sylvester S., Joseph T., Martha B., Hudson C., James A., Susan P., and Miriam J. Mrs. Meadows resides upon the old homestead, which is one of the finest in Benton town-ship. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church and a lady universally beloved and respected by all who know her.