# Bradley B. Meeker *American lawyer, judge and businessman; justice of the Minnesota Territorial Supreme Court (1849–1853)* Bradley B. Meeker (March 13, 1813 – February 19, 1873) was a lawyer, judge and businessman born in Connecticut who sat on the [[Minnesota Territorial Supreme Court]] from 1849 to 1853.[^1][^2] After practicing law in Kentucky, he moved to [[Minnesota Territory]] in 1848. President Zachary Taylor nominated him to the territorial court the following year.[^2] After his term on the court, he was elected a delegate to the Minnesota Constitutional Convention. He was also among the first regents of the [[University of Minnesota]] and a charter member of the [[Minnesota Historical Society]].[^2] A county was named for him in 1856.[^2] ## Biography Meeker was born in Fairfield, Connecticut, on March 13, 1813. His parents were Joseph Meeker and Rhoda Meeker, born Nichols.[^2] The family was very poor, although it descended from one of the city's founders.[^2] His relative, Senator Truman Smith, is credited with inspiring him to take up law.[^2] With assistance from [[governor|Governor]] Gideon Tomlinson, Meeker attended Weston Academy, and he later graduated from Yale University.[^2] He practiced law in Richmond, Kentucky, between 1838 and 1845. He also practiced in Flemingsburg, Kentucky.[^2] Meeker arrived in Minnesota Territory in 1848.[^2] President Zachary Taylor nominated him to the territorial supreme court on March 15, 1849, and the Senate confirmed the nomination on March 19, 1849.[^2] He was sworn in on May 9, 1849. His four-year term ended on March 18, 1853.[^2] During his service, the court's other two members were Chief Justice [[Aaron Goodrich]] and Justice [[David Cooper (jurist)|David Cooper]].[^2] After his term, Meeker served as an elected delegate to the Minnesota Constitutional Convention.[^2] He was one of the University of Minnesota's first regents and a charter member of the Minnesota Historical Society.[^2] Meeker held land along the [[Mississippi River]]. That property included Meeker Island, which bears his name.[^2] In 1856, a county was named for him.[^2] He died unexpectedly on February 19, 1873, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He had not married.[^2] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia, *Bradley B. Meeker* (revid 1378277641, retrieved 2026-10-26) — lead: life dates; describes Meeker as an American jurist, lawyer and businessman. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bradley_B._Meeker [^2]: Wikipedia, *Bradley B. Meeker*, "Biography" section (revid 1378277641, retrieved 2026-10-26) — birth and family, education, Kentucky practice, arrival in Minnesota Territory, nomination, confirmation, oath and term dates, fellow justices, later offices, landholding, county naming, and death. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bradley_B._Meeker