Thomas Meredith

Thomas Meredith is a native of England. In the year 1853, he came moving across Cass county on his way to California. He had been a resident of Wisconsin several years, but had made up his mind to go to the land of gold. When he got as far as this county he made what he intended to be a temporary halt, but which proved to be a permanent settlement. He pitched his tent in the year named, at a point in Brighton township, since known as Eight Mile Grove, and entered the land now occupied by John W. Berry, Wm. Trailor, and others. Himself and family lived in a tent while they built a log house. Mr. M. entered over 2,000 acres of land in the vicinity of the grove named, and during his residence here has made as many actual improvements as any other man in the county. He has accumulated largely, making much money out of the increase in the price of land. He still owns much real estate, among which may be classed a large interest in the town of Marne. He does not regret having stopped in the county in preference to completing his journey across the plains.

From "History of Cass County, Iowa Together With Brief Mention of Old Settlers," by Lafe Young, Atlantic, Iowa, Telegraph Steam Printing House, 1877, pg. 57.