Joshua Meeks (1731-1818). A militia captain during the American Revolution and civic leader in the early republic, Meeks was a petitioner to create Allegheny County in 1787. While making his living as a farmer, he took up arms to defend western Pa. during conflict and war. Meeks championed democratic ideals, promoting citizenship and patriotism by opening his home as a fort, a polling place, and a school. The Meeks house, which stood nearby, was razed in 2000.