Joseph Lafayette Meek (1810-1875) was a sheriff and U.S. Marshal. He was a trader and trapper for the American Fur Company from 1829-1840. He settled a donation land claim near Hillsboro in 1840. He was active in political and civic affairs in the years before statehood. He participated at the Champoeg meeting. He was a provisional legislator from 1846 to 1847. He participated in the fight again the Indians who attacked the Whitman Mission and served in the Yakima Indian war. He was married three times and had five children.