William H. Mees, stockman and farmer, is a native of England and was born on the 19th of February, 1820, being a son of George and Mary (Budgett) Mees. At the age of fourteen years William H. went into the mercantile business under his uncle, "the successful merchant," Samuel Budgett, and remained connected with that house until twenty-four years of age, serving in the capacity of ledger clerk for a number of years. He then came to Marietta, Ohio, and purchased a farm near the town, on which he resided until 1865, when he came to Maries County, Mo., afterward locating in Pettis County, and finally where he now lives. He owns 160 acres of land, about seventy of which are under cultivation. He still has an interest in the farm which he originally located in Ohio, and on which coal and oil abound. Mr. Mees has always contributed liberally to enterprises that promote the welfare of his neighborhood, and in his political views has always been a Republican. He has crossed the Atlantic Ocean five times, and one time was shipwrecked by ice. He was married in 1847 to Mrs. Morey, a daughter of John Harvey, of English descent. They are the parents of six children: Agnes, George, Samuel Budgett, and Eliza Anne living, and Daniel M. and Mary A., deceased.

History of Cole, Moniteau, Morgan, Benton, Miller, Maries and Osage Counties, Missouri, Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1889.