This nomination predates the introduction in April 2014 of article-specific subpages for nominations and has been created from the edit history of Wikipedia:Today's featured article/requests.
This is the archived discussion of the TFAR nomination for the article below. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as Wikipedia talk:Today's featured article/requests). Please do not modify this page.
Ezra Meeker (1830–1928) was an American pioneer who traveled the Oregon Trail by ox-drawn wagon in 1852, migrating from Iowa to the Oregon Territory with his wife and newborn son. Although they endured hardships in the journey of nearly six months, the entire Meeker party survived. In 1862, he settled at the present site of Puyallup, Washington, where he grew hops for use in brewing beer. His business made him wealthy, and he served as Puyallup's first mayor, but an infestation of hop aphids in 1891 destroyed his crops and took much of his fortune. He made four trips to the Klondike during the gold rush there, bringing groceries in an unsuccessful attempt to recoup his losses. After the turn of the 20th century, Meeker, convinced that the Oregon Trail was being forgotten, determined to bring it publicity. In 1906–1908, although in his late 70s, he retraced his steps along the Oregon Trail by wagon, seeking to build monuments in communities along the way; he reached New York and Washington, D.C., where he met President Theodore Roosevelt. He wrote several books, and traveled the Trail again several times in the final two decades of his life, including by airplane in 1924. (Full article...)
Three points: One for the first day of Meeker Days, the annual celebration in Puyallup, two because there's nothing like Meeker in the past six months. Possibly ever.--Wehwalt (talk) 12:55, 13 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Support, most unique and educational. It's amazing the entire Meeker party survived The Oregon Trail. :P — Cirt (talk) 14:14, 13 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Blurb trimmed (you've got about 30 characters left if you want to tweak further). Great story. BencherliteTalk 14:54, 13 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]
Isn't it though? And there are all sort of sidelights Dennis Larsen (probably the greatest living authority on Meeker) keeps sending me. My thanks to him for his help, btw.--Wehwalt (talk) 15:44, 13 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]
