Thomas Meikle

Thomas Meikle was born in Scotland (1862-1939) - Brother of John and Stewart Meikle, he was also a pioneer in Rhodesia, modern day Zimbabwe. He was born in Scotland and traveled to Durban in 1869 with his parents. Worked initially as a transport rider, then as a gold prospector, finally settling as a trader in Mashonaland. In 1864 he set up stores in Bulawayo and Gwelo, modern day Gweru with his brother John, who pulled out of the venture two years later. He took over his brother Stewart's original idea to set up a chain of hotels, which culminated in the present day Meikles Hotel in Harare, Zimbabwe.