David Meacham was born in Genesee County, New York, May 3, 1835, and was reared at Geneseo, learning the carpenter’s trade. In 1858 he came to California, crossing the plains with General Harney, shortly after the Mountain Meadow Massacre. He helped to gather up the bones of the murdered emigrants, and assisted in building the monument erected by the Government on the scene. Arriving in California, he located at Bloomfield, Sonoma County, where he followed his trade five years. In 1863 he came to San Bernardino, and here followed the building trade. He rode to Riverside on the first load of lumber ever hauled there, and, as before stated, built the first house there. He has resided in this State all of the time since 1858, except one year he spent in Virginia City, Nevada, where he went in 1869, and there followed mining principally, but also did some work at his trade.
Mr. Meacham is a man of excellent qualities of character, unassuming in manner, fair and honorable in business matters.