The morning call., 1891-05-25
OBITU AR Y.
DAVID MEEKER.

Another of the well-knOwn citizens Of
San Francisco has passed away. David
Meeker was a familiar name in business
and in public affairs up TO a recent period,
but from his advanced age and retirement
from business he is not so we'll known to
the San Francisco of to-day as he was ten
or fifteen years ago. To those who knew
him, his death will seem very sudden, as he
was as we'll as usual up to a day or two be-
fore his death, which occurred at his resi-
dence on Webster street yesterday morning.
Mr.. Meeker had been viSibly failing for six
months, but he kept up, aud was very active
and vigorous for one of his age. On Friday
night he attended a lecture at Calvary
Church and retired in his usual health. In
the morning he was found on the hODr of
his room, where he had fallen in a sudden
attack of apOplexy. lie was unconscious,
and remained So to the end. He had felt
premOnitiOns of death and remarked to a
friend that he was nearly WORKOUT. Only
a month ago he carefully revised memo
randum giving directions for MS burial,
stating his wishes in full as to the manner
of it. His constant prayer was that he
might not outllVe his usefulness and become
a burden to others. His painless release at
his ripe age is a merciful event, and while
his memory will be held green and honOred
it is a comfort to feel that his prayer has
been answered.
David Meeker was born in Elizabeth,
n. j., on the first day of January, 1896. Of
Revolutionary stock, his grandfather, Oba-
diah Meeker, having been Captain of cav
airy through the war. His maternal grand
father, Abraham Harrison, was also
soldier of the Revolution. Mr.. Meeker
took allowable pride in his ancestors, and
was an interested member of the order of
Sons of Revolutionary Sires. He left his
fafh forn IT no aJDn f I X nd Noa n
clerk in a large country store in Elizabeth,
afterward going to New York City as head
clerk in wholesale dry-goods house. The
panic Of 1887 throwing him out of employ
ment, he went west, and finally settled on
$40 acres of land in Knox County, Mo.
Here, in 1913, he married Elizabeth E.. the
daughter OF Sias Reddish, who survives
him. He cultivated his farm until he fell
victim TO the gold excitement, and drove an
Ox-team across the plains, arriving in Sac
ramento September l, 1850 be went into
business with his brother. Major S. Ii.
MeskeT, and continued TO reside in Sacra-
mentO for many years. In 1858 he united
his business with that of Stanford Bros,
under the firm name of Stanford Bros. IL
Meeker, subsequently selling his interest to
Leland Stanford. In 1862 he removed to
San Francisco, and in 1864 organized the
firm of Meeker, James & Co., which for
many years was the leading house in hard
wood lumber, doing very large business
and enjoying a high reputation for honor
and integrity. Several years ago Mr..
Meeker retired from business, and his later
years have been mainly devoted to the care
of his invalid wife. Unfortunate invest
ments and misfortunes of various kinds
have swept away his fortune, but he was
courageous and cheerful to the end, meet
ing his trials with forttude and growing
more gentle under Affections.
Mr.. Meeker was a man of much public
1ipif a cd
with credit In the early days in SacTa-
mentO he was member of the Common
Council, serving in company with Mark
Hopkins and Charles Croker. He was
also member of the Board of Education.
In 1871 he served a term in the State Legis-
lature and was an active and valuable
member.
Mr.. Meeker was an ardent Odd Fellow, a
member of Apollo Lodge and of Unity
Encampment, served several terms as
Chaplain of the Grand Ledge and also as its
Treasurer and was sent as representative of
the Grand Lodge Of the United States in
1867. MIR. Meeker took much interest in the
Society of Territorial Pioneers and was a
Vice President. He was always an earnest
member Of the Presbyterian Church and
for many years trustee of Calvary Church
in this city, where he has been the most
constant of WOrShiperS.
In all relations Of life Mr.. Meeker showed
the same qualities of unbending upright
ness. In business he was scrupulously ex-
act and honest, and if he ever wronged any
one it was unwittingly. He had naturally
much of the severity Of an earlier age, but
as he grew older lie became more tolerant
and charitable His mind was vigorous and
his memory uncOmmonly tenacious. He
was Stanch friend to those whom he APP
proved of and a good bater of fraud and
pretense, being honored in some of the
enemies he made. His life was one of use
fulness and honor and he ends the long
fight victor in the best sense, having con-
tlnued unfailing to the final CALL
Mr.. Meeker leaves a widow, daughter,
Mrs. Carrie n. Oakley, and two sons, Henry
H. Meeker Of Seattle and David Meeker Jr
of this city. He will be buried from CAL
vary Church