San Francisco County

Biographies


 

WILLIAM A. MEEKER


WILLIAM A. MEEKER, founder of the Excelsior Mill, is a native of Morris county, New Jersey, born in April, 1824. His ancestors were of Welsh descent, and emigrated to New England in the days of the Puritans, and settled in Connecticut. In 1675 William Meeker became a pioneer and one of the first settlers of Elizabeth, New Jersey. The old Meeker homestead still stands on the Irvington road, which was formerly called pot-pie Lane. For this house and the acres about it a deed was never given. For seven generations it has been handed down from father to son in a direct male line, and is now in 1891 occupied by descendants of the family. During the Revolutionary war, it being important that a close watch be kept of the British, Colonel Josiah Meeker was chosen for the duty, and from the old homestead he used to ride by night to the American lines and carry information of British doings. Other members of the Meeker family were also engaged in the struggle for independence. The father of our subject, Denman Meeker, was born at Lyons Farms, Essex county, New Jersey, in 1781, and settled in Morris county New Jersey, in 1814. He followed an agricultural life and also engaged in the manufacture of earthen and stone ware. William A. was educated in Morris county where the schools were of high standard of excellence. He was then apprenticed to a carpenter of Mendham for a period of five years, and by long and faithful service he became a skilled artisan and very competent in his calling. In 1845 he went to New York to engage in business, but after one year he returned to Morris county to superintend the building of a very elegant residence for the Hon. Mahlon Dickinson, ex- Secretary of the Navy; and there after he continued business in that county until January, 1862 when he started for California by steamer and the Isthmus of Panama. Landing in San Francisco, he soon found occupation, as a skilled mechanics were in demand, and with his long experience and through knowledge of detail his ability was recognized and he speedily stepped to the front. He was called upon to superintend the construction of some of the finest residences in the city. In 1866 he built the Howard Presbyterian Church and many other edifices of prominence. In 1867 he established the Excelsior Mill and engaged in the manufacture of doors, sash, blinds and house-finishing materials, employing about thirty men in the mill. He then gave up building and devoted his attention entirely to his milling interests, which he continued in that location until August, 1876; his mill was then destroyed by fire. When he rebuilt on Bryant street, near fifth, and with increased facilities and improved machinery he employed about fifty men and conducted an extensive business, until December, 1890.Then, owing to failing health he severed his connection, and retired to a more quiet life. In 1875 Mr. Meeker purchased a lot on the corner of Twenty-first and Shotweil streets, and erected a handsome and spacious residence, Subsequently improving the balance of property with houses for renting.

      Mr. Meeker was married in West Milford, New Jersey, in 1851, to Miss Victorine M. Monington, a native of Pennsylvania, of English descent. Her ancestors settled in Beech Wood, Pennsylvania, when it was a wilderness. Of this union have been born eight children, six of whom are living: Jeannette A., Frances V., Mabel R., now Mrs. Dr. A. A. Stoneberger, of San Francisco; William M., Charlotte L., wife of John H. Bullock, Jr., of San Francisco; and James D., a graduate of Berkeley University. Mr. Meeker is a member of the American Legion of Honor. After a long and eventful life, filled with hard labor and varied experience, he is passing the closing years in peace and restfulness, watchfully attended by his faithful wife of forty years. 

 

Transcribed by Kim Buck.

Source: "The Bay of San Francisco," Vol. 2, Pages 505, Lewis Publishing Co, 1892.


© 2006 Kim Buck.

 

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