San Bernardino County
Biographies
SAMUEL ALDER
is one of the pioneer mechanics of Riverside, having
established the first carriage-making, and general blacksmithing ever founded in
the city. No history of the manufacturing and business enterprises of Riverside
could be considered complete without a mention of Mr. Alder, and his association
with the building up of the city and colony.
The subject of this sketch was born
in Wiltshire, England, in 1845, son of Samuel and Ann (Chivers) Alder, both
being natives of that county. His father was a weaver by occupation and the
family were dependent upon his wages alone for support. The children were put at
labor early in life, and at the age of twelve
years, when a mere child, Mr. Alder was apprenticed at the trade of wagon-maker.
He served a six years' apprenticeship, and then worked as a journeyman for a
year. Realizing the disadvantages the workmen of the old country were laboring
under, he decided to try his fortune in the new world, and in 1864 embarked for
New York. Soon after his arrival in that city he struck out for the great West.
His first stop was in Wisconsin; not satisfied, he continued his westward march;
securing a position as teamster, he joined an emigrant train and drove a team
across the plains to Salt Lake City.
There he obtained employment at his trade and remained in that city until 1867. In that year he came to California and located in Sacramento. The next two years were spent by Mr. Alder at his trade in that city, in Petaluma and Vacaville. In the fall of 1869 he came to Southern California and located in San Bernardino, and the next year, in partnership with Joseph Bright, established a carriage and blacksmith shop on Third street. He conducted that enterprise until 1874. At that time the Riverside colony was attracting attention, and Mr. Alder, believing in the future prosperity of the colony, decided to cast his fortunes with the Riversiders. He sold out his interests to his partner and came to Riverside, and in partnership with Frank Petchner, the pioneer blacksmith of the colony, established carriage-making and general blacksmithing works on Main street, at the corner of Seventh street. His partnership with Mr. Petchner continued for ten years, until 1884; since that time he has conducted the business alone. Mr. Alder, daring his business here, has been one of the must enterprising and public-spirited men of Riverside. Both himself and partner were liberal contributors to the pioneer enterprises that proved important factors in placing Riverside in the position she occupies, in the ranks of the progressive cities of Southern California. Himself and partner donated to the Citrus Fair Association a hundred-foot lot on the corner of Main and Seventh streets, one of the most valuable lots in the city. Mr. Alder was also a large contributor in the erection of the Young Men's Christian Association building. It is well understood that an appeal to him is never in vain, where aid is required in advancing the interests and welfare of his chosen city. He has been a successful man in his business, and by his industry and straightforward dealing has gained a modest competency. Among his real-estate interests is his business lot on Main street, between Sixth and Eighth, and residence block of two and a half acres, between Main and Orange, Second and Third streets. This block he has under a fine state of cultivation, and displays his love of horticulture by producing some of the choicest fruits in the city, Mr. Alder takes an interest in the political affairs of his city and county, and is allied with the Republican party.
Mr. Alder married in 1870, wedding Mrs. Margaret Scott (nee Schyff). She is the daughter of John H. and Gertrude Schyff, natives of Holland. They are residents of San Bernardino, where they have lived for more than a quarter of a century. From this marriage there are six children: John H., Samuel R.; Rebecca P., Flora M., Grace and Lucile. There are also two children living from Mrs. Alder's first marriage, viz.: William Edward and Nora.
SOURCE: An Illustrated History of Southern California: Embracing the Counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the Peninsula of Lower California… Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1890. p.- 712-713
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
MRS. ELLEN WOODS CRAFTS MEACHAM.
This lady, who,
with her husband and family, occupies as a residence one of the old landmarks of
the county (the well‑known Crafton Retreat), is a native of Jackson, Michigan,
and daughter of Myron Harwood and Miranda (Caper) Crafts. Her father, who was
born in Whately, the family-seat, was a man of great force of character. He came
to San Bernardino County when the country was new, locating at the place which
took his name, and left the impress of his character indelibly upon the
community. His unusual business ability, while securing for him ample means and
property, could have enabled him to accumulate a much vaster fortune had his
inclinations run more to hoarding. He established his home at the place which
took the name of "Crafton Retreat," a spot of great natural beauty, which has
been rather enhanced than detracted from by the hand of man. He had a clear
foresight of the great future which was in store for the community of his
adopted home, and his judgment was verified even before his death, which
occurred in this county. He was one of the early members of the Republican
party, and
during the war stood manfully by his convictions, though he and a Mr. Robbins at
that time cast the only Republican votes in the county.
His daughter, Mrs. Meacham, with whose name this sketch commences, was nine years old when her parents removed from Jackson to Windsor, Michigan, nine miles from Lansing, and there her mother died. After this sad event she went to live with her maternal grandmother, Mrs. Leonard Woods. After she had been there two years, she went to Olivet, Michigan, to attend college, and there received the advantage of a three-years course of study. She then went to Troy, New York, to live with Mrs. Eliza Stewart, a sister of her grandfather and wife of Philo P. Stewart, one of the founders of Oberlin College. For a time she attended the high school in Troy, then went to a young ladies' boarding school at Danbury, New York, meantime making her home in Brooklyn with Mrs. Douglas Putnam, her mother's sister. In 1865 she left boarding school, and came to California to join her father. After a time here she went to Los Angeles, where she taught public school one year. During the two years following she kept house for her father, and during that time was married, on the 10th of January, 1869, to David Meacham, a sketch of whom will follow this article.
When they left Crafton they removed to San Bernardino, and from there, in 1870, to Riverside, where they were among the first settlers, and where Mr. Meacham built the first house. Their oldest child, Myron Putnam Meacham, was born at Crafton, October 22, 1869, and their second child, born November 12, 1871, was the first boy born in Riverside. They speculated in land there, and at one time owned 300 acres right in the heart of Riverside. From there they went again to San Bernardino, and built a residence near the present site of the Stewart House. There their third child, Kate Capen Meacham, was born, June 8, 1876. After one year at San Bernardino they returned to Riverside, and while there the fourth and youngest child, Sarah Rachel Crafts Meacham, was born, December 4, 1883. From there they removed to Los Angeles, and during the great boom there Mrs. Meacham sold real estate with success. They resided in Los Angeles about five years, and since that time have been living at the "Crafton Retreat," which became the property of Mrs. Meacham upon the partition of the Crafts estate.
The “Crafton Retreat," a view of which appears in this volume, occupies a position of great vantage, from the point of view of the lover of the beautiful in scenery. Lying at the base of the foothills, with the snow-capped mountain peaks standing seemingly but a little above and beyond, while the splendid zanja (the origin of which is ascribed by tradition to the Mission fathers) flows and leaps through the shady grove on the place, its cool, clear waters completely nullifying the effects of the hottest midsummer sun for those who have the pleasure of idling by its banks. This favored spot, with no other attractions, would well deserve its title of "Retreat," that name suggestive of needed rest. But when to these advantages, are added those of being surrounded by orange grove and orchard, bearing the various tempting fruits and nuts of favored California, while broad driveways wind in and out about the place and lead as well to the main highways of travel, it is readily to be understood why so many come to this haven of rest to secure the benefits of nature's recuperation. The hills above give a splendid view of the noble valley beneath, while among them cañons make their tortuous ways, affording at once a desirable place to visit for a change or in pursuit of game, there quite abundant. At this writing, much time and attention is being given to increasing the beauties and comforts of the place by Mr. and Mrs. Meacham. The latter, who has an active and brilliant mind, is one of the stanchest friends of her sex, and an able advocate of its ennoblement. She is fully alive to the questions of the day, as well as its needs. She was graduated in the first Chautauqua class of 3,000 in 1881, securing the splendid average of ninety-seven per cent on a four-years' course.
SOURCE: An Illustrated History of Southern California: Embracing the Counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the Peninsula of Lower California… Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1890. p.- 713-715
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler