Henry Martin Meacham has filled the office of assessor of Napa county for twenty consecutive years, and his official career has been characterized by an unfaltering devotion to the general welfare and by promptness and aptitude in the discharge of his duties. He was born on the Atlantic coast, his birth having occurred at Pulaski, Oswego county, New York, on the 1st of January, 1846. His father, Chauncey Meacham, was a native of Vermont, as was his mother, whose maiden name was Betsey Thompson. They represented old American families that have been established in New England through various generations. About 1823 the parents removed from the Green Mountain state to New York, where the father turned his aattention to farming, and there he resided for many years, his death occurring in 1877, at his home within three miles of Pulaski. His wife survived him for about five years. They left three children: William, who is the eldest of the family; Harriet, the only daughter; and H. M., of this review.

At the usual age H. M. Meacham entered the public schools, where he mastered the elementary branches of learning and subsequently became a student in the Pulaski Academy, in which he remained for eight years or until 1866, when he was graduated. Following the completion of his academic course he engaged in clerking in Pulaski for the firm of Jones & Company, for a period of two years until 1868, when he embarked in business for himself as a dealer in dry goods, continuing in that trade for two years. In 1870 he went to Syracuse, New York, and accepted the position of traveling salesman with the dry goods house of Atwell & Hubbard for five years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Pennsylvania, which site was the old home of his wife. For about three years, however, he was in poor health, during which time he resided at Meadville, Pennsylvania, and hoping that he might be benefited thereby he came to California in the fall of 1878 to enjoy the less rigid slimate of the far west. In the fall of 1878, still in poor health, he went to St. Helena, California, and was engaged in planting vines from 1878 until 1887. His official service has been marked by the most loyal devotion to the general good. He was appointed to fill out an unexpired term in the office of assessor, vacated by John Kean, and he has since been continued in the position, having been re-elected for four terms. Twice he had an opposing candidate in the field and at each election he polled a very large vote, a fact which indicates his personal popularity and the unqualified confidence reposed in him by his fellow townsmen.

On the 6th of July, 1869, in Meadville, Pennsylvania, Mr. Meacham was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Cullum, a daughter of Horace Cullum, who was a barrel manufacturer. By this union have been born two children, who are yet living: Etta S., who is now studying preparatory to becoming a professional nurse; and Charles Henry, who at the age of nineteen years is attending school in Napa. Mr. Meacham is a valued and representative member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the blue lodge, chapter and commandery, and he also holds membership relations with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He is a man deeply interested in community affairs, and his public-spirited interest in the general welfare has been shown through active co-operation in many movements for the public good.

Source: History of the New California Its Resources and People, Volume I

The Lewis Publishing Company - 1905
Edited by Leigh H. Irvine