Marion Grace Meeker was born on June 14, 1889 in Poway, California. In September her parents, Mary and Marion, listing their address as Poway, California, gave their power of attorney to Robert Wilson of Puyallup. If the intention was to stay in California, it was short-lived, for the next year the family was back in Puyallup where they stayed until 1907 when Mary Meeker and her teenaged daughters moved to Redlands, CA to care for her ailing son Ray Meeker. Grace seemed to be the person who stayed in contact with the Washington branch of the family. After Ray's death she wrote her grandfather, Ezra Meeker.
319 Ohio St.
Redlands, Calif.
March 19, 1908
Dear Grandpa
The post cards and book came yesterday. The book looks very interesting but we haven't read it yet. The cards are very interesting. Isn't it a pleasure to see our grand country? I like the pictures of grandpa and Teddy [Roosevelt] the best.
Now grandpa, if I can not finish high school, that it is necessary for me to work before that time (which no doubt it is) I am planning to go to Business College. I intend to fit myself for the civil service, as it's about as good work for a girl as anything. If I do so maybe you would like to help me get a position. Perhaps you think I'm looking too far ahead but you know we have to plan and work for what we get in this world.
Your granddaughter
Grace Meeker
On October 16, 1913 Grace wrote her grandfather from Redlands.
Dear Grandfather
I had to stop school over a year ago, on account of having such severe colds and tonsillitis. I would have finished my college course this year if… I am much better now and think I will be able to teach school next year. It will be such a pleasure to be making money. I feel quite sure I will like the work too.
448 E St.
San Bernardino, Cal.
Dec 16, 1913
Dear Grandpa;
Well, I expect you wonder why we are in San Bernardino. We moved over almost two weeks ago. Ezra and his wife are living in our house over in Redlands. If we ever decide to go back, we will have a place to go. San Bernardino is not as pretty a place as Redlands. There are no hills here. We are quite centrally located within walking distance from town and next to the high school. The birds are singing out in the Palm Trees across the way. This town is a noisy one. We live in a good street. People like to drive their autos here all night long. We are quite accustomed to the racket now, although I dream of automobiles etc. all the time. Everyone is poor these days—and we are in the fashion—quite fashionable.
Ever your loving grand daughter
Grace
There was often discussion in Grace's correspondence of going to Seattle on a visit. But it was not to be. Grace obtained employment at the County Courthouse until her mother's death in 1918. That October she and her father moved to Cajon Pass where they opened a complex consisting of a gas station, grocery store, cafeteria and motel. Marion had received permission from William Bristol, the creator of Camp Cajon, to build on leased land right next to the camp. Ezra Blaine and his wife Frances soon joined Marion and Grace. The Meekers saved enough money to buy some land of their own a quarter-mile up the highway, renamed Route 66, and a family business was born. Marion and Ezra built a store using native stone. The sign over the door read "Camp Cajon Store." Nearby they also built several small, wood-framed structures for a little auto court called "Meeker's Sunrise Cabins."
Grace left the family business when, at age thirty-one, she married Glenn Herbert Cleland on March 3, 1921. The couple settled in San Bernardino where they raised a daughter, Naomi. Grace died at age 70 on April 3, 1960.
319 Ohio St.
Redlands, Calif.
March 19, 1908
Dear Grandpa
The post cards and book came yesterday. The book looks very interesting but we haven't read it yet. The cards are very interesting. Isn't it a pleasure to see our grand country? I like the pictures of grandpa and Teddy [Roosevelt] the best.
Now grandpa, if I can not finish high school, that it is necessary for me to work before that time (which no doubt it is) I am planning to go to Business College. I intend to fit myself for the civil service, as it's about as good work for a girl as anything. If I do so maybe you would like to help me get a position. Perhaps you think I'm looking too far ahead but you know we have to plan and work for what we get in this world.
Your granddaughter
Grace Meeker
On October 16, 1913 Grace wrote her grandfather from Redlands.
Dear Grandfather
I had to stop school over a year ago, on account of having such severe colds and tonsillitis. I would have finished my college course this year if… I am much better now and think I will be able to teach school next year. It will be such a pleasure to be making money. I feel quite sure I will like the work too.
448 E St.
San Bernardino, Cal.
Dec 16, 1913
Dear Grandpa;
Well, I expect you wonder why we are in San Bernardino. We moved over almost two weeks ago. Ezra and his wife are living in our house over in Redlands. If we ever decide to go back, we will have a place to go. San Bernardino is not as pretty a place as Redlands. There are no hills here. We are quite centrally located within walking distance from town and next to the high school. The birds are singing out in the Palm Trees across the way. This town is a noisy one. We live in a good street. People like to drive their autos here all night long. We are quite accustomed to the racket now, although I dream of automobiles etc. all the time. Everyone is poor these days—and we are in the fashion—quite fashionable.
Ever your loving grand daughter
Grace
There was often discussion in Grace's correspondence of going to Seattle on a visit. But it was not to be. Grace obtained employment at the County Courthouse until her mother's death in 1918. That October she and her father moved to Cajon Pass where they opened a complex consisting of a gas station, grocery store, cafeteria and motel. Marion had received permission from William Bristol, the creator of Camp Cajon, to build on leased land right next to the camp. Ezra Blaine and his wife Frances soon joined Marion and Grace. The Meekers saved enough money to buy some land of their own a quarter-mile up the highway, renamed Route 66, and a family business was born. Marion and Ezra built a store using native stone. The sign over the door read "Camp Cajon Store." Nearby they also built several small, wood-framed structures for a little auto court called "Meeker's Sunrise Cabins."
Grace left the family business when, at age thirty-one, she married Glenn Herbert Cleland on March 3, 1921. The couple settled in San Bernardino where they raised a daughter, Naomi. Grace died at age 70 on April 3, 1960.
Marion Grace Meeker was born on June 14, 1889 in Poway, California. In September her parents, Mary and Marion, listing their address as Poway, California, gave their power of attorney to Robert Wilson of Puyallup. If the intention was to stay in California, it was short-lived, for the next year the family was back in Puyallup where they stayed until 1907 when Mary Meeker and her teenaged daughters moved to Redlands, CA to care for her ailing son Ray Meeker. Grace seemed to be the person who stayed in contact with the Washington branch of the family. After Ray's death she wrote her grandfather, Ezra Meeker.
319 Ohio St.
Redlands, Calif.
March 19, 1908
Dear Grandpa
The post cards and book came yesterday. The book looks very interesting but we haven't read it yet. The cards are very interesting. Isn't it a pleasure to see our grand country? I like the pictures of grandpa and Teddy [Roosevelt] the best.
Now grandpa, if I can not finish high school, that it is necessary for me to work before that time (which no doubt it is) I am planning to go to Business College. I intend to fit myself for the civil service, as it's about as good work for a girl as anything. If I do so maybe you would like to help me get a position. Perhaps you think I'm looking too far ahead but you know we have to plan and work for what we get in this world.
Your granddaughter
Grace Meeker
On October 16, 1913 Grace wrote her grandfather from Redlands.
Dear Grandfather
I had to stop school over a year ago, on account of having such severe colds and tonsillitis. I would have finished my college course this year if… I am much better now and think I will be able to teach school next year. It will be such a pleasure to be making money. I feel quite sure I will like the work too.
448 E St.
San Bernardino, Cal.
Dec 16, 1913
Dear Grandpa;
Well, I expect you wonder why we are in San Bernardino. We moved over almost two weeks ago. Ezra and his wife are living in our house over in Redlands. If we ever decide to go back, we will have a place to go. San Bernardino is not as pretty a place as Redlands. There are no hills here. We are quite centrally located within walking distance from town and next to the high school. The birds are singing out in the Palm Trees across the way. This town is a noisy one. We live in a good street. People like to drive their autos here all night long. We are quite accustomed to the racket now, although I dream of automobiles etc. all the time. Everyone is poor these days—and we are in the fashion—quite fashionable.
Ever your loving grand daughter
Grace
There was often discussion in Grace's correspondence of going to Seattle on a visit. But it was not to be. Grace obtained employment at the County Courthouse until her mother's death in 1918. That October she and her father moved to Cajon Pass where they opened a complex consisting of a gas station, grocery store, cafeteria and motel. Marion had received permission from William Bristol, the creator of Camp Cajon, to build on leased land right next to the camp. Ezra Blaine and his wife Frances soon joined Marion and Grace. The Meekers saved enough money to buy some land of their own a quarter-mile up the highway, renamed Route 66, and a family business was born. Marion and Ezra built a store using native stone. The sign over the door read "Camp Cajon Store." Nearby they also built several small, wood-framed structures for a little auto court called "Meeker's Sunrise Cabins."
Grace left the family business when, at age thirty-one, she married Glenn Herbert Cleland on March 3, 1921. The couple settled in San Bernardino where they raised a daughter, Naomi. Grace died at age 70 on April 3, 1960.
319 Ohio St.
Redlands, Calif.
March 19, 1908
Dear Grandpa
The post cards and book came yesterday. The book looks very interesting but we haven't read it yet. The cards are very interesting. Isn't it a pleasure to see our grand country? I like the pictures of grandpa and Teddy [Roosevelt] the best.
Now grandpa, if I can not finish high school, that it is necessary for me to work before that time (which no doubt it is) I am planning to go to Business College. I intend to fit myself for the civil service, as it's about as good work for a girl as anything. If I do so maybe you would like to help me get a position. Perhaps you think I'm looking too far ahead but you know we have to plan and work for what we get in this world.
Your granddaughter
Grace Meeker
On October 16, 1913 Grace wrote her grandfather from Redlands.
Dear Grandfather
I had to stop school over a year ago, on account of having such severe colds and tonsillitis. I would have finished my college course this year if… I am much better now and think I will be able to teach school next year. It will be such a pleasure to be making money. I feel quite sure I will like the work too.
448 E St.
San Bernardino, Cal.
Dec 16, 1913
Dear Grandpa;
Well, I expect you wonder why we are in San Bernardino. We moved over almost two weeks ago. Ezra and his wife are living in our house over in Redlands. If we ever decide to go back, we will have a place to go. San Bernardino is not as pretty a place as Redlands. There are no hills here. We are quite centrally located within walking distance from town and next to the high school. The birds are singing out in the Palm Trees across the way. This town is a noisy one. We live in a good street. People like to drive their autos here all night long. We are quite accustomed to the racket now, although I dream of automobiles etc. all the time. Everyone is poor these days—and we are in the fashion—quite fashionable.
Ever your loving grand daughter
Grace
There was often discussion in Grace's correspondence of going to Seattle on a visit. But it was not to be. Grace obtained employment at the County Courthouse until her mother's death in 1918. That October she and her father moved to Cajon Pass where they opened a complex consisting of a gas station, grocery store, cafeteria and motel. Marion had received permission from William Bristol, the creator of Camp Cajon, to build on leased land right next to the camp. Ezra Blaine and his wife Frances soon joined Marion and Grace. The Meekers saved enough money to buy some land of their own a quarter-mile up the highway, renamed Route 66, and a family business was born. Marion and Ezra built a store using native stone. The sign over the door read "Camp Cajon Store." Nearby they also built several small, wood-framed structures for a little auto court called "Meeker's Sunrise Cabins."
Grace left the family business when, at age thirty-one, she married Glenn Herbert Cleland on March 3, 1921. The couple settled in San Bernardino where they raised a daughter, Naomi. Grace died at age 70 on April 3, 1960.
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Marion Grace Cleland 1889-1960
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