El Dorado County Biographies


This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm



 
JOHN MEDER
 
            Was born in Luxemburg, Germany, on the 30th of December, 1827.  He 
was the fifth child of a family of six, who were sons and daughters of Nicholas 
and Elizabeth (Hess) Meder.  His younger days were spent with his parents until 
18 years old, when he went to learn the wagon making business.  After spending 
two years as an apprentice he opened the business on his own account in a small 
town.  On the 6th of March, 1852, he started to America, and on the 6th of May 
in the same year he landed in New York city.  Thence to Michigan, where he 
worked for a short time on a farm and then engaged in a wagon shop about 17 
miles from Detroit.  After about two years spent there he sailed via Panama to 
San Francisco, where he arrived January 5, 1854.  After a short time spent at 
Marysville, Keystone and Sacramento he went to Jayhawk, began mining and 
followed it many years.
            He was married July 18, 1861, to Fredolina Fretman, daughter of 
Jacob and Josephine Fretman.  They have had seven children, Joseph, born April 
9, 1862, Anna, borne March 20, 1864, John, born October 27, 1865, Robert, born 
July 12, 1867, Mamie, born July 1, 1869, Philipina, born March 20, 1872 and 
Almer, born July 23, 1875.  Mrs. Meder was borne in Baden, Germany, October 18, 
1838.  During the summer of 1869 he bought the present home of 410 acres, on 
which there is about 4,000 grape vines and a few fruit trees.  The place is 
supplied with machinery and buildings for the production and care of all 
products.  Mr. Meder is one of the oldest settlers now living in White Oak 
township.  On his farm can be seen the chimney and other relics of the former 
home of Peter Weimer, who was with Marshall at Coloma when the first gold was 
discovered.
 
Historical Souvenir of El Dorado County, California with Illustrations & 
Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men & Pioneers - Oakland, Cal. - Paolo 
Sioli, Publisher, 1883. p - 255
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler