This is the hand written original version of the member's autobiographical reminiscence that was created as an institutional record for the Society of California Pioneers. In the work Cleveland discusses his family history and lineage, his journey to California, his life there, and his many exploits as a California Pioneer.

Charles Dexter Cleveland was born in Howard County, Missouri, August 8, 1824. His father, John Treadwell Cleveland, founded "Howard College" at Fayette, Missouri. Cleveland attended schools in Missouri, Massachusetts, and taught in Mississippi. He studied medicine and was practicing in Mississippi (1848). Upon news of the gold discovery, he formed a company of 15 men and 3 wagons bound for California. His company left Ofahama, Miss. on March 22, 1849, walking to Vicksburg and from there boarding the steamboat "General Jessup" for St. Louis. With cases of cholera on board, Dr. Cleveland became ship's doctor. Cleveland's company joined with another company at St. Joseph, totaling 85 men. They started for California on April 20, 1849, arriving in Salt Lake on July 24 and rested there for 2 weeks. They reached Weaverville, CA on October 7, 1849. Cleveland practiced medicine in Mud Springs, settling in Sacramento in 1850 and established a hospital. In 1850 Dr. Cleveland moved to Grass Valley and then Texas in 1855. Returning to Grass Valley in 1857, he was active in the City's development. In 1866, Cleveland and his wife moved to San Francisco. They traveled in Europe (1867-1868), then toured the West Coast. Cleveland was one of the original discoverers of Borax in Death Valley and was a School Director and Manager/Editor-in-Chief of the "Daily Examiner" (1883). In the work Cleveland discusses his family history and lineage, his journey to California, his life there, and his many exploits as a California Pioneer. The file also includes a speech he made in which he attempts to urge his company back aboard the ship after the passengers where forced to see the bodies of 7 cholera victims that where being taken from the ship. He describes attending to the passengers of the ship and the generous spirit maintained among his fellow pioneers.

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