Los Angeles County, CA, Biographies

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


CHAUNCEY B. RELYEA, 
 
one of the well‑known citizens of Sierra Madre, was born in Orange County, New 
York, in 1829. His father, James Relyea, was a native of Ulster County, that 
State. He was of French descent, his forefathers being among the French 
Huguenots who sought refuge in this country. Mr. Relyea's mother, Martha (Owen) 
Relyea, was a native of Orange County. Mr. Relyea was reared in his native 
place, receiving the education afforded by the common schools, until twelve 
years of age. The death of his father occurred at that time, and as he was the 
eldest of the children, he commenced life's battle, not only for himself, but 
also aided in the support of the family. At sixteen years of age he commenced 
work at the blacksmith's trade, which he followed until 1849. In that year he 
went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and was there employed by his uncle in his soda-water 
manufactory. He soon mastered that business and was given the supervision and 
general management of the business, which he conducted for several years. After 
that he carried on the business upon his own account, and established and 
conducted works at Portsmouth, Ohio, Covington, Kentucky, Port Jarvis, New York, 
and other places. He was employed in those enterprises until about 1870. He then 
returned to his old calling as a blacksmith and machinist, and was employed in a 
large carriage-spring factory at New Haven, Connecticut, and later was employed 
by the firm as their traveling agent and salesman. In 1877 Mr. Relyea 
established himself in business in Lowell, Massachusetts, as an agent for the 
sale of wheel stock, carriage materials, etc. He was successful in his 
enterprise and conducted that enterprise until 1885. In that year he came to 
California, and in September took up his residence at Sierra Madre. He purchased 
ten acres of wild and unimproved land on the south side of Grand View avenue, 
erected himself a neat cottage and commenced horticultural pursuits. In 1887 the 
demand for residence lots induced him to subdivide his tract, and he sold off 
all his land except one acre, which he retained as a home. This place he has 
fully improved, planting a large variety of choice citrus and deciduous fruits, 
berries, etc. Ever since taking up his residence in Sierra Madre, Mr. Relyea has 
taken an active interest in building up his section. He is a stockholder and 
director of the Sierra Madre Water Company. He also has real estate interests in 
Pasadena, Monrovia, Lamanda Park and other places. He is an enterprising and 
progressive citizen. In political matters he is a Republican. In 1863, at 
Portsmouth, Ohio, Mr. Relyea married Miss Sarah Stearns, a native of 
Connecticut. She died in 1866, leaving one child, who died in 1870. His second 
marriage was in 1873, when he wedded Miss Ellen Phelan, a native of Burlington, 
Vermont, and the daughter of John and Ellen (Murphy) Phelan, natives of Ireland. 
From this marriage there are five children: Helena Gracie, Martha, Walter G., 
Josephine and Charles E.
 
An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California �  Chicago, The Lewis 
Publishing Company, 1889   Page 610
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler