California Biographies

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

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

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


RICHARD CHATTEN. Living retired in the city of Visalia is Richard Chatten, better known among 
his personal friends as Dick Chatten, who since October, 1852, has been recognized as one of 
the upbuilders of Tulare county. He was born in Ontario, Canada, December 11, 1826, the fifth 
in order of birth of nine children born to his parents. He received his education in the common 
schools of Canada and New York, and in 1849 returned to Canada with his father, but that same 
year came back to the States with the determination of going to what was to him the unknown 
west, which held alluring prospects. After spending six weeks in Illinois he journeyed to St. Louis, 
and April 1, 1850, he left Leavenworth, Kans., with an emigrant train for the long trip across the 
plains, reaching California in September of that year. 

In Eldorado county he engaged in mining for a time, then followed that same occupation in 
Mariposa county at Quartsburg and Cotterville until August 1, 1852. During this time he had 
contracted chills and fever, and, after leaving Cotterville he spent some time in Los Angeles, 
and in October of that year came to Tulare county, where he pre-empted one hundred and sixty 
acres of land ten miles west of the present city of Visalia. Being in its primeval condition, he 
at once began improving it with buildings, and embarked in the stock raising business. From 
this small beginning he added from time to time until he acquired four thousand acres in the same 
locality; six hundred and sixty acres of this is now known as the Mineral King orchard, which 
he disposed of at a very satisfactory price. He removed to Visalia in 1886 and has since made 
this city his home, though superintending the work of his various ranches up to the present 
time. 

January 12, 1854, he married Margaret Glenn, who was born in Tennessee and who died in 
Visalia, leaving one son and three daughters, namely : Eliza, wife of Louis Whitendale, near 
Visalia ; Frances, Etta, and Thomas. For a second wife, Mr. Chatten married, in 1892, Mrs. 
Leah (Miller) Davis, widow of the late Thomas H. Davis, a pioneer of Antelope Valley. Mrs. 
Chatten was born in Arkansas and crossed the plains to California in 1856, and since 1857 has 
been a resident of Tulare county. Mr. and Mrs. Chatten are much respected by a wide circle of 
acquaintances in Tulare county. A Republican in politics. Mr. Chatten has never aspired to offi- 
cial positions. He was made a Mason in 1857, and is a member of the Blue Lodge. Chapter and 
Commandery, of Visalia. 

In all movements that have had for their object the advancement of the social, moral, edu- 
cational and industrial welfare of Tulare county Richard Chatten has been a prominent factor. 
He has watched the growth of the county and of California with practical eye. and himself is 
one of the substantial, conservative and progressive men of the San Joaquin valley, and to such 
men as he California is indebted for much of her present prosperity.