California Biographies

Source:
History of Napa and Lake Counties
San Francisco, Slocum, Bowen & Co., Publishers. 1881

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper 2011

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


JOSEPH BALLINGER CHILES.  Whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Clark County, Kentucky, 
July 16,1810, and is the son of Henry and Sarah Ballinger Chiles. He was reared on a farm, and had only 
the advantages of a common school education. In 1831 he moved to Jackson County, Missouri, and 
engaged in farming and stock-raising until 1838, when he joined a regiment of Missouri volunteer 
infantry and engaged in the Florida War, and was in the hard-fought battle of Orchachebee, which 
decided the war. He then returned to Missouri, where he resided until April, 1841. He then, with 
thirty-one men, one woman, and one child, started across the trackless desert and unsealed 
mountains, bound for California. In this party were Sam., Andy and Ben. Kelsey, the latter's wife and 
child. They passed up the Platte River, thence to the head of the Humboldt River, thence down that 
stream to the Sink; thence southward, on the east side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the Joseph 
Walker Pass; thence down the Stanislaus and San Joaquin Rivers. They arrived in the State in October, 
and their first stopping-place was at Doctor Marsh's, near the northern foot of Mt. Diablo. They then 
proceeded to Sonoma, where passports were issued to them, upon the vouching of Doctor Marsh and 
other American residents, for their good behavior. After receiving their passports he and Charles 
Hopper spent the winter in traveling. In the spring they went to Sutters Fort, and there provided 
themselves with provisions, etc., for their return trip. In his travelings around the country that winter 
he passed through what is now known as Chiles Valley. In 1842, with a company of nine men, he made 
the return trip to Missouri. Thirteen started in the party, but at Fort Hall four of them left the company 
and started for Oregon. Just at this time the Sioux Indians were very hostile, so the Chiles party 
changed their course and went by way of Santa Fe. Once arrived in Missouri, they set about organizing 
another party to cross the plains to California. In 1843 he, with a company of fifty or sixty, well 
equipped with teams, wagons, provisions, etc., started for California. When the party arrived at Fort 
Hall they met Captain Joseph Walker, and his services as guide were secured. Colonel Chiles then took 
a party of thirty horsemen and proceeded by way of Fort Boise and Pitt River to the Sacramento 
Valley, arriving safely at Sutters Fort. The wagon train under Walker moved slowly, and on their way 
from Carsons Lake to the Walker Pass they had to cache what goods they could not pack, and had also 
to desert their wagons. They finally all arrived in California about December of that year. In 1844 
Colonel Chiles came to Napa Valley and went before an Alcalde and took the proper steps to secure a 
grant from the Mexican Government of the tract of land now known as the Catacula Rancho. All that 
he paid for that princely domain was $10 for a sheet of paper on which to write the deed. In 1844 he 
erected a log-house on the present site of his adobe. He took an active part in the Bear Flag War, and 
cared for the families of General Vallejo, Jacob P. Leese and others. He never visited the mines, but 
devoted his whole attention to stock-raising in the early days. In 1847 he returned to Missouri with 
Commodore Stockton, acting as pilot, for which service he received $2 per day. In 1848 he brought his 
children to California. In 1853 he again returned to Missouri, and was married, and in 1854 came again 
to California, bringing his wife with him. He then settled in Chiles Valley permanently and has since 
resided there until within a few years past. His present residence is in Coyote Valley, Lake County. He 
also has a very beautiful dwelling in St. Helena, which he erected specially for the benefit of his 
children. It affords us great pleasure to present to our readers the portrait of this most excellent and 
worthy pioneer of pioneers, for be it here noted that he is the oldest living American settler in Napa 
County. He is still hale and hearty, and the prospects are good for him to spend many years yet, ere he 
is called hence to meet the reward of a well-spent life. It is a rare treat to sit and listen to his 
reminiscences of the days now long gone by. He is particularly noted for telling wonderful bear stories, 
all of which are "true to life," and we regret that our space forbids the reproduction of a few of his 
best. He was married in Missouri to Miss Margaret Jane Garnhert, December 25, 1853, who was born 
in Jefferson County, Virginia, January 27,1827.