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 HON. CHARLES A. HART. Foremost among the pioneer inhabitants of Fresno county was Judge Charles A. Hart, deceased, who in young manhood dauntlessly pushed his way across the continent to a new and uncultivated country, to whose development and advancement he devoted his best efforts and energies. A descendant of a fine old family of New York, well bred and well educated, he rapidly became an acknowledged leader in the establishment of beneficent enterprises in Millerton, the first county seat of Fresno county, and for half a century occupied a post of honor and influence in legal, financial, political, agricultural and social circles. Judge Hart was born in Geneva, N. Y., November 7, 1820. His father, Hon. Truman Hart, was a well-known banker of western New York, and for several terms represented his dis- trict in the New York state senate. His mother, Susan Carpenter, was also a native of New York state. Removing in childhood with his parents to Palmyra, N. Y., Charles A. Hart attended the grammar and high schools of that town, and was afterward graduated from the Genesee Wes- leyan Seminary at Lima, N. Y. The year following the completion of his college course he was employed as civil engineer and surveyor on the New York & Lake Erie Railroad, hav- ing charge of the construction of that portion of the road between Elmira and Binghamton. Returning home upon the expiration of his contract, he studied law for four years in the office of Theron R. Strong of Palmyra, one of the most noted legal practitioners of western New York in those days, and after his admission to the bar was engaged in the practice of his profession for one year in partnership with A. G. Hemingway. Removing then to New York City, he entered upon an entirely new avocation, engaging in business as a commission dealer in wool, hides, leather, etc. Enterprising and farseeing, and doubtless actuated somewhat by a spirit of adventure, he then decided to put his fortunes to the hazard on the Pacific slope, where he hoped to find a realization of his dreams of future prosperity. Joining a party of forty New England men in 1848, he proceeded by steamer to Brazos, Texas, where the company secured a good outfit and started upon their tedious journey across the wild desert for southern California. The region which they traversed afforded one of the least known and most dangerous routes over- land, though the shortest to their destination. and the risk that they took was most appalling. After a long and tedious journey, during which they had numerous skirmishes and other diffi- culties with the Indians, principally Navajos and Apaches, they arrived at Hill's Ferry, Merced county, Cal., August 7, 1849. Anxious to begin their search for gold with as little delay as possible, the party continued up the Merced river, upon the banks of which they accidentally discovered two "rockers," which had been left there by prospectors. Although entirely igno- rant of mining, they started for the diggings with the rockers. On their way they were for- tunate enough to meet Captain Cutler, who had served in the Mexican war under General Tay- lor, and from him received some excellent advice and information in regard to gold mining. For two years thereafter Mr. Hart and his companions worked most successfully in the mines, find- ing gold in large quantities, not infrequently averaging sixteen ounces per day each. Upon the expiration of his mining experience Mr. Hart located at Fort Miller. Mariposa county, where he opened a law office and engaged, in the practice of his profession. When Fresno county was erected from a portion of Mariposa county in 1856, and Fort Miller be- came known as Millerton, and was made the county seat, Mr. Hart was appointed the first county judge, and filled the office with eminent satisfaction to all concerned for one term. Upon retiring from the office, he resumed private practice until 1874, when, his health failing, he act- ed upon the advice of his physician, Dr. Leach, and retired to his farm, comprising over two thousand acres of fertile and valuable land. When the federal government abandoned Fort Miller as a military post in 1863, Judge Hart purchased the post buildings, one of which he remodeled and ever after occupied as a residence. In the care and cultivation of his land he always took great pleasure, paying especial attention to stock-raising and the culture of fruit, in the latter industry being a pioneer in the San Joaquin valley. After the removal of the county seat to Fresno in 1874, Judge Hart never resumed his legal practice, but made Fort Miller his home until a short time before his death, which occurred May 13, 1903, at the home of his son, Truman G. Hart, No. 233 Blackstone avenue, Fresno, at the venerable age of eighty-three years. February 18, 1865, Judge Hart was united in marriage with Mrs. Ann (Brennan) McKenzie, a native of Ireland. By her marriage to Sergeant James McKenzie, who came to Fort Miller with the United States army in 1854, she became the mother of three children, namely : W. H. McKenzie, a capitalist of Fresno; Mary Jane, wife of J. C. Hoxie of Fresno, and E. P. McKenzie, deceased. The only child born of the union of Judge and Mrs. Hart is Truman G. Hart of Fresno, of whom a brief sketch may be found elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Hart is highly esteemed by all who have the pleasure of her acquaintance. She is now making her home in Fresno, with her daughter, Mrs. Hoxie. Judge Hart belonged to that rare type of men who pursue to a consummation their plans in life, in spite of all obstacles which may arise in their paths. In early life he enjoyed un- usual advantages in preparing himself for a career in the law, and he brought with him to California those high ideals so characteristic of the well-born and well-bred son of the Em- pire State. Throughout his life he was actuated by the highest motives, and though^ the early days of California were fraught with opportunities to gain wealth and temporary eminence by the adoption of questionable means thereto, he was never known to pursue a policy in any way subject to adverse criticism. His life was pure and blameless, both in public and private affairs, his frequently manifested public spirit and liberality of heart and mind endearing him closely to a multitude of friends. The beneficent effect of his life and work upon the welfare of Fresno county cannot be overestimated, for during the earlier days of the county's develop- ment he was one of the most potential factors in placing it upon a sound and substantial basis, high-minded and unselfish motives governing his participation in public affairs. His name will be handed down in history as that of one of the most striking characters and finest citi- zens in the San Joaquin valley, and the record of his life deserves a permanent and conspicu- ous place in the historical literature of the commonwealth.