Imperial-Riverside-Mendocino County CA Archives Biographies.....Havens, Felix G. 1862 - 
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Author: F. C. Farr (editor, 1918)

FELIX G. HAVENS.—Among the men of Imperial County who by reason of their
progressive and enterprising ideas and methods have come to be regarded as
representative citizens is numbered Felix G. Havens. He was born in Jefferson
County, Mo., April 5, 1862, a son of Thomas and Prudence Havens. Mr. Havens
acquired his education in the practical school of experience. At an early age he
followed farming in Mississippi and studied during his leisure time. At times he
would attend school for a few months. Between the ages of twelve and twenty-four
years he worked much of the time in the cotton fields. Later he became
identified with the Acma Publishing Company of Chicago and traveled extensively.
In January, 1887, Mr. Havens decided to remove to the Golden State, and located
in Riverside until the fall of 1888, when he went to Northern California and
located in Mendocino County, where he took up timber land. Here he remained
until January, 1891. From this time until 1897 he was identified with the
horticultural commission and for three years he served as horticultural
commissioner in Riverside County, having held the position to the satisfaction
of his locality. He was then tendered the position of superintendent of the
experimental station for the University of Arizona. Here he remained from May,
1897, to March, 1898. Again he served Riverside County in the same capacity from
March, 1898, to 1901. Mr. Havens then removed to Imperial County to look after
his own interests near Silsbee and Calexico. He has the distinction of being the
first man to plant 265 acres of barley in the county. Having brought his place
up to a high state of cultivation, he naturally had what might be called "a show
place." In 1902 he brought the first shipment of swine to the Valley. In July,
1903, he was appointed U. S. commissioner, with offices in Imperial, where most
of the land filings and proofs were made. Mr. Havens held this office until
December, 1904, when the law for re-survey of these lands caused them all to be
withdrawn from entry. When the office of commissioner was abolished Mr. Havens
purchased the Imperial Valley Press, which he continued to publish until 1905.
In March, 1906, the paper was removed to El Centro, where it has since been
published. In the spring of 1907 Mr. Havens was delegated to go to Washington,
D. C, to represent the people of his locality for the purpose of recovering
claims caused by the overflow of the Colorado River, these claims amounting to
over $800,000. On his return he became an active supporter in the movement to
secure El Centro as the county seat. Mr. Havens served as the first city clerk
of El Centro, from 1908 to 1910. He is one of the organizers of the Imperial
Laguna Water Company, and served as one of the first directors. He has made a
special study of the land laws applying to the peculiar condition of Imperial
Valley, and is one of the best posted men in this respect in the county. For
eight years he has served as court commissioner. Mr. Havens has large realty
holdings in the county. He has a well improved ranch of 175 acres near
Holtville, and has 1280 acres of school land under the Laguna Water Company. His
marriage occurred December 25, 1890, to Miss Martha English, and they have one
son, Morris. Mr. Havens served as the first justice of the peace, recorder, and
secretary of the chamber of commerce.

Additional Comments:
From:

THE HISTORY
OF
IMPERIAL COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
EDITED BY
F. C. FARR

IN ONE VOLUME
ILLUSTRATED
Published by ELMS AND FRANKS
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA 1918


Printed by Taylor & Taylor, San Francisco


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