Napa County CA Archives Biographies.....Chiles, Joseph Ballinger July 16, 1810 - June 25, 1885 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: J. Robison normadeplume@wmconnect.com September 20, 2009, 6:05 am Source: History of Solano and Napa Counties, California Author: Tom Gregory From 'History of Solano and Napa Counties, California' by Tom Gregory 1912 JOSEPH BALLINGER CHILES In the name of Chiles Valley, Napa county, is represented more than a growing communtiy of progressive men and women, more than an increase of barns and storehouses, it stands for the life of one of the best and noblest pioneers that ever came to California, and represents and memorializes that life-toil cheerfully given and spent, so characteristic in the efforts of Joseph Ballinger CHILES. On June 25, 1885, he passed away, leaving the epistle of his life an open book for all to read and learn therefrom many of the lessons of life. Joseph Ballinger CHILES was born in Clark county, Ky., July 16, 1810, a son of Henry and Sarah (BALLINGER) CHILES. Reared on a farm, he had only the advantages of a common school education. In 1831 he moved to Jackson county, Mo., and engaged in farming and in stock-raisin until 1838, when he enlisted in a regiment of Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and was commissioned captain on the battlefield. He engaged in the Florida war, participating in the hard-fought and decisive battle of Okochobee, as well as many others of lesser importance. After the war he remained in Missouri until April, 1841, when, together with thirty-one men, on woman and one child, he started across the plains, bound for California. In his party were Sam Andy and Benjamin Kelsey and the latter's wife and child. By the way of the North Platte river they finally reached the Sink of the Humboldt. The course then lay southward along the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada mountains to the Joseph Walker Pass, then down the Stanislaus and San Joaquin rivers. California was reached in October, 1841, and the first stopping place was at Dr. Marsh's place at the foot of Mount Diablo, the site of Martinez, on the northern side. They then went to Sonoma, where passports were issued to them on Dr. Marsh and other American residents vouching for their good behavior. After the receipt of passports, Joseph B. CHILES and Charles Hopper spent the winter in traveling and in getting acquainted with the country generally. In the following spring they went to Sutter's Fort and there provided themselves with provisions for their return trip east. In traveling around during the course of that winter, Joseph CHILES passed through what is now known as Chiles valley, the general contour of the land and the apparent fertility of the place deeply impressing him. In 1842 he returned to Missouri with a company of nine men. Almost immediately after their arrival they set about organizing another party to take the western trip, and in 1843 Joseph CHILES, with a company of fifty or sixty under his care, well equipped with stock, wagons, provisions, and a well-filled medicine chest, set out to journey across the plains to California. This medicine chest is now the property of Henry L. CHILES. At Fort Hall they were met by Capt. Joseph Walker, and his services as guide were secured. Colonel CHILES then took thirty horsemen and by way of Fort Boise and Pitt river went to Sacramento valley, arriving safely at Sutter's Fort. IN 1844 Colonel CHILES came to Napa county and took the proper steps to secure from the Mexican government the tract of land now known as the Cataculu rancho; all he paid for this princely domain was $5 for the paper on which to write the deed, and in the same year he built a log house. This was followed by an adobe house, later a mill was erected, whip-sawed lumber being used, and he also put in the old dam and built a blacksmith and wagon shop. He also built a distillery and raised cattle, mules and hogs extensively. He was a prominent figure in the Bear Flag war, protecting the families of General Vallejo, Jacob P. Leese and others. In 1847 Colonel CHILES returned to Missouri with the Stockton party, acting as pilot, for which he received $2 per day, returning to California in 1848 with another party. Five years later, in 1853, he again returned to Missouri, and the same year he was married in Missouri, and 1854 brought his wife to California and settled on one thousand acres, the Vines tract, now the site of Rutherford. Here he resided for many years, and in 1864 located on his grant in Chiles valley, continuing to make his home here for eight years. In 1872 he located in St. Helena, where he built his residence. He was the oldest American settler in Napa county at his death. His life was filled with hardships and battles won, all of which formed material for stories which he was able to recount in a most realistic manner, because they were pages from his own life history. Colonel CHILES was married in Missouri, December 25, 1853, to Margaret Jane GARNHART, a native of Jefferson county, Va., born January 27, 1827. By a former marriage there were four children born: Mrs. Fannie BROWN, of Los Angeles; Mrs. Leonard TULLY, of St. Helena; James R., who died in Blue Mills, Mo.; and Mrs. Jerome DAVIS, of Sacramento. By his second marriage there were six children: W. G., of Siskiyou county; Amelia and Susie, deceased; Joseph B., of Marin county; Dixie V., Mrs. A. N. BELL, of St. Helena; and Henry Lee, who resides on a part of the old home place. Joseph B. CHILES passed away June 25, 1885, and his widow survived him about fifteen years, dying at the old home in St. Helena. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/napa/bios/chiles1006gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/cafiles/ File size: 6.1 Kb