Tehama-Santa Clara County CA Archives Biographies.....Chard, Stephen 1854 - ************************************************ 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: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 5, 2007, 1:32 am Author: Lewis Publishing Co. (1891) STEPHEN CHARD was born in Santa Clara County, California, April 2, 1854. His father, William G. Chard, was a native of New York, and came to this State in 1844. He stopped for some time in Santa Clara County, where he married Miss Maria Robles (Mary Oaks), a native of California. Their union was blessed with two daughters and two sons. Mr. Chard came to Tehama County, with three or four other persons, and each selected five leagues of land (28,800 acres), which the Mexican government conferred on them by grant. Mr. Chard's tract-a magnificent and fertile one-was called the Flores Rancho, on account of the abundance of beautiful flowers which covered it in rich profusion. On an eminence, overlooking his broad acres, Mr. Chard built a comfortable adobe home, one story and a half high, the walls being three feet thick at the base. Here he lived and reared his family, and here he was extensively engaged in the stock business. Large herds of sheep, cattle and horses roamed at will over the rich pastures in the vicinity of their residence. On this ranch he planted the first orchard in the county. The site of their home was, in part, selected at this place for the purpose of being near Mr. H. Thomes, a pioneer who had built on the south bank of Elder Creek. Just opposite the creek was the boundary line of their vast estate. The early pioneers were very friendly in their relations with each other, and by many a good neighbor was prized more than money or land. Mr. Chard thought so little of land at that time, and so much of neighbors, that he gave the fine farm now known as the Rawson ranch to Mr. Beldon on the condition that he make it his home. From this we get a glimpse of his generous and social nature. He was a strong Democrat, a prominent factor in the early history of Tehama County, and one of its most worthy and reliable citizens. His death occurred in 1880. His son Stephen, the subject of this sketchy inherited 2,800 acres of the home ranch, including the house and buildings, and here he is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He has some fine specimens of stock,-Berkshire and Poland-China hogs, Shorthorn and Holstein cattle, and both draft and road horses. Mr. Chard has had large experience in this business, having been connected with it ever since he was large enough to sit in the saddle. It has been said that he became one of the most fearless horsemen: no mustang was so wild that he could not ride if. In this way his life has been spent, and this sort of life-a most fascinating one to the young-interfered with his educational opportunities, although his education was not entirely neglected, for he was sent to the public schools at Benicia. Mr. Chard, the prominent young rancher, stockman and horseman, was not unsusceptible to the charms of the fair ladies of Red Bluff, and he wooed and married Miss Emma Townsend, a daughter of the Golden West, born in Shasta County. Her father, Abraham Townsend, was a native of Ohio and a pioneer of Shasta County. Mr. and Mrs. Chard have four children, born in Red Bluff, namely: Maria E., Louise, Stephen T. and Graire. Mr. Chard has built a beautiful residence in Red Bluff, where he resides with his family. His home is surrounded with a velvety lawn, dotted over with choice shrubbery, and forms a striking contrast to the old adobe house on the ranch. Mr. Chard's political views are Democratic. He is a prominent and influential man, and is esteemed as one of Tehama County's best citizens. Additional Comments: Extracted from Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California. Illustrated, Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast from the Earliest Period of its Occupancy to the Present Time, together with Glimpses of its Prospective Future; Full-Page Steel Portraits of its most Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of many of its Pioneers and also of Prominent Citizens of To-day. "A people that takes no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote descendents." – Macauley. CHICAGO THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY 1891. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/tehama/bios/chard1202nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/cafiles/ File size: 4.7 Kb