Tehama County
Biographies
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 sketch, 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 it. 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 Guire. 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.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
pp 544-545
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
HENRY CHARLES RICHARD
As an old resident of Red Bluff and as one who has taken an active interest in the growth and development of the city, Mr. Richard is justly entitled to honorable mention in the history of Tehama County.
He is a native of East Troy, New York, born January 5, 1840, in the same house in which his father, Isaac Richard, first saw the light in 1809. Isaac Richard was a machinist by trade, and a deacon in the Presbyterian Church. His life was passed at his native place until 1850, when he went to Illinois, bought land, improved it, and made his home on it for nineteen years, when his death occurred, at the age of sixty-nine. Our subject’s grandfather, Isaac Tasmaster Richard, was a native of Germany, born and reared in Westphalia. He came to America in 1802 and settled in New York. In 1808 he removed to Troy and there reared his family and lived for many years. He moved a short distance into the country, made his home on land he owned, was there successfully engaged in the dairy business, and died in 1852. Mr. Richard’s mother was nee Lucy Ogden, a native of Jamaica City, Long Island, and daughter of William Ogden, a merchant. Her father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was captured and held a prisoner for three months. His death occurred in 1840.
Henry C. Richard was the second of a family of nine children, and his education was obtained in the public schools. October 26, 1853, he left home and traveled on foot by himself 300 miles. His first work was to lead a cart horse that was working on the canal, running from Lake Michigan to Jeffersonville, Indiana. He worked eleven days and was to have received $1.10 per day, but was cheated out of it and never got a cent. He says it was the first and only wages he ever lost. He then tramped sixty miles to Bedford, Indiana, where he carried brick, sawed wood and did whatever he could get to do. January 26, 1854, he began to learn the harness and saddlery business, serving three years. During that time he had both the mumps and the measles and lost only seven days’ work. The first year his salary was $2.50 per month; the second, $4.00; and the third, $6.00. When his three years had expired he had $160, a kit of tools and a suit of clothes. At this time, seeing the necessity of a better education, he attended school for six months. Then he tramped through Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and to St. Louis, Missouri, working at the latter place for a short time. Soon, however, his love for travel took him to Iowa and from there to Nebraska. In the fall of 1858 he saw a little bottle of gold dust that came from Cherry Creek. An attack of the California gold fever was the result, and he soon began to make preparations for a journey to the new El Dorado of the West. In November he returned to the place where he had learned his trade, and there worked three weeks.
February 1, 1859, Mr. Richard started for California, coming via New York and the Isthmus of Panama, landing in San Francisco. From there he went to Sacramento, then to Marysville, and from there went to Red Bluff. On the 9th of March, 1859, he went to work in Red Bluff, and for thirty-one years has made this city his home. The first year he worked for C. A. Moore, after which he was employed for nearly a year on a ranch. October 1, 1860, he went to work for Mr. S. B. Gallard and remained with him seven and a half years. Mr. Richard says he was a splendid man. He still has one of the business cards they used at that time, and it reads as follows: “S. B. Gallard, Purchaser of Hides, Tallow and Skins, Main Street, Red Bluff.” Mr. Gallard’s death occurred March 15, 1875. Mr. Richard and Mr. Collins bought out Mr. Gallard in 1868 and carried on the business for seventeen years. At the end of that time our subject bought out his partner and became sole proprietor. In 1870 Mr. Richard purchased the lot and built his brick store, 25 x 70 feet, in which he has since done business. In 1880 he built a good home on the corner of Jackson and Oak streets.
Mr. Richard was married, May 30, 1868, to Miss Sarah Rambo, a native of San Joaquin County, by whom he has had seven children, all born in Red Bluff. Their names are as follows: Annie Ogden, Arthur Calvin, William Henry, John, Franklin, Charles Acton, Bruce Duncan and Ruth Aggie. Two of the children are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Richard are members of the Methodist Church. He is a trustee of the church and rendered efficient aid in building their house of worship. He is a public-spirited citizen and also aided in building other church edifices of the city. He is a Master, chapter and commandery Mason, and has been Treasurer, Senior Warden and Master of the lodge. Has also been Royal Arch Captain for many years. In politics he is a Republican. He has been city trustee for ten years and president of the board for two years.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
pp 547-548
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler