The Chiles Valley, Napa Valley and the community of Davis, California have become much more than wilderness and small agricultural clusters since Colonel Joseph Ballinger Chiles departed from his Missouri home in 1841 to seek his fortune. But, what of Colonel Chiles before he journeyed to California? What individuals and events forged the character and adventurous spirit of this person? Where did it all begin? As many essays and research documents have noted, the life events of this man are described as a great deal more than ordinary. His life was surrounded by historical events that remain unparalleled. Born in Clark County, Kentucky, he was the 9th child of Henry Chiles and Sarah Ballinger Chiles. By 1830, two of Joseph's brothers, Christopher Lillard Chiles and Richard Ballinger Chiles, were well established in Jackson County, Missouri. It was not long after Joseph's marriage to Mary Ann (Polly) Stevinson that he decided to join his brothers. He and Polly were blessed with four children before her untimely death in 1836.He patented land in Jackson County, that would eventually become the nucleus of the Chiles Brothers' farm. His parents, Henry and Sarah, arrived in Jackson County in 1831 to homestead and farm the lush virgin soils of Missouri. Henry Chiles would enjoy one year with his family in this new land before passing away in 1832. After Polly's death, Sarah became housekeeper and care giver for Joseph's motherless children, all under the age of 10. As a widower, Joseph was becoming restless and longed for adventure. The flamboyant life of a solider seemed the natural direction. His father and uncle had both fought in the War of 1812. He joined the newly formed volunteer calvary unit from Jackson County. His brothers, Colonel James Chiles and Lieutenant Henry Chiles formed the company under the command of Colonel Richard Gentry. The battle against the Seminole Chieftain, Osceola, and his tribe on Christmas Day, 1837 took a tremendous toll on the unit. 800 men arrived in Florida, but a mere 151 returned to Missouri in 1838 for discharge. Joseph Ballinger Chiles returned home, but his brother, Henry and Commander Gentry did not. The odds were overwhelming that he survived. By 1840, Joseph's perpetual need for adventure once more took hold. His friend, William Baldridge, was making preparations for a migration to California. It interested Joseph, as well. At the last minute Baldridge could not go on the journey. Hearing of this news, Joseph enthusiastically took his place with the pioneering group. Leaving his four children with his mother, Sarah, and brother, Joel Franklin, he set out as a member of the first overland wagon train to the sparsely settled lands of California. The wagon train departed 12 May 1841 from Sapling Grove, MO.(Near Independence) The 31 year old, red haired, 6' 4" tall, Joseph Ballinger Chiles, accompanied by two other men, caught up with the wagon train on 23 May 1841.  Continued...Settling in California

Isaac Skinner Chiles, (called, Ike) the eldest son of Joel Franklin Chiles and Azubah Skinner Chiles and nephew of Joseph Ballinger Chiles, left school at the age of 14. Isaac developed his strong business sense and abilities while working at his father's large warehouse near Independence, Missouri on the Santa Fe Trail. The various members of the Henry Chiles family had migrated to Missouri from Kentucky over a period of years. They were now secure in their successful farming operations and business ventures in Jackson County. By 1848, the gold rush news in California intensified. Colonel Joseph B. Chiles returned to Missouri to bring family members and an ever-growing numbers of fortune seeking immigants back to California. Ike, now approximately 18 years old, communicated with his uncle during the winter of 1847-48 about making the long and dangerous trek to California. Little did Isaac know the success and social prominence he would one day hold in the nothern California area of Davisville (Davis). But, as the call to California intrigued him, he chose to leave his Missouri home.   Continued...Finding Fortune in California

By the time he was summoned from Missouri to help manage the large estate of his brother, Phineas Skinner Chiles had already traveled the West extensively. He was a pioneer and trail blazer in his own right. Having worked for a government contractor in New Mexico and Colorado, he had settled on a series of frontier stock farms in those states. Skirmishes with the Navajo indians and many other exciting experiences had shaped his life. He eventually settled down on a farm in Missouri, but this was not to last either... The following is an account of his life from the pages of The Illustrated Atlas and History of Yolo County from 1825 to 1880: "P.S. Chiles, residing about two miles east of Davisville, in this county, was born in Missouri, May 7, 1842 and at the age of 19 years commenced a frontier life by working for a government contractor in New Mexico at a salary of $150 per month, the wages being raised to $250 at the end of the first year and a half. In 1862, he took up a stock range in the Zimerone valley; but as the emigrants began settling in that country he moved to other locations, always farther to the West , in the advance of civilization, until finally, in 1870, he located within 30 miles of the base of Pike's Peak, near South Park, in Colorado.  Continued...California, the Last Frontier.

Son-in-law of Joseph Ballinger Chiles, husband to Mary Chiles, Jerome C. Davis purchased the western half of the original J. B. Chiles ranch north of Putah Creek for $4000, including all stock and improvements Additional lands to the north and west were acquired by 1858. His land holdings now totalling 12,000 acres, it was examined by the State Agricultural Society Committee. The Agricultural Report stated, the stock farm of Mr. Davis is truly "of the first class". The Jerome C. Davis Farm received the Premium Award for the best stock farm in California. The pioneer agriculturist, whose Yolo County ranch, in 1868, became the site of Davisville, combined famly traditions of farming, military duty, and public service during his eventful life. He was the eldest child of Isaac and Rachael Manly Davis, born in Perry County, Ohio. He grew up on the family farm near Somerset, Ohio, but learned merchandising and hotel-keeping before settin out to seek his fortune in California. Family recollections state, that this venturesome pioneer enlisted in government service and traveled overland as a member of John C. Fremont's topographical survey expedition, which arrived in California in December of 1845.   Continued...Finding Fortune in California

A special thanks to Pat Chiles Schlabes, Nancy and Jennifer Douglas for their contributions to this section. Sources: DAVISVILLE '68 The History and Heritage of the City of Davis, compiled by Joann Leach Larkey, Research Chairman, Davis Historical Landmarks Commission and Walter Chiles of Jamestown, Joanne Chiles Eakin

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