An official of Pomona who has been very loyal to both the town and the Valley is Charles H. Chain, foreman of the Pomona city schools. He was born in Portage County, Ohio, September 12, 1862, the son of William and Matilda (Case) Chain, natives of New Baltimore, Stark County, and Portage County, Ohio. In 1865 the family went to Oil City, Pa., at the time of the first oil discovery, and there the father engaged in teaming for a time; later he engaged in the retail business of ice and soda water until the panic of 1877. The following spring they moved to Jefferson County, Kans., where Charles H. assisted in developing some prairie land into a productive farm. The Chains were certainly pioneers there, and the best educational advantages that the son had were supplied by the country school.
On October 23, 1884, at Nortonville, Kans., Mr. Chain married Miss Laura A. Slane, the daughter of George and Elizabeth (Rogers) Slane, who were born in Illinois and Virginia, respectively. After establishing himself in domestic comfort, Mr. Chain farmed in eastern Kansas, in Jefferson County. In 1885 he took up a Government claim of 160 acres in Gray County, and the spring of the next year he brought his family, consisting of wife and baby, overland by wagon to their new home. Little by little he added to his holdings, until he had three quarter-sections of land. He began with nothing, but by hard work, self-denial, thrift and economy succeeded in getting a start and built a sod house and barn for his needs. In order to make a living while he was developing his place he did teaming, hauling freight from the Santa Fe Railroad to Texas and Indian Territories. After living on his claim for two years he moved into the new town of Montezuma, into which he had hauled the first load of lumber, and there he established a small general store, which he conducted one year; but the hot winds ruined the corn crop that year and Mr. Chain went under, with the other hard-working folks who had ventured all they had. While living here he participated in the county-seat war between the towns of Cimarron and Ingalls.
Having to begin all over again, Mr. Chain went to Topeka, where he worked for the street railway a couple of years, then returned to Alliance, Stark County, Ohio, where for eleven years he followed the trade of carpenter, which he had learned in his younger days. For seven years of that time he was with the wrecking crew, and also in the car-building department of the Pennsylvania Railroad. On account of leading such a strenuous life and the rigorous climate of the East, in November, 1902, Mr. Chain and family came to Pomona, Cal. He arrived here with limited capital, but went to work as a carpenter, operating in Long Beach, San Pedro, Huntington Beach and Pomona, working on many of the fine residences in those localities. He later became a contracting builder in Pomona, following that calling for many years, during which time he erected many of the fine homes here. In 1905 he bought ten acres of land on West Fifth Street, which had been set to grapes, walnuts and fruit. He erected a comfortable home and greatly improved the property, so that in 1918 his walnut trees produced three tons of nuts, and he had six tons of peaches from 300 trees.
In 1914 Mr. Chain became foreman of the Pomona city schools, and has had charge of the janitors, buildings and grounds. Since assuming the position he has systemized the duties of the office and thereby saves time and labor in carrying out his ideas. He has been especially interested in beautifying the different school grounds and is particular in seeing that the buildings are kept in good repair, for a "stitch in time saves nine." His work is dignified by responsibility and his many friends are pleased that he gives perfect satisfaction.
Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Chain; Clodine J. is the wife of Henry Ingram, an attorney in Gridley, Cal. She was born October 30, 1885, in Jefferson County, Kans., and is the mother of two children, Phyllis Dean and Mary Elizabeth; Opal M. is the wife of A.T. Richardson, part owner of the Pomona Progress. She was born August 24, 1887, in the sod house in Kansas, and has one son, Charles T.; Harold S. was born in Alliance, Ohio, March 2, 1899, and is a salesman for Smart & Final. Mr. and Mrs. Chain are members of the First Christian Church. Mr. Chain belongs to Pomona Lodge No. 246, I.O.O.F., and he and Mrs. Chain are members of the Brotherhood of American Yeomen.
History of Pomona Valley, California, with Biographical Sketches
of The Leading Men and Women of the Valley Who Have Been
Identified With Its Growth and Development from the Early Days
to the Present
Published in Los Angeles, Cal., by the Historic Record Company
1920
Transcribed by Linda Jackson 9/7/08, Pages 342-343
Los Angeles County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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