HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY    1234
 

Among the citizens of worth who, from a small beginning, have achieved success in the field of real estate, is Victor Challen, who was born in Plumas County, Cal., on August 18, 1880, a son of James H. and Mary Frances (Addington) Challen, his father, an early settler of California, crossing the plains in 1850. Both father and mother were natives of Kentucky, where they lived and married. In 1890 the family located in San Jose, and here the father passed away in 1917, but the mother is still living. They were the parents of five children, of when Victor is the youngest.

   Victor Challen was educated in the public schools of Santa Clara. He was for a short time in the mines of Plumas County, then was employed in San Jose by Wm. Cooper as real estate salesman, later becoming a partner. In the year of 1911 he established his own real estate business, but Mr. Cooper recognized his worth and in 1912 the present company was formed and Mr. Challen was elected to the office of vice-president of the Cooper-Challen Realty company. The company is enjoying a most lucrative business, demanding the services of twelve salesmen. His activities have been constructive and he has favored all measures for the betterment of his local community and has served as police and fire commisioner and on the board of education.

   The marriage of Victor Challen on January 22, 1906, united him with Miss Jeanette Stiles, a graduate of the State Normal School at San Jose. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Challen; Victor B. and James Kenneth. Politically he is a very active member of the Republican party and fraternally is a member of the Elks; Native Sons of the Golden West, and the National Union; for a time Mr. Challen was director of the Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Commercial Club and the Rotary Club of San Jose. During the World War he took an active part in all the drives. serving on committees, and was also active in Y. M. C. A. work. He has never failed to accomplish the duties nearest him and with unceasing energy laid hold of every opportunity for advancement which presented itself to him, noteworthy among them he was one of the freeholders that drafted the new charter when the city of San Jose adopted the commission form of goverment. 

Transcribed by Marie Clayton, from Eugene T. Sawyers' History of Santa Clara County,California,  published by Historic Record Co. , 1922. 1234

[transcribers notes:
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION, 1936 
http://www.boe.ca.gov/legal/pdf/38-sbe-011.pdf

Cooper-Challen Real Estate is still in business today]



SANTA CLARA COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES

SANTA CLARA COUNTY HISTORY AND GENEALOGY