CHIATOVICH CLAN

By Adam S. Eterovich

John Chiatovich was known as a Slavonian and Tadich in his travels through Nevada states he was from the Boka. (1) The name was originally Catovic. John was recognized by the Editor of the True Fissue Newspaper on November 27, 1880 as being one of the Slavonian pioneer locators in the Landers County in the early 1860’s. The Slavonians were the first in that area of the Europeans. John owned ten shares of the Bajazet Mining Company in 1864 worth $3000.

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He operated a lumber business at Candelaria in the 1880’s and had a store and hotel at Silver Peak in 1876. The Esmeralda Herald newspaper of December 15, 1877 states:

Personal-- John Chatovich, a prominent merchant of Silver Peak, passed through here Thursday on his way from San Francisco, where he has been laying in a big new stock of merchandise.

He was a member of the Lida Valley Esmeralda Fire Engine Company No. 1 in 1878.

He had a ranch at Fish Lake Valley and Effie Mona Mack in her book, Our State: Nevada, published in 1946 states: (2)

Down in the southwestern part of Central Nevada the Chiatovich family settled on the creek of the same name in Fish Lake Valley.

A local historical mentions John and his son, Cecil, in Nevada: (3)

Cecil L. Chatovich, manager of the ice plant and wholesale department of the Tonopah Divide Mercantile Company, is a native son of Nevada. He was born at Fish Lake Valley, October 7, 1898, son of John and Margaret (Woolford) Chiatovich. His mother was a native of California. John Chiatovich was born in southeastern Europe, and was one of the pioneers around Virginia City, Nevada. He was a miner, cook and rancher for thirty-five years. he hauled some of the first logs from the White Mountains, and for seven years operated the mill at the famous Mary Mine, from which two million dollars worth of ore was extracted. He took for his pay the ranch property which is still owned by his heirs, and was engaged in the cattle and sheep business until his death. He was a Catholic and a Democrat. He died in March 1907, and is still survived by his widow.

Cecil L. Chiatovich was one of a family of four sons and one daughter, the others being Martin W. of Hawthorne, Nevada, auditor for Mineral County Power Company; John M. and W. Marco, who are operating a mining property at Silver Peak; Lillian, Mrs. Frank McCloskey, Reno. He attended common schools at Fish Lake, high school at Goldfield and Reno, and took work in the Law School at the University of Southern California. For two years he was with a grain milling company at Los Angeles, but his chief business has been with the Tonopah Divide Mercantile Company. Mr. Chiatovich is an independent Republican and a Catholic. He married in 1929, Vivian Truscott, who was born in Utah, daughter of Richard and Selma (Anderson) Truscott.

John Chiatovich died on March 11, 1907 at the age of 78. A local newspaper carried the following: (4)

Item from The Blair Booster:

John Chiatovich-- died at his home in Silver Peak on Monday (March 11, 1907) at the age of 78. Leaves a widow and five children. Came to American from Slavania as a young man, worked in the mines of the Comstock, then at Belmont (Nye Co.) and then at Fish Lake Valley. Moved to Silver Peak and established a general merchandise store which he ran until his death. Also engaged in various mining ventures.

John’s grandson was also mentioned in a local history of Nevada: (5)

Stanely Martin Chiatovich of Gabbs, Nye County, Nevada, engaged in the independent operation of mines and in leasing and prospecting. Mr. Chiatovich mined at Silver Peak, Nevada for many years. He worked with Mr. Hill in mine leasing and for several years worked at the Old San Rafael Mine. he came to Gabbs in 1950. He was deceased March 18, 1960.

Stanely Martin Chiatovich of Gabbs, Nye County, Nevada engaged in the independent operation of mines and in leasing and prospecting. Mr. Chiatovich mined at Silver Peak, Nevada for many years. He worked with Mr. Hill in mine leasing and for several years worked at the Old San Rafael Mine. He came to Gabbs in 1950. He was deceased March 18, 1960.

Stanely Martin Chiatovich was born on April 11, 1910 in Silver Peak, Nevada to Martin and Nellie Cleary Chiatovich. Martin Chiatovich was born in Fish Lake Valley, Nevada. He attended the University when it was located in Elko. Martin Chiatovich engaged in mining. Nellie Cleary was born in Silver Peak and was married to Martin Chiatovich in Goldfield, Nevada. She passed away in 1920. Stanley Chiatovich attended schools in Silver Peak and in Tonopah, Nevada. He was rejected for the service because he had lost an eye at the age of twenty years.

Mr. Chiatovich married the former Frances Hill, daughter of Frank and Lillian R. Houser Hill, on February 2, 1934 in Goldfield, Nevada. Mrs. Chiatovich was born in Los Angeles, California. Frank Hill was born in Truckee, California. His mother was born in Grizzle Hill, California. Mr. Hill engaged in mining and construction. He came to Goldfield in 1906. Lillian Houser was born in Randsburg, California. Mr. and Mrs. Chiarovich are the parents of three daughters: Janice, Barbara and Jaculine. All three were cheerleaders in high school. Janice and Jaculine are graduates of the University of Nevada. Janice is married to Lynn Johnson of Reno, and they have three children: Kevin, Kash and Kelli. Barbara is married to Lewis Dodgion of Sparks, Nevada, and they are the parents of two daughters, Debra A. and Katherine L. Jaculine is married to Ronald Jones of Sparks, and they have a son, Chad. Mrs. Jones is a teacher and dean of women at Sparks High School. He is the first to hold the position of dean of women.

Mr. Chiatovich was a member of the Elks Lodge and of the Lions Club in Silver Peak, Nevada. Mrs. Chiatovich is a postal clerk in Gabbs Post Office. She is a member of the Gabbs Women’s Club. Her hobby is sewing. Mr. Chiatovich had some fine experience in mining and mine leasing before becoming an independent operator. he was very successful in his chosen line of work.

A Peter Chiatovich was in Virginia City in 1875, in Butte, California as a miner in 1871 and in San Francisco in 1880 with a wine and liquor store at 1201 Filmore Street. He was an American citizen.

S. Chiatovich was a miner in Esmeralda County in 1875 and a waiter in Virginia City in 1878. A Z. Chiatovich was a merchant in Esmeralda County in 1875 with a commercial worth of $5700.

1. Vjekoslav Meler, the Slavonic Pioneers of California (Slavonic Pioneers of California, San Francisco, 1932), p. 49.

2. Effie Mona Mack, Our State Nevada (Caxton Printers, 1946), p. 178.

3. James Scrugham, Nevada, 1935, p. 211, Vol. III.

4. Blair Booster, March 13, 1907.

Nevada the Silver State (Western States Historical Assn., 19 70, Carson City).