Isaac W. Chatfield & Eliza Harrington

FAMILY LINE AND HISTORY

Isaac Willard “I.W.” Chatfield
1st of 4 living children of Levi Tomlinson Chatfield & Lovina Mastick
Born: Aug 11, 1836, Middlefield, Geauga Co., Ohio
Died: Jun 14, 1921 (age 84), San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California; arteriosclerosis and chronic cystitis (suffered from Civil War internal maladies)
Buried: Jun 16, 1921, GAR Veteran’s Section, Oak Hill Cemetery in San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California
Military Service: Civil War, Union Army, 2nd Lieut.
Occupation: Hotelier, clerk, potato farmer, cattle rancher, railroad contractor, grocery/livery stable owner, part owner of silver mines, VP & General Manager of W.E. Moses Land Real Estate Company, orchardist
Politics: Republican County Committee, Alderman (City Council) in Leadville, Colorado; Colorado State Assembly/House of Representatives
Affiliations: Member of GAR, Sheridan-Dix Post, No. 7., Member of the Loyal Legion
Married (1): May 20, 1858, Eliza Ann Harrington, Havana, Mason Co., Illinois
Nine children: Ella Clara, Clark W. Charles, Elmer Ellsworth, Phil Van Wert, Jacqueline, Charles Henry, Myrtle Lovina, Grace, Calla Mabel
Married (2): Aug 30, 1913, Sarah Jane (Rooker) Wisenor, Oakland, Alameda Co., California

Eliza Ann Harrington
4th of 6 known children of Sylvanus Harrington & Jane Anderson (records also reflect family name as Herrington)
Born: Dec 23, 1839, Fairfield, Jefferson Co., Iowa
Died: Jun 12, 1911 (age 71), Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming; uterine cancer
Buried: Jun 13, 1911, Mount View Cemetery in Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming
Civil War: 1862, Union Army volunteer nurse
Religion: Methodist/Episcopal, converted to Christian Science in 1895
Married: May 20, 1858, Isaac Willard “I.W.” Chatfield, Havana, Mason Co., Illinois
Nine children: Ella Clara Chatfield, Clark W. Charles Chatfield, Elmer Ellsworth Chatfield, Phil Van Wert Chatfield, Jacqueline Chatfield, Charles Henry Chatfield, Myrtle Lovina Chatfield, Grace Chatfield, Calla Mabel Chatfield

1. Ella Clara Chatfield
Born: Apr 2, 1859, Bourbon Co., Territory of Kansas
Died: Aug 15, 1948 (age 89), Globe, Gila Co., Arizona; ; coronary embolism, hypostatic pneumonia, senility
Buried: Fairview Cemetery in Globe, Gila Co., Arizona
Married: May 11, 1887, Josiah Appleton “Joe” Small, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado
No children

2. Clark W. Charles Chatfield
Born: Sep 21, 1861, Bath, Mason Co., Illinois
Died: Sep 21, 1861, Bath, Mason Co., Illinois; died at birth
Buried: Bath Cemetery in Bath, Mason Co., Illinois

3. Elmer Ellsworth “Chatty” Chatfield
Born: Jun 12, 1863, Florence, Fremont Co., Colorado
Died: Sep 20, 1962 (age 99), Thermopolis, Hot Springs Co., Wyoming
Buried: Riverview Memorial Gardens in Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming
Married: Sep 18, 1892, Della “Dell” Chatfield (first cousins), Ogden, Weber Co., Utah
Five children: Helen Layle Chatfield, Marian Hortense Chatfield, Sevilla Maude Chatfield, Audrey Ella Chatfield, Constance “Babe” Cordelia Chatfield

4. Phil Van Wert “Wert/Wirt” Chatfield
Born: Jul 22, 1865, Cañon City, Fremont Co., Colorado
Died: Dec 2, 1883 (age 17), Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado
Buried: Littleton Cemetery in Littleton, Arapahoe Co., Colorado

5. Jacquelin(e) “Jacq” Chatfield
Born: Dec 10, 1867, Florence, Fremont Co., Colorado
Died: Aug 16, 1963 (age 95), Globe, Gila Co., Arizona
Buried: Globe Cemetery in Globe, Gila Co., Arizona
Married: Jun 10, 1891, Frederick William “Fred” Adams, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado
Two children: Marion Jacqueline Adams, Kathryn “Kate” Adams

6. Charles Henry Chatfield
Born: Sep 21, 1870, Florence, Fremont Co., Colorado
Died: Jul 23, 1942 (age 71), Oroville, Butte Co., California
Buried: Chico Cemetery in Chico, Butte Co., California
Married: Dec 26, 1894, Nellie Belle Chamberlin, Grand Junction, Mesa Co., Colorado
Ten children: Charles Joseph Chatfield, Leo Willard Chatfield, Howard Francis Chatfield, Roy Elmer Chatfield, Nellie Mary “Nella May” Chatfield, Gordon Gregory Chatfield, Verda Agnes Chatfield, Arden Sherman Chatfield, Jacqueline “Ina” Chatfield, Noreen Ellen “Babe” Chatfield

7. Myrtle Lovina/Lavina Chatfield
Born: Nov 7, 1873, Littleton, Arapahoe Co., Colorado
Died: Oct 23, 1877 (nearly age 4), Littleton, Arapahoe Co., Colorado; unknown cause
Buried: Littleton Cemetery in Littleton, Arapahoe Co., Colorado

8. Grace Chatfield
Born: prob bet 1874 & 1877, Littleton, Arapahoe Co., Colorado
Died: prob bet 1874 & 1877, Littleton, Arapahoe Co., Colorado; stillbirth
Buried: Littleton Cemetery in Littleton, Arapahoe Co., Colorado

9. Calla Mabel “Callie” Chatfield
Born: Nov 17, 1878, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado
Died: Sep 7, 1958 (age 79), Santa Monica, Los Angeles Co., California; pneumonia
Buried: Woodlawn Cemetery in Santa Monica, Los Angeles Co., California
Married: Feb 17, 1908, Burtis Thayer Joslin, Denver, Denver Co., Colorado
Two children: Jacqueline “Jane” Joslin, Robert Chatfield Joslin

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Four living children of Levi Tomlinson Chatfield & Lovina Mastick:
1. Isaac Willard “I.W.” Chatfield
1836 – 1921
2. Clark Samuel “C.S.” Chatfield
1839 – 1906
3. Charles Henry Chatfield
1840 – 1864
4. Ellen Charlotte “Ellie” Chatfield
1846 – 1928

Six known children of Sylvanus Harrington & Jane Anderson:
1. Clark Harrington
1832 – 1899
2. Susannah M. “Susan” Harrington
1833 – 1895
3. William Rayle “Riley” Harrington
1836 – 1922
4. Eliza Ann Harrington
1839 – 1911
5. Iowa Harrington
abt 1844 – prob died young
6. Betsey Clara Harrington
abt 1845 – aft 1905

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Isaac Willard Chatfield, my maternal great-grandfather, was born in 1836, the first child of Levi Tomlinson Chatfield & Lovina Mastick. In May of 1858, he married Eliza Ann Harrington (Isaac was 22, Eliza 17), and for over five decades, he and Eliza pioneered across the country, settling parts of Kansas, Colorado, and Wyoming.

Shortly after the outbreak of the Civil War and the day after his 25th birthday, Isaac traveled to Havana, Illinois, where on August 3, 1861, he enlisted in the Union Army as a private in Company “E” of the 27th Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry. As he was educated, he was immediately commissioned to second lieutenant.

In the winter of 1862 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Isaac fought in the battle at Stones River at the same time as a sixteen-year-old private in the 9th Michigan Volunteer Infantry—Finley McLaren Chamberlin—a man whose daughter would marry Isaac’s son 32 years hence.

In 1864 Isaac and Eliza crossed the plains driving an ox-team, took up homestead near Florence, removed to Leadville, then Aspen, onto Denver, then settled in the Bighorns near the town of Basin, Wyoming. The family travelled in clans, brothers and cousins and uncles homesteading near one another. Isaac reaped large profits from the selling of his farms and cattle ranges in Colorado. He served as a Republican (anti-slave party) City Alderman and went on to be elected to the Colorado State House of Representatives. He was a railroad contractor, hiring 500 rock men to work on the grade of the Denver and Rio Grande short line to Leadville. He was a store and livery stable owner. He had a love for horses and horse racing, the amount of his losses often significant enough to be mentioned in the local newspapers. Having become one of the wealthiest men in Colorado, he could afford to lose.

The Chatfield men were farmers, cattle ranchers, horse traders, railroad builders, mercantile owners, politicians, and mine stockholders. The women were opera singers, musicians, mothers, teachers, seamstresses, shopkeepers, and landowners. Devotion to God, family, hard work, and common sense ruled the order of the day.

On June 12, 1911, after fifty-three years of marriage and nine children (four of whom she buried before her), Eliza died from uterine cancer, her burial services under the auspices of the Christian Scientists.

Shortly after Eliza’s death, Isaac moved to Princeton, California, a rural rice-farming community in the sun-heated Sacramento Valley. Two years later, in late August of 1913, He married a second time to a widowed Sarah Jane Wisenor—much to the great displeasure of the family who did not think he should be marrying again, much less so soon, and particularly at the age of seventy-seven. He, too, must have been dubious, as he put on his marriage certificate he was sixty-seven.

Eliza (Harrington) Chatfield: With over 250,000 men from Illinois serving as volunteer soldiers, virtually every Illinois woman was the mother, sister, daughter, aunt or wife of a soldier. Duty also called Eliza, and although she was a young mother of a three-year-old daughter and had lost a second child at birth just five months before, she joined the Civil War as a Union Army nurse. In February of 1862, she served at the Battle of Fort Donelson in Tennessee where General Ulysses S. Grant and the North won their first important victory—at the cost of 2,500 Union and 2,000 Confederate casualties. Two months later Eliza, one of the 5,000 female nurses serving in the war, was at the Battle of Shilo where General Grant’s troops in blue encountered the Confederate troops of Generals Stonewall Jackson and P.T.G. Beauregard. Overcome by sickness during battle and accompanied by the weariness of war, the memory of thousands of men dying on the ground, and the horror of crimson staining land, she was taken to St. Louis, Missouri to recover. The losses on both sides were overwhelming: the Union lost 1,735 men, had 7,882 wounded and 3,956 captured. The Confederacy had 1,728 killed, 8,012 wounded, with 959 taken prisoner.

Sarah Jane (Rooker) Wisenor: Isaac’s 2nd wife
8th of 13 children of Joseph Alva Rooker & Emeline Samantha Jordon
Born: Nov 7, 1858, Utah
Died: Jan 15, 1932 (age 73), Oakland, Alameda Co., California
Buried: Lemoore Cemetery, Lemoore, Kings Co., California
Married (1): Nov 8, 1874, William Thomas “W.T.” Wisenor, Hayward(s), Alameda Co., California
Five children:
1. Joseph Alva Wisenor
1876 – 1935
2. William Hoy Wisenor
1880 – abt 1932
3. Ida Bell Wisenor (twin)
1884 – 1905
4. Iva May Wisenor (twin)
1884 – 1976
5. Clarence Hopson Wisenor
1892 – 1983
Married (2): Aug 30, 1913, Isaac Willard “I.W.” Chatfield, Oakland, Alameda Co., California
Married (3): Mar 4, 1922, Francis Marion “Frank” Beaver, Fresno, Fresno Co., California

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Timeline and Records

Spellings and information in census and other records are retained
as reflected in the original documents

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Jul 22, 1835: Marriage of Levi Tomlinson Chatfield (age 34) & Lovina Mastick (age 25), parents of Isaac Willard Chatfield, in Chardon, Geauga Co., Ohio.

Aug 11, 1836: Birth of Isaac Willard Chatfield, 1st child of Levi Tomlinson Chatfield & Lovina Mastick in Middlefield, Geauga Co., Ohio.

Jan 9, 1839: Birth of Clark Samuel Chatfield, 2nd child of Levi Chatfield & Lovina Mastick, in Middlefield, Geauga Co., Ohio.

Oct 3, 1840: Birth of Charles Henry Chatfield, 3rd child of Levi Chatfield & Lovina Mastick, in Middlefield, Geauga Co., Ohio.

1843/44: Isaac Willard Chatfield (age 8) and his family move to Bath, Mason Co., Illinois

The town of Bath, Illinois was settled in 1828 by John Stewart and John Gillespie, soon to be followed by other Kentuckians. Abraham Lincoln surveyed the town in 1836. The second house and first mansion, a two-story red brick Italianate four-square, was built by Major Benjamin H. Gatton in the 1840s. The town name is said to have originated with some English settlers, who thought the area looked like the land around Bath, England. Bath was the Mason County seat from 1843 to 1851. The town was the site of one of Abraham Lincoln’s “a house divided… cannot stand” speeches in 1858.

The first businesses in Bath included several blacksmiths: Guy Spencer, John Hortsman, and George Steigleder. Other establishments were Gatton and Ruggles flourmill, Cragg’s sawmill, replaced in 1975 by Bath Mill, manufacturer of “Queen of Mason” flour, and a newspaper, the Bath Journal, W.W. Stout, publisher, founded in 1860.
Source: http://www.museum.state.il.us/RiverWeb/harvesting/history/settlement/bath.html

Mar 1846: Birth of Ellen Charlotte Chatfield, 4th child of Levi Chatfield & Lovina Mastick, in Bath, Mason Co., Illinois.

Nov 11, 1848: Death of Levi Tomlinson Chatfield (age 35), of Bright’s disease (kidney disease) in Middlefield, Geauga Co., Ohio, at the home of his parents, Isaac and Lucy Chatfield. Children: Isaac (age 12), Clark (age 10), Charles (age 7) and Ellen (not yet 2) Levi is buried in Middlefield Cemetery, Geauga Co., Ohio.

Oct 31, 1850: U.S. Federal Census, Mason Co., Illinois:
Chatfield, Levina: age 40, female, born Ohio (Lovina (Mastick) Chatfield, mother)
Willis: age 13, male, born Ohio (Isaac Willard Chatfield, son)
Clark: age 12, male, born Ohio (Clark Samuel Chatfield, son)
Charles: age 10, male, born Illinois (Charles Henry Chatfield, son)
Ellen: age 4, female, born Illinois (Ellen Charlotte Chatfield, daughter)

Note: Levi Tomlinson Chatfield, the father, had died Nov 11, 1848, leaving Lovina with their four children. Lovina is a teacher at Peterville [aka Leaf school] School in Kilbourne, Mason Co., Illinois; in Oct 1850 she was paid $20.70 month. She was later a hotelier in Bath.

1855: State Census for Mason Co., Illinois:
L. Chatfield: head of household (mother, Lovina (Mastick) Chatfield)
3 males (age 10-20) (sons, Isaac, Clark and Charles Chatfield)
1 female (age 1-10) (daughter Ellen Chatfield)
1 female (age 40-50) (mother Lovina)

1856: Isaac Willard Chatfield (age 19) works on a farm near Bath, Mason Co., Illinois for $6.50 a month plus board

1856: Isaac works in the commission business with the firm of Gatton & Ruggles in Bath, Mason Co., Illinois for about four years and is rapidly promoted to a partnership
Note: Gatton & Ruggles engage in the grain business and run a flour mill in Bath

1857: Isaac (age 20) also works with his mother, Lovina, in her hotel business in Bath, Illinois.

1858: Fire destroys the Chatfield Hotel in early 1858. Gatton & Ruggles financially back Isaac in another hotel venture in Bath.

Apr 20, 1858 Death of Lovina Mastick Chatfield (age 48), mother of Isaac (age 21), Clark (age 20), Charles (age 17) and Ellen (age 12) in Bath, Mason Co., Illinois of lung fever (pneumonia). Lovina is buried in the Bath Cemetery. The family bible passes on to Isaac.

May 20, 1858: Marriage of Isaac Willard Chatfield (age 21) & Eliza Ann Harrington (age 18). Isaac has a 12-year-old sister, Ellen, whom Isaac and Eliza raise, and a brother, Charles Henry Chatfield (age 17), who also stays with them.

May 20, 1858: Excerpt from marriage certificate of Isaac and Eliza:
State of Illinois,
Mason County
The People of the State of Illinois,
To all Who shall see these Presents—Greeting:
Marriage of W.I. Chatfield to Miss Eliza A. Harington
20th day of May, 1860

Note: On back of marriage certificate Isaac Chatfield wrote:
State of Illinois, Mason County:
I, W.I. Chatfield, after being duly sworn state an oath that the parents of E.A. Harington have given their consent for me to marry her. Subscribed and sworn to before me.
Note: Eliza’s last name appears spelled as such (Harington) elsewhere. At the time, words were often spelled phonetically. Isaac went by Willard at the time of his marriage.

As They Were Told:
“Grandmother Chatfield” (Eliza Chatfield)
Eliza H. Chatfield’s parents were of Scotch and English descent. She was born in Iowa.
Two sisters, Susan and Clara.
First daughter born near Topeka, Kansas (Kansas Territory).
Grandmother went to Oberlin to school. Stayed with Cousin Cogshells. Met Grandad (his mother died) so they got married. (Money for school bought wedding clothes.)
Ellen just a little girl. Eliza took care of Ellen, Grandad’s young sister as well as her own. Their parents were dead. Eliza took care of her and made them a home
Grandmother Eliza Chatfield’s last words: “Underneath are the Everlasting arms.”

Note: Family stories were written in a small black loose-leaf notebook by Kathryn “Kate” (Adams) McDaniel, granddaughter of Eliza (Harrington) Chatfield and youngest daughter of Fred and Jacqueline (Chatfield) Adams.

Sep 12, 1858: Marriage of Clark Samuel Chatfield (age 19) & Louisa Tankersley (age 18) in Havana (near Bath), Mason Co., Illinois. Nancy is the daughter of John Wesley Tankersley & Nancy Turner.
Note: Clark is Isaac’s younger brother

1859: In the spring and early summer of 1859, more than 100,000 gold seekers set out in search of gold at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. They are known as Fifty-niners, named for the peak year of the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush, and exemplified by the slogan: “Pike’s Peak or Bust.

Isaac too gets “gold fever,” sells his hotel at a profit, and joins a wagon train for Denver. He makes the trip to the Pikes Peak gold fields with his new wife Eliza, his sister Ellen and brother Charles, along with Eliza’s brother Clark Harrington and cousin Robert M. Wright. They remain in Colorado for only a short time, then travel east by ox team to Kansas.

1859: Isaac and Eliza settle on a squatter’s claim of 160 acres, 12 miles north of Fort Scott, Bourbon Co., Kansas

Apr 2, 1859: Birth of Ella Clara Chatfield, 1st of 9 children of Isaac W. Chatfield & Eliza Ann Harrington, near Fort Scott, Bourbon Co., Kansas

1859: Violence between pro-slavery and free-state parties of Kansas force settlers to take sides. I.W. Chatfield is anti-slave (Republican Party), and a former Whig party member. He gives up his 160-acre claim, loads his wife, sister, and newborn daughter into an ox wagon, and herds his cattle to their hometown of Bath, Illinois where he arrives a few weeks later, “busted.” He is again employed as a clerk for Gatton & Ruggles. His younger brother Charles Henry Chatfield remains in Kansas to fight in the Border War.

Border War (1854–1859) The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, which allowed local voters to decide whether Kansas would be a slave state or a free state, prompted emigration from the Northeast of antislavery groups, the arrival of squatters and speculators, and the presence of an adventurous element recruited from both North and South. Ideological differences over slavery and recurring personal altercations led proslavery and free-state groups to organize regulating associations and guerrilla bands. Lynching, horse stealing, pillaging, and pitched battles marked the years from 1854 to 1859 and inspired the name “Bleeding Kansas” for the territory. The first eighteen months of settlement witnessed sporadic shootings, killings, and robberies. Major conflict terminated in 1859, albeit sporadic disorders continued until the Civil War.
Source: Encyclopedia of American History, Answers.com
Note: The events in Bleeding Kansas directly presaged the American Civil War

Abt 1859: Birth of Elizabeth Chatfield, 1st child of Clark Samuel Chatfield & Louisa Tankersley, in Mason Co., Illinois

Aug 18, 1859: Death of Elizabeth Chatfield, 1st child of Clark Samuel Chatfield & Louisa Tankersley, of inflammation, in Mason Co., Illinois

Sep 21, 1859: Lovina Chatfield’s estate is settled in bankruptcy. James Robinson sues the four children of Lovina for property indebted to him. The lawsuit claim is against I.W. Chatfield who is called “Willard Chatfield,” as well as his siblings, Clark, Charles and Ellen. The estate is sold for $254.68, the debt on the estate, $391.00.

1860: Isaac Willard Chatfield is employed by Gatton & Ruggles in Bath, Illinois

Aug 31, 1860: U.S. Federal Census, Bath, Mason Co., Illinois: 
Willard Chatfield: head, age 23, Farm Keeper, Value of Personal Estate $100, born Ohio (Isaac Willard Chatfield)
Eliza Chatfield: age 19, born Iowa (wife, Eliza Ann (Harrington) Chatfield, age 20)
Clara E. Chatfield: age 1, born Kansas (daughter, Ella Clara Chatfield)
Ellen C. Chatfield: age 14, born Illinois, attending school (Isaac’s sister, Ellen Charlotte Chatfield)
Charles Chatfield: age 19, born Ohio, laborer (Isaac’s brother, Charles Henry Chatfield)

Sep 8, 1860: U.S. Federal Census, Bath, Mason Co., Illinois:
Clark Chalfield: age 25, Farmer, Value of Personal Estate, $200, born Ohio (Clark Samuel Chatfield)
Louisa Chalfield: age 20, born Kentucky (Louisa (Tanlkersley) Chatfield)
Note: Clark is the brother of Isaac Willard Chatfield

Apr 12, 1861: Start of the American Civil War (also known as The War of the Rebellion).
More than 3 million Americans will fight in the Civil War, and over 600,000 (2% of the population) will perish in it.

As They Were Told:
“Grandmother Chatfield” (Eliza Chatfield)
Grandmother and Aunt Ella and Ellen Chatfield stayed with Grandmother’s Aunt Clara Wright in St. Louis during Civil War.
Note: Family story handwritten in a small black loose-leaf notebook by Kathryn “Kate” (Adams) McDaniel, granddaughter of Eliza (Harrington) Chatfield and youngest daughter of Fred and Jacqueline (Chatfield) Adams.

At the onset of the Civil War, Eliza Chatfield (age 20), along with her daughter Ella Clara (age 2) and Ellen Charlotte (Isaac’s sister, age 15) move to (probably Carondelet), St. Louis Co., Missouri (sometime in 1861) to live with Eliza’s aunt, Clara M. Wright (age 45), wife of Henry C. Wright (age 37).

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Family Information for Clara M. Wright

Clara M. Wright photo below: 
Photo taken by E.S. Young, Leon, Iowa. Written on back: “Aunt Clara Wright, sister Libby Harrington”
Note: Clara was actually Eliza (sic Libby) Harrington’s aunt, not her sister

Henry C. Wright photo below (husband of Clara M. Wright):
Photo by taken by Bishop & Co., Sandusky, Ohio. On the front of the picture Henry has written: Yours truly, Henry C. Wright

Clara M. Wright
Born: Mar 8, 1815, Pennsylvania (parents born Massachusetts)
Died: Feb 17, 1890, St. Louis Co., Missouri
Buried: Feb 20, 1890 in Bellefontaine Cemetery in Saint Louis, St. Louis Co., Missouri
Col. Henry C. Wright
Born: Jan 4, 1823, Alexandria, Virginia, (father born Virginia, mother born Virginia or Maryland)
Died: Apr 5, 1902 (age 79), Ivory Station, St. Louis Co., Missouri
Buried: Feb 20, 1890 in Bellefontaine Cemetery in Saint Louis, St. Louis Co., Missouri

Note: from newspaper article on Apr 17, 1902, Dodge City Globe: H.C. Wright was General Ulysses S. Grant’s friend (and neighbor), and also an uncle to Robert Marr Wright, the founder of Dodge City. He was also the provost marshal for St. Louis during the civil war under Lincoln.

Jul 19, 1860: U.S. Federal Census, Carondelet, St. Louis Co., Missouri:
Henry C Wright: age 37, farmer, Value of Real Estate $10,000, Value of Personal Estate $3,000, born Virginia
Clara M Wright: age 42, born Pennsylvania (Eliza Harrington Chatfield’s aunt)
Robt M Wright: age 21, born Maryland (nephew, Robert Marr Wright)
Alice Wright: age 16, born Alabama (wife of nephew, Robert Marr Wright, b. Louisiana/Alabama)
Elizabeth Harrington: age 17, born Iowa (not our Eliza who is age 20, married w/child and in 1860 Bath, Illinois census)
Clara Wright: age 13, born Iowa (daughter)
William T Granger: age 14, born Missouri
Thomas I: age 11, born Missouri
Harriet S Wright: age 3, born Missouri (daughter Henrietta)
Note: Clara Wright is the aunt of Eliza (Harrington) Chatfield, and with whom Eliza, daughter Ella and sister-in-law Ellen stayed with during the beginning of the Civil War

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Jul 23, 1861: Clark Samuel Chatfield, Isaac’s brother, enlists in the Civil War as a Corporal in Company C, 2nd Cavalry, Volunteer Regiment, in Camp Butler, Illinois; he is later promoted to Full Private.
Enlistment Description:
Height: 5′ 10″
Complexion: light
Hair: black
Eyes: hazel
Note: Clark’s regiment mustered out Dec 30, 1865
Presumed possible photo of Clark:

Aug 12, 1861: The day after his 25th birthday, Isaac Willard Chatfield joins the Union Army at Havana, Mason Co., Illinois. He enlists as a private in Co. E., 27th Infantry Regiment, Illinois Volunteers and immediately promoted to Sergeant 1st Class.
Enlistment Description:
Height: 5’8½”
Complexion: sallow
Hair: black
Eyes: blue

Note: This Carte de Visite was in a Chatfield/Tuck photograph album; in comparing his features to other pictures, it may be Isaac Willard Chatfield in his early to mid-twenties. The back of the card is blank, so offer no clues.

Aug 16, 1861: Isaac Willard Chatfield is promoted 2nd Lt.

Aug 27, 1861: Isaac Willard Chatfield is promoted to Full Lieutenant 2nd Class

Sep 1, 1861: Birth of Clark C. Chatfield, 2nd of 9 children of Isaac W. Chatfield & Eliza Ann Harrington in Bath, Mason Co., Illinois just 18 days after Isaac enlists in the Civil War; the baby dies the same day.

Nov 1, 1861: Isaac W. Chatfield contracts a severe infection of kidneys and bladder while camped with the Union Army headed by General Ulysses E. Grant at Cairo, Alexander Co., Illinois. According to his pension application, he suffers his entire life from bladder and kidney disease.
Note: With over 250,000 men from Illinois serving as volunteer soldiers, virtually every Illinois woman was the mother, sister, daughter, aunt or wife of an army soldier. Although she lost a child at birth just five months before and was the young mother of three-year-old Ella, Eliza Chatfield joined the Civil War as a volunteer nurse.

Feb 12 to Feb 16, 1862: Eliza Chatfield is a volunteer Union Army nurse and serves at the Battle of Fort Donelson in Stewart Co., Tennessee where General Ulysses S. Grant and the North win their first important victory. The capture of the fort by Union forces opened the Cumberland River as an avenue of invasion of the South. There are 2,500 Union and 2,000 Confederate casualties.

Feb 13, 1862: Charles Henry Chatfield, brother of Isaac and Clark, is severely wounded at the Battle of Fort Donelson

Apr 6 & 7, 1862: Eliza Chatfield serves at the Battle of Shiloh (also called the Battle of Pittsburg Landing) where General Ulysses S. Grant fights Generals Stonewall Jackson and Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard. The casualties on both sides are overwhelming. Eliza is overcome by sickness at this battle and returns to St. Louis, Missouri to recover.

Note: Federal surgeons establish one of the first tent hospitals of the Civil War. By gathering tents from the battlefield and concentrating medical services, patient care is greatly improved, lowering the death rate among the wounded.
Casualties: Out of 100,000 men, over 20,000 were killed, wounded, captured or missing.

The Battle of Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh begins: On the morning of Apr 6, 1872, Confederates commanded by Albert Sidney Johnston roared into Grant’s encampment around Pittsburgh Landing, beginning the bloodiest battle of the war. It would be remembered by the name of the little whitewashed church around which some of the fiercest early fighting swirled‚ Shiloh, a Hebrew word meaning “place of peace”.
Source: The Civil War, An Illustrated History, by Geoffrey C. War, Ric Burns & Ken Burns, pg 115.

Eliza Chatfield is overcome by sickness—and accompanied by the weariness of war, the imprint of thousands dying and the horror of land stained crimson—she removes to a hospital back in St. Louis, Missouri where her family is, to recover.

Apr 15, 1862: Isaac Chatfield’s bladder and kidney disease reoccurs at Hamburg, Mississippi

Civil War tintype of Isaac Willard Chatfield (at time of photo he was going by the name of Willard)
(circa 1861, about age 25)

May 9, 1862: Isaac Chatfield takes part in the Battle of Island #10 (part of a chain of islands in the Mississippi River lying below Cairo, Illinois) and the Battle of Farmington (north Mississippi above Corinth).

Island #10
The opening of hostilities between the Confederate States and the United States in the spring of 1861 found both belligerents woefully unprepared for the struggle ahead. Confederate strategists realized that the Mississippi River offered a broad avenue of invasion into the South; the river had to be defended if Southern independence was to be realized. Confederate control of the Mississippi River was vital to the unification of the seceding states east and west of the Mississippi Valley and could effectively cripple the agricultural economy of the midwestern states of the Union.

Early in the war, the Confederate forces fortified Island #10, near the Kentucky-Tennessee state line. In 1861 Island #10 was part of a chain of islands in the Mississippi River lying below Cairo, Illinois, that led into the heart of the Confederacy. It was so named for its position as tenth in this chain from north to south.

A Confederate force of approximately 7,000 troops manned the island defenses. General W.W. Mackall was in command at the time of the Union attack in March 1862. Seven Union gunboats under the command of Flag Officer Andrew H. Foote bombarded the island for three weeks. Heavy bombardment, high water, and the successful movement of the Union gunboats past the Confederate guns forced the surrender of the island on April 7, 1862. Polk evacuated as many soldiers as possible on an assortment of river transports while under fire from two of Foote’s gunboats. Union soldiers pursued the retreating Confederates into the swamps and captured over six thousand prisoners near Tiptonville, Tennessee.

With the collapse of Island #10’s defenses, military activities moved farther south, effectively ending Confederate control of northwest Tennessee for the duration of the war.
Source: Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture, www.tennesseeencyclopedia.net

Dec 1862: Isaac is treated for kidney and bladder disease in the Zollicoffer hospital barracks in Nashville, Tennessee

Dec 31, 1862 to Jan 2, 1863: Isaac is in the Battle of Stones River in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. General William Rosecrans defeats Confederate General Braxton Bragg who retreats.
Note: Of the major battles of Civil War, Stones River has the highest percentage of casualties on both sides:
Union: 1,730 killed, 7,802 wounded, 3,717 captured/missing
Confederacy: 1,294 killed, 7,945 wounded, 1,027 captured/missing

Finley McLaren Chamberlin also fights in the Battle of Stone’s River. Some 30 years hence, the future daughter of Finley Chamberlin and Emily S. Hoy (Nellie Belle Chamberlin) will marry the future son of Isaac Willard Chatfield and Eliza Ann Harrington (Charles Henry Chatfield).

The Battle of Stone’s River:
On December 30, 1862, Union forces came upon Bragg’s ragged army camped along Stone’s River, a mile northwest of Murfreesboro. The two armies spent the night only a few hundred yards apart, their bands competing with one another, alternating northern and southern tunes. Then one band struck op “Home, Sweet Home,” and another joined in, and then another, until 78,000 men were singing it together in the icy darkens.

The next day the Confederates attacked at dawn. The fighting was some of the fiercest of the war, the artillery so thunderous that men stopped fighting long enough to pick raw cotton from the fields and stuff it into their ears. The South seemed to be winning until Rosecrans rallied his men, riding up and down the lines apparently oblivious of the shelling that blew off the head of an aide riding by his side. Two days later, the rebels attacked again, only to be beaten back. It was a standoff. Each army lost roughly a third of its men; Bragg withdrew toward Tullahoma. “I see no prospects of peace for a long time.” On confederate wrote after Stone’s River. The Yankees can’t whip us and we can never whip them.”
Source: The Civil War, An Illustrated History by Geoffrey C. Ward, Ric Burns & Ken Burns (p 255)

Jan 1863: Isaac is again treated at the Zollicoffer barracks hospital in Nashville, Tennessee for kidney and bladder problems.

Feb 19, 1863: Isaac Chatfield (age 26) reluctantly resigns his commission as an officer in the Union Army (Company E. 27th Infantry Regiment) and is medically mustered out at rank of 1st Lieutenant.
Note: His regiment musters out on Sep 20, 1864 in Springfield, Illinois.

Eliza (Harrington) Chatfield (age 23) & Isaac Willard Chatfield (age 26)
Photo was taken circa Feb or Mar of 1863
Back of picture reads:
W.S. TANDY, Photographer,
East Side of Square
CARROLLTON, ILLINOIS.
Note: Carrollton, Greene Co., Illinois
Back affixed with green 3-cent revenue stamp

Note: The back of the stamp is affixed with a revenue stamp, used to show proof that the federal tax was paid. This particular stamp was first issued in 1862 through 1871.

The stamp exists in three varieties: partly perforated (perforations on two opposite sides only), fully perforated (perforations on all four sides), and fully perforated on silk paper, identified by tiny hairs of dark threads sporadically weaved through the paper.
Online source: Experts: Stamps (Philately), Mark Leon, www.GemStamps.com

Civil War Diary and Letters from Private Edward L. Chatfield
Note: Edward Livingston Chatfield is the cousin of Clark, Isaac, and Charles Chatfield

Letter – March 12, 1863
Head Quarters 113th, Youngs point, near Vicksburg.
March 13th 1863
To my Dear Father & Mother.
… I got a letter from Clark Chatfield last evening. He is at Memphis acting as orderly to General [James C.] Veach. He says that his health is quite good. His address is Co C. 2nd Ill Cavalry Memphis Tenn. He said that his brother Willard [Isaac Willard Chatfield] had resigned and gone home. Charles [Willard’s younger brother] was at Nashville Tenn.

Diary – March 30, 1863
William Scoon got back to the company today. He had been in the Mound City hospital. I got a letter from Cousin Isaac W. Chatfield today.

Note from The Chatfield Story: During his 18-month stint with the 27th Illinois, Chatfield’s cousin, Isaac Willard Chatfield, developed recurrent kidney and bladder infections, a chronic debilitating condition that forced him to resign following the battle of Stones River, a three-day fight in Rutherford County, Tennessee. Stones River was one of the bloodiest battles of the war, with 23,000 casualties, 13,000 of whom were Yankees. Isaac mustered out as a First Lieutenant on February 19, 1863.
Source: Edward L. Chatfield’s Civil War diary entries and letters: The Chatfield Story, by Terry M. McCarty and Margaret Ann “Peg” Chatfield McCarty

Spring of 1863: Isaac reunites with his family. Isaac, with Eliza, infant daughter Ella, his sister Ellen, and Eliza’s cousin, R.M. Wright (Robert Marr Wright) and Robert’s wife Alice, they fit out ox and horse teams and take eight weeks to get to what is now Florence, Fremont County, Colorado. Isaac obtains a government grant for 160 acres of sagebrush land, which is later expanded by purchase to 280 acres. It is here he begins cattle ranching.

The Origin of Florence, Colorado:
The 320 acre Isaac Willard Chatfield farm situated in section 16 of Township 19 South, Range 69 West in Fremont County, Colorado was sold to James Alexander McCandless by I.W. Chatfield. The 320 acres were a consolidation of Chatfield’s original 160 acres of land in that section, purchased November 29, 1865, together with the South-East quarter of the North-West quarter of section 16 and the North-East quarter of the South-West quarter of the same section, purchased from Jesse Frazier, making a total of 240 acres. The purchase by Chatfield of the William Ash land which consisted of 80 acres completed the total of 320 acres. The William Ash land was identified as the South-West quarter of the South-East quarter of section 16 and the South-East quarter of the South-West quarter of section 16 of Township 19 South, Range 69 West. This latter 40 acre description was for the most part, the site of the original plat of Florence, Colorado in 1872 which was founded by James Alexander McCandless and platted by Mr. Townsand S. Brandegee in November of 1872.

About a dozen buildings, business and resident properties were erected during the first year of the town’s history. Several additions were later planned and eventually the entire area of the 320 acres was included in subdivisions. These together with the Frazier Additions, Edwin Lobach Additions, Hobins Subdivision, Julius McCandless Addition and others of adjacent properties increased the size of Florence to near that which it is today. In 1887 a building boom was instigated in the business section of the town when McCandless began construction of a building, christened the McCandless Block, on the lot on Pikes Peak Avenue, between the Phoenix Hotel and the alley.

Through natural resources, climatic conditions and many other favorable reasons Florence has progressed to its present status. The original 320 acres sold to McCandless by Chatfield is the location of the limits of the incorporated City of Florence in 1887.
Source: Genevieve C. and William Potter (1972)

As They Were Told:
“Grandmother Chatfield” (Eliza Chatfield)
Bob Wright in Dodge City was a cousin of the family. His son was an officer in the roaring Dodge City days. Very handsome man. Aunt Ella and mother visited there.
Note: Chatfield family story written in a small black loose-leaf notebook by Kathryn (Adams) McDaniel, granddaughter of Eliza (Harrington) Chatfield and youngest daughter of Fred & Jacquelin (Chatfield) Adams.

History of Robert Marr “Bob” Wright, cousin of Eliza (Harrington) Chatfield
Robert M. Wright was on the western plains as early as 1856, operating as a freighter, stockman, trader, government contractor, and merchant. He made his first overland trip in 1859, with oxen, reaching Denver in May. Three times after that he crossed the plains by wagon and twice by coach. The second trip was made in war times in the spring of 1863, when guerrilla warfare was at its worst in Kansas. In 1866, he came to Fort Dodge and he and A.J. Anthony bought the Cimarron ranch, twenty-five miles west of Fort Dodge. He operated the Sutler’s store in Fort Dodge. From this time on, he was closely associated with people throughout the state and especially Dodge City, being president of the townsite when it was laid out.

R.M. Wright made this trip twice with his cousin Eliza Harrington and her husband Isaac Willard Chatfield, the first time in 1859 (at the time of the Border War), the second before the end of the Civil War in 1863.

1912: Robert Marr Wright writes of his life in Dodge City, The Cowboy Capital and The Great Southwest (in the Days of the Wild Indian, the Buffalo, the Cowboy, Dance Halls, Gambling Halls and Bad Men), by Robert M. Wright: Plainsman, Explorer, Scout, Pioneer, Trader and Settler, Wichita Eagle Press, Wichita, Kansas, second edition published 1913:

Dodge City, The Cowboy Capital and The Great Southwest:
I made my first overland trip with oxen in the year 1859 (at age 19), reaching the town of Denver in May. Three times after that I crossed the plains by wagon and twice by coach. My second trip was made in war times, in the spring of 1863, when guerrilla warfare was rife in Kansas. I witnessed some evidences of the guerrillas in the work of Jim and Bill Anderson, hard characters from Missouri who, at the commencement of the war, had taken to the brush.

It happened like this: Traveling along I noticed that the country was dotted with bare chimneys and blackened ruins of houses along the old Santa Fe trail, from a few miles west of Westport to Council Grove. The day we reached Council Grove, two men rode in on fine horses and, dismounting, one of them said: “I expect you know who we are, but I am suffering the torments of hell from the toothache, and if you will allow me to get relief we will not disturb your town; but if we are molested, I have a body of men near here who will burn your town.” These men, I learned afterwards, were Bill Anderson and Up. Hays. A friend by the name of Chatfield with his family, and I with my family, were traveling together. We drove about ten miles from Council Grove that day, and camped with an ox train going to Santa Fe. Chatfield and I had a very large tent between us. That night, about midnight, during a heavy rainstorm, these two men with about fifty others rode up and dismounted, and as many of them as could enter our tent crowded in and asked for water. We happened to have a large keg full. After they drank, they saw that our wives as well as ourselves were much frightened, and they said: “Ladies, you need not be frightened; we are not making war on women and children, but on ‘blue coats.'” When we reached Diamond Springs we saw what their purpose was. They had murdered the people and burned their houses. The place, indeed, presented a look of desolation and destruction. Not a living thing could be seen about the premises and we were too scared to make an investigation. We learned afterward it was an old grudge they had against these people.

Jun 8 or 12, 1863: Birth of Elmer Ellsworth “Chatty” Chatfield, 3rd of 9 children of Isaac W. Chatfield & Eliza Ann Harrington, in a homestead tent near Florence, Fremont Co., Colorado; Isaac and his family live in the Florence, Colorado area for about 8 years.

Jul 19, 1863: Isaac W. Chatfield’s resignation from U.S. Army Company E. 27th Infantry Regiment, Illinois becomes official

Jul 19, 1863: Military Record 
Isaac Willard Chatfield, Sergeant 1st Class, Co E. 27th Infantry Volunteer Reg., Illinois.
Company “E” 27th Illinois Infantry
Name Rank Residence Date of Muster Remarks
CHATFIELD, Isaac W 1st Serg. Bath Aug 16, 1861 Promoted 2nd Lt. [Aug 27, 1861]
CHATFIELD, Isaac W 2nd Lt. Bath Resigned July 19, 1863
Source: Illinois Military Units in the Civil War, Published by Civil War Centennial Commission of Illinois, Springfield, 1962, and comparisons with USGS place/name database

1863: History of Fremont County, Colorado:
A man named Wetmore has a narrow escape from the vengeance of I.W. Chatfield, disabled and honorably discharged, but called a deserter by Wetmore, for which discretion Mr. Chatfield determines to chastise him and closely follows his tracks, that the old gentleman has to flee to the provost marshal for protection.

Jun 27, 1864: Isaac’s younger brother, Charles Henry Chatfield (age 23) is killed in the Civil War battle of Kennesaw Mountain, near Marietta in Cobb Co., Georgia

Aug 11, 1864: Isaac’s brother Clark Samuel Chatfield is mustered out of Company C, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, Illinois. Distinguished service

Nov 7, 1864: I.W. Chatfield is in partnership with C. Harrington (Eliza’s brother, Clark Harrington). Obtains land in Florence, Fremont Co., Colorado

Nov 8, 1864: Abraham Lincoln is re-elected president of the United States

Feb 22, 1865: C. Harrington grants deed to I.W. Chatfield
Note: Probably Clark Harrington, the brother of Eliza

Feb 23, 1865: I.W. Chatfield grants C. Harrington deed in Florence, Colorado. Harrington sells to I.W. Chatfield his share

Mar 8, 1865: I.W. Chatfield (age 28) buys a ranch of 160 acres from William Ash

Mar 8, 1866: I.W. Chatfield transfers 25 acres to John Locke for $500

Apr 9, 1865: General Robert E. Lee surrenders his Confederate army to General Ulysses S. Grant at the village of Appomattox Court House in Virginia.

Apr 14, 1865: During the third act of “Our American Cousin,” while Lincoln and his wife Mary are watching the play at Ford’s Theater, John Wilkes Booth shoots the president in the head. He never regains consciousness.

Apr 15, 1865: Death of President Abraham Lincoln

May 26, 1865: The American Civil War ends, the last of the Confederate troops surrendering in Mississippi.
Note: Over 3 million soldiers battled in the war, and more than 600,000 died—two-thirds by disease.

1865: Birth of Jennie Chatfield, 2nd child of Clark Samuel Chatfield & Louisa Tankersley, in Mason Co., Illinois

Jul 22, 1865: Birth of Phil Van Wert Chatfield, 4th of 9 children of Isaac W. Chatfield & Eliza Ann Harrington, in Florence (Cañon City), Fremont Co., Colorado

Possibly Eliza (Harrington) Chatfield 
Note: Carte de Visite included on a page of Chatfield family photos, probably taken circa 1866 or later

Aug 25, 1866: Relinquishment from Wm. Nelson to I.W. Chatfield filed in Fremont Co., Colorado

Sep 18, 1866: Wm. Nelson grants to I.W. Chatfield a deed in Fremont Co., Colorado

Oct 17, 1866: Above relinquishment from Wm. Nelson to I.W. Chatfield recorded

Dec 19, 1866: Isaac’s brother, Clark S. Chatfield (age 27) with his wife Louisa (Tankersley) Chatfield (age 25) become Isaac’s neighbors in Florence, Fremont Co., Colorado.

Clark Samuel Chatfield & his wife, Louisa (Tankersley) Chatfield
Photographer: T.J. Rice, Rockport, Missouri
Cabinet Card (taken between 1866 and 1868)

1866 or 1867: A posse of five, including Isaac W. Chatfield, pursues cattle thieves. The outlaws shoot at the posse, wounding one of them in the chest. The stock is recovered.
Source: History of Fremont County

Nov 19, 1867: Birth of Ida Chatfield, 3rd child of Clark Samuel Chatfield & Louisa Tankersley, in probably Mason Co., Illinois or perhaps Nebraska
Note: Louisa Tankersley’s mother, Nancy Tankersley, lives in Mason Co., Illinois

Dec 10, 1867: Birth of Jacqueline A. Chatfield, 5th of 9 children of Isaac W. Chatfield & Eliza Ann Harrington, in Florence, Fremont Co., Colorado

Jul 6, 1868: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado:
DENVER, COLORADO: POLITICAL.
The Fremont County Convention.
At a Republican Convention held at the school house in Cañon City, June 27, the Territorial Central Committee is requested to appoint S.M. Cox, Esq. Chairman, and J.A. Toof and I.W. Chatfield members of the County Committee for the Fremont County Convention.

Jul 7, 1868: I.W. Chatfield (age 31) becomes a member of the Republican County Committee in Cañon City, Fremont Co., Colorado

Aug 18, 1868: Death of Louisa (Tankersley) Chatfield (age 28), wife of Clark Samuel Chatfield, in Cañon City/Florence, Fremont Co., Colorado. Clark brings Louisa’s body back from Colorado to Nebraska for burial. Louisa leaves behind two small daughters, Jennie (age 3), Ida (age 9 months).

Mar 10, 1869: Marriage of Clark Samuel Chatfield (age 30) & Mary Elizabeth “Mollie” Morrow (age 19), in Sonora, Atchison Co., Missouri. Shortly thereafter, they move to Nebraska, where Clark follows his vocation as a farmer until about 1879, at which time he moves to Arapahoe Co., Colorado.
Note: Clark and Mollie will have ten children: Unnamed child, Della, Ora L., Clark Samuel Jr., Arthur William, Willard James, Mabel Clair, Jacquelin, Levi “Lee” Tomlinson, Margaret “Marjorie” Emma

May 25, 1869: Isaac W. Chatfield granted a patent on Government Land

Between 1870 and 1880: Death of Jennie Chatfield, 2nd child of Clark Samuel Chatfield and Louisa Tankersley, in Brownsville, Nemaha Co., Nebraska.

Feb 23, 1870: Deed of $475 granted from Wm. Ash to Isaac Willard Chatfield, Fremont Co., Colorado.

Jun 4, 1870: I.W. and Eliza Chatfield grant a deed for $5000 to James McCandles for the 1st subdivision of the town of Florence. Terms: 320 acres for 100 steers at $35 a head, plus Big Spring Ranch valued at $1500. Note: The town of Florence was named after James McCandles daughter who was born October 3, 1871. McCandles also bought the 160-acre homestead of I.W. Chatfield where oil was later found nearby.

Jul 6, 1870: U.S. Federal Census, Benton, Nemaha Co., Nebraska:
Chalfield, C.S.: age 32, male, Farmer, Value of Real Estate $1,000, Value of Personal Estate, $200, born Illinois (note: Chatfield is misspelled Chalfield; Clark Samuel Chatfield, brother of Isaac))
Mary E.: age 21, female, keeping house, born Illinois (Mary Elizabeth (Morrow) Chatfield)
Jennie: age 6, female, at home, born Illinois (born to Louisa Tankersley)
No Name: age 8/12 (8 months), female, born Nebraska (born Nov 1869 to Mary (Morrow) Chatfield)
Francis: age 3, female, born Nebraska (Ida Bell Chatfield, born to Louisa Tankersley)

Aug 1, 1870: Colorado Territorial Census, Cañon City, Fremont Co., Colorado:
Chatfield, Isaac: age 34, farmer, value of real estate $6,000, value of personal property $4,550, born Ohio
Eliza: age 28, keeping house, born Iowa
Ella: age 11, at home, born Kansas, attending school
Elmer: age 7, at home, born Colorado
Vanwert: age 5, at home, born Colorado
Jane: age 2, at home, born Colorado (note: Jacquelin)

Sep 21, 1870: Birth of Charles Henry Chatfield, 6th of 9 children of Isaac W. Chatfield & Eliza Ann Harrington, in Florence, Fremont Co., Colorado, on Isaac Chatfield’s 280-acre farm and cattle ranch

Sep 30, 1870: Isaac W. Chatfield and James McCandles are the owners of land in the first subdivision of the town of Florence, Colorado and are considered to be the founders of Florence. “By authority of the Govt. Act. of 3 Mar. 1855”

1870: Completion of the Denver Pacific Railroad

bet 1874 & 1877: Birth and death of Grace Chatfield, a stillborn, and 8th of 9 children of Isaac W. Chatfield & Eliza Ann Harrington, in Littleton, Arapahoe Co., Colorado

1871: I.W. Chatfield moves to Littleton, Arapahoe Co., Colorado and buys 160-acre ranch at South Platte and Plum Creek Property from J.B. Hendy. He later expands to 720 acres (on the Platte and Bear Creek Rivers) by purchase from Dan Witter (or Wetter). I.W. introduced growing potatoes to the area. Persuading the railroad to build a spur to his farm, the name of Chatfield appeared on local maps as a result. Chatfield Station was at milepost 14.07 on the Colorado and Southern Railroad and located on the Chatfield farm.
Note: the land is now the site of the Chatfield Dam and Recreation Area located near Littleton, Colorado.

Mar 13, 1872: Marriage of Isaac’s sister, Ellen C. Chatfield (age 26) & Isaac. H. Batchellor (age 47), in Denver, Arapahoe Co. Colorado

Mar 14, 1872: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado (pg 1):
A largely attended wedding occurred at the Methodist church yesterday afternoon. The parties to the affair were Mr. I.H. Batchellor and Miss Ellen C. Chatfield. Miss Hattie Gross and Mr. John Cromwell acted as bridesmaid and groomsman respectively. In the evening a reception was held at Batchellor’s rancho.

Oct 23, 1872: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado (pg 2):
One of finest lots of cattle ever driven to market is owned by Messrs. J.G. Lilley and I.W. Chatfield. The average weight of these beeves is closely estimated at 1,350 pounds, while many will go as high as 1,550 to 1,650 pounds. Their short horns and uniform red and roan color show the Durham blood. In every respect this is one of the finest droves of cattle ever seen in any country, and it has been universally admired by all who have examined it. It is to be shipped east.

Oct 24, 1872: The Weekly Gazette, Colorado Springs, El Paso Co., Colorado (pg 4):

Oct 31, 1872: Denver News, Colorado Springs, El Paso Co., Colorado (pg 4):
CATTLE SHIPMENTS
The cattle trade is growing to large proportions. The shipments this fall have exceeded all calculations, and begin to indicate to what proportions the cattle interests of this country are growing. On Monday, Mr. T.J. Allen shipped through the yards of J.L. Bailey three hundred and fifty head of choice beeves from herds on the Kiowa and Bijou. To-day he will ship four hundred selected hers from the best herds of Southern Colorado. One of finest lots of cattle ever driven to market is owned by Messrs. J.G. Lilley and I.W. Chatfield. The average weight of these beeves is closely estimated at on thousand three hundred and fifty pounds; while many will go as high as one thousand five hundred and fifty to one thousand six hundred and fifty pounds. Their short horns and uniform red and roan color show the Durham blood. In every respect this is one of the finest droves of cattle ever seen in any country, and it has been universally admired by all who have examined it. It is to be shipped east. While the effect of these shipments will largely increase the value and amount of our exports, and counterbalance the heavy imports which we are annually obliged to make, it will doubtless have another result, which is destined to have a marked influence upon the cattle interest of Colorado.

Dec 18, 1872: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado (pg 4):
Real Estate Transfers.
Horatio H. Jacobs to I.W. Chatfield, lots 1 and 2, of southwest 1/2, section 31, township 5, south range 69 west, $1.00.

Feb 1, 1873: I.W. Chatfield (age 36) is appointed to Stock Committee of Colorado Stock Growers Association in Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado

Feb 9, 1873: I.W. Chatfield buys more acreage near Littleton, Arapahoe Co., Colorado

Feb 9, 1873: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado (pg 4):
A DAY IN LITTLETON
This thriving little town, ten miles south of Denver, is the center of a magnificent farming section, there being in the area—bounded by the Platte River on two sides, Bear Creek and the foothills – about 35,000 acres of land, the principal part of which is or can be irrigated. From Bradford Hill can be seen seventeen lakes, varying in size from an area of ten to two hundred acres. These lakes have been formed within a year or two, by turning water from the irrigating ditches into natural depressions, making reservoirs which are very valuable to those who own them. In the immediate vicinity of the village of Littleton are the farms of R.S. Little, G.W. Belcher, A.C. Hunt, J.W. Boles, Henry Allshouse, J. Foster, John G. Lilley, Peter Magnus, R.T. Hussey, W.B.O. Skelton, B.N. Sanford, S.W. Brown, and I.W. Chatfield.
Their farms are under the upper Platte and Bear Creek ditch, which is about six miles long and planted throughout with cottonwood…the receipts from the crop which gives a pretty good margin for profits the net profit per acre was about $9.48.

Apr 20, 1873: I.W. Chatfield leaves for Eastern visit.

Nov 7, 1873: Birth of Myrtle Chatfield, 7th of 9 children of Isaac W. Chatfield & Eliza Ann Harrington, in Littleton, Arapahoe Co., Colorado.

Nov 26, 1873: Rocky Mountain News Weekly, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado (pg 1):
…Upon the conclusion of the address a committee on credentials … reported the following persons as entitled to seats in the (Republican) convention:
Littleton Farmer’s Club—Isaac W. Chatfield, …

Apr 1, 1874: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado:
GRAND CENTRAL HOTEL:—Here were registered last night: … I.W. Chatfield of Littleton….

May 17, 1874: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado (pg 4):
Real Estate Transfers.
The transfer of real estate recorded for May 14, as reported for the NEWS by Isaac W. Chatfield to H.G. Bond, south ½ of southwest Section 8, township 1, range 68, quit claim deed, $1.
Note: I.W. Chatfield makes these 760 acres just south of Littleton into an “elegant ranch.”

1874-1891 Edward Livingston Chatfield (Littleton Land Purchases) from his cousin, I.W. Chatfield:
Apr 12, 1874: E.L. Chatfield conveys Trust Deed to Colorado Mortgage and Investment Company for part of SW ¼ of Section 31-5-68.425
May 17, 1874: Following I.W. Chatfield’s transfer of quitclaim deed to H.B. Bond for South ½ of SW Section 8, Twp 3, R 70W. Edward purchases this land from H.B. Bond in a separate transaction.426
Aug 12, 1874: I.W. Chatfield grants Warranty Deed to Edward L. Chatfield for $2,092.50.427
Apr 1, 1875: Grant Deed — Edward L. Chatfield conveys in trust property to secure three notes for $697.50 each due in 1, 2, 3 years with interest of 10% per annum, 30 days to I.W. Chatfield and successors.428
Jan 26, 1878: Warranty Deed — I.W. Chatfield issues Warranty Deed to Edward L. Chatfield for 1,200 acres.429
Feb 6, 1878: I.W. Chatfield is named successor in trust to Edward Chatfield, Arapahoe Co., Colorado.430
Apr 22, 1879: E.L. Chatfield conveys Trust Deed to Colorado Mortgage and Investment Company for part of SW ¼ of Section 31-5-68, including water rights

THE CHATFIELD STORY:

Edward L. Chatfield, by then 32 years old and still unmarried, rode the train to Denver in the early spring of 1874. From Denver he took the rail car to Littleton, staying in the home of his cousin, Isaac Willard Chatfield, who had moved from Florence, Fremont County, Colorado, to Littleton in November of 1871. The two cousins identified a fertile 42-acre parcel located at the junction of Arapahoe and Jefferson Counties that would suit Edward and his family’s needs. Nestled against Isaac’s land in Douglas County on the south, the 2,700-foot by 675-foot rectangle was bordered on the east by what is today South Platte Park. The slice of land included a 1,400-foot strip of the South Platte River, a section that now serves as the spillway to the Chatfield Reservoir. With its purchase by contract through the Colorado Mortgage and Investment Company on April 12, 1874, Edward had assured himself and his family a new foothold. Before returning to Kankakee, Edward contracted with his cousin Isaac to purchase additional land over time.

Edward maintained regular contact with three other cousins, sons of Edward’s Uncle Levi Tomlinson Chatfield and his wife, Lovina Mastick. All were born in Middlefield, Geauga County, Ohio, and moved with their parents to Bath, Mason County, Illinois, in 1844.

Cousin Isaac Willard Chatfield (1836 – 1921): Isaac, the first-born, was six years old when Edward was born and eight years old when his family moved to Illinois. Reaching maturity, he met and married Elizabeth Ann “Eliza” Harrington. In 1859, the family headed west by covered wagon in search of investment property in Colorado. When the war broke out, they returned east to Mason County, Illinois, where Isaac enlisted on August 12, 1861, at the age of 25. Initially the 1st Sergeant, after a week of service, Isaac was promoted to 2nd lieutenant in Company “E” of the 27th Illinois Infantry.

Within three months of service, while camped with Grant’s forces in Cairo, he developed recurrent kidney and bladder infections that forced him to retire after the Tennessee battle of Stones River, among the deadliest battles of the war. Submitting his resignation in February of 1863, he returned to his family in Illinois. When spring arrived, his health on the mend, Isaac and family returned to Colorado. There, in late November of 1865, Isaac purchased land in Florence (Fremont County) and settled. Six years later, in 1871, he extended his land holdings into the Littleton, Colorado, area. His land-trading and mining interests in Leadville, 100 miles west of Littleton, likely led him to sell some of his Littleton land to his cousin Edward L. Chatfield, on May 17, 1874.

Cousin Clark Samuel Chatfield (1839 – 1906): Clark Samuel, the second son, married Louisa Tankersley in 1858. They had three children. When war came, Clark’s August 1861 enlistment resulted in his being assigned to Company “C” of the 2nd Illinois Cavalry. Edward regularly corresponded with “Cousin Clark” throughout the war. It was with Clark that Edward spent the night in Memphis when en route to Corinth on August 4, 1863. While in Memphis, Clark served as an orderly for a colonel on General Hurlbut’s staff. Two years after his discharge from the army, Clark and his family moved to Colorado and settled near Clark’s brother in Florence, Fremont County. Following his wife Louisa’s 1868 death, Clark took the train back to Nebraska to bury her. Within a year he remarried and returned to Colorado with his second wife, Mary Elizabeth Morrow, who brought him nine more children. Clark Samuel Chatfield died in Princeton, Colusa County, California, on March 6, 1906.

Cousin Charles Henry Chatfield (1840 – 1864): Charles Henry was the first of Edward’s three cousins to go to war. Enlisting in May of 1861, Charles became a private in Company “K” of the 17th Illinois and was soon promoted to corporal. Wounded in battle, he was discharged in June of 1862. He volunteered again two months later and mustered back in as a 2nd lieutenant. He was assigned to Company “D” of the 85th Illinois. Subsequently promoted to captain, Charles Henry Chatfield died in the battle of Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia, in June of 1864.

Source: Edward L. Chatfield’s Civil War diary entries and letters: The Chatfield Story, by Terry M. McCarty and Margaret Ann (Chatfield) McCarty

May 31, 1874: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado (pg 4):
Hotel Arrivals.
… I.W. Chatfield, Littleton…

Aug 12, 1874: I.W. Chatfield grants warranty deed to Edward L. Chatfield for $2,092.50.
Note: Edward L. Chatfield is Isaac’s cousin.

Oct 9, 1874: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado (pg 4):
In the case of Isaac S. Randall vs. John G. Lilley and Isaac W. Chatfield, assumpwit, a continuance was overruled and the jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff in the sum of $8,897.94.

Apr 1, 1875: Grant Deed: Edward L. Chatfield conveys in trust property to secure three notes for $697.50 each due in 1,2,3 years with 10 % interest per annum, 30 days to I.W. Chatfield & Suc.
Note: Edward L. Chatfield is Isaac’s cousin.

Aug 1, 1876: Colorado is admitted to the Union as the 38th state

Feb 8, 1877: Marriage of Edward Livingston Chatfield & Anna E. Bates in Hartford, Trumbull Co., Ohio

Edward had grown fond of a young lady he met while visiting relatives in Ohio, and it wasn’t long before Edward popped the question. Edward and Anna E. Bates, of Hartford, Trumbull County, Ohio, married on February 8, 1877, in Anna’s hometown. Six handsome spoons, inscribed with the name Chatfield, had been cast from Edward’s six memorable silver dollars. The priceless set was Edward’s wedding gift to Anna. The young couple lived on the Kankakee farm until the spring of 1879 when all arrangements had been completed for the enormous move to Littleton.
Source:THE CHATFIELD STORY, Terry & Margaret (Chatfield) McCarty, Georgetown, Texas, www.chatfieldstory.com

May 5, 1877: Warranty deed from I.W. Chatfield to George Fritch 80 acres + 1300 acres.

Jul 18, 1877: Colorado Transcript, Golden, Jefferson Co., Colorado (pg 2):
THE COUNCIL.
Regular Monthly Meeting of the City Fathers.
A communication from Lilley & Chatfield of Littleton, asking that water be sold to them on time and that liens be taken on property, was read and referred to the committee on Irrigation.

Jul 18, 1877: Colorado Transcript, Golden, Jefferson Co., Colorado (pg 2):
The wife and daughter of I.W. Chatfield, ten miles up the Platte, met with a serious accident last Friday evening. They were driving in a buggy when a front wheel came off, the axle dropped down and alarmed the horse which ran away and threw them out. Mrs. Chatfield was badly injured, having a hip dislocated and suffered severe bruises. The daughter was also badly hurt. Drs. Stedman, McClelland, and Edgar were called to attend to the case and report them now doing well.

Oct 23, 1877: Death of Myrtle Lovina Chatfield (just short of age 4), 7th of 9 children of Isaac W. Chatfield & Eliza Ann Harrington. Myrtle is buried in the Littleton Cemetery in Littleton, Arapahoe Co., Colorado.

Jan 12, 1878: Wty. deed from George Fritch to I.W. Chatfield; Sect. 31, Sp.5 SR 60 W, 1000 A

Jan 26, 1878: Wty. deed I.W. Chatfield to Edward L. Chatfield for 1200 acres in Arapahoe Co., Colorado (Isaac’s cousin, Edward Livingston Chatfield, son of Nathan Stoddard Chatfield & Margaret Prudentia Herrick, with whom he corresponded in the Civil War.)

Feb 6, 1878: I.W. Chatfield successor in trust to Edward L. Chatfield, Arapahoe Co., Colorado

Feb 7, 1878: The above referenced deed is recorded in Arapahoe Co., Colorado

May 22, 1878: I.W. Chatfield listed as 1/3 owner and stockholder of “Last Ditch and Irrigation Company”. Each owner entitled to 250 inches of water.

Nov 17, 1878: Birth of Calla “Callie” Chatfield, 9th of 9 children of Isaac W. Chatfield & Eliza Ann Harrington, in Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado.

Calla Chatfield at abt age 4 or 5
taken in Denver, Arapaho Co., Colorado, A.E. Rinehart, photographer

Alfred Edward Rinehart and Charles Bohm:
Alfred Edward Rinehart, a pioneer photographer, was born 21 Oct 1851 in Clarks Hill, Indiana. He and his brother, Frank moved to Colorado in the 1870s and found employment at the Charles Bohm photography studio, in Denver. In 1881 the Rinehart brothers formed a partnership with famous Western photographer William Henry Jackson, who had achieved widespread fame for his images of the West. Under Jackson’s teachings, Rinehart perfected his professional skills, In 1888 Mr. Rinehart a great lover of children opened his new photography gallery at 16th & Arapahoe Streets, in the Wolfe Londoner building on the buildings top floor. A major article in a Denver Newspaper states,” The new photographic gallery opened by Mr. A.E. Rinehart, the popular photographer, in Wolfe Londoner’s new building, between sixteenth and seventeenth streets, attracts crowds of visitors. It is the largest and most complete establishment of the kind in the world, embracing more rooms, finer accessories and greater conveniences for retouching, copying, printing, and operating than any gallery heretofore opened.
Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/78482590/alfred-edward-rinehart
There exist numerous cabinet card photos of the Chatfields taken by A.E. Rinehart and Charles Bohm in Denver, Colorado

1879: Clark S. Chatfield (brother of I.W.) and his family move to Arapahoe Co., Colorado

1878: 
The town of Leadville, Lake Co., Colorado is incorporated. The rich silver strikes on Iron, Carbonate, and Fryer hills soon make is one of the world’s greatest mining camps. The Central City opera house opens and the first telephones are installed in Denver.

1879: Isaac & Eliza sell their ranch near Denver to a Frank Caley, and move their family to Leadville, Lake Co., Colorado. They retain a home near Denver where Eliza and children often go for the summer and vacations. Isaac is in many businesses in Leadville: railroad contracting, grocery store owner, interests in mines, water irrigation stockholder, livery stable and saloon owner, as well as being active in politics and investing in commercial holdings.

Feb 25, 1879: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado (pg 4):
Brinker’s Collegiate Institute
The following pupils of Brinker’s Collegiate institute having attained, during the fall term of five months, the general average required, are admitted to honorable mention, the general average being 9 in collegiate, 8.5 in intermediate and 8 in primary—10 denoting perfect:
…Ella Chatfield…8.89
Note: Ella is 19 years old. Her brother’s Elmer, Phil Van Wert and sister’s Jacqueline and Calla also attended Brinker Institute, a co-educational school. The four-story, brick Victorian structure, was built in 1875 and served as the permanent edifice of the Brinker Collegiate Institute until 1889.

Apr 11, 1879: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado (pg 4):
Denver Real Estate Transfers.
Anna Brown to Eliza Chatfield, Lots 37 to 40, Block 23, Evan’s addition; warrantee deed $3,000.

Jun 1, 1879: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado (pg 6):
THE BRINKER INSTITUTE COMMENCEMENT.
The closing exercises of Denver’s educational institutes will be inaugurated on Thursday evening by the graduation class from Prof. Brinker’s well known academy. The exercises will take place at the First Baptist church and will commence promptly at 6 o’clock. The friends of the Institute are so numerous that no cards of invitation have been issued. The seats will all be free and a cordial invitation is extended to patrons and friends of the whole school to attend.
THE NEWS.
Local solo — Magnetic Waltz…Miss E. Chatfield.
Essay — The Old Fashioned Girl…Miss F. Barret.
Vocal duet — We come from Fairy Bowers…Miss Callie and W.C. Brinker.
Oration — Why are there few Scholars in America?…Mr. O. Brinker.
Organ Solo —…Mr. W.H. Allen.
Extract of Opera (comm.)…Misses Chatfield and Brinker and Brinker brothers.

Jun 1879: Ella Clara Chatfield (age 19) graduates from the Brinker Collegiate Institute

Jun 6, 1879: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado (pg 4):
DENVER, COLORADO.
A REST FROM RECITATIONS.
Annual Commencement Exercise of the Brinker Collegiate Institute
An Entertaining and Delightful Programme Presented by the Pupils.
… The next most noticeable musical feature was the rendition of the “Magnetic Waltz,” by Miss E. Chatfield, of this city, who discovered a voice that lacks only strength and the application of (?) discipline to bring it into competition with the best organs of the kind in our mind.

Aug 2, 1879: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado:
PERSONAL POINTS.
Miss Chatfield presided from time to time at the piano at the St. James Church Sociable given at the residence of Mrs. L.S. Nye. The number of guests was nearly 100.

Aug 2, 1879: Colorado Miner, Georgetown, Clear Creek Co., Colorado (pg 8):
Brinker Collegiate Institute,
DENVER, COLO.
FACULTY: Joseph Brinker, Senior President.
Mrs. Lizzie Brinker, Matron and Principal of Music Department.
Prof. D.E. Reese, A.B., Ancient Languages.
Prof. Henry Bloch, Phil. D., Modern Languages.
Walter C. Brinker, Principal Commercial Dept.
Mrs. J.A. Dobson, Principal Primary Department.
TERMS:—Board for twenty weeks. $140: Washing, 75 cents per doz. Tuition, in Preliminary Department, twenty weeks, $20. Intermediate Department, $25. Primary Department $30. Music Department, $30. Painting and Drawing, $15. Fancy Need Work, $15. Send for Catalogue.
Fall term opens September 1st, 1879.
Box 2189, Denver. JOS. BRINKER, President.

Sep 20, 1879: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado (pg 4):
Personal Points.
Miss Chatfield and Miss Florence McClune presided, from time to time, at the piano, much to the enjoyment of all present. Ice cream and cake packages, etc., came in due time, when all wended their way home, voting the sociable a success.

Dec 7, 1879: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado:
The students at Brinker’s Institute are forming a dancing club to be styled the “Queen City club.” The hall of the academy building will be made available for the purpose, and the society will be productive of genuine enjoyment to all connected.

Jan 21, 1880: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado:
… The second term began Monday with 128 matriculates, seven male and three female teachers, and the following daily programme of recitations: Chemistry, natural philosophy, botany, physical geography, astronomy, physiology, rhetoric, logic, moral science, evidences of Christianity, natural history — requiring two classes in geography, three in grammar, five in arithmetic, three in algebra, geometry, spelling, reading, charts, etc., three classes in Latin, three in German and French, and a thorough course in bookkeeping.

The classes in German and French are in charge of Professor Henry Bloch, a learned rabbi of the Jewish church. The sciences are taught by Professor W.J. Wagoner, a man of scholarly attainments and large experience. Latin and “Belle Lattrea” are taught by Professor D.E. Reese, a ripe scholar and superior teacher. Professor W.J. Crockin, a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, will teach mathematics and military tactics.

William O. Brinker stands at the helm in the intermediate department, and Mrs. J.A. Dobson in the primary. The commercial department is under the management of Professor Waller C. Brinker, who gives his entire time to his pupils, now numbering twenty. This department is so managed as to allow pupils who have other studies, or persons who can devote only one or two hours to book-keeping, to receive instruction for any length of time each day they may desire, and be charge proportionately therefor, while any who may wish to complete the study as soon as possible can devote their entire time to it. This department is open to every body, male and female, whether connected to the school or not.

Mrs. F. C. Rushmore teaches the class in painting and drawing, and Mrs. Brinker the music class. President Brinker gives a general supervision. His school is a good one and worthy of patronage.

Mar 17, 1880: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado (pg 4):
Denver Real Estate Transfers.
Reported especially for the Daily News
Eliza A. Chatfield to Annie M. Brewer, lots 30 & 40, block 23, Evan’s Addition $1,750.

Apr 6, 1880: Isaac Chatfield (age 43) wins his first elective office as Alderman for City of Leadville
Note: An alderman is a member of the legislative body of a town or city, much like a city councilman of today.

Apr 28, 1880: The Denver Daily News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado:
AUSTERLITZ NO. 2 LEADVILLE RECONSTRUCTS HER CITY COUNCIL and gives the democrats a working majority. Leadville, April 27— At the meeting of the city council tonight a resolution was read declaring the seat of Alderman Chatfield of the Fifth ward vacant, he not having been a resident of the ward at the time of election nor has he been since. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 5 to 6, Mayor Humphreys voting aye. A motion to reconsider the action as the Fourth ward case was also carried when Alderman Curran, whose seat was in dispute was declared elected and ordered to be sworn in. The republican aldermen here left the chamber and the greatest confusion followed. The officers drew their revolvers and demanded order when many in the audience also drew their guns and a dangerous collision was threatened for a moment. Ex-Mayor James, who was in attendance, by his excited remarks did much to agitate the populace. The council now stands six democrats and five republicans and a democratic mayor and one vacancy in the council. ALL IS QUIET NOW. The citizens generally endorse the action of the council. The republicans are seeking a compromise.

Apr 30, 1880: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado (pg 4):
Touching the Times’ allusion to Mr. I.W. Chatfield, the would be republican alderman of Leadville, it is proper to say that he is a very clever gentleman, who has a splendid farm and home near Littleton, in Arapahoe county, when not looking after his railroad grading contracts or his Leadville interests. His home is in this county, and not in Leadville.

1880: State Senate of Colorado decides I.W. Chatfield is the legal Alderman in Leadville, Colorado

Jun 3, 1880: U.S. Federal Census, Leadville, Lake Co., Colorado: 
Chatfield, I.W.: age 43, born Ohio, father born Connecticut, mother born Vermont, merchant (Isaac Willard Chatfield)
Eliza: age 37, wife, born Iowa, father born Ohio, mother born Ohio, keeping house (age 40)
Ella S.: age 21, daughter, born Kansas, father born Ohio, mother born Iowa
Elmer E.: age 17, son, born Colorado, father born Ohio, mother born Iowa, handling horses
Phil Vanwest: age 14, son, born Colorado, father born Ohio, mother born Iowa (Van Wert)
Jacqueline: age 12, daughter, born Colorado, father born Ohio, mother born Iowa
Charles H.: age 9, son, born Colorado, father born Ohio, mother born Iowa
Callie: age 1, daughter, born Colorado, father born Ohio, mother born Iowa
Note: four other lodgers live in household, one a bookkeeper, the other working as grain merchants.

Jun 7, 1880: U.S. Federal Census, Leadville, Lake Co., Colorado: (Ellen (Chatfield) Batchellor, sister)
Batchellor, I.H.: age 52, occupation livery, born Maine, father born Maine, mother born Maine
E.C.: wife, age 33, born Illinois, father born Illinois, mother born Illinois (Ellen)
Walter: son, age 7, born Colorado, father born Maine, mother born Illinois,
Charlotte: daughter, age 5, born Colorado, father born Maine, mother born Illinois,

Jun 11, 1880: U.S. Federal Census, Arapahoe Co., Colorado: (Clark Samuel Chatfield, brother)
Chatfield, C.S.: age 39, married, rancher, born Ohio, father born Ohio, mother born Ohio
Marey: age 29, wife, housekeeper, born Illinois, father born Illinois, mother born Illinois (Mary)
Ida: age 13, daughter, at school, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois
Della: age 8, daughter, at home, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois
Ora: age 7, daughter, at home, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois
Clark S.: age 8, son, at home, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois (age 3)
Arthur: age 1, son, at home, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois
Note: three others are living at residence: two farmers and a dentist

Sep 7, 1880: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado (pg 8):
Alderman I.W. Chatfield, of Leadville, is seeing old friends in Denver.

Oct 2, 1880: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado (pg 6):
Alderman I.W. Chatfield, of Leadville, lost $4,000 on Fred Douglas in the pacing race.
Note: This would be a VERY large sum in 1880

Oct 1880: Isaac Chatfield serves as Republican (anti-slave party) City Alderman in 1880, 1881, 1882

1880: Isaac (age 44) is in the grocery business in Leadville to supply miners

1880: Isaac is bondsman for sum of $10,000 for Fred Prentice, a fellow mine owner and broker. Prentice shot and killed T. Dixon and was arrested for murder.

1880: I.W. Chatfield and his brother-in-law Isaac H. Batchellor operate a livery, feed and sales stable at 126 E. 6th St. in Leadville. Isaac also builds a large two-story building at 134 E. 6th Street, known as the “City Hall” and while Chatfield did win the April 16, 1880 election to city council, his private “City Hall” was never used for city council meetings.
Note: I.H. Batchellor is the husband of Isaac’s younger sister, Ellen

1880: History of Leadville and Lake County, Colorado:
Apr 14, 1880:
I.W. Chatfield, who with Joseph Brinker ran a grocery store at 124 East Sixth, also invested in other real estate in the 100 block of that expanding thoroughfare. He and another partner, I.H. Batchellor, operated a livery, feed and sales stable at 126; and Chatfield built a large two story structure at 134, the first floor of which he rented to W.R. Chadbourne, superintendent of the Park Range Toll Road Company over Weston Pass, and H.P. Tamm who opened a hay, grain, feed and flour business. The second floor, Chatfield fitted up as a hall for rental purposes to groups wishing to give entertainments, dances or hold meetings. Perhaps because Chatfield had political aspirations and was running for a seat on the city council he called this part of the new building “City Hall”; but while he did win in the April 16 election and his City Hall, which was destined to be the setting for many events from grand balls to horseshoe making contests, retained its name for more than a quarter of a century, no city council meeting was ever held in it.
(pg 498, 499)

Apr 14, 1880: Denver Chronicle, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado:
The vicinity of Chatfield and Wilson’s new City Hall on East Sixth street, last evening, was one never before seen in Leadville for grandeur and rarely if ever exceeded in large eastern cities for elegant and brilliant appointments on similar affairs. From as early as seven o’clock until a late hour, crowds began pouring along the broad plank walk, just finished from Harrison avenue to the Hall, where at one time as many as six hundred people were present, representing the wealth, culture and fashion of our society. It was a brilliant assemblage, and did honor to the occasion, and one worthy to be present at this, the inaugural opening of City Hall. Without doubt this is the largest, most convenient and neatly finished hall in the State. Even Denver, with her many public halls, does not possess one as handsome. Every one was agreeably surprised and expressed themselves delighted at being able to count this hall among the many features which go to make Leadville a permanent city and place its public conveniences and improvements on an equal with her sister metropolitan city.

The HALL was most beautifully and artistically decorated. Either side and ends were lined with booths, trimmed and ornamented with flags, banners, colored bunting, lace curtains and green foliage in great profusion. The first booth attracting the guest’s attention on entering the hall, is the ICE CREAM PARLOR to the left of the entrance. Its cozy and inviting appearance kept it constantly filled with customers. Adjoining this booth was the.

Adjoining this booth was the FANCY TABLE. Among the many beautiful articles on sale here were some lively panel pictures, hand painted tidies, screens and mats and some of as beautiful needle work as has been ever our lot to see.

The APRON TABLE was covered with many beautiful fancy articles in addition to the great variety of Swiss aprons and caps. On the end was placed a large silver mounted show case, filled with the latest designs and patterns in silverware, including several water sets, castors, pickle stands, wine sets, cake baskets, card stands, toilet sets, and several other pieces, all of which are on sale, and are sure to find ready purchasers for their beauty and finish. On the walls back of these booths are hung elegant quilts, tidies, pillow shams and robes, the handiwork and contributions of the ladies and friends of the society.

In the further corner of the hall is the WITCH TENT, where the past, present and future is told by a gaily arrayed witch with such accuracy and positiveness to make her hearers believe all she said was so, or really going to happen. She had a large number of customers and proved one of the great attractions of the evening.

The FLORAL BOWER, a neatly and tastily arranged arcade, located just in front of the large platform in the center of the hall, was a source of much comment and attracted large crowds by its beautiful appearance and the sweet odor emitted by the myriads of natural flowers on sale.

Socially the occasion was all it could be of so large an affair. To enliven the occasion and make sociability reign supreme, dancing, under the supervision of Prof. Godat, was introduced; though the floor being rough from its newness, it was nevertheless enjoyed.
(pg 205)

Apr 1880:
I.W. Chatfield wins Republican City Council seat for the 5th Ward of Leadville.
In the fifth ward, Republican I.W. Chatfield, livery and grocery man, and Democrat Rufus Shute, real estate and lumber dealer, who also had a large herd of cattle in southern Colorado, won the council seats; and in the sixth ward, Republican J.L. Pritchard, mining and real state broker, and Henry Drury, carpenter and builder, who because of his many friends and fair dealings with his workmen had also been on the Independent Workingsmen’s ticket as well as on the Republican, were elected.

Apr 27, 1880:
Resolved, That it is the sense of this Council that it is to the interest of every ward in the city of Leadville to be represented in this body, as the law requires, and being satisfied that the organization of this Council is based upon a disfranchisement of the Fifth ward as to half of its rights of representation, that is, I.W. Chatfield is now and was a non-resident of the Fifth ward at the late election, we, therefore, declare the seat claimed by him in this Council vacant, and instruct the City Solicitor to immediately prepare an ordinance for a special election in said ward, to fill the vacancy therein.
Although the Republican councilmen tried to have the resolution put aside, they were unsuccessful. The mayor then ruled Chatfield could not vote on the resolution, and when the vote was taken it resulted in a five-to-five tie, so the mayor voted in favor of the resolution, which gave the Democrats a victory.
(pgs 546, 547)

May 17, 1880:
No theatrical productions were given in the East Sixth Street City Hall Building until later in the year. Nevertheless it was proving a profitable business venture for I.W. Chatfield since Professor Godat established his dancing school there and such groups as the Bel Esprit and the Pacific Coast Association rented the hall for their programs, balls and banquets.

May 1880:
By the end of May, surveyors had reached the Chalk Cliffs near Tabor City and on June 25, grading was begun on the narrow-gauge road by the Leadville, Ten Mile & Breckenridge Construction Company, comprised of a group of Leadville and Ten Mile men, among whom were E.B. Litchfield, George B. Robinson, George R. Crane, I.W. Chatfield, C.C. Howell, John Kern, Daniel Sayer, L.R. Harrison (president of the Leadville & Ten Mile Consolidated Mining Company), C.H. Lawrence (bookkeeper for George B. Robinson) and Albert Areirts (in charge of the Robinson Smelter). The contract for grading the railroad bed was awarded to I.W. Chatfield, and in the words of a reporter:
With characteristic liberality, the Denver & Rio Grande has tendered the use of an engine and the necessary construction train which will be placed in operation as soon as the Rio Grande reaches Leadville. The enterprise is to be managed by Leadville men for the exclusive benefit of this city. . . .
(pg 568)

Jun 16, 1880:
Permission is granted to John Crelly, Vice President of the Miners’ Union to hold a general meeting of the members of the Miners’ Union within the limits of the city of Leadville, at such place as shall be designated in orders from (the military) headquarters. In order to carry out the requirements of . . . (the above) order from headquarters and the fulfilling of the objects set forth in a communication from the Miners’ Union, bearing date of June 16, 1880, Chatfield’s City Hall is designated as the place of meeting and 10 o’clock A.M. of tomorrow, June 17, 1880, as the hour of holding the same.
(pg 620)
In consequence of the miners’ request, these two orders were issued on Wednesday:
Permission is granted to John Crelly, Vice President of the Miners’ Union to hold a general meeting of the members of the Miners’ Union within the limits of the city of Leadville, at such place as shall be designated in orders from [the military] headquarters. In order to carry out the requirements of [the above] order from headquarters and the fulfilling of the objects set forth in a communication from the Miners’ Union, bearing date of June 16, 1880, Chatfield’s City Hall is designated as the place of meeting and 10 o’clock A.M. of tomorrow, June 17, 1880, as the hour of holding the same.

Jun 17, 1880:
GRAND MASS MEETING
To-Night of Citizens, Miners and Mine Owners At Wilson’s & Chatfield’s New City Hall, on East Sixth Street, Opposite the South Park Warehouse
The following call for a public mass meeting is made by the citizens of Leadville and every friend of the camp and the interest of the community will respond cheerfully to make efforts to settle the present difficulties. The miners will be out in force and it is expected that by a candid effort a perfect understanding may be reached and the prosperity of the camp restored.
We the undersigned citizens and business men of Leadville believing that the present complications between the mine owners and miners is injuriously affecting every class of trade and business, and being desirous of securing a speedy and amicable settlement of the same, would respectfully invite all of the striking miners and mine owners and operators to unite with us at Wilson & Chatfield’s hall, on East Sixth street, this 28th day of May, A.D. 1880, at 7:30 P.M. when the existing differences will be impartially and fairly discussed, the claims of both sides fairly heard, and an honest and impartial effort made to adjust all differences. Good speakers will be present and address the meeting.

The above was signed by representatives of nineteen business firms and professional men such as Daniels, Fisher & Company, Owen & Chittenden, Merchant Charles Mater, Milliner T.B. Dean, Grocer John King, Lawyer G.G. White and Dr. W.H. Newman, and by “five hundred others” whose names were not given.

Before giving the speeches made at the Friday night mass meeting as described in the next day’s Chronicle, some additional observations on the third day of the strike in Saturday morning’s Democrat will be given. One of the reporters stated the constitution and by-laws of the Miners’, Mechanics’ and Laborers’ Protective Association were almost identical to those of the Miners’ Union of Virginia City, Nevada, that a drive to increase membership was started on Friday afternoon and the first decision made by the miners was to allow ore-hauling and timbering contractors having contracts signed prior to May 26 with the mining companies to continue their work provided they paid their employees four dollars for an eight-hour shift, and provided they would “yield to ‘coming-up’ demands the association might deem necessary.”

The account in the Democrat also revealed Sheriff Tucker had deputized several of the guards hired by the mining companies on Fryer Hill; that the arms and ammunition stored in the Wolfe Tone Guards’ armory had been sent up to those properties; and that Manager Daly was proving himself to be “a strategist and military engineer” as well as a mining man, since “Fryer Hill as fortified under his direction was a veritable Gibraltar.” Seth Payne pointed out the fortifications on Fryer Hill were considered by all miners as a breach of faith because Mooney had promised his men would “protect all property,” but on the streets of Leadville during the day of May 28 several miners had been heard to say “disarm the guards,” “stop the pumps” or “destroy the forts,” all of which had caused apprehension among the mine managers and brought about the behind-closed-doors meeting with Sheriff Tucker and Marshal Watson, which in turn had resulted in the subsequent deputizing and arming of the guards.
It seemed that the future of this camp was full of promise when such men could be induced to make their home. I have witnessed several strikes of this kind before, but I never saw a more orderly lot of men together, and the leader of this organization, who has so ably managed this movement, is entitled not only to the thanks of the merchants and citizens.
Source: History of Leadville and Lake County, Colorado, by Don & Jean Griswold, published by Colorado Historical Society/University Press, Colorado, 1996

Jun 30, 1880:
Due to the large miners strike, the governor of Colorado issues a proclamation placing the City of Leadville under martial law. The Chatfield “City Hall” is used to house 200 members of state militia and the Brinker & Chatfield Grocery Store house Company B of the state militia.

1880:
The Pitkin light guard was quartered at Hallock’s hall, with Company A, Captain G. L. Havens. They were ready to turn out. Company B was stationed over Brinker & Chatfield’s store, and were ready, under Captain E. C. Brearley [who was later replaced by Capt. Miles & Gillidette]. Company D, Captain Francis Rose, was given quarters in the Rische block. Captain Daniel Sayer’s Company G, the Tabor Tigers, camped in the district court room. Company C was detailed to patrol the city during the night. The company was divided into five relief squads, relieved every three hours. Captain George S. Lacey was officer and saw that the men were placed in proper positions. His men were active in the discharge of their duties, and nothing escaped their vigilant eyes. The headquarters of the company were with Company L, on Sixth street. The streets were quiet and very few people were found out after 10 o’clock. The pistol shots fired on the avenue attracted but a small crowd. It appears that so many of our people understand martial law that they went home last night before they received orders to, or before the usual arbitrary conditions of military rule were enforced.
Source: History of Leadville and Lake County, Colorado, by Don & Jean Griswold, published by Colorado Historical Society/University Press, Colorado, 1996

Jun 1880: Denver Chronicle, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado:
The Denver & Rio Grande company has awarded the contract for grading the Eagle river branch to the top of the Divide (Tennessee Pass) to Mr. Chatfield of this city, and the latter gentleman at once set to work and is pushing the work as rapidly as it can be accomplished.

Jul 4, 1880: Leadville Weekly Chronicle, Leadville, Lake Co., Colorado:
THEY HAD HARD LUCK
We are eight jolly fishermen,
A fishing we will go—
To Half Moon Canon, there to spend
The Fourth of July—O.
Thus sang a merry party which left Leadville yesterday morning, duly armed and equipped for a day’s sport at the rout holes. The members of the party were George R. Fisher, I.W. Chatfield, Peter Becker, F.T. Caley, L.R. Tucker, G.W. Trimble, Nelson Hallock and S.H. Foss. All went well with them until they were ready to start home.
O, we are luckless fishermen,
We’re sorry that we came—
Our horses bad have strayed away,
We guess that we’ll walk home.
Thus sang Becker and Tucker as they repaired to the spot where their horses had been, but were not. Both of the gentlemen unite in praising the walk between Leadville and Half Moon Canon— distance 18 miles. Frank Caley was the next to sing:
I am a great Commissioner,
My wagon is broke down—
I’ll have to take a long, hard walk,
To bring one here from town.
Frank’s wagon was badly broken, so he joined Becker ad Tucker, all three walking in. Caley got another wagon, returned to the scene of the accident, and brought in his load. The entire party reached the city, but they are not so happy as they were.
Yes they are jolly fishermen,
They’ve been out to Half Moon—
Next time they go they’ll stay at home,
Or ride in a balloon.
Source: History of Leadville and Lake County, Colorado, Don & Jean Griswold, published by Colorado Historical Society/University Press, Colorado, 1996

Dec 21, 1880: I.W. Chatfield, acting mayor, calls a special meeting of the Leadville City Council.

1880: City Directory for Leadville, Lake Co., Colorado:
Groceries & Provisions: Brinker & Chatfield, 124 e. 6th St.
Isaac W. Chatfield: (of Brinker & Chatfield) residence 113 e. 10th St.
(of Chatfield and Batchellor) residence 113 e. 10th St.
Chatfield & Batchellor: Isaac W. Chatfield and I.H. Batchellor, livery, feed, and sales stable,
126 e. 6th st., Leadville
City Council: Fifth Ward: I.W. Chatfield.
City Record: Standing Committees of City Council: I.W. Chatfield on Streets, Alleys and Bridges Committee

Sep 14, 1880: Gunnison County Records:
I.W. Chatfield pays $5,000 cash to John C. Johnson in County of Gunnison, Colorado. 1/2 of his interest in J.C. Johnson Lode in Roaring Forks Dist., also 1/2 interest in Kansas City Lode, The Combination Lode, The John Lilly Lode and the J.C. Lodes in Gunnison County, State of Colorado

1880: City Directory for Leadville, Lake Co., Colorado:
I.W. Chatfield Isaac & I.H. Batchellor: 126 e 6th; livery, sale & feed stable

1881: City Directory for Leadville, Lake Co., Colorado:
I.W. Chatfield Isaac & I.H. Batchellor: 126 e 6th; livery, sale & feed stable

Jan 1, 1881: Rocky Mountain News, New Years Edition, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado:
Denver’s New Collegiate Institute
The Brinker Collegiate Institute, situated at the junction of Broadway and Tremont streets, comprising two large and commodious buildings, has a frontage on Tremont street of ninety feet. One building is devoted exclusively to school purposes, the other to boarding department, music and class rooms. This school was erected seven or eight years go when Broadway was virtually the city’s eastern boundary. It was used for educational purposes with varied success and faltering fortune till 1877 when Professor Brinker came to Denver to establish Denver Collegiate Institute (now called Brinker Collegiate Institute). In this building, two years of successful management developed the necessity for more extensive buildings and large facilities and Professor Brinker, relying upon his own energy and unaided by endowments or contributions of any kind, purchased the school building and lots adjoining and in June 1880 began the erection of the large building which now adorns the intersection of Broadway, Tremont and Eighth (Eighteenth) streets. Three months from the laying of the foundation, Brinker Collegiate Institute opened in the new building with one hundred pupils.

The new building planned by F.E. Edbrook is fifty feet front, one hundred and ten in depth and four stories high. Its style is more of a residence than of a public institution and gives both an air of comfort and home. The building, in all of its appointments has been constructed with references to security from fire, comfort and convenience.

The first floor is allotted to the president’s office and commercial departments in front, class rooms, dining room, kitchen, etc. On the second or principal floor, are the parlors, reception rooms, music rooms, kindergarten department and beautiful chapel with a seating capacity of 800. The two large halls form a huge cross, having front, rear and side doors affording superior ventilation and great comfort. The third and fourth floors are set apart for sleeping apartments, the former for females, the latter for males. The bedrooms are designed to accommodate four pupils each, in case of necessity, but ordinarily will be occupied by two. They are supplied with closets, gas, new furniture, and most of them carpets. Jan. 31, 1880 — … The second term began Monday.
Note: Picture of Brinker Institute, courtesy of Museum of Western Art.

Jan 1, 1881: Leadville Democrat, Leadville, Lake Co., Colorado (pg 8):
Alderman Chatfield goes to Denver today.

Jan 9, 1881: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado:
Mrs. I.W. Chatfield left for Denver last evening where she will spend the remainder of the winter.

Jan 11, 1881: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado (pg 5):
Hon. I.W. Chatfield of Leadville, arrived in the city Saturday night.

Jan 12, 1881: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado (pg 4):
RAILROAD PROGRESS.
Hon. I.W. Chatfield yesterday had a large number of men at work grading the south fork of the Platte through the South Park, and work will be immediately begun on rail laying by the Denver and Rio Grande people. It is said that with the completion of this work the Rio Grande will have the shortest line to Leadville.
Note: Isaac engaged in railroad contracting, connecting himself with the D. & R.G. railroad and the South Park Railroad (now the Colorado & Southern Railroad).

Jan 15, 1881: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado:
Among the Leadville members of the board of aldermen, at present sojourning in this city, are Messrs. Chatfield, Drury and Hickman.

Jan 16, 1881: Leadville Democrat, Leadville, Lake Co., Colorado (pg 8):
IN THE SOCIETY REALM
Miss Ella Chatfield, daughter of Alderman Chatfield, of this city, was “the observed of all observers” at the inaugural ball at Denver.
Note: Ella is age 21.

Jan 16, 1881: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado:
Miss (Ella) Chatfield of Leadville attended Inaugural Ball at the new Armory Building for Governor Pitkin.

Jan 22, 1881: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado (pg 8):
E.L. Chatfield of Leadville is at the American Hotel.
Note: Edward L. Chatfield, cousin of Isaac.

Jan 28, 1881: Leadville Democrat, Leadville, Lake Co., Colorado (pg 8):
PERSONAL POINTS.
Hon. I.W. Chatfield has returned home from Denver. He is still suffering from a severe cold.

Feb 10, 1881: Leadville Democrat, Leadville, Lake Co., Colorado (pg 8):
PERSONAL POINTS.
I.W. Chatfield is home from Denver.

Feb 15, 1881: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado:
I.W. Chatfield a contractor of Rio Grande Rail Road was on night bound train to Leadville.

Feb 15, 1881: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado (pg 2):
SOUTH PLATTE.
Contractor I.W. Chatfield states that he will place a gang of men at work this week on the Rio Grande grade between this and the Platte cañon station. In all there will be three hundred men working under his supervision this week. The facts about this road, so long withheld from the public, are now all in. The road will belong when built, to the Rio Grande company. It starts from Littleton, from where it takes an air line to the mouth of Platte cañon, thence up the cañon alongside of the South Park road to the junction of the south with the north fork of the Platte, then up the south fork to South park. The road is to be built and in operation by the 17th day of February, 1882 and its object is to make a short Rio Grande line between Denver and Gunnison city so that this road can compete with the Union Pacific for the traffic between these two points.

Early 1881: A New York grocer by the name of Albert Wheeler joins the Brinker-Chatfield partnership and the name of the  business is changed to I.W. Chatfield and Co.

Feb 20, 1881: Leadville Democrat, Leadville, Lake Co., Colorado (pg 1):
R. BRINKER, I.W. CHATFIELD, A. WHEELER
I.W. CHATFIELD & CO.,
Jobbers and Retailers of all kinds of
Groceries and Produce
Office and Store, 124 E. Sixth st.
LEADVILLE

Mar 11, 1881: Leadville Democrat, Leadville, Lake Co., Colorado:
I.W. CHATFIELD & CO.
Jobbers and Retailers of all kinds of
Groceries and Produce
Office and Store, 124 E. Sixth st.
LEADVILLE

Mar 12, 1881: Daily Democrat, Leadville, Lake Co., Colorado:
… who were upon the wrecked train, saying that they had sustained slight bruises. City Counsellor Sayer and Alderman Chatfield were upon the train.

Mar 30, 1881: Leadville Democrat, Leadville, Lake Co., Colorado (pg 8):
Yesterday Messrs. I.W. Chatfield & Co. received a car-load of beets, carrots, turnips, etc.

Apr 29, 1881: Leadville Democrat, Leadville, Lake Co., Colorado (pg 8):
SWEET potatoes at I.W. Chatfield & Co’s 124 East Sixth Street.
POTATOES by the car load at I.W. Chatfield & Co’s 124 East Sixth Street.
Just Received.
A choice lot of lemons at I.W. Chatfield & Co’s 124 East Sixth Street.

May 20, 1881: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado:
I.W. Chatfield and W.R. Owen were among the Leadville Merchants noticed on the grounds in article about horse races.

Jun 8, 1881: Leadville Democrat, Leadville, Lake Co. Colorado (pg 8):
PERSONAL POINTS.
Alderman Chatfield departs for Pueblo this morning, where he will remain a few days.

Jun 18, 1881: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 2):
I.W. CHATFIELD & CO.,
Wholesalers and Retailers of all kinds of
GROCERIES and PRODUCE
Office and Store, 124 E. Sixth st.
LEADVILLE.

Jun 25, 1881: Leadville Democrat, Leadville, Lake Co., Colorado (pg 6):
I.W. CHATFIELD & CO.,
Wholesalers and Retailers of all kinds of
GROCERIES and PRODUCE
Office and Store, 124 E. Sixth st.
LEADVILLE.

Jun 30, 1881: Leadville Democrat, Leadville, Lake Co., Colorado (pg 8):
PERSONAL POINTS.
Alderman Chatfield goes to Denver today.

Jul 28, 1881: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado:
Note: I.W. Chatfield mentioned as Alderman in Leadville.

Jul 29, Jul 31, Aug 18, 1881: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado (pg 8):
WANTED.
Five hundred rock men to work on the grade of the Denver and Rio Grande short line to Leadville through the Platte cañon. Wages $2.50 per day. Board $5 per week.
I.W. CHATFIELD, Contractor.

Aug 2, 1881: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado:
I.W. Chatfield, Railroad contractor in Denver.

Aug 6, 1881: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 2):

Aug 11, 1881: Fairplay Flume, Fairplay, Park Co., Colorado (pg 3):
I.W. Chatfield, the Denver & Rio Grande contractor who is doing the work upon the short line through the Platte canon, advertises for 500 rock workers who will be paid $2.50 per day and boarded for $5.00 per week.

1881: W.F. Shedd and I.W. Chatfield finance a new building to house Leadville Post Office (ground floor), and Masonic Hall (2nd floor). The new Post-Office Masonic Building is ready for occupancy the 1st week of Jan. The Masonic Lodge No. 35 held their 1st meeting on Jan. 7th in their new elegant hall over the Post office.

1881: An effort to bring electric lights to the Merchants of Leadville resulted in the forming of the Merchants’ Electric Light Company with I.W. Chatfield serving as treasurer of the Company. They had until July 1882 to complete lines for electricity to the businesses. Lines were to be above ground, not underground.

Nov 20, 1881: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado (pg 3):
LEADVILLE.
Mrs. I.W. Chatfield has been at Denver for several weeks, attending a very sick son, who is now convalescing.
Note: Article is referring to Isaac & Eliza’s son, Phil Van Wert Chatfield (age 16), who is suffering from Bright’s disease.

Nov 24, 1881: I.W. Chatfield is present at a ceremony to present a gold watch to Mr. G.W. Cook, President of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Company.

Dec 15, 1881: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado (pg 8):
Real Estate Transfers.
Reported Especially for The Daily News
Wednesday, December 14.
J.W. Chatfield to E.A. Herrick, part of section 30, township 5, range 68.

1881: 2nd Annual City Directory for Leadville, Lake Co., Colorado:
Chatfield, Isaac W.: (I.W. Chatfield & Co.) r. 130 e. 6th
CHATFIELD, I.W. & CO.: (Isaac W. Chatfield, Joseph R. Brinker and Albert Wheeler)
groceries and produce, 124 e. 6th
CHATFIELD & BATCHELLOR: (Isaac W. Chatfield and Isaac H. Batchellor)
livery, sale and feed stable, 126 e. 6th
Page 36: City Record: City Council: Fifth Ward: I.W. Chatfield

1881: Illustrated History of Arkansas Valley, Colorado:

Isaac W. Chatfield
That success in life is not wholly a creation of circumstances but of that inherent power and natural ability to seize upon circumstances and turn them to advantageous account which is denominated “tact,” but in some people amounts almost to genius, is exemplified in the history of the above-named gentleman. Born in Dayton, Ohio, August 11, 1836, he spent his early life on a farm in his native county, and Mason County, Illinois, and received the educational advantages afforded by the public schools. The years of 1861-1862 he served in the late war holding the office of First Lieutenant. He came to Colorado in 1863 and located in Fremont County, where he engaged in farming and stock raising for seven years. He then removed to Arapahoe County, and settled near Littleton on a farm, where he resided for nine years. This farm, consisting of 720 acres, is still owned by Mr. Chatfield, and is conceded to be one of the best in Arapahoe County, and also in the State.

He came to Leadville in the fall of 1870, and embarked in the mercantile business in connection with mining and railroad contracting, having been very successful in the several branches of his business. Mr. Chatfield owns one-fourth interest in “Smuggler Mine No. 2,” and interest in “Late Acquisition,” and interests in several other valuable mining properties. He is the owner of much valuable real estate in Leadville of which might be mentioned the post office building, in which he owns a one-half interest. He is a member of the present City Council and at one time filled the office of Mayor. Mr. Chatfield is recognized by the citizens of Leadville to be one of their most substantial business men and citizens. He was married to Miss Eliza A. Harrington, in Havana, Illinois, in 1858, May 20th, and has six children whom he is educating at the Brinker Institute in Denver, Colorado.
Source: Illustrated History of Arkansas Valley, Colorado, by O.L. Baskin, Chicago, Illinois, 1881:
Note: The Colorado Arkansas Valley includes seven counties including Lake, El Paso, Fremont, and Pueblo.

Littleton History Biographies:
Chatfield Family
The gold rush to the Rocky Mountains brought people who wished to prospect in land as well as gold. Isaac Chatfield and his new wife, Eliza A. Herrington, traveled by wagon train to Denver in 1859. Disillusioned by the overcrowded and primitive conditions, plus the lack of new claims available, the Chatfields moved east to Kansas, briefly. With the Civil War about to start, Isaac decided to move the family, which included a new baby, Ella, to Isaac’s former home in Bath, Illinois. From there, Isaac served in the Union Army, rising to the rank of lieutenant. After the Civil War, the Chatfields returned to Colorado, where they settled on a homestead of 160 acres at Florence.

Isaac began raising cattle in Florence, an endeavor that would make him rich. In 1871, he sold his ranch and moved to the Littleton area. Daniel Witter, a lawyer and surveyor living in Denver, owned a ranch at the intersection of the South Platte River and Plum Creek. In 1870 or 1871, Isaac Chatfield purchased this 720-acre ranch. Chatfield owned it until his death, although he did not live there often.

When the Colorado and Southern Railroad came through the area in the 1870s, the Chatfield Station was constructed on the ranch. Today, Chatfield Reservoir is located on the former location of the ranch.

Isaac moved the family to Leadville around 1879 and worked in the railroad contract business. He also acquired shares of two silver mines, the Late Acquisition and the Smuggler #2. Soon, he partnered with Joseph Brinker Jr. in a grocery store named Brinker & Chatfield.

The grocery business proved successful, especially for miners’ provisions. Isaac, who often toyed with political aspirations, was elected as a city alderman in 1880. Chatfield and Brinker took on another business partner, Albert Wheeler of New York, in 1881, but this arrangement was dissolved in 1882. A new associate named Wing joined the business in 1882, and the name changed to Chatfield & Wing.

Isaac and Eliza had nine children: Ella (or Ellen), Jacquelina, Elmer, Charles, Phil Van Wert (died at age 17), Willard (died in childhood), Myrtle (died in childhood), Grace (died in childhood), and Calla. Ella became a well-known soprano in Leadville and performed at the local opera house built by Horace Tabor. Elmer worked in his father’s grocery store. In 1886, Isaac sold the grocery store to Theodore Blohm Merchandise Company. He returned to cattle raising, buying ranches in Rio Blanco County. Elmer started his own cattle ranch at Emma, Colorado.

Isaac Chatfield and his family eventually moved away from Leadville, settling in Emma, a short distance away from his son’s ranch. Isaac was elected to Colorado’s House of Representatives in 1889. However, his bid for state senator in 1896 failed. He returned to Denver in 1899. Isaac joined the W.E. Moses Realty Company in 1906, becoming the vice president in 1908.

Isaac and Eliza celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary on May 20, 1908. Eliza died sometime after that, although the date is not known. Isaac married a woman named Sarah Jane in 1911. The couple moved to California where Isaac died. He was buried at Oak Hill Memorial Park, San Jose, California.
Source: Online Biographies, compiled by Rebecca Dorward; edited by Phyllis Larson & Lorena Donohue, Jan 2004

Jan 28, 1882: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado:
Miss Ella Chatfield sang solo for YMCA reception.
Note: Ella (age 22) is the oldest child of Isaac and Eliza Chatfield.

Jan 29, 1882: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado (pg 3):
Miss Ella Chatfield, formerly of Leadville, is a pleasant addition to Denver’s society.

Feb 25, 1882: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado:
Republican Candidates in Leadville: The political pot is slowly commencing to boil at least as far as the municipal election is concerned. On the Republican side there are 2 candidates prominently mentioned, Dr. Dougan, the incumbent, and Mr. Chatfield.

Mar 3, 1882: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado:
The Republican Committee has held several meetings already, but are perplexed by an apparently irreconcilable split. Mayor Dougan, the present incumbent, wants to be renominated and Alderman Chatfield is equally determined to be the nominee. Both men have their friends who will stand by them to the last.

Mar 4, 1882: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado:
LUCKY LEADVILLE The approaching struggle for the mayoralty nomination: On the republican side the candidates for Mayor will be Dr. D.H. Dougan, the present incumbent, and I.W. Chatfield. The friends of Dougan are quite confident that their man will get there, while the followers of “Chat” are equally confident. Chatfield is not idle. Chatfield is an old timer and naturally will receive the support of that class in the party and of course this strengthens “Chat” perceptibly.

Mar 7, 1882: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado (pg 3):
Elmer Chatfield, Louie Price, Anna Skinner, Bertha Dell, Morton Jones and Arthur Kennedy pass into the collegiate preparatory.
Note: The Brinker Collegiate Institute

Mar 26, 1882: I.W. Chatfield (age 45) is defeated in his bid for nomination as mayor of Leadville

Jun 12, 1882: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado (pg 3):
NEWS: DENVER.
Elmer Chatfield passes into the collegiate preparatory.
Note: Elmer (age 19) is the oldest son of Isaac & and Eliza, Elmer Chatfield.

1882: History of Leadville and Lake County:
Isaac Chatfield maintained a home near Denver (probably in Littleton) and his wife often stayed in Denver. His daughter and son, Jacqueline and Elmer, were both attending the Brinker Collegiate Institute in Denver. Daughter Ella was also making frequent trips to and from Denver, probably to visit her mother and siblings. Isaac W. Chatfield was also going to Denver at least once every month on the Denver and South Park Railroad, usually on business. His daughter, Ella was very active singing in the Leadville Methodist Church choir as a soprano.
Source: History of Leadville and Lake County, Colorado by Don & Jean Griswold, published by Colorado Historical Society/University Press, Colorado, 1996.
Note: Jacqueline is age 15, Elmer is 19, and Ella is 23

Jun 23, 1882: Daily Herald, Leadville, Lake Co., Colorado:
Ella Chatfield, who had been living in Denver “will not return to Leadville this summer but will visit Ohio for the benefit of her health.”
Note: Ella did not complete her trip to Ohio for in mid-July she fell seriously ill in Kansas City. There she was met by her father whence they returned to Leadville. Ella became more active in the Leadville Methodist Episcopal Church where her vocal solos earned notice in local newspapers. Ella’s parents, Isaac and Eliza, are both from Ohio.

1882: The partnership of Chatfield, Brinker & Wheeler dissolves. A new associate in the wholesale and retail grocery business of I.W. Chatfield is Charles B. Wing, and they form “Chatfield & Wing” in Leadville, Lake Co., Colorado.

1882: The brother of I.W. Chatfield, Clark S. Chatfield, moves to the town of Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado where he establishes a wholesale/retail grocery business

May 18, 1882: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado:
Isaac W. Chatfield attends horse races in Denver.

Jul 1, 1882: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 3):
The family of C.S. Chatfield arrived this week. They have taken up their residence on Hyman avenue.
Note: Clark Samuel Chatfield: age 41, Issac’s brother
Mary (Morrow) Chatfield: age 31, wife
Ida: age 15, daughter
Della: age 10, daughter
Ora: age 9, daughter
Clark Jr.: age 5, son
Arthur: age 3, son

Jul 1, 1882: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 3):
Fresh canned goods of every variety of fruit and vegetable have just been opened at Chatfield’s new store on Hyman avenue.

Aug 7, 1882: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado:
I.W. Chatfield on Republican Committee.

Aug 12, 1882: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado:
Miss Ida Chatfield will leave for Denver in a few days to resume her studies.

Sep 2, 1882: Fort Collins Courier, Fort Collins, Larimer Co., Colorado (pg 1):
Brinker Collegiate Institute
A Rooming and Day School for Males and Females.
DENVER, — COLORADO.
Scholastic Year begins Sept. 4, 1882.
PRIMARY Four grades of pupils five to ten years of age.
INTERMEDIATE Language Lesson and Grammar grade.
COLLEGIATE Scientific & Classical courses.
COMMERCIAL Business course, Penmanship.
MUSIC Courses for Piano, Organ, Guitar and Vocalization.
ART Drawing, Painting, Elocution and Vocal Gymnastics.
BOADING New and commodious buildings, four stories high, each floor supplied with water closets, bath rooms and gas, the bed rooms accommodating from two to four pupils.
Apply for catalogue to
JOSEPH BRINKER, Denver, Colo.

Sep 14, 1882: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado:
The Republican Candidate for Mayor of Leadville was a Lake County Delegate the Republican Convention in Denver, Colorado.
Note: Isaac W. Chatfield

1882: 3rd Annual City Directory for Leadville, Lake Co., Colorado:
Chatfield Isaac W.: (Chatfield & Wing) r 134 e 7th
CHATFIELD & WING: (Isaac W. Chatfield and Charles B. Wing) Grocers, wholesale and retail, 124 e 6th
Groceries and Provisions: CHATFIELD & WING 124 e 6th
Grocers – Wholesale: CHATFIELD & WING 124 e. 6th

Nov 1882:
On election day, candidates Grant and Campbell, both in Leadville, went to their respective polling places and cast their votes. Throughout the day every horse-drawn carriage, buggy and wagon that could be “hired, begged or borrowed” was put into use by party workers to take voters to the polls. All of the conveyances, as well as the horses pulling them were decorated with flags and with banners proclaiming which candidates should be voted into office. A Herald newsman observed that one of the most active campaigners was Tabor, who was not only anxious to have Campbell win over Grant but also to have Republicans Thomas S. Wells and I.W. Chatfield elected to the Colorado Senate, thereby increasing his chances for appointment to the U.S. Senate.
Source: History of Leadville and Lake County, Colorado, Don & Jean Griswold, published by Colorado Historical Society/University Press, Colorado, 1996 (pg 1064)

Dec 2, 1882: Montezuma Millrun, Montezuma, Summit Co., Colorado:
STATE CONCENTRATES.
There is talk that Chatfield will contest the seat of Charley Hall who had the certificate of election given him for the State Senate from Lake county.

Dec 28, 1882: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado:
MINE AND SMELTER ASPEN
While working the assessment on the Chatfield lode on Smuggler mountain some 1,000 feet north of Smuggler mine, struck a 3 foot vein of galena.

Jan 4, 1883: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado:
I.W. Chatfield of Lake County contests seat in Colorado State Senate.

Jan 7, 1883: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado:
Chatfield mentioned for seat in Colorado Senate. Senator Eddy’s resolution in regard to the case of Chatfield vs. Hall, is a contested election case in Lake County.

Feb 6, 1883: History of Leadville and Lake County, Colorado:
On the night of February 6 a number of Leadvillites went in costume, since “improper characters” would not be admitted, to the (Chatfield) Sixth Street City Hall and happily paid one dollar per person or a dollar and a half a couple to attend the Mardi Gras Ball for one last grand whirl of amusement before retiring to fasting and prayer. Leadville is now determined not to be outdone in a religious way and will subside into forty days of strict piety. The ball was a grand success, the costumes were varied and elegant. The occasion proved so attractive that very few could sentence themselves to quit at 12 o’clock, and as a result some four hours of lent was borrowed to complete the sport.

Jan 15, 1883: Leadville Weekly Chronicle, Leadville, Lake Co., Colorado:
THE Y.M.C.A. BENEFIT
… was the feature of the week in the way of amusements. The known talent and taste of Miss Grace Fornia (who arranged the entertainment) were sufficient guaranty of the excellence of the concert to draw the largest audience that was ever present in the opera house at an amateur entertainment. The audience was not only large and appreciative, but also of the best quality, representing the culture of Leadville in all its best phases. The entertainment began with a well-executed double quartette, “We’ll Gaily Sing and Play,” by Misses (Ella) Chatfield, McArdie and Fornia, and Messrs. Skinner, Smith, Dodge and Richards. Then came the “Fairy Chorus,” by the following children: Georgia Curtis, Mary Fornia, Nora Fornia, Jacqueline Chatfield, … Two or three of them are little tots who look scarcely large enough to walk, but they had been well trained and their voices chorded perfectly. They were encored, and repeated a portion of the chorus. It was followed by a very pretty duet, “These Only,” by Miss Chatfield and Mr. Skinner. The audience wished to hear more from Miss (Ella) Chatfield, and as an encore she sang Verzial’s piquant melody “Twickenham Ferry.”
Source: History of Leadville and Lake County, Colorado, (pg 1144):
Note: Jacqueline is age 15 and Ella is age 23

Aug 4, 1883: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 4):
Special School Meeting.
A special meeting was called by ten tax-paying residents of the district to meet at the office of the clerk, Dr. Perry, on the 31ast day of July, 1883, at which time the meeting elected Mr. Chatfield President and Mr. Harding, Secretary, and adjourned till August 1, 1883 at five p.m. At this time Mr. Chatfield called the meeting to order and after the minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved, and considerable discussion among those present, the following special taxes were voted:
1. A five mill tax to pay teachers’ wages.
2. A two mill tax to pay for repairs, fuel and lights.
3. A two mill tax to pay contingent expenses.
4. A one mill tax to pay for books and stationery.
On motion adjourned,
I.W. CHATFIELD, Prest.
H.L. Harding, Sec.

Oct 27, 1883: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 4):
Dressed Chickens at Chat’s and Pearson’s.
Go to Chat’s & Pearson’s for Bed Rock Prices.
——Gloves, socks and underwear at Chatfield & Pearson’s.

Dec 2, 1883: Death of Phil Van Wert Chatfield (age 17), son of Isaac Chatfield & Eliza Harrington, of Bright’s disease, at the St. James hotel in Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado, his parents at his bedside. The family has a home in both Aspen and Denver at the time of his death.

“As They Were Told:”
Phil Van Wert (Wert) was Elmer’s closest companion—in and out of mischief often. When Wert died at age 17, the whole family was devastated.
According to Elmer Chatfield, as told by his granddaughter, Beverly Kelly. Elmer was two years older than Wert.

I.W. Chatfield house at the corner of Gillespie & North 3rd Street in Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado, the home the family lived in at the time of their young son’s death.

Dec 11, 1883: Leadville Weekly Chronicle, Leadville, Lake Co., Colorado:
The social at the Methodist church last night was well attended. Miss Ella Chatfield sang “At the Ferry”. She was in splendid voice, and sang that sweet little song with expression and feeling, which very much pleased the audience.

Nearly all of Leadville’s lovers of music were present… among the many handsome costumes… Miss Chatfield’s wine colored satin, overdress of white lace… The last quartette “Good Night, Beloved” by Miss Chatfield, Miss McArdle, Mr. Vickers and Mr. Cole, was well given.
Source: History of Leadville and Lake County, Colorado (pg 1279):
Note: Ella is age 24.

Jan 17, 1885: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 2):
Personal.
Mr. Robert Carey, agent for the National Tube Works company, this week sold a 12-horse power hoister and boiler to Messrs. Chatfield, Staats and others, lessees of the J.S. Johnson mine.

Apr 11, 1885: Chattel Mortgage from Clark Chatfield to his brother, Isaac Chatfield:

1885: Isaac Chatfield family sells his business interests in Leadville and moves his family to Aspen, Colorado. He goes into the grocery store business, mine management, building and land investments, and politics.

Jun 27, 1885: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 3):
Personal.
Mr. I.W. Chatfield has brought his family to Aspen from Denver, who now make this their home.

Sep 1885: Isaac joins his brother Clark as a partner in his wholesale/retail business Aspen, Pitkin Co. and it becomes known as the Chatfield Brothers Grocery

May 29, 1886: Aspen Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 2):
LOCAL AND PERSONAL
Mr. I.W. Chatfield and son Charlie went down to their ranch at Emma Sunday.

Jun 4, 1886: Ida Chatfield (age 18), daughter of Clark Samuel Chatfield & Louisa Tankersley and niece of I.W. Chatfield, disappears from Isaac’s home in Aspen, distraught over the death of her young friend, Eppa Strait.

Jun 11, 1886: White Pine Cone, White Pine, Gunnison Co., Colorado (pg 2):
COLORADO CONDENSED
Ida Chatfield, a young lady of Aspen, has mysteriously disappeared.

Jun 12, 1886: Aspen Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado:
The hat of Miss Ida Chatfield, who disappeared Friday night, was found in the Roaring Fork nearly opposite to the race track. There is much speculation concerning her strange disappearance, some think she is in the river, others think she has been kidnapped and others think that she disappeared of her own accord.

Jul 3, 1886: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 2):
Tuesday afternoon Mr. I.W. Chatfield started for Denver accompanied by Mrs. Chatfield and Misses Jacquelin and Callie and Master Charles Chatfield. Mr. Chatfield and his son, Charles, go to the Texas Pan Handle after 1,000 head of cattle for the Yellow creek ranch. Mrs. Chatfield and the children remain in Denver for a month or six weeks, and Miss Ella Chatfield will spend the summer at Elmer’s ranch on Sopris creek.
Note: Charles is 15 years old

Aug 7, 1886: Aspen Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado:
The startling news was flashed through the city yesterday that the body of Miss Ida Chatfield had been found in the Roaring Fork below Red Butte. Word was brought to town by J.F. Harding and Louis Fontaine that while fishing along the river they had discovered the body of a woman in the water. They at once notified Coroner W.E. Turley and accompanied him to the place where the body was seen. Notwithstanding her mysterious disappearance occurred no more than two months ago interest in the case has not abated.

The body was found in the canyon about a hundred yards below the confluence of the Roaring Fork and Maroon Creek. It lay on the north side of the river lodged with some driftwood between two boulders. Miss Chatfield’s father has been sent for and is expected to arrive this morning. Thus has ended one of the most baffling mysteries which has ever agitated the peoples of Aspen.

Aug 9, 1886: The Grand Island Independent, Grand Island, Hall Co., Nebraska (pg 1):

Aug 13, 1886: White Pine Cone, White Pine, Gunnison Co., Colorado: (pg 2):
The body of Miss Ida Chatfield, of Aspen, who disappeared on the 4th of last June, has been found in the Roaring Fork river three miles below the town.

Aug 13, 1886: White Pine Cone, White Pine, Gunnison Co., Colorado (pg 2):
COLORADO CONDENSED.
The Coroner’s Jury in the case of Ida Chatfield, who was found drowned in the Roaring Fork, returned the following verdict. That they find the body lying before them to be that of Ida Chatfield, and they further find that she came to her death by drowning on or about June 4, 1886; and that they believe she met her death by her own act while laboring under an attack of temporary insanity.

TWO BROTHERS & FRIENDS: A CHATFIELD HISTORY & GENEALOGY:
Ida Chatfield, born in Nebraska, died probably on Jun 4, 1886, the day she disappeared after visiting with her Uncle Isaac Chatfield. Her body was found by two fishermen on Aug 6th in the waters of the Roaring Fork River. Although contemporary newspapers stated that she was a possible victim of drowning, there was never an explanation as to how it could have happened, and her father refused to accept the theory. An interesting sidelight in the short history of Ida’s life is the little known fact she taught school during the winter of 1885-86 at her cousin Elmer’s “Interval House” at Emma.
Source: TWO BROTHERS & FRIENDS: A CHATFIELD HISTORY & GENEALOGY, Volume IV, Copyright 1990 by Harry E. Chatfield and Chatfield Western Publications. Box 5703, Security, Colorado, 80931

Aug 1886: Charles Henry Chatfield travels with his father to Texas panhandle area and purchases 1,000 head of cattle, bringing the cattle to the Chatfield ranch located at Yellow Creek, Rio Blanco County, Colorado. Charles was age 15 and he learned how to handle horses and herd cattle on the long trip back to Colorado with his father and hired hands.

Sep 18, 1886: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 2):
Local and Personal Mention.
Mr. I.W. Chatfield returned from Bent county on Tuesday evening. He is bringing a few head of heifers for Elmer Chatfield’s ranch at Emma.

Feb 19, 1887: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 3):
District Court.
426—J.C. Johnson vs I.W. Chatfield; motion to quash summons argued, and taken under advisement by the court.

Apr 7, 1887: History of Leadville and Lake County (pg 2027):
The concert given by the Apollo club at City hall, exceeded the expectation of its most sanguine friends, both in size and quality of the audience as well as the excellent manner in which the various musical selections were rendered by the club. Every chair in the large hall was occupied long before the concert began, and the audience was composed entirely of Leadville’s best society people; in fact it was a matter of remark that the audience was one of the finest that had ever assembled in the City hall.
At the performance of the Vice Admiral, ex-Mayor, ex-Lieutenant Governor, ex-Senator H.A.W. Tabor, who was in the Cloud City on mining business, occupied one of boxes and had as his guests I.W. Chatfield, Brad DuBois and F.M. Coombs, all Leadville pioneers. For the plays, the incandescent lights, and prominent patrons, the public paid $1.50 for regular seats and 50 cents for seats in the gallery.
Source: History of Leadville and Lake County, Colorado, by Don & Jean Griswold, published by Colorado Historical Society/University Press, Colorado, 1996

May 7, 1887: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 3):
District Court.
426—John C. Johnstone vs I.W. Chatfield et al; equity; motion to quash summons; May 11.

May 11, 1887: Marriage of Ella Clara Chatfield (age 27) & Josiah “Joe” Appleton Small (age 31), in Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado
Note: Ella is the oldest child of Isaac Chatfield & Eliza Harrington

Dec 3, 1887: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (2):
Transfers for the Week.
Eliza A. Chatfield to Sohia S. Eames, lots K and L, blk 91(?).

Oct 3, 1887: Leadville Daily and Evening Chronicle, Leadville, Lake Co., Colorado (pg 2):
EX-ALDERMAN CHATFIELD and TAYLOR have the contract for grading the Midland to the Jerome park coal fields, and are now engaged in the work.

Dec 8, 1887: Daily Chronicle, Leadville, Lake Co., Colorado (pg 1):
ASPEN NOTES.
John E. Eames will take possession of the house here, recently bought off Mr. Chatfield. To-morrow. Mr. Chatfield and family will remove to Denver.
Mr. and Mrs. Small, with their sister Jacqueline, will occupy Mr. Mitchell’s cottage for the present.

Sep 14, 1888: White Pine Cone, White Pine, Gunnison Co., Colorado (pg 1):
The nomination of Isaac W. Chatfield, of Aspen, as the Republican candidate for the legislature the CONE believes to have been a wise one. Mr. Chatfield is an old-time Coloradoan, a practical mining man, and is thoroughly conversant with the needs of the great district which he will represent. Mr. Chatfield will be in camp during the campaign, and we believe our boys will all like him on first sight, plain in dress, and unassuming in demeanor, yet there is that about him which at once impresses one with the conviction that MR. Chatfield is an honorable, straightforward gentleman. He is not a lawyer, for which the CONE gives thanks. There have been too many snide lawyers in the Colorado legislature in times past.

Sep 21, 1888: White Pine Cone, White Pine, Gunnison Co., Colorado (pg 1):
There will be no question as to Mr. Chatfield’s carrying his own county, Pitkin. The miners are largely in the majority there, and they will vote for him almost solidly. Gunnison county is the most uncertain factor in the Thirteenth district. It is the only Republican county in the State that always goes Democratic. The defeat of Mr. Chatfield would not be so much a blow to the Republican party as it would to the mining interest he represents. Senator Kinkaid owes his election to Republican votes, and he got those votes because he was identified with our chief industry. Shall it be said that our Democratic miners are so hide-bound in party prejudice that they are less generous, less interested in the welfare of their chosen calling, than their Republican brothers? The CONE has too much faith in their intelligence and public spirit t think so. With Kinkaid and Chatfield to represent us in the Colorado legislature, citizens of the Thirteenth district could rest secure in the knowledge that their interest were in safe hands.

Sep 21, 1888: White Pine Cone, White Pine, Gunnison Co., Colorado (pg 1):
Nothing of a damaging character can be said against Hon. Isaac W. Chatfield, the Republican candidate for Representative from this district. For a number of years he has been engaged in mining in Pitkin County, and is universally esteemed by his neighbors without regard to political belief. He is the first representative of the mining interest to be honored with a nomination in the Thirteenth district, and the CONE appeals to the miners of this county to give Mr. Chatfield a hearty support—not because he is a Republican, but for the better reason that he will look more carefully after the mining interest of his constituents than any man we have yet had to represent us in the Colorado legislature. However honorable the intention, no man works so well as when working for his own interest, and Mr. Chatfield is himself a miner and legislation that will benefit him will benefit us.

Sep 28, 1888: White Pine Cone, White Pine, Gunnison Co., Colorado (pg 1):
The News-Democrat appears inclined to make a personal warfare upon Hon. Isaac Chatfield. The attack is entirely uncalled for, and the charges made will not hold water. It is a confession of weakness upon the part of Mr. Hooper to allow such a course to be taken by his organ in this country—and we judge that Mr. Hooper is responsible, for the same issue that contains the false charges against Mr. Chatfield contains also a notice of a call upon the editor by Mr. Hooper. The Republican nominee for the Legislature from this District is too much of a gentleman to resort to tactics adopted by his opponent.

Oct 6, 1888: Grand Junction News, Grand Junction, Mesa Co., Colorado (pg 3):

Oct 12, 1888: White Pine Cone, White Pine, Gunnison Co., Colorado (pg 1):
The charge that Mr. Chatfield resorted to any unfair means to secure the nomination at the Legislative convention, is a lie, a pure and unadulterated. We know all the circumstances attending Mr. Chatfield’s nomination and there never was a more fair selection of a candidate for any position. If Mr. Hooper has ever done anything to entitle him to the support of a single miner, let us hear it. Lying on the part of his friends will accomplish nothing.

Oct 16, 1888: The Delta Independent, Delta, Delta Co., Colorado (pg 4):

Oct 19, 1888: White Pine Cone, White Pine, Gunnison Co., Colorado (pg 1):
…real estate, ranches, horses and cattle in Pitkin county, in his own name (and pays taxes on them), and if he owes Bracken money, why don’t the latter sue Mr. Chatfield, as any sane man would do. As a matter of fact, Bracken don’t claim that he ever worked for I.W. Chatfield.
The facts are these: Mr. Elliott and Mr. Chatfield’s brother had a lease on the Johnson mine. They employed a number of men, failed to make expenses, and were compelled to shut down. Some of the men had to wait for their pay—it may be some of them have not received it yet. I.W. Chatfield was in business in Aspen at the time, and as any business man in White Pine would do, cashed a number of time checks for the men. Mr. Elliott gave Mr. Chatfield an affidavit it (and we have seen it) in which he state emphatically that Mr. I.W. Chatfield had no interest in, or connection with, the Johnson lease. So far as we can learn both Mr. Elliott and our candidate’s brother are honorable, although unfortunate, and are paying up their indebtedness as fast as possible.
If the CONE believed for one moment that Mr. Chatfield ever defrauded even one miner out of his wages, his name would be taken from the head of this paper. But we know, and so does every thinking miner, that this base charge was started wholly in the forlorn hope of beating Mr. Chatfield by foul means. The attempt to blacken Mr. Chatfield’s character will only react against his opponent.

Oct 27, 1888: Grand Junction News, Grand Junction, Mesa Co., Colorado (pg 1):

Nov 2, 1888: White Pine Cone, White Pine, Gunnison Co., Colorado (pg 1):
THOSE AFFIDAVITS
J.D. Hooper, in his speech, last Saturday night, read an affidavit made by an employee of the J.C. Johnson mine setting forth that said imploye worked for C.S. Chatfield, and had reason to believe that I.W. Chatfield held an interest in the lease on said mine. From the article below from the Aspen Times, it will be seen that the parties who were interested in the mine state positively that Hon. I.W. Chatfield had no interest in it whatsoever. It is also made plain that Hooper did not try to use his affidavits in Aspen, where the facts are known, but displays them in the remote precincts, where he hoped the (?) would not be discovered before election. The CONE does not believe in dishonest methods in politics, by either party, and we do not think that Mr. Hooper’s friends will uphold him in giving publicity to documents intended to falsely blacken and honorable gentleman’s name, and whose only offense is that he exercises the right of a free American citizen in aspiring to the same office Mr. Hooper seeks.
Read, carefully, the following article:
The worst enemies that Mr. Hooper has in the community scarcely supposed that he could stoop to such contemptible methods. The fact is, that Mr. Chatfield’s brother, in company with many others, leased the J.C. Johnson mine. They failed and left quite a large payment unpaid. Mr. Chatfield had nothing to do with it. He was running a grocery store here at the time. He was in the habit of buying the leasers’ time checks, and when the crash came he was caught to the tune of $600 or more. The brother who was interested in the mine was C.S. Chatfield the Emma ranchman, and he alone is the man whom this grievance can be held. Mr. Hooper knows this, and it was unmanly and dishonest for him to sneak off into other parts of the district and fling this baseless charge at the Republican candidate for the legislature. It is not the first time that this man, who poses as the only saving element of purity among the Democrats of this county, has stooped to the lowest methods, and we believe that he will be backed by an overwhelming majority against (his opponent).
Mr. I.W. Elliott, city treasurer of Aspen, elected on the Democratic ticket, was the foreman and part owner in the lease that Affidavit Hooper is trying to connect to I.W. Chatfield. Read his testimony:
STATE OF COLORADO,}
COUNTY OF PITKIN, } ss
I.W. Elliott, of Aspen, Colo., being first duly sworn, deposeth and saith that in the year A.D. 1881 one C.S. Chatfield had a lease on the J.C. Johnson mine on Smuggler mountain; that during the life of said lease in 1881, he, this affiant, purchased from C.S. CHATFIELD an interest in said lease; that from the time of said purchase HE HAD ENTIRE CONTROL AND CHARGE of the operations under said lease, and that from his own personal knowledge I.W. Chatfield had NO INTEREST whatever in said lease of the operations carried on at said Johnson mine, and further saith not.
[Signed] I.W. ELLIOTT.
Sworn to before me, and subscribed in my presence, this 25th day of Sept., A.D. 1888.
D.W. STRICKLAND, County Judge.
Write to the city treasurer of Aspen a Democrat who was foreman on the J.C. Johnson lease, and find out if Affidavit Hooper is a truthful man.
Last Tuesday the people of Aspen heard for the first time of Hooper’s Affidavits! Why won’t Hooper circulate his charges at home (Aspen) if he has faith in their truth or utility?

Nov 2, 1888: White Pine Cone, White Pine, Gunnison Co., Colorado (pg 1):
HOOPER’S IDEAS OF ABUSE!
The CONE would have been glad if the present contest in the Thirteenth District could have passed off without bitterness, and without either candidate resorting to personal abuse of his opponent. This would have been the case had not some of Mr. Hooper’s misguided friends began the battle. Hooper cannot clear his skirts of a certain amount of complicity, for he has publicly circulated charges against Mr. Chatfield. In his speech here he stated that the Republican nominee was not a resident of the district; that he owned but one horse and thirty-one head of cattle, and no real estate in Pitkin county. We have it on the authority of men who have lived in Aspen, and of men who live here now, who are just as truthful as Hooper, that I.W. Chatfield does own both real estate and mining property in Pitkin county. The charges made against Mr. Chatfield in regard to the Johnson mine are proven to be false by evidence that would be taken in any court. By a Democratic office-holder, too, in Hooper’s own home. So much for Hooper’s charges.
On the contrary, Mr. Chatfield has conducted his campaign as a gentleman should. In not one of his speeches has he spoken a word against his opponent. “Oh, well, the CONE has abused Hooper!” Let us see: The CONE asked to be informed in what manner the office of sheriff qualified one to become a competent legislator! The most critical analysis must fail to find abuse in the question of that character. Last week’s paper contained the following:
Don’t be deceived by Cooper’s cry of “railroad legislation.” Hooper never thought of it, until after Mr. Chatfield had openly pledged himself to a law regulating railroad charges.
Hooper is now appropriately referred to as “Affidavit” Hooper. His attempt to swear the errors of one man upon another failed to go down with intelligent people. This isn’t Arkansas, Affie, me boy.
Remember, that Hon I.W. Chatfield represents the miners’ interest, while the sole and only aim of the Democrats is to elect Mr. Hooper, for the purpose of voting for Tom Patterson for U.S. Senator.
That is all. Now, in God’s name, if that is abuse of Mr. Hooper, what is the string of epithets that Hooper hurled at the editor of this paper in the Saturday night speech? …

Nov 2, 1888: White Pine Cone, White Pine, Gunnison Co., Colorado (pg 1):
The assertion that I.W. Chatfield hired men to work on a mine near Aspen and failed to pay them their wages is absolutely false. He does not owe a dollar to any miner or working man or anyone else. He is a man of some property and means, and the courts are open to any one who has a claim against him.—Grand Junction News.

Nov 9, 1888: White Pine Cone, White Pine, Gunnison Co., Colorado (pg 1):
Carry the News to Hooper!
Hon. I.W. Chatfield received the largest vote on the Republican ticket, 73, and his opponent, J.D. Hooper. Received the smallest vote of any candidate on the Democratic ticket, 47.

1888 through 1896: Isaac Willard Chatfield has a ranch in Emma, Pitkin County and is also listed as a resident of Basalt, Eagle County

Residents of Basalt as listed in Basalt, Colorado Midland Town:
Chatfield: C.S. and wife; Arthur, Clark, Mable, Marjorie, Levi, Willard, Ora, Jacqueline (C.S. is Clark Samuel Chatfield)
Chatfield: I.W., Elizah (Eliza), Charles, Elmer, Jacqueline, Callia (Isaac Willard Chatfield)
Mallon: Jim, Jacqueline (Jacqueline Chatfield Mallon is a daughter of Clark) 

PHOTO left to right: Ora, Arthur w/hat in hand and wife Ada (Miller), Levi with hat at chest, Mabel, Clark Jr., mother Mary (Morrow) and father Clark Sr.

Ora Chatfield Shaw (age 26), Arthur Chatfield (age 21), Ada (Miller) Chatfield (age 21), Levi Chatfield (age 10), Mabel Chatfield (age 17), Clark S. Chatfield, Jr. (age 23), Mary Marrow Chatfield (age 50), Clark Samuel Chatfield, Sr. (age 61)

Jan 12, 1889: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 4):
REPRESENTATIVE CHATFIELD has been appointed on several important committees. He is chairman of the committee on appropriations and is a member of the railroad, mining and apportionment committees. The latter is one in which he will be able to do good work for this section. During the past year Pitkin county produced five million of the mineral output of the state. The vast interests represented by this great production, with the attendant industries, has now one member jointly with four other counties in each branch of the legislature. The new apportionment should place the county in a district by itself, with two members of the house and one senator. Mr. Chatfield is thoroughly alive to our needs in this respect, and he will forcibly impress them upon the committee.

Jan 18, 1889: White Pine Cone, White Pine, Gunnison Co., Colorado (pg 4):
The CONE contemplates framing a bill and forwarding it to Hon. I.W. Chatfield. If he will introduce it in the House, the bill will give members something to talk about. By a curious coincidence, our bill is similar in scope to the one already introduced by Mr. Chatfield, relating to the better assessment and collection of revenue.

Feb 1, 1889: White Pine Cone, White Pine, Gunnison Co., Colorado (pg 1):
Chatfield has introduced a bill for Arbor day. Chat. is making a “record”.

Feb 1, 1889: White Pine Cone, White Pine, Gunnison Co., Colorado (pg 2):
In nearly all the States rosters of the volunteer soldiers who served in the war of the late rebellion have been prepared and published. Mr. Chatfield proposes that the roster of Colorado soldiers shall be prepared and published in the same way, and he has introduced a bill making an appropriation of $2,000 to begin and carry on this work. The work is to be done under the supervision of the adjutant general.

Feb 8, 1889: White Pine Cone, White Pine, Gunnison Co., Colorado (pg 1):
Hon. I.W. Chatfield should not be blamed for introducing the Lamborn county bill. It was done by request of a number of his constituents in Delta county, and he could not act otherwise. If he supports the measure, he will deserve censure. But then he will not support it; neither will Senator Kinkaid.

Feb 15, 1889: White Pine Cone, White Pine, Gunnison Co., Colorado (pg 1):
Some of our contemporaries are rather severe on Representative Chatfield for presenting a bill to allow the State Treasurer $12,000 per annum salary. The CONE is unable to see anything wrong with the bill. A competent State Treasurer is worth all of that amount. If the interest on State funds is covered into the treasury instead of into the treasurer’s pocket, $12,000 is a very decent salary compared to the responsibilities connected with the office and the enormous bond the treasurer is compelled to furnish. Mr. Chatfield’s bill is all right.

Mar 9, 1889: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 2):
MINES AND MINING.
J.C. Johnstone’s success yesterday in obtaining a judgment for one-eighth interest in the J.C. Johnstone lode near Aspen, was followed yesterday by a decree issued by Judge Hallett, ordering that an accounting be made of all the ores extracted since 1880. A vast amount of work is entailed, since it has passed through so many hands. The Fulton Mining Company was the grantee to Isaac W. Chatfield, who perfected the title by taking out a patent in 1884, From Chatfield it passed to William J. Anderson, as trustee of the Fulton Mining Company, and in June, 1887, to the Standard Mining Company, of Kansas city. Mr. Withers is ordered to make his report before April 13. Denver News.

Mar 22, 1889: The Weekly Guard, Council Grove, Morris Co., Kansas (pg 8):

Apr 6, 1889: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 1):
LOCAL AND PERSONAL.
Hon. I.W. Chatfield has returned from Denver. He is one of those who were members of the late legislature who has the satisfaction of being met at his home with words of commendation for faithfulness in the discharge of his duties. Many of the men who composed the body are not so situated.

Apr 13, 1889: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co. Colorado (pg 2):
VETERAN TUNNEL.
Progress of Development of the Great Lode in the Territory
of the Aspen Mining and Smelting Company—The Last Dollar Strike.
The J.C. Johnson Mine.
HISTORY OF THE MINE.
This property, like most others, has had a history in which the earlier stages were marked by struggles, by hesitancy and by failures. It was worked by lessees in the winter of 1884 and 1885. Subsequently, Mr. I.W. Chatfield, working it for himself and co-owners, secured better results, after that the property passed into the hands of the company that now owns it and it has since been under the efficient management of Col. Ed F. Browne, with John Jennings as mine superintendent.

Apr 13, 1889: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 2):
If Senator Gelder was remunerated by the treasury gang for pocketing the treasury bill he is in high contempt. If he put it in his pocket and forgot it he should forthwith resign for imbecility. That he did not forget it is certain because Representative Chatfield says that he took great pains to urge Gelder to present it without fail. That Gelder will quit politics in this state is certain.

May 1889: Ora Lovina Chatfield elopes with her older cousin, Clara Dietrich. They both reside in Emma, Pitkin Co., Colorado. Ora (age 15) is the 2nd daughter of Clark S. Chatfield, Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Morrow; Clara (age 26) is the niece of Eliza Ann (Harrington) Chatfield, Isaac Willard Chatfield’s wife. The parents of Clara Dietrich/Dietrick/Detrick (born May 2, 1863, Leon, Decatur, Iowa) are Andrew Joseph Dietrich & Susannah M. “Susan” Harrington. Susan is a sister of Eliza Harrington. Clara Dietrich is a niece of I.W. (Isaac Willard) Chatfield thru Eliza. Ora’s father, Clark S. Chatfield, is the younger brother of I.W. Chatfield.

Above photos: Clara Tyler and Ora Chatfield

May 18, 1889: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Lake Co., Colorado (pg 4)
LOCAL AND PERSONAL.
Hon. I.W. Chatfield has returned from Denver with his family. Mrs. Chatfield is at the Emma ranch, Miss Jacqueline is at her sister’s, Mrs. Small. And Mr. Chatfield is at the Clarendon. He has purchased four lots in Hallam’s addition, and will erect a residence thereon.

Jun 29, 1889: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 4):
LOCAL AND PERSONAL.
Hon. I.W. Chatfield has returned from a trip to his cattle ranch in Las Animas county.
Hon. I.W. Chatfield reports that the prospects in the valley for a good crop are better than in any year since first settlement.

Jun 29, 1889: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 3):
THE BUILDING BOOM.
I.W. Chatfield will soon build on (?) avenue.

Jul 6, 1889: The Denver Times, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado, (pg 1):
LOVELORN GIRLS
Strange Infatuation of a Pair of Female Cousins.
VAIN EFFORTS TO CHECK IT
A Beautiful Aspen Girl Passionately in Love With Her Cousin,
Who Reciprocates Her Affection With Masculine Ardor.
The Younger Falls Victim to Nervous Prostration.
THEY REFUSE TO LIVE APART
Sensational Elopement of the Two Girls Who Came to Denver–Character of Their Many Love Letters
Special to The Times.
Emma, Pitkin Co., Colo., July 6.—Society in this section of the county has been rent from center to circumference during the past six weeks over the sensational love affair between Miss Clara Dietrich, postmistress and general storekeeper at Emma and Miss Ora Chatfield, both nieces of the Hon. I.W. Chatfield, which culminated on Tuesday in the elopement of the two ladies who are now supposed to be stopping at a hotel in Denver.
Miss Dietrich is a strong-minded lady of some twenty-eight summers and her cousin, who is the daughter of C.S. Chatfield, is not yet eighteen and a beautiful, accomplished and charming girl.
A month or more ago Ora Chatfield was suffering so from nervous prostration that the matter was investigated, and it was ascertained that she was madly in love with Miss Dietrich, with whom she was living. The two were torn apart and a warrant was procured in Aspen for the arrest of the older with the intention to have an investigation made as to her sanity. She promised the sheriff with tears trickling down her cheeks and her voice choking with suppressed emotion to give up her child wife.
Their Strong Affection.
Ora called and delivered to Sheriff White the correspondence between them. The letter showed that the love that existed between the parties was of no ephemeral nature, but as strong as that of a strong man for his sweetheart, and it developed certain other extraordinary features that became the matter of newspaper correspondence. These letters passed between the parties intermediate to the time they were torn apart and after the Sheriff had arrested Miss Dietrich. If the case ever comes into court, from a scientific standpoint alone it will attract widespread attention and if elucidated it will perhaps explain some of the so-called occult sciences.
Their Elopement.
Last Tuesday the lady lovers went to Aspen, Miss Dietrich with the avowed intention of marrying a gentleman who lives not far from this place (Emma), and Miss Chatfield to visit relatives. From here they went to Denver, and as soon as they were missed and their elopement suspected, Hon. I.W. Chatfield was communicated with and requested to bring Miss Ora back from Denver.
At the time Miss Dietrich was arrested by the sheriff the matter appeared in the Aspen Times, with extracts from correspondence that passed between the two parties, but no names were given. This will be the first time it appeared in print with names of the parties given.
THE STORY VERIFIED.
What a Prominent Citizen of Aspen Says of the Matter.
A reporter for The Times this afternoon secured an interview with a prominent and influential citizen of Aspen who is in Denver for a few days. He had not yet learned of the flight of the girls from their home, and appeared much surprised at the turn affairs had taken.
“Yes,” said he, “the story contained in your special from Aspen, remarkable is it may sound, is strictly true—at least that part of it which occurred previous to my departure from home.
“I had supposed, however, that the matter was all settled and that nothing more would be heard of it. Both girls appear to be perfectly rational in everything but their unnatural affection for each other, and had promised to give up their insane idea. What can have happened to cause them to run away from home in this manner I can hardly imagine.”
Description of the Girls.
“Their reputations have always been above reproach, and their family connections are of the best. In all matters outside of this Miss Dietrich appears to be a very sensible girl. She is a medium blonde, about 24 years old, tall and with a good figure and commanding presence.
“Miss Chatfield is but about fifteen years of age, rather slender and of delicate physique. She is, however, a remarkably handsome girl, and would attract attention anywhere. She appears to fully reciprocate the affection of her older companion, and her letters to the latter are usually signed ‘Hubby,’ and filled with the most maudlin kind of sentimentality. In this respect those of Miss Dietrich are fully their equal.”
A Fruitless Search.
Since the first telegram regarding the case was received at THE TIMES office about 6 o’clock yesterday afternoon, reporters for this paper have searched the city in all directions, but without finding any trace of the missing couple. If they are in any of the hotels in the city, they are there under assumed names.
The gentleman referred to in the above interview is of the opinion that they would not stop in Denver, even if they came here, as they are too well known and have too many friends in the city.

Jul 8, 1889: Aspen Weekly Chronicle, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 4):
Emma’s Sensation.
Special to the Chronicle.
EMMA, Pitkin county, Colo., July 6—
Society in this section is disrupted by a love affair. Miss Clara Dietrich, postmistress and general storekeeper at Emma, and Miss Ora Chatfield are madly in love with each other, and their love has culminated in their elopement. The two ladies are supposed to be in Denver now. About a month ago Ora Chatfield was suffering greatly from nervous prostration, and upon investigation it was revealed that she was desperately in love with Clara with who she had been living. The two were torn apart and a warrant was sworn out at Aspen for Clara for the purpose of investigating her sanity. With tears in her eyes she promised the sheriff to give up her child wife.
On Tuesday the lovers pretended to start for Aspen. Miss Deitrich avowed her intention to marry a gentleman in this section. Miss Chatfield, to visit relatives, went to Denver instead.

Jul 14, 1889: Knoxville Daily Journal, Knoxville, Tennessee (pg 6):
ONE GIRL ELOPES WITH ANOTHER.
The Singular Mania of Two Maidens in Colorado.
Denver (Col) Special to the N.Y. World
Two girls of Emma, Colorado, having fallen in love with each other, have eloped. One is Miss Clara Dietrich, the postmistress and general storekeeper at Emma, and the other, Miss Ora Chatfield, both nieces of I.W. Chatfield, a well known Colorado politician. A month or more ago Ora Chatfield was suffering so from nervous prostration that the matter was investigated, and it was ascertained that she was madly in love with Miss Dietrich, with whom she was living. The two were torn apart, and a warrant was procured in Aspen for the arrest of the elder girl, with an intention to have an investigation made as to her sanity.
Many interesting love letters have passed between the pair. They are supposed to be in Denver, but have not yet been found. Miss Dietrich is a blonde, 24 years of age, tall, with a good figure and commanding presence. Miss Chatfield is but about 15 years of age, rather slender, and of delicate physique. She is, however, a remarkably handsome girl, and would attract attention anywhere. She appears to reciprocate the affection of her older companion, and her letters to the latter are usually signed “Hubby” and filled with a most maudlin kind of sentimentality.
These young ladies are relatives of the Miss Chatfield who left her home one night and is supposed to have lost her life in the Roaring Fork, and for whom detectives made such a long and diligent search two or three years ago.
Note: The last paragraph is referring to Ida Chatfield, half-sister of Ora, whose body was found in the Roaring Fork River four miles below Aspen, Pitkin County, Colorado in August of 1886.

Aug 17, 1889: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 1):
AT CHRIST CHURCH
Confirmation services were held Sunday evening at Christ church by the Right Reverend J.F. Spaulding, bishop of the Colorado diocese of the Episcopalian church.
The following persons by confirmation were taken into full communion: …, Mrs. J.A. Small, …, and Miss Jacqueline Chatfield. Mrs. Small and Miss Chatfield were also baptized in the church by the Rev. Allen the previous Friday evening.

Jul 20, 1889: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Lake Co., Colorado (pg 4):
LOCAL AND PERSONAL
Sheriff John W. White came in on the Midland on Friday evening from Kansas City. Miss Ora Chatfield, a young daughter of C.S. Chatfield, of Emma, who had gone there with Miss Clara Dietrich, her cousin, contrary to her parents wishes, returned to her home with him.

Oct 12, 1889: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 4):
LOCAL AND PERSONAL.
Hon. I.W. Chatfield came up on the Rio Grande yesterday afternoon.

Oct 1889: Aspen City Directory, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado, (pg 59):
Chatfield, I.W., mining and stock raising, r. Lake av.

Oct 26, 1889: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 4):
Silver Convention Delegates.
By the Board of County Commissioners—I.W. Chatfield, I.W. Schilling,…

Nov 8, 1889: Montana is admitted to the Union as the 41th state.

1889: City Directory for Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado:
Chatfield, Isaac W., stock grower, r. 805 18th av.
Note: After being elected to the Colorado State House of Representatives, Isaac (age 53) appears for the first time in the Denver. It appears he also maintained his Aspen home, along with his ranch near Emma. His son Charles Henry Chatfield is also listed in the directory at the same address.

1889: A sterling silver Complimentary Pass for the Silverton Railroad Company (#187) was given to I.W. Chatfield. Built in 1887, the railroad traveled in a northerly direction from Silverton, in southwestern Colorado, to Ouray, meandering through the many mining camps in between, including Red Mountain and the ghost town of Ironton. It was Otto Mears’ first venture into railroad building. Mears used the silver passes as a political gimmick and handed them out often to politicians. Only 24 miles long, the railroad is most noted for the fact that it climbed over the 11,000 foot Red Mountain Pass. As the mines played out, so did the railroad. In 1923, it was abandoned.

Mar 1, 1890: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 2):
The Roaring Fork Lands.
A letter from Commissioner Groff, of the general land office to Senator Teller, has been sent by the senator to Hon. I.W. Chatfield in reply to the latter gentleman’s urgent inquiry in regard to the opening of lands in the Roaring Fork and Rock Creek valleys. It shows that care has been taken to permit settlers to file, as nearly as possible, on the identical tract of land embraced in the lines of their original claims. The notices of the filing of these plats have been issued from the land office and were published last wee; they cover the entire section mentioned, excepting a part of Rock Creek valley. The letter referred to is as follows:
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
GENERAL LAND OFFICE, WASHINGTON D.C., FEBRUARY 13, 1890.
HON H.M. TELLER. United States Senate.
SIR: On the 3rd instant this office addressed you a letter in reply to one from I.W. Chatfield, of Aspen, Colorado, filed by you here in person, in relation to certain townships in that state—the re-surveys of which have been recently adjusted so as to allow settlers under the original surveys to take by legal subdivisions covering their claims as originally taken.”

Mar 8, 1890: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 1):
Transfers.
Hallam Land company to Eliza A. Chatfield, lots 1, 2 and 3, block 102. Hallam’s addition

Mar 22, 1890: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 4):
A Narrow Escape.
Hon I.W. Chatfield, as the Rio Grande train pulled out Thursday, was quite badly hurt and might have been killed. He was going to take the train for Emma. He was late and before he reached the depot the command was given “all aboard.” The train moved and he started to run. He reached the platform somewhat exhausted just as the front of the Pullman car was passing. The grade at the depot is quite steep and the train takes a good speed from the very start. Mr. Chatfield did not realize how fast the train was moving. He grabbed the railing on the car without getting the motion of the train and was thrown heavily to the ground from the high depot platform. The spectators expected to see him dragged under the wheels and a cry of alarm was given. Several gentlemen rushed to his relief, but Mr. Chatfield had managed to regain his feet. He appeared dazed by the fall and complained of a hurt in the side. In the meantime the train had stopped and Mr. Chatfield insisted that he would get on.

Mr. Chatfield returned on the afternoon Rio Grande from Emma. His injuries are more serious than was first supposed. Two ribs are broken on the left side but the doctor does not think he sustained any internal injuries. Very fortunately Dr. W.W. Hills was on the train and he bandaged up the broken side.

Mar 29, 1890: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 2):
May Grand Jury.
The following is the grand jury drawn for the May term of the district court: … I.W. Chatfield
Note: I.W. is included in the list of twelve names.

May 2, 1890: Aspen Daily Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado:
I.W. Chatfield buys meat market at Hyman & Mill from William Hunn.

May 2, 1890: Aspen Daily Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (p 4):
Hon. I.W. Chatfield went to Las Animas yesterday.

Jul 10, 1890: Wyoming gains statehood. It is the 44th state in the Union. The origin of the state’s name is derived from the Native American word “Mecheweamiin.” which translates to “at the big plains.”

Wyoming Becomes a State: The Constitutional Convention and Statehood Debates of 1889 and 1890 and Their Aftermath
Democrats and Republicans alike in Wyoming Territory agreed by the late 1880s that it was time their territory became a state. Statehood was attractive to the territory’s businessmen and politicians, as it offered them much more local control over land and water issues.

One big obstacle loomed, however: were there enough people? Population had grown only slowly since the Territory was established in 1869. Congress used a general rule of thumb, dating back before the U.S. Constitution to the Northwest Ordinance, that a territory had to show a population of 60,000 people to qualify for statehood. Territorial Gov. Thomas Moonlight, a Democrat, reported in December 1888 that Wyoming had only 55,500 people.

Most people lived on ranches and in small towns. The major employers, however, were the railroads (by 1890, these were the Union Pacific, the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy and the Chicago and Northwestern) and the coal mines (many owned by the railroads). But the population remained small and scattered over the territory’s 98,000 square miles.
Source: Phil Roberts, Nov 8, 2014, Wyohistory.org

Feb 9, 1891: Leadville Democrat, Leadville, Lake Co., Colorado:
I.W. CHATFIELD & CO., Jobbers and
Retailers of all kinds of Groceries and Produce — Office and Store,
124 Sixth St., LEADVILLE [Colo.]

Jun 10, 1891: Marriage of Jacquelin Chatfield (age 23) & Frederick William Adams (age 32), in Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado
Note: Jacqueline is the 5th child of I.W. Chatfield and Eliza Harrington. It may have been around this time that she dropped the final “e” in her first name, shortening it to Jacquelin.

Jun 27, 1891: Grand Junction News, Grand Junction, Mesa Co., Colorado (pg 4):

Jul 25, 1891: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen Pitkin Co., Colorado (2):
GENERAL MINING NEWS.
There is a lawsuit on the tapis in Denver between the Smuggler and J.C. Johnson and Chatfield claims. The ends of the claims overlap about forty feet. The Smuggler is the oldest claim but the Johnson went to patent first and the Smuggler people claim that Mr. Chatfield agreed to deed the conflict after patent and the Johnson people claim he had no such authority. The north end of the Smuggler extended westerly trends way up northwesterly and would be able to apex close to Della S. ore chute.

Aug 6, 1891: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado:
I.W. Chatfield proposal to erect a $10,000 structure on two vacant lots on the southeast corner of Monarch St. and Hopkins Ave., Aspen. It would be a lecture and dance hall made of brick, 60×100 feet and the front 20 feet high, two stories in height.

Nov 14, 1891: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 2):
THE ASPEN DELEGATION.
Aspen will have thirteen seats in the congressional chamber of the meetings to be held November 18th 19th and 20th instead of twelve as stated in Sunday’s TIMES.
The list then, is as follows, as appointed by the executive committee: …, I.W. Chatfield, …
Tis will give Aspen a baker’s dozen, thirteen, who will take part in the discussions of Congress. At least four hundred other citizens of Aspen should go and be members of the Third House to show the visitors and delegates from all over the country that there is such a place as Aspen and that she is a hummer.

Mar 1892: Aspen City Directory, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 49):
Chatfield, I.W., mining and cattle, r. 706 N. Third, cor. Gillespie

Apr 23, 1892: Aspen Daily Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 4):
I.W. Chatfield had an idea that putting up $200 to buy stock in Webber’s sheet would land him in the state senate, but a hundred times that amount and seventeen such papers could not get him there from this county. Chat ought to have more horse sense, but he hasn’t.

Jun 7, 1892: Aspen Daily Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado:
THE MARAUDER ABROAD –
THE RESIDENCE OF I.W. CHATFIELD ENTERED SUNDAY NIGHT
The merry marauder paid his compliments to I.W. Chatfield at an early hour yesterday morning and departed with a pocketbook containing negotiable instruments of the value of about $1800. How the visitor effected an entrance is not definitely known, unless it was through the medium of a pass key, but he got there just the same, and when the gentleman rose yesterday morning and found that a small chunk of his personal estate had winged its way during the night he at once hastened to police headquarters where the loss was registered. Returning to his dwelling he made another search and in the back yard found the purse. About its flattened folds were eddying various and sundry documents of no practical use to anyone without the owner’s endorsements, and gathering them up he began an invoice. They were all there, excepting a note for $330, and this is what adds the mystery to the case. Marshal Greener and Captain Clark have the matter in hand and the author of the affair may be unearthed at any moment.

Jun 8, 1892: Aspen Daily Chronicle, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (p 4):
Purely Personal.
I.W. Chatfield came up from the ranch on the Denver and Rio Grande.

Jun 9, 1892: Aspen Daily Chronicle, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 4):
Purely Personal.
I.W. Chatfield and son leave this morning for a trip to Delta, Montrose, Grand Junction, and Salt Lake City. They will be gone for about two weeks.

1892: I.W. Chatfield (age 56) is again elected to the lower house of the Colorado State Legislature, representing the counties of Pitkin, Montrose, Delta, Mesa, and Gunnison

1892: City Directory for Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado:
I.W. Chatfield: mining and cattle, residence 706 No. 3rd, corner of Gillespie, Aspen, Colorado

Sep 18, 1892: Marriage of Elmer Ellsworth Chatfield (age 29) to his first cousin, Della Chatfield (age 20) in Ogden, Weber Co., Utah
Note: Elmer is the 3rd child of Isaac Chatfield & Eliza Harrington and Della is the 1st child of Clark Samuel Chatfield (Isaac’s brother) & Mary Morrow.

Oct 8, 1892: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado ( pg 2):
I.W. Chatfield is working tooth and toe nail for the people’s party ticket, which gives the lie to the charges of the enemy that he joined the populists office.

1893: City Directory for Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado:
I.W. Chatfield: mining and cattle, residence 706 North 3rd at corner of Gillespie, Aspen, Colorado

1893: I.W. Chatfield is appointed to the Colorado State Board of Inspection, a position he holds until 1895

Mar 14, 1894: Death of Isaac H. Batchellor (age 66), husband of Isaac’s younger sister, Ellen C. Chatfield, in Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado.

Mar 31, 1894: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 2):
THE CITY WINS
THE Aspen Water and Light Company Loses Its Suit.
H.W. Stormer of the city council has received the following telegram regarding the suit of the Aspen Water and Light company against the city for $3000,000 damages:
DENVER, March 26, 1894—H.W. Stormer, Dear Sir —Aspen Water and Light company against the city of Aspen; decree of the district court confirmed.
DANIEL GEORGE.
The facts concerning the suit are familiar to most of the TIMES readers. It will be remembered that the case was tried before Judge Rucker at the May term of court in 1892, the company represented by Messrs. Thatcher, Flinthom, Wilson and Chatfield bringing suit for $300,000 damages. Their claim was based upon the annulment in March 1885, of a franchise which had been granted them by the city in February of the same year. Much expert testimony was introduced regarding the value of a water and light franchise in the then growing young city, but after a four day’s trial the jury brought in a verdict for the defendant. A new trial having been denied, the company gave notice of an appeal and the necessary bond having been filed the case went to the court of appeals. Now the appellate court sustains the verdict and rulings of the district court and the case can never be heard of again.

May 3, 1894: Fort Collins Courier, Fort Collins, Larimer Co., Colorado (pg 4):
Gov. Waite has appointed the following members of the board of stock inspection commissioners for the year ending May 1, 1895: I.W. Chatfield of Emma, … Asa Sterling, … J.C. Johnson. Mssrs. Chatfield, Sterling and Johnson were members of the old board.

Aug 26, 1894: Aspen Daily Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 4):
PURELY PERSONAL.
I.W. Chatfield and wife came up from the ranch yesterday.

Sep 1, 1894: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 4):
THE Twelfth precinct wanted everything and got nothing.
PROBABLY Mr. Chatfield wishes he had kept quiet. He was cut off at the pockets at one blow.

Sep 18, 1894: Aspen Daily Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 4):
PURELY PERSONAL.
Mrs. I.W. Chatfield, who has been visiting her daughters in this city, returned to her home at Emma last night.

Sep 28, 1894: Aspen Daily Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 4):
PURELY PERSONAL.
Mrs. I.W. Chatfield, who has been visiting relatives in this city for several days returned to her home at Emma last night.

1894: According to some sources, Isaac moves from Aspen to Denver in 1894 and reenters the cattle business. He has a home in Denver for many years.

Dec 26, 1894: Marriage of Charles Henry Chatfield (age 24) & Nellie Belle Chamberlin (age 21) in her parents’ home in Fruita, Mesa Co., Colorado
Note: Charles is the 6th child of Isaac Chatfield and Eliza Harrington

Dec 1894: Grand Valley Star-Times, Grand Junction, Mesa Co., Colorado:
MARRIED–On the 26th instant at the Catholic parsonage, by the Rev. Father Carr, Charles H. Chatfield, of Aspen, to Miss Nellie B. Chamberlin, of Fruita.
Mr. Chatfield is the son of the well-known I.W. Chatfield, president of the board of live stock inspection. He is a very promising and worthy young man. Miss Nellie is a very bright, popular young society lady of Fruita, the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain, proprietors of the well-known Chamberlain Hotel at Fruita. The young couple left for Glenwood, where they will spend a few days, after which they will visit Aspen and other points. The STAR-TIMES wishes them every happiness.

May 25, 1895: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 4):
I.W. CHATFIELD ARRESTED
Complaint Lodged Against Him By the Colorado Humane Society.
G.H. Thomson, secretary of the Colorado Humane society, arrived in the city Thursday and appeared before Justice Leahy and swore out a warrant for the arrest of I.W. Chatfield, charging him with starving to death a large number of cattle during the past winter, The warrant was placed in the hands of Constable Combs and the officer went to Emma Wednesday night to have Mr. Chatfield appear and answer to the charge.
Mr. Chatfield appeared in court yesterday afternoon and had the hearing of the case continued until Friday of next week.
To a TIMES reporter Mr. Thomson said that the evidence would disclose the fact that 198 head of cattle were hauled out of Mr. Chatfield’s corral during the winter that had died from exposure and lack of proper feeding.
While the reporter was not able to interview Mr. Chatfield regarding the case, it is understood that he expects to show that the death of the cattle was not due to want of care and proper food. It is admitted that his loss was very heavy, but that the cattle which he had in his charge came from the range in a bad condition in early winter. They had been feeding where there was nothing but sage brush and cactus. The dry, sharp thorns of the cactus entered the stomachs of the animals which eventually caused their death. Mr. Thomson says that even if this claim of Mr. Chatfield is true, still it is alleged that the cattle were allowed to lie in the corrals for days after they became unable to eat or get onto their feet. Humanity demanded that they should have been put out of their misery in some way.
The many friends of Mr. Chatfield hope that he will be able to prove himself blameless in this matter. THE TIMES is unwilling to give the charges against him any credence in the absence of positive proof to substantiate them.
The Colorado Humane society is a charitable institution which has its headquarters in Denver. It is not supported financially by state law, depending largely upon contributions of charitably inclined persons. Prosecutions for cruelty to animals are based upon the following sections of the laws of Colorado:
SECTION 1. Every person who overdrives, overloads, drive when overloaded, overworks, tortures, torments, deprives of necessary sustenance, unnecessary or cruelly beats, or unnecessarily mutilates or kills, or carries in or upon any vehicles, or otherwise in a cruel or inhuman manner, any animal, or causes or procures it to be done, or who, having the charge or custody of any animal, unnecessarily fails to provide it with proper food, drink, or protection from the weather, or cruelly abandons it, shall, upon conviction, be punished by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding one year, or by fine not less than ten dollars, nor more than two hundred and fifty dollars, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

Jun 1, 1895: Summit County Journal, Breckenridge, Summit Co., Colorado (pg 3):
The Hon. I.W. Chatfield, one of the wealthiest and best known ranchers in the Roaring Fork Valley has been placed under arrest on complaint of George H. Thompson, secretary of the Colorado Humane society, for cruelty to animals. During the severe weather of last winter Mr. Chatfield lost about 200 head of cattle, and the charge is made that he failed to properly care for this stock. The accused gave bond in the sum of $500 to appear for trial. Mr. Chatfield was a member of the Seventh assembly.
Note: same article appears in the Colorado Transcript (pg 2), in Golden, Jefferson County

Jun 1, 1895: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 4):
ROUND ABOUT TOWN
The case against I.W. Chatfield in Justice Leahy’s court was continued until 10 o’clock this morning.

Jun 8, 1895, Rawlins Republican, pg 2:
Colorado News Condensed
The Hon. I.W. Chatfield, one of the wealthiest and best known ranchers m the Roaring Fork Valley has been placed under arrest on complaint of George H. Thompson, secretary of the Colorado Humane society, for cruelty to animals. During the severe weather of last winter Mr. Chatfield lost about 200 head of cattle, and the charge is made that be failed to properly care for his stock. The accused gave bond in the sum of $500 to appear for trial. Mr. Chatfield was a member of the Seventh assembly.

Dec 12, 1895: Morning Times, Cripple Creek, El Paso Co., Colorado (pg 4):
I.W. Chatfield of Aspen, was on the floor during the afternoon call.
Note: article is referring to the Denver Stock Exchange.

1896: Isaac sells his ranch of 160 acres near Emma, Colorado at a very large profit and moves his cattle to Rio Blanco County where he carries on in the stock industry on a large scale, although maintaining his home at Rifle. “Buying and selling ranches in Colorado, frequently whirled about in the maelstrom of politics, I.W. Chatfield of Garfield County, Colorado, whose home is at Rifle, has had an eventful and interesting career. I.W. Chatfield owned his cattle ranges in Blanco County since late 1886 or about the past 13 years.”

1896: Isaac (age 60) runs for State Senator from the 11th Senatorial District, but is defeated in his bid after local newspapers reveal he had disposed of all his holdings in Pitkin County and made arrangements to make his future home in Denver. It is of interest to note that while the contemporary Progressive Men of Western Colorado states that Isaac moved to Rifle after his unsuccessful bid for State Senator in 1896, the Colorado Business Directories for the years 1896 and 1897 list him as a fruit farm owner at Basalt, a small village in the vicinity of Emma, Colorado. His farm near Emma was adjacent to the farm owned by his brother, Clark S. Chatfield and the brothers often visited one another.

Sep 22, 1896: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 2):
SOUNDS LIKE BRODIE
I.W. Chatfield, who figured during the recent election as a candidate for state senator from this district, according to an interview published in the Denver Republican of Sunday, evidently has it in for Aspen and with a Steve Brodie spirit is trying to make people believe that Aspen is to be removed from the map. He tells a reporter for that paper that the mines of this section are to be closed, leasing stopped, and enumerates a number of calamities which he predicts are scheduled to overtake the people of Pitkin county. If Mr. Chatfield is smarting under defeat and takes this method of getting even, all we have to say is that a man who was not popular enough to defeat the bewhiskered, fossilated, flim-flammer who was elected state senator (by an accident) from this county last fall, what he may say derogatory to our interest and industries will probably have about as much effect on the outside world as his electioneering winks and side whispers had on the voters of this district. In contradiction of Chatfield’s dull times and ruin prediction statement, authoritative rebuttal testimony may be introduced to the effect that none on the mine owners here contemplate closing down their properties. This is official. On the contrary, arrangements now under way all point to greater activity in mining circles in this section during 1897, than for years. The Gibson, Smuggler, Free Silver and Argentum-Juniata are all fixing for deep mining. In addition there is every prospect of the deep shafts being started early in the year, to say nothing of the opening of Difficult creek district. As for leasing there is at present a greater demand in this line than in the history of the camps. As for mine owners complaining of the system, nearly all of them are arranging for putting more territory on the market. Mr. Chatfield may be competent to talk of the outlook for crops, and may be an excellent bucolic prognosticator, but what he don’t know about the mining outlook for 1897 in Pitkin county will be apparent to any one, familiar with the facts, who will read the interview. Here it is.

I don’t think, said I.W. Chatfield yesterday, that the mines will be entirely closed down, but I think a great many will be at least partially closed and that there will be far fewer men working there next year than there has been during 1896. The shutting down on the properties has been very generally talked of during the past few months among the operators and something in the direction is looked for by the miners. I do not think however, that there is as yet any understanding that the mines shall be shut down at any given time.

I think that it will rather take form in the failure to renew leases. A great many of the lessees are doing no more than making wages and expenses. The larger mines are all blocked out and leased, the system of leasing being to put up these blocks of ground for a bonus, the parties paying the largest bonus securing the lease. The royalty paid is very frequently as high as 70 per cent. Some of the blocks have been leased within the past few months for which the bonus paid was as high as $4000. It stands to reason that with such a bonus and a royalty of 70 per cent the lessees would have to have very rich ore to make a profit. Some of them do make a profit, however, even on these terms, but the majority of them barely make both ends meet, their only chance of making money being the finding of rich pockets of ore in the leased grounds. Consequently they are getting very tired of working under such conditions. The mine-owners are also complaining that under the leasing system they are simply getting rid of their ore without any adequate return, and I don’t think they will make any very earnest efforts to renew the leases which may expire within the next few months, unless there should be a very decided advance in price very soon. Another reason for closing down in the reduction of supply, which it is hoped will have the effect of raising the price. For all these reasons I look for a very decided reduction in the number of men who will be at work at Aspen in 1897.

Sep 29, 1896: Aspen Tribune, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 3):
A motion was made to declare I.W. Chatfield the unanimous nominee for senator, but Mr. McNair objected and a roll call was demanded, and a ballot taken without choice. Chatfield receiving 14; Glassbrook, 5; McNair, 9. The low man was dropped and Chatfield and McNair were voted for, Chatfield receiving 16 votes to McNair’s 12.

Oct 2, 1896: Aspen Tribune, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 2):
The Prince of Acrobats.
The editor of the times says there are only two more political parties left for the Hon. I.W. Chatfield to join—the prohibitionists and the middle-of-the-road-pops. This may or may not be true, but the accusation comes with bad grace from a man who has himself been identified with every political party in existence, save the democratic. That party he has never been able to get into for the simple reason that when he leaves one party for another it is always with the intention of getting office at the hands of newly made friends. The democratic party has always had a sufficient number of aspirants for office within its own ranks to keep any and all breaches filled, consequently the Cooper avenue political acrobat has been barred out.

Oct 6, 1896: Aspen Tribune, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 1):
LOCAL NEWS
Isaac W. Chatfield, candidate for state senator on the silver republican-democratic ticket …, have filed acceptances of the nomination.

Oct 6, 1896: Aspen Tribune, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 3):
A motion was made to declare I.W. Chatfield the unanimous nominee for senator, but Mr. McNair objected and a roll call was demanded, and a ballot taken without choice. Chatfield receiving 14; Glassbrook, 5; McNair, 9. The low man was dropped and Chatfield and McNair were voted for, Chatfield receiving 16 votes to McNair’s 12.

Nov 1, 1896: Aspen Tribune, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 1):
LOCAL BRIEFS
Isaac W. Chatfield, candidate for state senator on the silver republican ticket, has filed acceptance of the nomination.

Nov 1, 1896: Aspen Tribune, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 3):
Note: Democratic and Republican Ticket. Isaac is running as a Democrat.

Nov 3, 1896: Aspen Tribune, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 2):
CHATFIELD has disposed of all his interests in this county and made all arrangements to make his future home in Denver. What interest would he have in Pitkin county if elected? Not a dollar. His interests would be in Arapahoe county, which wants all in sight, place the cross opposite the cottage or Bryan’s bust.

Nov 4, 1896: Aspen Tribune, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 4):
BIG VOTE POLLED
Precinct No. 8
Senator—Chatfield, 103; Stewart, 75; Wheeler, 163.

Nov 4, 1896: Aspen Tribune, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 2):
The combine didn’t do a thing for Chatfield.

Nov 5, 1896: Aspen Tribune, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 3):
COUNTY RETURNS
The Result of the Election in Aspen and Vicinity,
Senator, Eleventh District—
Chatfield……1001
Wheeler……1622
Stewart……1070

1897: City Directory for Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado:
Chatfield, Isaac W: stockman, r 1151 Columbine.

Sep 09, 1897, Wyoming Derrick, Casper, Natrona Co., Wyoming:
I.W. Chatfield and wife and Elmer E. Chatfield, of Ten Sleep, Wyoming, were in Casper the last of the week.

Sep 27, 1897, Semi-Weekly Boomerang, Laramie, Laramie Co., Wyoming:
and Oct 6, 1897, Big Horn River Pilot, Thermopolis, Hot Springs Co., Wyoming:
Denver Republican.
I.W. Chatfield returned to Denver a few days since from the Big Horn country in Wyoming, where he and his sons are engaged in the cattle business, and where he has been since last April. He came all the way in a buggy, by way of Casper and on to Laramie, making the trip in this way for the purpose of gaining a comprehensive idea of the character of the country, and as a result of his observations is enthusiastic over the future of Wyoming.

The West is so big,” said Mr. Chatfield,” and the distances so great between points with the names of which we are familiar that it is difficult for anyone to form a correct idea even of a neighboring state without a personal investigation. There is a very common opinion among Colorado people that Wyoming is a country of vast stretches of desert land, with a few fertile but narrow valleys and a scarcity of water, limited mining possibilities and few resources of importance other than sheep or cattle raising.

Nothing could be farther from the truth. The country has agricultural possibilities greater than anything that we can as yet foresee in Colorado; its mines are numerous and rich and only lack transportation facilities to bring them into prominence, and its cattle ranges are not excelled in the entire West. The supply of water is far greater than anything that we can count on with certainty in Colorado.

BIG HORN RIVER.
“Take the Big Horn river for instance. To most Colorado people the name carries the suggestion of a river about the size of the La Grande in San Luis Park. The river at its head where it debouches from the canons of the Big Horn mountains is larger and carries more water than the Gaand river at its widest part. It is a magnificent stream and with capital for the construction of ditches would redeem a vast amount of the finest agricultural land. All of the streams in the state carry good bodies of water and are never dry, the total volume of water in the state being capable of irrigating a much larger area of land than we can hope for in this state.

“The cattle ranges are wide and covered with luxuriant grass, and there is very little of what may be termed desert land, though the Carey desert land law has caused the impression to prevail that the bulk of the land in the state is of that character. Large tracts of land have been bought from the government under this act, which with the water that can be easily procured can be made to produce magnificent crops.

“There is nothing lacking but capital to put these enterprises under way, and if we may judge from the history of our own state the time will come when the cattle business, now the leading industry of Wyoming, will be compelled to take second place to agriculture. Just now the main drawback to the development of the agricultural resources of the state is the attitude of the cattlemen. Most of the big herds are owned by powerful syndicates of Eastern capital, which not only have titles to vast tracts of land, but practically control the open range, making it very difficult for a small cattle man to come out even in his struggle for a portion of the government range.

SMALL HERDS SHUT OUT.
“The man who goes there with a few head of cows to make a living for his family has a hard time of it. The range is likely to be invaded at any time by a herd of sheep, and when they have passed over it he has no feed left, the sheep not leaving enough grass to keep a milk cow. The only thing left for him to do is to sell out or to move to another range where it will not be easy for the sheep to follow him. The only chance for the development of the state is the distribution of the water over the land, when every farmer will have a small bunch of cattle on the range which he can feed in winter. There will still be a vast amount of range left for the big herds, and the state will be greatly benefitted by the change.

“The mining interests of Wyoming are large, but have not been developed to any great extent on account of their distance from the railroads and the low price of silver. Most of those that have been developed are silver-lead mines, and the nearest point at which shipments can be made is Billings, Mont, 150 miles away from the nearest mine in Wyoming, so that with silver as low as 60 cents it is impossible to do any work. The ore is all of very good grade and with railroad facilities the mines could he made to pay well, but there is little hope of the building of railroads unless there is a very decided advance in silver; and therefore it is not likely that there will be a very large mining interest in the state for some time to come. I understand that some very good gold districts have been discovered in the southeastern part of the state, but if silver was anywhere near what it should be the silver and lead mines would be productive, and Wyoming would assume a very important position in the list of mining states.

“I am very firmly persuaded that Wyoming has a great future before it. The present conditions are against any very rapid development, but even now it is growing rapidly, and when the conditions change, as they certainly will, with its great resources of oil, coal, copper, lead, silver, iron, cattle and agriculture it will become one of the most prosperous of our Western states.”

Note: Elmer has a 2nd child Marion Hortense, born Feb 25, 1896 in Spring Creek, as is his 3rd daughter Sevilla, born Mar 30, 1891, and his 4th, Audrey Ella, born Nov 27, 1900. Charles Henry Chatfield, another son of Isaac, has a 2nd child, Leo Willard Chatfield, born in Ten Sleep on Oct 23, 1897.

Jul 31, 1898: Letter from Eliza Chatfield to her daughter Mrs. Fred W. Adams (Jacqueline Chatfield Adams):
Tensleep (Wyoming)
July 31, 1898
Dear Jacqueline & Fred,
I am still looking for that letter from Jacquie. Well Jacqueline just wait a month or two longer and I will be back and we will talk it all over. Your father is writing to George Taylor. Calla is down to Mrs. Birks. She went down yesterday to go with Mrs. Birk to a dancing party. Will not be back until tomorrow. Mrs. Birk has some friends visiting her from Chicago and they make it very pleasant for her. As the time draws nigh for me to start home I can hardly wait and Calla, she says the time don’t fly fast enough. She said oh how I want to see that baby.
Mother
Note: Isaac & Eliza’s granddaughter Marion is three months old, born Apr 24, 1898 in Denver

Note: Envelope is addressed (in Eliza’s handwriting) to:
Mrs. F.W. Adams, 1600 1/2 Humbolt St., Denver, Colo and
postmarked CEDAR, WYO, AUG 5, 1898, postage 2 cents.

Aug 3, 1898: Letter from Eliza Chatfield to her daughter Jacqueline (Chatfield) Adams:
Dear Jacqueline
I commenced this letter a few days ago. I did not feel like writing and laid it aside. The other is written so badly I would not send it, but this is my last sheet of paper. We received a letter from Fred this morning also one from Ella, the first we had for some time. Was very glad to hear from you all. You wanted to know when we will start back. Your father said the first day of August. Four weeks from today we will start for Denver. So you see it will not be long.
Charles and your father was up in the mountains looking after the cattel & killed two deer so we have fresh meat and is good. We sent word for Elmer to come and get all he wanted. He has not come yet. Think he will be here today. Poor Della don’t go anywhere. She looks well & the children are well and Elmer is working very hard.
Charley is trying to put up hay alone. It is hard for him. His father does the cuting Charley dose the rest. Mrs. Bull has the post office right where Fred started to have it. She has candies and tobacco and other little things. Well I must close as my paper has run out. We must go over to Mrs. Miller and get some. Take good care of the baby. Tell her Grandma is coming.
Love to Aunt Ellens folks and you all. Write soon to Mother
E. Chatfield
Note: Eliza and Isaac are living in Tensleep, Wyoming. The letter is postmarked: Denver, Colo, Aug 9, 1898, 7:30 A.M.

Sep 21, 1898: Aspen Tribune, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (2):
Two years ago, Jasper W. Johnson and I.W. Chatfield participated in the deliberations of the democratic delegate convention in this county. Both declared themselves democrats and they were sent as delegates to the democratic state and congressional conventions at Pueblo. In the congressional convention Johnson attempted to get the nomination for congress, and made a speech in which he denounced Congressman Bell as a laggard, a man who did not have the interest of his constituents at heart. After he had finished his tirade, Adair Wilson of La Plata county took the floor and when he got through with Jasper W. the latter had shrunken into such insignificant proportions as to leave only the bald spot on top of his head visible above the back of his seat. Mr. Bell was nominated for congress by that convention, and there was but one dissenting voice—that of Jasper W. Johnson. Jasper, like Chatfield, is now back in the fold of the McKinley republicans, where they both belong, and which they never should have left had they not been ignored by the party and promptly turned down whenever they attempted to bob up in office. Johnson now writes to Wheeler congratulating him on his nomination at the hands of the McKinleyites and assuring him the support of the Johnson family. Chatfield is lagging for the Walcott ticket in Denver, in the hope of getting at least a glance at the “barrel.” Neither one of those old outcasts amounts to anything politically, and so far as Johnson is concerned, he is a broken down imbecile, and what he can say for Wheeler will do him more harm than good. In view of the records made by Jim Bennett and Jasper Johnson in Pitkin county they are fit bedfellows for Wheeler and their endorsement was all that was needed to put his candidacy in proper light before the people. Wheeler’s career as a hold-up everyone in this county knows.

Oct 22, 1898: Isaac W. Chatfield Pension Card:

1899: City Directory for Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado:
Chatfield, Isaac W: cattle dealer, r 3147 W. 28th av.
Note: Isaac established a permanent home in Denver in 1899, while at the same time retaining ownership of his home in Rifle as a summer residence.

Jul 21, 1899: Rifle Reveille, Rifle, Garfield Co., Colorado (pg 4):
LOCAL NEWS
Ex-cattle inspector, Chas. Chatfield has just driven a bunch of cattle from Wyoming to Piceance. He has bought the Dan Taylor ranch, on Black Sulphur creek, and will locate there permanently. His father, ex-senator I.W. Chatfield, of Denver, is over from Denver and accompanied Charley to this city yesterday.

Jul 21, 1899: Rifle Reveille, Rifle, Garfield Co., Colorado (pg 4):
LOCAL NEWS
Ex-cattle inspector, Chas. Chatfield has just driven a bunch of cattle from Wyoming to Piceance. He has bought the Dan Taylor ranch, on Black Sulphur creek, and will locate there permanently. His father, ex-senator I.W. Chatfield, of Denver, is over from Denver and accompanied Charley to this city yesterday.

Jul 29, 1899: The Meeker Herald, Meeker, Rio Blanco Co., Colorado (pg 4):

Jan 8, 1900: Declaration for Original Invalid Pension, State of Colorado, County of Arapahoe/SS:
On this 5th day of January, A.D. 1900, personally appeared before me a Notary Public within and for the county and state aforesaid, Isaac W. Chatfield, aged sixty-two years, a resident of the city of Denver, County of Arapahoe, State of Colorado, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares: That he is the identical Isaac W. Chatfield who was enrolled at Havana, Illinois, on the 3rd. day of August, 1861, as a private in Company E, in the 27th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. That he served as First Sergeant of said company. That he actually performed the duties according to the grade so commissioned up to and until the 17th day of March, 1863, when he resigned because of a disease of the Kidneys and Bladder. That he so stated in his resignation and that because thereof his resignation was accepted. That his personal description at enlistment was as follows: age, 25 years, height, 5 ft. 8 in., complexion, sallow; eyes, blue. That while a member of the organization aforesaid and in the line of his duty at Cairo, Illinois, on or about the 1st day of November 1861 and at Hamburg, Miss., on or about the month of December 1863, he contracted and had severe troubles with his Kidneys and Bladder and has had the same troubles ever since said times.

That said troubles have been increasing in severity during the past years. That while in the service as aforesaid he was treated in hospital as follows: in hospital Zollicoffer, Nashville, Tenn. in December of 1862 and January 1863. That he was not employed in the military or naval service prior to Aug. 3rd, 1861. That he has not been employed in the military service since March 17th, 1863. That prior to his entry into the service above named he was a man of good, sound health, being then enrolled a clerk in a Commission House. That he is now almost wholly incapacitated to procure his subsistence by manual labor by reason of the disabilities described above, incurred in the service of the United States. That he hereby appoints Halsted L. Ritter, of Denver, Colorado, his true and lawful attorney to prosecute his claim. That he has not received a pension but has applied for one under the act of 1890. His application therefore was sent in about one year ago but he has never heard from it and does not know whether it has been received by the Pension Department or not and hereby withdraws the same and cancels it, if it has been received and filed. That his post office address is 514 21st. Ave., Denver, Colorado
(Signed by) Isaac W. Chatfield.
Note: Stamped by U.S. Pension Office on Jan 16, 1900 and Jan 18, 1901.
Note: The Zollicoffer barracks were originally a Confederate hospital set up in the unfinished Maxwell House Hotel. It was used as a hospital for Union soldiers, and then as a prison for Confederate soldiers.

1899: City Directory for Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado:
Chatfield, Isaac W: cattle dealer, r 514 E 21st av.

Jun 2, 1900: U.S. Federal Census, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado: (Isaac Willard Chatfield)
Chatfield, Wilard I.: head, born Oct 1834, age 66, married 39 years, born Ohio, father born unknown, mother born unknown, cattle raiser, rents home
Eliza: wife, born Dec 1839, age 60, married 39 years, 9 children born, 5 living, born Iowa, father born Ohio, mother born Ohio,
Calla: daughter, born Dec 1879, age 20, single, born Colorado, father born Ohio, mother born Iowa

Jun 2, 1900: U.S. Federal Census, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado: (Ellen is Isaac’s sister)
Batcheller, Ellen C.: head, widow, born Mar 1846, age 54, widow, 2 children born, 2 children living, born Illinois, father born Connecticut, mother born Vermont, occupation none
Walter D.: son, born Dec 1872, age 27, single, born Colorado, father born Maine, mother born Illinois, Bookkeeper in coal company
Charlotte E.: daughter, born Dec 1874, age 35, single, born Colorado, father born Maine, mother born Illinois, Bookkeeper

Jun 8, 1900: U.S. Federal Census, Basalt, Eagle Co., Colorado: (Clark S. Chatfield, Isaac’s  brother)
Chatfield, C.S.: head, born Jan 1839, age 61, married 30 years, born Ohio, father born Ohio, mother born Ohio, merchandise store
Mary E.: wife, born Sep 1841, age 58, married 30 years, 10 children 8 living, (born 1850) born Illinois, father born Illinois, mother born Illinois
Arthur: son, born Aug 1878, age 21, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois, R.R. (railroad) laborer
Mabel: daughter, born Oct 1883, age 16, born Colorado, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois, Book Keeper
Jacqueline: daughter, born Feb 1886, age 14, born Colorado, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois
Levi: son, born Sep 1888, age 11, born Colorado, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois
Margaret: daughter, born Nov 1893, age 6, born Colorado, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois

Jun 25, 1900: U.S. Federal Census, Piceance, Rio Blanco Co., Colorado: (Charles Henry Chatfield, Isaac’s son)
Chatfield, Charles: head, born Sep 1870, age 29, married 6 years, born Colorado, father born Illinois mother born Ohio, stock raiser, owns home, 76 farm animals
Nellie: wife, born Mar 1873, age 29, married 6 years, 3 children born, 3 children living, born Missouri, father born New York, mother born Pennsylvania
Charles: son, born Nov 1895, age 4, born Colorado, father born Colorado, mother born Missouri
Leo: son, born Oct 1977, age 2, born Wyoming, father born Colorado, mother born Missouri
Harold: son, born Jun 1899, age 11 months, born Colorado, father born Colorado, mother born Missouri (note: Howard)
Note: Isaac Chatfield has a large ranch in the Yellow Creek region in Rio Blanco Co., Colorado.

1900: City Directory for Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado:
Chatfield, Isaac W: cattleman, r 514 E 21st av.

Feb/Mar 1900: Letter from Isaac W. Chatfield to his granddaughter, Marion Adams (age 22 mo):
Denver, Colo
Dear Marion
See Dottey and big Ingin. Have you been good to Moma and Pappa. Be good girl. Fodder will come down and see you some day and then you can come home with Dear Fodder to Denver on the cho cho cars.
It has been very cold and lonesome here without Marion to play with Fodder on the floor. Be good girl and good by.
Your
Gran Fodder Chatfield
Note: Isaac drew a stick picture at top of letter of Marion and himself, dressed as Indians with feathers in their headbands.

Letter written same day from Eliza Chatfield to her granddaughter, Marion:
My dear little Marian
I see your Gumfoder has been writing you only Gamma thought she would add a few lines. Gamma was so sorry she could not get up to see you all Sunday before she left but when Calla made up her mind to go I was too busy getting my trunk packed. I could not come. Did you get the Valentine that Calla and Gamma sent you. The house is so lonesome without you. Tell Mama Gamma will write her in a few days. Tell Papa Gumfoder is going around stuffing paper in the cracks to keep the cold out. I laught and told him I would write and tell Fred about it.
Goodby my little darling Marion
Gamma Chatfield

As They Were Told:
“Grandfather and Grandmother Chatfield” (Isaac & Eliza Chatfield)
One time Grandfather (“Fodder” as Marion and I called him) came home with some silver dollars and was teasing Grandmother, tossing them in the air, singing, “See, $20 gold pieces,” as she chased him around the dining room table. Next morning someone had gotten into the house and gone through Grandfather’s pants. Evidently heard him from the street and wanted the gold pieces.
Grandmother Chatfield had a cow named Old Milk Pitcher and Grandad gave it to a neighbor who killed it and brought Grandmother a piece of meat. “Oh no,” Grandmother said, “You didn’t kill Old Milk Pitcher! I don’t want any of that meat. I’d just as soon eat one of the children!”
Grandad had a grocery store when the boys were in their early teens. They didn’t obey him quite as quick as they should so he told Grandmother, “They can either mind—or get out!”
Grandmother said, “All right—and when they do—I go with them and don’t you forget it.”
Grandad was selling a horse or rather horse trading. He told the man, “And when you come to a hill—he’s right there.” Grandmother put her head out the door and said, “Yes, and he’ll stay there till you haul him away!”
Grandad said, “There—you’ve spoiled my trade!”
Grandmother said, “Do you mean to tell me you weren’t going to tell that man that that horse balked!”
When grandmother refused to make the Indians biscuits, they said to Grandad, “White squaw no good—light hair, light eyes, No Good.”
The Indians, “Utes” were returning from a raid with scalps tied to their belts. They were doing a War dance in Grandmother’s kitchen. She got the gun and told them: “Go. White squaw shoot.” When they left they stole everything, Grandad’s ax, his tools, and a deer hanging outside.

“Grandfather Chatfield”
Isaac Willard Chatfield fought 3 years in the Civil War with the North. Lost one brother at Kennesaw Mountain out in Georgia—he was Capt of his Regiment. Isaac was decorated for bravery. Died in San Jose & is buried in the Old Soldiers Plot. His decoration for bravery is buried with him.
Note: Family stories written in a small black loose-leaf notebook by Kathryn “Kate” (Adams) McDaniel, granddaughter of Isaac and Eliza and youngest daughter of Fred and Jacquelin (Chatfield) Adams.

Jul 30, 1900: Letter from Eliza Chatfield to daughter Jacqueline:
Denver. July 30, 1900
Dear Jacqueline,
I received your nice long letter a few days ago. I do not think there is an hour a day we do not think of Marion and every meal your Father says I wonder what she is doing. He said the other evening she is a very smart child. I said who do you mean. He said I was just thinking of the baby. I miss her so much and when Calla and I was cleaning house we came across her little finger marks on the windows. Calla don’t want it rubout on her window. She says it looks like she was around. I would not leave her with Flora. You know she cant have to be scoled.

I found everything all right. I am so sorry Anna left you but I think you can find enought girl. You must for it is to hard for you to try to get along alone. The weather now is fine. Has been for some time. The evening we got home it was snowing and blowing very hard. I got your things some time ago and sent up as they said they would send right away. I sent the babys tray the next day after I got your letter. Mrs. Breman was here and spent the day. She will not do eny sewing untill she goes in to Joslins but maby she will go at your waist. I done as you told me with her in regard to your waist and paid her the two dollars.

I have not seen any of Aunt Ellens folks since I came home. Calla was over there few minutes. She said Aunt Ellen was taken out a whole bag of potatoes in to buckets and weighing them to see of the grocer man had cheated her out of a few pounds of potatoes. See what a big blot I made on my paper telling this about Aunt Ellen. That is what we get for talking in that way. When I made the blot the thought came to me that shows the thought of error you are holding in speaking in the way you did about Aunt Ellen. So I will be more careful the next time. I will close and get lunch now. I wish some of you could walk in and take lunch with us. I wrote to Ella this morning. With many kisses to baby and much love to you all I am your loving Mother.

Your father is going over to Charleys soon. He is trying to buy some cattel now. I do not know how he will come out.
Mother
E. Chatfield

Note: The picture of Eliza Chatfield (age 61) and her granddaughter, Marion Adams (age 3) was taken in Victor, Colorado in 1901 while Eliza was visiting her daughter, Jacquelin (Chatfield) Adams.

1901: Denver County is formed out of Arapahoe County

1901: City Directory for Denver, Denver Co., Colorado:
Chatfield, Isaac W: cattleman, r 514 E 21st av.

Mar 6, 1901: I.W. Chatfield; Add. Evidence for Civil War Pension Application by C.S. Chatfield:
Act of July 14, 1862.
ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE IN APPLICATION FOR PENSION.
State of Colorado }
County of Arapahoe} ss:
On this 7th day of March, A.D. one thousand nine hundred and one personally appeared before me, Amos (?) a Notary Public in and for said County and State, Clark S. Chatfield who being duly sworn, upon his oath says: On the 19th of December, 1866, I arrived at Isaac W. Chatfield’s ranch in Fremont County, Colorado, where Florence now is, and remained at the ranch, residing about 150 or 200 yards from where Isaac W. Chatfield resided, until 1868, when my wife died and I took her body to Nebraska for burial and remained in Nebraska until about 1879, when I returned to Colorado, and have resided near him ever since. Upon my arrival at his ranch in 1866 was the first time I had seen him after either of us left the army. I then heard from him a full account of his army experiences, and his physical disabilities, because of the exposure and vicissitudes of that service. He complained of his kidneys and bladder, and I knew from his actions and words that he was suffering under such disabilities.
From 1870 to 1874 Isaac W. Chatfield lived near Denver, and I lived near Littleton, about two miles from his house, during which time we saw each other every few days. In about 1880 Isaac W. Chatfield went to Leadville and I went to Aspen and entered the mercantile business which called me to Leadville frequently for goods, at each of which occasions I saw him, generally remaining with him over night or longer. My visits to Leadville were as frequent as once or twice each month. About 1884, he came to Aspen, and I went upon my farm, where Emma now stands. He purchased the adjoining ranch, and while he remained in Aspen either I was at Aspen or he at Emma almost every week. About 1897 Isaac W. Chatfield removed to Denver where he has since resided; during which time I have seen him frequently, his interests in the White River country having taken him past my house, when and where he stoped as he passed. During all these times from 1866 up to the present he has been a sufferer from kidney and bladder troubles, and has doctored therefor, sometimes under the care of physicians and sometimes using patented medicines. I can not be mistaken in my knowledge that he has had these disabilities from 1866, as above stated, to this time.
He further declares that he has no interest, either direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim.
C S Chatfield

Sworn to and subscribed before me, 6th day of March, A.D. 1901 and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declaration @c.,
Note: Affidavit sworn by Clark Samuel Chatfield, younger brother of Isaac Willard Chatfield.

Dec 20, 1901: Rifle Reveille, Rifle, Garfield Co., Colorado (pg 1):
Charley Chatfield drove in with his father I.W. Chatfield, who left for his home in Denver.

1902: City Directory for Denver, Denver Co., Colorado:
Chatfield, Isaac W: livestock, r 514 E 21st av.

1902: Mr. Chatfield is one of the pioneers of this state, having passed much of his residence in it on the frontier; and he is also one of its best representative men and most useful citizens.
Source: unknown

1903: City Directory for Denver, Denver Co., Colorado:
Chatfield, Isaac W: stock dealer, r 1727 Ogden
Chatfield, Calla: r 1727 Ogden (daughter of Isaac & Eliza)

Apr 25, 1903: The Meeker Herald, Meeker, Rio Blanco Co., Colorado (pg 1):

Oct 3, 1903: Glenwood Post, Glenwood Springs, Garfield Co., Colorado (pg 8):
RIFLE BLASTS.
I.N. Chatfield returned from the ranch with Charlie Friday and left for his home in Denver. Mr. Chatfield will make Rifle his home in the near future to be closer to his stock interest.
Chas. Chatfield and wife were in from Piceance visiting and shopping the last of the week.
Note: I.W. Chatfield

Jul 28, 1905: Littleton Independent, Littleton, Arapahoe Co., Colorado (pg 5):
ENTIRELY LOCAL
I.W. Chatfield, of Denver, visited with J.H. Chatfield on last Tuesday.
Note: I.W and J.H. (James Herrick) Chatfield are cousins

1905: Progressive Men of Western Colorado:
I.W. Chatfield.
Born in Geauga county, Ohio, in the region which slopes away peacefully to Lake Erie, reared on a farm in Illinois, taking a turn in the commission business when he was but nineteen, burned out by a disastrous fire when he was conducting a prosperous hotel enterprise, living in the midst of alarms at the time of the border war in Kansas, traveling back and forth overland across the plains, buying and selling ranches in Colorado, frequently whirled about in the maelstrom of politics, I.W. Chatfield, of Garfield county, this state, whose home is at Rifle, has had an eventful and interesting career.

His life began on August 11, 1836, and he is the son of Levi T. and Levina (Masters) (sic: Mastick) Chatfield, New Englanders by nativity, the father born in Connecticut and the mother in Vermont. The father was a farmer and followed his vocation for a number of years in Ohio. Then in 1844 he moved to Mason county, Illinois, but after a short residence in that state returned to Ohio, where he remained until his death in 1848. The mother soon afterward made Illinois once more the home of the family, and there she taught school at the town of Bath. She died in 1858. Both parents were Episcopalians and in politics the father was a Whig. Of their six children only three are living, I.W., Clark S., at Basalt, and Mrs. Ellen S. Batchelor at Denver.

Mr. Chatfield is one of the pioneers of this state, having passed much of his residence in it on the frontier; and he is also one of its best representative men and most useful citizens. He had very little schooling, and while a boy began to work on the farm for a compensation of six dollars and a half a month and his board. In this way he was employed until he reached his nineteenth year. He then became associated with Gatten and Ruggles in the commission business at Bath, Illinois, and he remained with them four years, during which time he was rapidly promoted in their business. At the end of the period named he took charge of a hotel in partnership with his mother, and prospered in the undertaking until they were burned out. After that Messrs. Gatten and Ruggles backed him financially for another venture in the hotel business, and this he conducted until the excitement over the discovery of gold at Pike’s Peak induced him to sell at a good profit and start for the new eldorado with three yoke of oxen and a stock of provisions. The train was two months on the way to Denver, and after arriving Mr. Chatfield remained only a short time, then returned east to Kansas. He located at Fort Scott and settled on a squatter’s claim, but (with) the border troubles breaking out soon afterward, he with his wife and his brother Charles journeyed overland to his former home in Illinois.

There he was variously employed until the beginning of the Civil war, when he enlisted in the Union army in the Twenty-seventh Illinois Infantry. During his service he was promoted to the rank of sergeant, and as such fought in the battle of Island No. 10, and also that of Stone River. There he was taken ill and sent to the hospital. Later he was made lieutenant at the battle of Farmington on May 9, 1862.

After leaving the army in 1863 he went to St. Louis where he fitted out with ox and horse teams and again came to Colorado, consuming eight weeks on the trip and having with him his wife and his sister, now Mrs. Batchelor, of Denver, and R.M. Wright, now a resident of Fort Dodge, Kansas. They located where the town of Florence has since been built, Mr. Chatfield patenting the land on which it stands, which was then covered with wild sage brush. He farmed in this neighborhood until 1871, on a ranch of one hundred and sixty acres which he bought from William Ash, adding to the purchase until he owned two hundred and eighty acres. When he disposed of this property he moved to Bear creek and bought out J.B. Hendy, who now lives in Denver, and whose ranch comprised one hundred and sixty acres. This he traded for the Daniel Wetter ranch on the Platte river, on which he remained until 1879. He then sold it to Frank Caley and moved to Leadville, where he engaged in merchandising and railroad contract work, remaining there until 1884. In that year he again sold out and moved to Aspen. Here he once more began merchandising and continued until 1888. At that time he bought a ranch of one hundred and sixty acres at Emma of Good & Childs, and this he continued to work until 1896, when he sold it at a profit.

While living at this point he introduced the growing of potatoes in the section, a movement that has added greatly to the value of the land there. On selling his interests in Emma he moved his cattle to Rio Blanco county, where he has since kept them and carried on the stock industry on a large scale, although maintaining his home at Rifle.

He belongs to the Masonic order and the Grand Army of the Republic. In politics he is a Republican and has served as alderman at Leadville and as state senator of his county, occupying the latter position in the years 1880, 1881 and 1882. In 1892 he was elected to the lower house of the legislature for the counties of Pitkin, Montrose, Delta, Mesa and Gunnison.

On May 20, 1858, he was married to Miss Eliza A. Herrington, a native of Iowa who was reared in Texas and Missouri. She is the daughter of Sylvinus and Jane (Anderson) Herrington, natives of Ohio, who moved to Iowa, then to Illinois and finally to Texas, and were successful farmers. The father was a Whig in political affiliation and both were Presbyterians. But three of their nine children are living, Clara, Riley and Mrs. Chatfield. The mother died in 1846 and the father is also dead.

Mr. and Mrs. Chatfield have had nine children, Willard, Wirt, Grace and Myrtle have died. The five living are Mrs. Josiah A. Small, at Pueblo; Elmer E., in Bighorn Basin, Wyoming; Jacquelina A., at Cañon City; and Charles A. and Calla, at Rifle. Mr. Chatfield has in his possession a cherished memento a roll of honor presented to him by Colonel Sheridan, on which his name occupies a conspicuous place.
Source: Progressive Men of Western Colorado, A.W. Bowen & Co., Chicago, Illinois, published 1905
Note: photo is reversed and first name misspelled as Isaak. Courtesy of Denver Public Library.

1905: As I Was Told:
“When Charley (Charles Joseph Chatfield, b. 1895) was ten years old in 1905 the family packed everything in four big wagons and moved from Colorado to Casper, Wyoming. It was at Casper that her grandfather and his brother, Elmer, rented horses to work on the Cody Dam, which the government built for irrigating.”
Note: The Cody Dam, now known as the Buffalo Bill Dam, brought irrigation and settlers to Bighorn Basin. When finished, it was the world’s tallest concrete arch dam.
Source: from Velma (Turnbull) Chatfield, wife of Charlie Chatfield (grandson of Isaac, son of Charles and Nellie), as told to Gordon Clemens (grandson of Charles & Nellie)

Mar 9, 1906: Littleton Independent, Littleton, Arapahoe Co., Colorado (pg 5):
I.W. Chatfield, of Denver, made a business call in Littleton on Tuesday. Mr. Chatfield was at one time owner of the Caley ranch and also the E.L. Chatfield ranch.
Note: E.L. (Edward Livingston) Chatfield is Isaac’s cousin.

SOME 1906 STATISTICS
The average life expectancy was 47 years.
Two out of every 10 adults couldn’t read or write.
Only 6 percent of all Americans graduated from high school.
Eighteen percent of households had at least one full-time servant or domestic help.
More than 95 percent of all births took place at home.
The five leading causes of death were:
1. Pneumonia and influenza 
2. Tuberculosis 
3. Diarrhea 
4. Heart disease 
5. Stroke
Ninety percent of all doctors had no college education. They attended so-called medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press and by the government as “substandard.”
Marijuana, heroin and morphine were all available over the counter at the local corner drugstore. Back then pharmacists said, “Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health.”
Only 14 percent of homes had a bathtub.
Only 8 percent of homes had a telephone.
There were only 8,000 cars and only 144 miles of paved roads.
The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower.
The average wage was 22 cents per hour.
The average worker made between $200 and $400 per year.
A competent accountant could expect to earn $2,000 a year, a dentist $2,500 a year, a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 a year, a mechanical engineer about $5,000 a year.
Sugar cost four cents a pound.
Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.
Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.
Most women washed their hair once a month—and used borax or egg yolks for shampoo.
Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from entering their country for any reason.
The American flag had 45 stars.
The population of Las Vegas, Nevada, was 30.
There were about 230 reported murders in the entire United States of America
Source: internet

May 6, 1906: Death of Isaac’s brother, Clark Samuel “C.S.” Chatfield (age 67), of Bright’s Disease, while staying with his daughter Jacquelin Mallon in Princeton, Colusa Co., California.

Mar 8, 1906: Colusa Daily Sun, Colusa, Colusa Co., California:
CLAY S. CHATFIELD PASSES AWAY
Clay S. Chatfield died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J.F. Mallon, at Princeton on Tuesday, March 6th, after a short illness. The deceased had only been a resident of Princeton about ten months, but during his short stay endeared himself to a great number of people.
Deceased was a native of the east, aged 67 years.
The funeral will take place this Wednesday afternoon from the home of Mrs. Mallon, the Rev. Mr. Davidson officiating.
Note: Clark S. Chatfield, not Clay

Mar 7, 1906: Clark S. Chatfield is buried in the Princeton Cemetery in Princeton, Colusa Co., California

1906: City Directory for Denver, Denver Co., Colorado:
Chatfield, Isaac W: with W.E. Moses Land Scrip and Realty Co. 1919 Downing (1st Vice President)
r. 124 Irvington Place
Chatfield, Calla: 124 Irvington Pl., music teacher.
Note: W.E. Moses Real Estate lists large parcels of land in many states (one listing for Texas included 8,000,000 acres “adapted either to agriculture or mining”). W.E. Moses moved his real estate firm from Leadville where I.W. Chatfield worked with him 25 years before.

1907: City Directory for Denver, Denver Co., Colorado:
Chatfield, Isaac W: vice-pres W.E. Moses Realty & Investment Co., r 118 13th av
Chatfield, Calla: r 118 13th av. music teacher

Feb 17, 1908: Marriage of Calla “Callie” Mabel Chatfield (age 29) & Burtis Thayer Joslin (age 24), in Denver, Denver Co., Colorado
Note: Burtis was from Wyoming. Calla is the youngest child of Isaac Chatfield (age 70) & Eliza Harrington (age 68)

May 20, 1908: 50th wedding anniversary of Isaac Willard Chatfield (age 70) & Eliza Ann Harrington (age 68), held at their home at 1812 Marion Street in Denver, Colorado. There is a lengthy newspaper article about the anniversary including pictures of Isaac, Eliza and their adult children.

May 20, 1908: Newspaper clipping, Denver, Denver Co., Colorado:
PIONEER RANCHMAN AND BRIDE OF FIFTY YEARS
AGO CELEBRATE GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
Golden weddings, marking the fiftieth year of married life for those who celebrate them, seem more infrequent in these hurried times than they were in the earlier years of the country, and when a man and wife arrive at the stage where they can review a half century of domestic felicity, they are assuredly to be heartily congratulated. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac W. Chatfield, 1812 Marion street, have reached that point in their lives, and they are receiving every day the felicitations of those who have known them more or less of the period the elapse of which is the cause for congratulation.

Mr. Chatfield is with the W.E. Moses Realty company, and besides his immediate business associates, he has a large circle of friends who know him through his connection with the G.A.R. and the Loyal Legion. He is regarded as an authority on water rights and is well known throughout the state as a pioneer ranchman and land dealer.

Isaac W. Chatfield and Eliza A. Harrington were married May 20, 1858 at Havana, Ill. In the spring of 1859 they left Illinois for Pike’s Peak overland with an ox team. They returned and settled in Kansas, 12 miles north of Fort Scott, where they located on a claim of 160 acres and commenced farming immediately thereafter. About this time the trouble broke out between the Pro-Slavery party and the Free State party of Kansas, which compelled settlers to take sides in the controversy. Mr. Chatfield was compelled to throw up his claim, yoke up his cattle, load his wife and baby in the ox wagon and strike for Illinois where he arrived “busted”. He then enlisted as a first sergeant in Company E. Twenty-seventh Illinois infantry, at Bath, Ill., on Aug 12, 1861, and on Aug 27, 1862, he was promoted to second lieutenant. He resigned from that service March 17, 1863, and returned to his family in Illinois. After remaining home a brief time, he again started westward with his family. He crossed the “Great American desert” and cast his lot in Colorado. In the latter part of 1863 he settled on the 160 acres of land, which is now the city of Florence, Colo. In 1870 he sold his land to James McCandles and removed to Arapaho county. In 1874 he bought 760 acres just south of Littleton, Colo. and made an elegant ranch of it after building ditches and reservoirs and bringing it up to a high state of cultivation. He continued to cultivate his ranch until 1883. During the time he was cultivating his ranch he engaged extensively in the cattle business with Hon. John J. Lilley, his cattle business taking him to all parts of the state, thus enabling him to observe land and water privileges, and as a result he became possessed with knowledge of the value of water rights and reservoir propositions and their priorities. Today he is regarded as high authority on the value of water, water rights and reservoir propositions and his counsel is sought for freely by those who know him best. After selling his land near Littleton in 1883 he engaged in railroad contracting, connecting himself with the D. & R.G. railroad and the South Park railroad, (now the Colorado & Southern railroad), and continued in that line until these roads were built into Leadville. In 1879 he embarked in the grocery business in Leadville, continuing in that line until 1884. During that time he was alderman from the Fifth ward in Leadville. In 1882 he was elected to the state senate from Lake county, Colorado. In 1884 he located at Aspen, Colo. entering into the general merchandise business and doing some mining, and continuing therein until 1894, at which time he removed to Denver and re-entered the cattle business, continuing until 1904. Having closed out his cattle business and being out of active business, he associated himself with the W.E. Moses Realty & Investment Company, accepting the position of first vice president and general manager of the company in which position he still continues.

There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Chatfield two sons and three daughters: Mrs. Ella A. Small, who now resides at Rhyolite, Nev.; Elmer E. Chatfield, who is ranching at Ten Sleep, Wyo.; Mrs. Jacqueline I. Adams and Mrs. Calla Chatfield Joslin, residing at Basin, Wyo.; and Charles H. Chatfield, who is now residing at Sanders, Mont.

Mr. Chatfield is regarded by all those that know him (and his acquaintance is legion) as possessing all the elements which go to make up an honorable man. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and Loyal Legion, taking active part with these organizations.

Mrs. Ella Small and her husband were unable to be in Denver on the occasion of the golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Chatfield but they expressed their feelings in a letter, of which the following is an extract:
“We congratulate you on your safe arrival at the 50-mile post. It’s a long journey you have taken. The flight of years encompassed within that span have been much of joy and sorrow, of hopes realized and hopes destroyed; of plans and purpose thwarted; of ambitions defeated, sometimes accomplished. Yet, in summing it all up, we, your children, feel and know that your lives have been a great success. The world is better for your having lived in it. Your influence and example is a legacy and an inspiration to the succeeding generations of your family, and we all hope that many long years of happiness may be added to those you have passed.”

I.W. Chatfield homes:
Lake Avenue, Aspen, Colorado; (built by Isaac) residence from 1886 – 1889
3147 W. 28th Avenue, Denver; residence in 1899
124 Irvington Place, Denver; built 1889, Queen Anne style, residence in 1906

note: According to Aspen city directories, Isaac also lived at the corner of 3rd and Gillespie from 1892-1893

1908: City Directory for Denver, Denver Co., Colorado:
Chatfield, Isaac W: 1st vice pres W.E. Moses Realty & Investment Co. r 1919 Downing.
Chatfield, Carrie M Miss. music teacher, r 1919 Downing.

Jan 20, 1909, The Fort Collins Express and the Fort Collins Review, Fort Collins, Larimer Co., Colorado (pg 18):

Jun 16, 1909, The Fort Collins Express and the Fort Collins Review, Fort Collins, Larimer Co., Colorado (pg 5):

Jan 6, 1910: Letter from I.W. Chatfield (age 73) to son-in-law Fred Adams (age 51):
Denver Jan 6/1910
Dear Fred,
I should of wrote you before now but have neglected to do so as I had not much to write about. I was pleased to here from you and thank you very much for the 5 plenks which helped me very much as I am short on ready money. I went down town and bought myself a pair of overshoes and gloves which I needed very much.
I have met many of our old friends and all was glad to see and here from us. I was up to Littleton yesterday and saw my cousin E.L. (Edward Livingston) Chatfield he was very kind. He profered to help me and Ma in any way. Said call on him for money at any time for money. Did not want me to hesitate in any matter which was good news for me—as I was quite blue.
Most all my neighbors on the Platt from the Canon to Denver has passed on over the divide. I am going over to Aspen about the 20th of the month to get my mining stock all in shape. I shall stop off at Leadville and Glenwood Springs and will see Fessler and other friends while gone.
I think Ma is some better. She is able to set up in the rocking chair a part of the time but most of the time is in bed and I am in hopes that she will get well soon and Ma says she will get well soon.
We was all pleased to receive the Xmas presents.
Ma and Cally both send love to all. Write often.
Your Father
I.W. Chatfield

Feb 25, 1910, Big Horn County Rustler, Basin, Big Horn Co. Wyoming (pg 2):
Mr. and Mrs. I.W. Chatfield offer for sale a number of choice pieces of furniture and other household goods. Parties desiring to see them may inquire at the home of Burtis T. Joslin.

Mar 24, 1910: Forsyth Times-Journal, Forsyth, Rosebud Co., Montana (pg 5):
Local & Personal.
I.W. Chatfield and wife, of Los Angeles, Calif. Arrived in the city Friday of last week.
Note: I.W. and Eliza Chatfield are the parents of Charles Chatfield.

Apr 15, 1910: U.S. Federal Census for Forsyth City, Rosebud Co., Montana (daughter and son-in-law of Isaac & Eliza)
Adams, F W: head, owns, rents house, age 50, Married 1, 18 yrs, born New York, father born Connecticut, mother born United States, bookkeeper in mercantile store
Adams, J: wife, age 41, Married 1, 18 yrs, 2 children born, 2 children living,  born Colorado, father born Ohio, mother born Iowa (Jacqueline)
Adams, Merian J.: daughter, age 11, single, born Colorado, father born New York, mother born Colorado (Marion)
Adams, Catherine: daughter, age 7, single, born Colorado, father born New York, mother born Colorado (Katherine)

Apr 23, 1910: U.S. Federal Census, Sanders School District, Rosebud Co., Montana (son of Issac & Eliza)
Chatfield, Chas: head, age 39, married 16 years, born Colorado, father born Illinois, mother born Texas, farmer
Chatfield, Nellie: wife, age 37, married 16 years, born Montana, father born New York, mother born Pennsylvania
Chatfield, Chas: son, age 14, born Colorado, father born Colorado, mother born Missouri
Chatfield, Leo: son, age 12, born Wyoming, father born Colorado, mother born Missouri
Chatfield, Howard: son, age 10, born Colorado, father born Colorado, mother born Missouri
Chatfield, Roy: son, age 9, born Colorado, father born Colorado, mother born Missouri
Chatfield, Nellie May: daughter, age 7, born Colorado, father born Colorado, mother born Missouri
Chatfield, Gordon: son, age 4, born Wyoming, father born Colorado, mother born Missouri
Chatfield, Verda: daughter, age 1, born Montana, father born Colorado, mother born Missouri
Chamberlain, Mamie: sister-in-law, age 23, single, born in Texas, father born New York, mother born Pennsylvania, saleslady
Anson, Gregory: hired man, age 19, single, born Illinois, father born Illinois, mother born Illinois
Note: Nellie’s 23-year-old sister, Mamie Chamberlin, is living with Nellie and her family

Apr 26, 1910: U.S. Federal Census, Basin Town, Big Horn Co., Wyoming (daughter & son-in-law of Clark Samuel Chatfield, Sr., the brother of Isaac Willard Chatfield)
Shaw, Charles E.: head, age 50, married 11 years, born Iowa, father born Ohio, mother born Ohio, stockman
Shaw, Ora C.: wife, age 35, married 11 years, 1 child born, 1 child living, born Nebraska, father born Illinois, mother born Ohio, County Department, Treasurer
Shaw, Elliott C.: son, age 10, born Wyoming, father born Iowa, mother born Nebraska
Morris, George C.: age 44, born Ohio, single, Newspaper reporter, employer

May 2, 1910: U.S. Federal Census, Basin Town, Big Horn Co., Wyoming (daughter and son-in-law of Isaac & Eliza)
Joslin, Burtis T.: Head, age 27, married 1 for 2 years, born Illinois, father born New York, mother born New York, occupation abstractor of lands
Joslin, Calla C.: Wife, age 27, married 1 for 2 years, 0 children, born Colorado, father born Ohio, mother born Kansas, occupation teacher of music
Note: four roomers reside in household: a county deputy sheriff, a dentist, a civil engineer and his wife
Note: Calla is actually age 31 at the time of this census

May 9, 1910: U.S. Federal Census, Spring Creek, Big Horn Co. Wyoming (son of Issac & Eliza)
Chatfield, Elmer E.: Head, age 47, married 1 for 17 years, born Colorado, father born Illinois,
mother born Illinois, occupation stock grower on range 
Chatfield, Della: wife, age 36, married 1 for 17 years, 5 children born, 5 living, born Nebraska,
father born Illinois, mother born Missouri
Chatfield, Helen L.: daughter, age 16, born Colorado, father born Colorado, mother born Nebraska
Chatfield, Marion H.: daughter, age 14, born Wyoming, father born Colorado, mother born Nebraska
Chatfield, Sevilla M.: daughter, age 11, born Wyoming, father born Colorado, mother born Nebraska
Chatfield, Audrey E.: daughter, age 9, born Wyoming, father born Colorado, mother born Nebraska
Chatfield, Constance C.: daughter, age 4, born Wyoming, father born Colorado, mother born Nebraska

May 21, 1910: U.S. Federal Census for Burbank, Los Angeles Co., California: (daughter and son-in-law of Isaac & Eliza)
Small, Josiah A: head, age 50, married 1, 22 years, born Maine, father born Maine, mother born Maine, occupation asst cashier in bank, rents
Small, Ella C.: wife, age 45, married 1, 22 years, 0 children, 0 living, born Colorado, father born Ohio, mother born Iowa
Chatfield, Isaac W.: father-in-law age 73, married 1, 52 years, born Ohio, father and mother born United States
Chatfield, Eliza: mother-in-law, age 69, married 1, 52 years, 9 children, 5 living, born Iowa, father born Ohio, mother born Ohio

Sep 23, 1910, Big Horn County Rustler, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming:
Mrs. Burtis T. Joslin will leave about the 3rd of October for Glendale, Calif., where she will spend the winter with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. I.W. Chatfield.

Jan 12, 1911: From Eliza Chatfield (age 71) to her granddaughter Katherine Adams (age 7):
Denver January 12, 1911
My Dear little Katherine and all,
The last letter I wrote to eny one was to your Mama. It is not handy for Grandma to write now days but your dear letter come to us and are so good and welcome but you did (not) say enything about Mama. How is she. She has been all right this winter. We are now living in two rooms and are very good and warm. Calla is doing all the work and is mighty good to me. Denver looks mighty good to me what I see of it. I look out of the window and watch the folks pass.
Aunt Ellen has been over twice. She wants me to come over and see her very much and I will go just as soon as I can. Calla and (I) have an invitation (to) come and spend the day with so meny of our friends which we will be glad to do soon as we can. Carrie Ward has been in to see me also. She remembered me Xmas with a nice pair of hande slipers. She made them her self and I want to thank you all for your kind thoughts and gifts to me. I felt so guilty that I did nothing but dear I could not get over town and I do not sew so you see how it was.
We will stay here for a few months. I will come with Aunt Calla. We received a letter from Elmer yesterday. He said he was getting to be a full fledged sheep man. He has two sheep men I mean herders paying them ninety five a month. He says it keeps him a humping to keep everything moving. They (are) all well. You may hear from Elmer after but I thought let you know the little I know in regard to the&
Well my dear I must close. Hope I will hear from you soon. Your Papa is so good to write to your Grandfather and we are all so glad to hear from hi& Good by with much love to you all. Tell Marion I am going to write to her soon.
As ever your loving mother E. Chatfield.
What do you hear from Charleys folks.
Mother
Note: At the time, phonetic spelling and little use of punctuation were common

Feb 3, 1911, Big Horn County Rustler, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming:
Mr. B.T. Joslin received a telegram from Denver on Tuesday containing the pleasing information that Mrs. Joslin had given birth to a daughter on that morning. Mrs. Joslin is visiting at the home of her parents in Denver and the telegram stated that both she and the little one were doing nicely. It is expected that Mrs. Joslin and the new daughter, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Chatfield, will arrive in Basin in about three weeks. Mr. Joslin has rented one of the new houses in Grandview, which is just nearing completion, and he expects to have everything in readiness for their reception.
The Rustler extends sincere congratulations to the parents and sincerely hopes that the little one will bring them nothing but happiness.

Feb 24, 1911, Big Horn County Rustler, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming (pg 1):
Mrs. B.T. Joslin and the baby, accompanied by Mrs. Joslin’s father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Chatfield, are expected to arrive about March 1st from Denver. Mr. Joslin is getting the new home in Grandview ready for their reception.

Mar 3, 1911, Big Horn County Rustler, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming (pg 1):
Mrs. Burtis Joslin and the baby accompanied by Mrs. Joslin’s mother Mrs. I.W. Chatfield, arrived on Wednesday from Denver, and are already located in their home in Grandview. Mr. Joslin couldn’t stand it any longer and made the trip to Toluca to meet them. He is now taking lessons in lullabies.

Apr 7, 1911: The Basin Republican, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming:
Mrs. F.W. Adams of Forsythe, Mont., who has been visiting Mrs. B.T. Joslin and I.W. Chatfield, returned home Monday.

Apr 14, 1911, Big Horn County Rustler, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming (pg 2):
Mr. I.W. Chatfield, father of Mrs. B.T. Joslin, arrived on Monday from Denver, and visited at the Joslin home until Wednesday, when he left for Forsyth, Montana, where he has leased a ranch.

Jun 2, 1911, Basin Republican, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming:
I.W. Chatfield and Chas. Chatfield of Sanders, Montana, were in town this week visiting at the home of B.T. Joslin.

Jun 2, 1911, Big Horn County Rustler, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming:
Mrs. F.W. Adams and the children came in on Saturday of last week from their home in Forsythe, Montana. They were accompanied by Mrs. Adams’ father. Mr. I.W. Chatfield, and her brother, Mr. Charles Chatfield, who come from Sanders, Montana. On Tuesday Mr. Elmer Chatfield came down from his ranch near Rome. They are called by the serious illness of the wife and mother, Mrs. I.W. Chatfield. It is likely that Mrs. Adams will take the Shaw cottage for the summer.

Jun 1911: Letter from Eliza Chatfield to her daughter Jacquelin (Chatfield) Adams:
Basin Wy
My Darling Jacquelin,
I am going to hospitable. Doctor Carter told Burtis this diseas is both poisness but contagious and Burtis told I would have to go up there. At first I thought it hard but after I thought it over it was best thing for me. I will have the best of care and have a room all to myself and now I want to go. The Doc said you could come and stay with me as long as you wanted to.
As ever your loving Mother.
With love to all. Now don’t worry dear we are not under the law of mortal but under the law of good.
Mother

Jun 1911: Letter from Eliza Chatfield to her daughter Jacquelin (Chatfield) Adams:
Basin, Wyoming
My Dear Jacquelin,
I am now laying on a big high hospitable bed. Mrs. Carter was just in doing things for me. The nurse had just steped out before I came away from Burtiss. He came in told me I must go to the hospitable because his baby was in danger. Also his wife and we all know she had to much to do and I have such good care. I did not know what to do at first. I just made up my mind to go, let come what would. It is not so bad only my Practitioner don’t want to keep my care and have the doctor give me anything, which am doing. Just a little tablet to quite pain and every other morning the nurse gives me an injection.
Now Jacquelin dear don’t worry. God is all powerful. It makes no differences what law man makes for you. Do write soon if you cannot come over. Write soon.
As ever your loving mother,
E. Chatfield
My practitioner lives in Billings. Her name is Mrs. Cole. You will see it in the back of the journal.
Mother

June 12, 1911: Death of Eliza Ann (Harrington) Chatfield (age 71), in a hospital in Basin, Big Horn County, Wyoming, of uterine cancer. She converted to the Christian Science faith (in 1895), as did a number of other family members and according to her granddaughter’s writings, the last words Eliza uttered were: “Underneath are the Everlasting arms.”

Jun 13, 1911: Eliza Ann Chatfield is buried in Mount View Cemetery in Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming (lot 3, block 42)

Her tombstone reads:
MOTHER
ELIZA ANN CHATFIELD
1839 —— 1911

Jun 14, 1911: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Denver Co., Colorado:
Chatfield, Eliza A., (Mrs.) — Died — Wife of I.W. Chatfield, formerly of Denver, passed away in Basin, Wyo., June 12. Funeral at Basin.

Jun 13, 1911: Death Certificate for Eliza A. Chatfield:

Jun 13, 1911: Bureau of Pensions/Interment record for Eliza A. Chatfield:

Jun 14, 1911: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Denver Co., Colorado:
Chatfield, Eliza A., (Mrs.) — Died — Wife of I.W. Chatfield, formerly of Denver, passed away in Basin, Wyo., June 12. Funeral at Basin.

Jun 16, 1911: The Basin Republican, Basin, Big Horn Co. Wyoming:
DEATH OF AGED LADY.
Mrs. Chatfield Passed Away Last Monday Night.
Mrs. Eliza A. Chatfield, wife of I.W. Chatfield, died in this city Monday night after a lingering illness. The funeral services were held at the home of Mrs. C.E. Shaw on Tuesday afternoon at 3 o’clock, and were under the auspices of the Christian Scientists, Mrs. J.J. Marshall first reader, being in charge.

Elizabeth A. Harrington was born in Fairfield, Iowa, December 23, 1839 and was married to I.W. Chatfield in Havana, Ill., May 20 1858. Mrs. Chatfield had quite a war record, having served at the battles of Donaldson and Shilo as a nurse where she was finally overcome by sickness and was taken to Saint Louis to recover.

Mr. & Mrs. Chatfield crossed the plains in 1864, driving an ox team, and took up a homestead near Florence, Colorado. In 1870 they removed to Denver, where they lived until a couple of years ago when they moved to Basin.

Deceased is survived by her husband and five children, Mrs. F.W. Adams of Forsythe, Montana; Elmer E. Chatfield of Tensleep; Chas. Chatfield of Sanders, Montana; Mrs. J.A. Small of Coalinga, California; and Mrs. B.T. Joslin of this city. And also by her niece, Mrs. C.E. Shaw of this city.

Mrs. Chatfield was a lady of deep religious convictions and although for some time she had been deeply afflicted, her faith has been supreme. Her many noble qualities and engaging personality endeared her to a large circle of friends who will offer sincere condolence to the grief stricken family.
Note: Mrs. C.E. Shaw is Ora (Chatfield) Shaw, the daughter of Clark Samuel Chatfield, Isaac’s brother.

Jun 16, 1911: The Rustler, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming:
PASSING OF MRS. CHATFIELD.
After an illness extending over several months Mrs. I.W. Chatfield passed away at 10:30 Monday night at the Basin Hospital.
Mr. And Mrs. Chatfield came to Basin to make their home a couple of years ago and made many friends among our citizens while living in this vicinity. Later they went to California, and still later to Denver. Early in the spring Mrs. Chatfield came to live with her daughter Mrs. Burtis T. Joslin, in Basin, while Mr. Chatfield took up ranch work near the home of his son, Charles, at Sanders, Mont. Mrs. Chatfield became bedfast shortly after coming here and had gradually failed until death gave her release.

Funeral services were held at the home of Mrs. C.E. Shaw, a niece, at 3:30 o’clock Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Mrs. J.J. Marshall, leader of the Christian Science Church, of which Mrs. Chatfield had for sixteen years been a devoted member.
Following the services the remains were tenderly laid to rest in the local cemetery, the pall bearers being Comrades Patten, Denny, Cockins, Stout, Kershner and Payne of the G.A.R.

Eliza A. Harrington was born at Fairfield, Iowa, on December 23, 1839. On the 20th day of May, 1858, she was wedded to I.W. Chatfield, at Havannah, Ill. In 1861 the husband became a soldier of the civil war, entering the service as a private and being promoted to command of his company at the battle of Farmington, Miss. The wife was one of the attendants in the hospitals at Shiloh and Donaldson until taken ill, when she was removed to St. Louis, where she recovered her health. In 1864, Mr. and Mrs. Chatfield crossed the plains with an ox and team and settled at Florence, Col., where Mr. Chatfield used his preemption. In 1870 this claim was sold and the family moved to a point near Denver. Here they remained until they came to Basin.

Beside the husband, five children survive, as follows: Mrs. J.A. Small of Coalinga, Calif., Elmer E. Chatfield of Tensleep; Mrs. F.W. Adams of Forsyth, Mont.; Chas. H. Chatfield of Sanders, Mont.; and Mrs. B.T. Joslin of Basin. All of these with the exception of Mrs. Small had been at the bedside of the dear wife and mother during the last few days.

The life of this good woman had been spent very largely upon the frontier. She had known the hardships and the trials which come with such life and she had also experienced much of the happiness which is the portion of humanity. Those who knew her best speak of her as an ideal wife and mother and as one was beloved by those who came in touch with her splendid character.

The Rustler extends sincerest sympathy to the husband, the sons and the daughters in this hour of sorrow.

Christian Science Church in Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming:

History of Christian Science
At the core of Christian Science is the teaching that God and God’s creation are entirely good and spiritual, and that God has made all things in His likeness. Christian Scientists hold that the reality of being and of all existence is spiritual, not material. They see this spiritual reality as the only reality and all else as illusion or ‘error’. Christian Science acknowledges that we all seem to be experiencing a material existence, but holds that this experience ultimately yields to a true spiritual understanding of God and creation. They believe that this is how healing through prayer is possible.
Mary Baker Eddy claimed to have discovered this method of healing when she was healed of an injury in 1866 after rereading a passage of one of Jesus’ healings. From her study of the Bible, she wrote, first copyrighted in 1875, the primary source for learning, Christian Science, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.
Christian Science does not rely on conventional medicine but holds that illness, eventually including death itself, can be healed through prayer and growing closer to God. Consequently, health care is not attempted through drugs, surgery, or other physical manipulation, but through “Christian Science treatment”, a specific form of prayer intended to spiritualize thought.
Material medicine and Christian Science treatment proceed from diametrically opposite assumptions. Medicine asserts that something is physically broken and needs to be fixed, while Christian Science asserts that the spiritual reality is harmonious and perfect, and that any false belief to the contrary needs to be corrected.
The Scientific Statement of Being
The Scientific Statement of Being presents a fundamental axiom of Christian Science. It attempts to explain the spiritual nature of man, which is the central belief of Christian Science:
There is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter. All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all. Spirit is immortal Truth; matter is mortal error. Spirit is the real and eternal; matter is the unreal and temporal. Spirit is God, and man is His image and likeness. Therefore man is not material; he is spiritual.
Source: on-line Wikipedia

Nov. 16, 1911: Forsyth Times-Journal, Forsyth, Rosebud Co., Montana:
I.W. Chatfield left for Wyoming on Tuesday after spending the summer with his son on the Meyerhoff ranch.

Jan 26, 1912: Big Horn County Rustler, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming:
A letter received this week from Mr. I.W. Chatfield, who is now at Denver, states that he is now gathering up a number of high-grade Jerseys and Holsteins and that he expects to ship a carload of these fine dairy cows to Basin about the middle of February, for sale to the farmers of this section. Mr. Chatfield is an energetic old gentleman, full of push and enterprise, and we are pleased to see him working along lines which are sure to be helpful to the people of this section.
Mr. Higby says that his experience with the dairy cow proposition convinces him that if someone should bring in ten carloads of cows at this time they would all be sold within a few days, and we hope that Mr. Chatfield will find a ready market for his animals.

Mar 12, 1912: Midland Empire News, Billings, Yellowstone Co., Montana (pg 5):

Mar 19, 1912: Midland Empire News, Billings, Yellowstone Co., Montana (pg 3):

Apr 12, 1912: Big Horn County Rustler, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming:
Mr. I.W. Chatfield left on Tuesday for Tensleep, where he will visit for a while at the home of his son, Elmer.

May 3, 1912: Big Horn County Rustler, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming:
Mr. Chatfield from the head of Canon Creek brought in a load of sheep pelts which he marketed in Basin.
Note: This article is probably referring to Elmer Chatfield

May 31, 1912: Basin Republican, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming:
I.W. Chatfield of Otter creek was in town a short time last Tuesday.

June 17, 1912: Isaac W. Chatfield files a Declaration for Pension:
Act of May 11, 1912, Declaration for Pension, State of Wyoming, County of Big Horn
On this 17th Day of June, A.D., one thousand nine hundred and twelve personally appeared before me, a Notary Public within and for the county and state aforesaid Isaac W. Chatfield, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is 75 years of age and a resident of Basin, County of Big Horn, State of Wyoming; and that he is the identical person who was enrolled at Havana, Illinois under the name of Isaac W. Chatfield on the 16th Day of August, 1861, as a 1st Sergeant, in Company E, 27th Regiment, Illinois Vol. Infantry in the service of the United States, in the Civil War, and was honorably discharged at Nashville, Tenn. on the 17th day of March, 1863. That he also served as 2nd Lieutenant to rank from August 27th, 1862. Resigned Feb. 19th, accepted March 17th, 1863. That he was not employed in the military or naval service of the United States otherwise that as stated above. That his personal description at enlistment was as follows: Height 5 feet 8 inches; complexion, Sallow, color of eyes, blue; color of hair, Black; that his occupation was …..; that he was born August 11th, 1836 at Middlefield, Geauga County, Ohio. That his several places of residence since leaving the service have been as follows: Denver, Leadville, Rifle, Aspen, Littleton (Colorado), Basin Wyoming. That his post-office address is Basin, County of Big Horn, State of Wyoming.
(Signed) Isaac W. Chatfield

Aug 1, 1912: Forsyth Times-Journal, Forsyth, Rosebud Co., Montana:
Mr. I.W. Chatfield is visiting his son, C.H. Chatfield and family.

Late 1912: Isaac leaves Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming and moves to Princeton, Colusa Co., California where he settles near his niece, Jacquelin (Chatfield) Mallon and family.

May 1913: News from Chatfields in California about the golden opportunities there: land was cheap, rice was the big new crop, and the weather was mild. Though Charles Chatfield had become a highly successful rancher, his wife Nellie was tired of the cold in Montana. She persuaded Charles to sell their holdings and join the relatives in California. Her husband went to town to finalize the sale. Four days went by. Nellie sent one of the hired hands to look for him. When found, Charles was drunk. And, he had gambled away all of their money.

Jun 1, 1913: Isaac (age 76) is at the train station in Los Molinos, California to welcome his daughter in law, Nellie Chamberlin Chatfield and her nine children, who are moving to California from Sanders, Rosebud Co., Montana.

Jun 4, 1913: Isaac is at the Los Molinos train station to meet his son, Charles Henry Chatfield, who arrives from Sanders to join his wife and nine children

Aug 30, 1913: The Oakland Tribune, Oakland, Alameda Co., California:
Marriage, Birth and Death Notices
MARRIAGE LICENSES.
CHATFIELD-WISENOR—Isaac W. Chatfield, 67, Princeton, and Sarah J. Wisenor, 54, Los Banos
Aug 30, 1913: Isaac W. Chatfield (age 77) marries Sarah Jane Wisenor (age 54), widow of William Thomas Wisenor in Oakland, Alameda Count, California, much to the displeasure of family members who does not think he should be marrying again his age. According to the marriage license, Isaac W. Chatfield is a resident of Princeton, County of Colusa, State of California and his new wife Sarah J. Wisenor is a resident of Los Banos, County of Merced, State of California. They are married in Oakland, Alameda County, California at the First Methodist Episcopal Church by Pastor Geo. W. White.
Note: Isaac lists his age as 67 years. His new wife lists hers as 54, though she was actually 23 years younger than Isaac.

Oct 10, 1913: The Sacramento Bee, Sacramento, Sacramento Co., California (pg 29):

Feb 14, 1914: Isaac visits his son Charles Chatfield and wife Nellie and their nine children at their home in Los Molinos, California, according to the diary of his grandson, Charles Joseph Chatfield.

Mar 19, 1914: Sarah J. Chatfield takes title by deed of a lot 115 ft. by 299 ft. located in block 12, College Addition in city of Hollister, San Benito County, California together with appurtenances (buildings) on said lot. That parcel has since been split into many building sites and there are four or more houses located on the parcel including 785 & 795 7th St. and 786 & 788 South St. as the parcel bordered two streets (both 7th St. & South St.). Sarah J. Chatfield is listed as resident of Merced County on the grant deed dated Mar. 24, 1914.

Apr 16, 1915: I.W. Chatfield files a Pension Application for his Civil War military service, listing all his children, wives, dates, etc. Isaac and wife Sarah Jane Chatfield living on 7th Street in Hollister, San Benito County, California.

Sep 29, 1915: Birth of Noreen “Babe” Ellen Chatfield, 10th and last child of Charles Henry Chatfield & Nellie Chamberlin, in Los Molinos, Tehama Co., California

Photo of Charles, Noreen “Babe” and Nellie Chatfield 
on the front steps of their home in Chico, Butte Co., California 

Oct 15, 1915: Sarah J. Chatfield pays assessment of $11.44 property tax on eastern 115 ft., in Block 12, College Addition, City of Hollister, San Benito County, California. Pg 11, #79 in Assessment Roll Book shows value of lot at $345, with improvements assessed at $550 for a total assessment of $895. Personal property assessed: Furniture $40, S. Machine $10, wagon $25, harness $10, horse $35 (less personal property exemption of $100). Total property tax paid to San Benito County was $11.44.

May 15, 1916: Sarah J. Chatfield sells 115 ft. by 299 ft. parcel of land in Hollister, California to H.L. Waters. Legal description Block #12, and today is location of 785 & 795 7th St. and 786 & 788 South St. in Hollister, San Benito County, CA. Down payment received from H. L. Waters was $10 and subject to $1,000 mortgage on said premises, which was past due as of March 24, 1914.

May 1916: Isaac and Sarah Chatfield move from Hollister to 196 So. 22nd Street, San Jose, Santa Clara County, California.
Note: San Jose City map plot plan for 196 South 22nd St., shows the outline of the house and outbuildings to be the same in 1915 as in Sep. 2003 with the exception of a garage added on the east side of the house. The house has basically unchanged in the past 88 years.

Oct 30, 1916: Sarah J. Chatfield assessed $12.82 property tax on eastern 115 feet in Block 12, city of Hollister, San Benito Co., California (assessed value of furniture $40, S. Machine $10, harness $10, wagon $25, horse $35), in assessment book of 1916 City of Hollister, #79. The assessment was paid after the property was sold 5 months before (in May).

Nov 7, 1916: Isaac W. Chatfield (age 80) and wife (Sarah J. Chatfield, age 57) are registered voters (Republican party) living at 196 South 22nd St., San Jose, California Precinct No. 66, Santa Clara County. Isaac is listed as an orchardist and Sarah is listed as a housewife.

Oct 1917: Isaac Chatfield visits his niece, Jacquelin Mallon (the daughter of Clark Samuel Chatfield), in Princeton, Colusa Co., California; Princeton is 200 miles north of San Jose.

Jan 17, 1918: Letter from I.W. Chatfield to his granddaughter Sevilla (Elmer’s daughter):
San Jose, California Jan 17, 1918
Dear Sevilla
Your good letter received and I was much pleased to here from you and all the folks at your good home.
It pleases me to here that your home will be comfortable for you, especially your Father and Mother after going through all the hardships that they passed for many years on Spring Creek useing that alkalye water.
Many times the thought has come to me that you must have a barrell of water today we must wash today and nothing but chips and cedar wood for fire.
I am glad that you are now located where you have good water and wood and coal of you wish it.
You must be very carefull in driving your auto on the road to school as a turn over is a serious matter, and your roads are not like our highways in California.
The roads in this state especially the highways are concrete smooth as a floor.
I hope your father is feeling better and will let up trying to do so much work.
I am now quite well have gained much I now weigh 162#. I was down to a little above 140#. I now hope to get back to 170#.

About every ten years there is a change in our physical bodies. As a rule if one reaches his sixtieth year he has a fair chance to reach his seventieth birthday. I have passed my eightieth and will be 82 on the 11th day of August and I hope to reach my ninetieth provided I keep all my faculties, as I do not want to be a charge on any charitable organisation.

I was pleased to hear that Hellen and Marian was going to the Polytechnic at Billings. It will improve their mind and knowledge very much in a business way.
I said to Mother this morning that if I could rent 80 acres of land near Elmer I would tackle the place that I would be gone about eight months. She remarked not much would you leave me if you should go I would go also.

I received a nice letter from your Uncle Lee he said all was well at Princeton. Was up to Princeton some three months ago and stopped with Mr. Mallon and your Aunt Jacqueline and I had a very nice time. Arthurs family was there but Arthur was in Colorado railroading on the Colorado Midland.

Also got a letter from Calla and one from Charlotte and sister Clare(?) and all was well with them, and all of them have been so kind to me in fact more than I deserve. All that I can offer is my best wishes and a happy New year.

Mr. Mallon… a visit after dinner we made a visit to Los Gatos and Saratoga through the orchard country. Your Uncle Jim said to me the trip was a dream. This Santa Clara Valley is without a doubt the most beautiful in America and many people come here and buy a home to pass the remainder of their days in peace and plenty but of course one has got to have some Capitol
I have not had any news from Chas for three months but all must be well as no news is good news.
With much love to you and all the girls and your Mother & Father.
Your Grand Father I.W. Chatfield

Nov 5, 1918: Both Isaac W. Chatfield and his wife (Mrs. Sarah J. Chatfield) are registered to vote in the Nov. 5, 1918 election as residents of 196 So. 2nd St., San Jose, Santa Clara County, California. Isaac is listed as “Retired” and Sarah Jane is listed as “housewife.” Both are registered as Republicans in San Jose Precinct Number 66.

1918: City Directory for San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California:
Isaac W. Chatfield: 196 South 22nd St., San Jose, Santa Clara County, California

Dec 8, 1918: San Jose Mercury-News, San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California:
ISAAC CHATFIELD NEW COMMANDER G.A.R.
Sheridan-Dix Post Elects Officers At Annual Meeting:—At the regular session of the Sheridan-Dix Post No. 7 held on Dec. 2, the following officers were duly elected to serve for the ensuing year. Commander, Isaac Chatfield…
Note: other officers also listed in the long article

Dec 8, 1918: San Jose Mercury-News, San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California:
Comrade Chatfield, the newly elected commander of the Sheridan-Dix Post was present and received the congratulations of the members and the assurance of aid and co-operation in the mutual interests of the G.A.R.
Note: Another article on the same day states that the Women’s League of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) met and welcomed Isaac W. Chatfield. I.W. Chatfield is a member of GAR, Sheridan-Dix Post, No. 7. (Grand Army of the Republic was a fraternal organization composed of veterans of the Union Army who served in the American Civil War.) He is also a member of the Loyal Legion, a military order dating back originally to the end of the Civil War.

Apr 19, 1919: San Jose Mercury-News, San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California:
Mr. & Mrs. Isaac W. Chatfield are entertaining their grandson, Sergeant Charles J. Chatfield of Chicago (Chico) who is visiting with them while on his return to his home after having seen service overseas…
Note: Charles is the oldest child of Charles Henry Chatfield & Nellie Chamberlin

1919: City Directory for San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California:
Isaac W. Chatfield: 196 So. 22nd St., San Jose, Santa Clara County, California

May 29, 1919: San Francisco Bulletin, San Francisco, San Francisco Co., California (pg 7):

Jan 3, 1920: U.S. Federal Census, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming: (Calla is the daughter of Isaac & Eliza Chatfield)
Burtus T Justin: 36, Head, born Illinois, father born Illinois, mother born Illinois, accountant in farm loans (Burtis T. Joslin)
Carria C Justin: age 36, Wife, born Colorado, father born Illinois, mother born Iowa (Calla C. Joslin)
Jane J Justin: age 9, Daughter, born Colorado, father born Illinois, mother born Colorado (Jane J. Joslin)
Robert C Justin: age 6, Son, Wyoming, father born Illinois, mother born Colorado (Robert C. Joslin)

Jan 5, 1920: U.S. Federal Census, San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California:
Chatfield, Isaac W.: Head, age 83, married, born Ohio, father born Ohio, mother born Ohio
Sarah J.: Wife, age 61, born abt 1859, married, born Utah, father born Pennsylvania, mother born Ohio.

Jan 24-26, 1920: U.S. Federal Census, Washakie Co., Wyoming: (Elmer is the son of Isaac & Eliza Chatfield)
Chatfield, Elmer E.: Head, age 56, widow, born Colorado, father born Illinois, mother born Illinois, farmer
Helen L.: daughter, age 25, born Colorado, father born Colorado, mother born Nebraska
Marion H.: daughter, age 23, born Colorado, father born Colorado, mother born Nebraska
Sevilla M.: daughter, age 21, born Wyoming, father born Colorado, mother born Nebraska
Audrey E.: daughter, age 19, born Wyoming, father born Colorado, mother born Nebraska
Constance C.: daughter, age 15, born Wyoming, father born Colorado, mother born Nebraska

Jan 25, 1920: U.S. Federal Census, Oakland Township, Alameda Co., California: (Jacquelin is the daughter of Clark S. Chatfield)
Mallan, James: head, age 45, married, born Kansas, father born Kansas, (Mallon) mother born Kansas, Promoter for irrigation
Jacquelin: wife, age 33, married, born Colorado, father born Ohio, mother born Missouri
De Vere: son, age 15, born California, father born Kansas, mother born Colorado (James)
Marjorie: daughter, age 13, born California, father born Kansas, mother born Colorado
Neva: daughter, age 11, born California, father born Kansas, mother born Colorado
Chatfield, Mary: mother-in-law, age 70, widowed, born Illinois, father born Nebraska, mother born Nebraska
Chatfield, Leslie: nephew, age 15, born Wyoming, father born Nebraska, mother born Illinois
Note: Mother-in-law is Mary Elizabeth Morrow. Her husband Clark Samuel Chatfield, Sr., died in 1906.
Leslie Chatfield is the 2nd child of Arthur William Chatfield & Ada B. Miller, born Jul 1, 1904 in Tensleep.

Jan 26 & 27, 1920: U.S. Federal Census, Chico, Butte Co., California: (Charles is the son of Isaac & Eliza Chatfield)
Chatfield, Charles H.: head, owns, age 49, born Colorado, father born Illinois, mother born Texas, foreman for rice ranch
Nellie C.: wife, age 46, born Montana, father born New York, mother born Pennsylvania
Charles J.: son, age 24; born Colorado, father born Colorado, mother born Missouri, laborer rice ranch
Leo W.: son, age 22; born Wyoming, father born Colorado, mother born Missouri, laborer, rice ranch
Roy E.: son, age 18; born Colorado, father born Colorado, mother born Missouri, Lumber Grader in Match Factory
Nellie M.: daughter, age 16; born Colorado, father born Colorado, mother born Missouri, Forewoman in Match Factory
Gordon G.: son, age 14; born Wyoming, father born Colorado, mother born Missouri
Verda H.: daughter, age 11; born Montana, father born Colorado, mother born Missouri
Arden J.: son, age 9, born Montana, father born Colorado, mother born Missouri
Ina J.: daughter, age 6, born Colorado, father born Colorado, mother born Missouri
Norine E.: age 4 3/12, born California, father born Colorado, mother born Missouri (Noreen Ellen Chatdield)

Jan 30, 1920: U.S. Federal Census, Forsythe City, Rosebud Co., Montana: (Jacqueline is the daughter of Isaac & Eliza Chatfield)
Adams, Fred W.: head, owns, age 61, married, born New York, father born Connecticut, mother born New York, bookkeeper in a store
Jacqueline C.: wife, age 58, married, born Colorado, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois
Marion J.: daughter, age 21, single, born Colorado, father born New York, mother born Colorado
Katherine: daughter, age 16, single, born Colorado, father born New York, mother born Colorado

Photo circa Spring of 1920: standing are Marjorie (Chatfield) Tuck (age 26), Marjorie and Della’s mother Mary Elizabeth (Morrow) Chatfield (age 69), Marjorie’s cousin Elmer Chatfield (age 56, smoking pipe) and Isaac W. Chatfield’s 2nd wife Sarah (Wisenor) Chatfield (age 61). Front row: Tom Tuck (husband of Marjorie, age 41, kneeling), and Jack Tuck (Marjorie & Tom’s son, 3 yrs, 3 mos, born Dec 1916); kneeling at right is Marjorie’s uncle and Elmer’s father, Isaac W. Chatfield (age 83). At this time the Tucks live in Princeton, Colusa Co., California. Mary (Morrow) Chatfield lives in Oakland, Alameda Co., California, Isaac and Sarah live in San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California, and Elmer lives in Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming. Assuming this photo was taken in California and as Isaac was an orchardist, this may have been on his San Jose property. Elmer may have gone to California some months after the death of his wife Della to visit family. Ages based on the guess that this photo was taken in 1920.

1920: City Directory for San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California:
Isaac W. Chatfield: 196 So. 22nd St., San Jose, Santa Clara County, occupation farmer
Note: The 1920 San Jose Telephone Directory does not list any Chatfield so perhaps he had no phone

Oct 20, 1920: According to the diary of Charles Joseph Chatfield (age 24), Isaac Chatfield (age 84) travels to visit his son Charles and grandson Charles Joseph Chatfield. Charles Henry Chatfield is working in the rice fields on the Spaulding Ranch in Willows, which is 16 miles south of Orland and 16 miles west of Chico.

Nov 2, 1920: Isaac W. Chatfield and wife Mrs. Sarah J. Chatfield are registered (Republican) to vote as residents of 196 So. 22nd St., San Jose, Santa Clara County, Precinct Number 66. His occupation listed as “retired” and her occupation listed as “housewife”

1921: City Directory for San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California:
Isaac W. Chatfield & wife Sarah J. Chatfield, 196 So. 22nd St., San Jose, California

Jun 14, 1921: Death of Isaac Willard Chatfield (age 84), in San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California, of arteriosclerosis

Jun 14, 1921: California Death Record:
Name: Isaac W. Chatfield
Occupation: Retired
Age 84 yrs., 10 mo., 1day
Length of residence in California 10 years
Cause of death: Arterial Sclerosis for past 10 years
Residence address: 204 So. 22nd St., San Jose, California

Jun 16, 1921: San Jose Mercury Herald, San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California:
DIED: CHATFIELD—In San Jose, Cal. June 14, 1921, Isaac Willard Chatfield, husband of Sarah Jane Chatfield, father of Mrs. Ella Small of Arizona, Mrs. Jacqueline Adams of Montana, Mrs. Calla Joslin of Wyoming, Charles and Elmer Chatfield, a native of Ohio, aged 84 years, 10 months and 8 days.

Friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral today (Thursday), June 16, 1921, at 2 o’clock from the “Funeral Home” of Curry & Gripenstraw, 48-50 North Third Street.

A member of Sheridan-Dix Post, No 7, G.A.R. Interment, Oak Hill Cemetery.

Jun 16, 1921: Burial of Isaac Willard Chatfield, Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Union Veterans of the Civil War section of Oak Hill Memorial Park, San Jose, Alameda Co., California (tier 11, grave 3). Isaac’s Civil War decoration for bravery is buried with him. A great-grandson was in possession of his Civil War sword, but pawned it.

Jun 24, 1921: Isaac W. Chatfield is dropped from the Pension Records:
Pensioner Dropped: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Relations by act of May 1, 1920
Isaac W. Chatfield. To the Commissioner of Pensions
Sir:
I have the honor to report that the name of the above-described pensioner who was last paid $50 to May 4, 1921 has this day been dropped from the roll because of death, June 14, 1921.
Isaac W. Chatfield, 196 S. 22nd St., San Jose, Calif. 1013310 Act May
Very respectfully, O.J. Randall, Chief, Finance Division

Apr 3, 1922: Death of Mary Elizabeth (Morrow) Chatfield (age 72), the 2nd wife of Isaac’s brother, Clark Samuel Chatfield, in Oakland, Alameda Co., California; of chronic nephritis.

Nov 22, 1922: Statement from Bureau of Pensions regarding Eliza Chatfield:
Widow Division, Bureau of Pensions Certificate, State of Wyoming, County of Big Horn
I, Ed Dunaway, embalmer and undertaker residing within state and county, hereby certify that the records of the Mount View cemetery of Basin, Big Horn County show that Eliza A. Chatfield died on the 12th day of June 1911 and was interred on the 13th day of June 1911. Witness my hand this 16th day of November, 1922. Ed Dunaway subscribed and sworn to this 16th day of November 1922 (Signed) Zela Murphy, County Clerk for Big Horn County, State of Wyoming.

Sep 7 or 8, 1928: Death of Ellen “Ellie” (Chatfield) Batchellor (age 82), sister of Isaac W. Chatfield, in Denver Co., Colorado. She is buried alongside her husband, Isaac Batchellor, in the Fairmount Cemetery in Denver.

Jan 15, 1932: Death Sarah Jane (Wisenor) Chatfield Beaver (age 73), 2nd wife and widow of Isaac W. Chatfield, in Oakland, Alameda Co., California. She is buried with her 3rd husband, Francis Marion “Frank” Beaver, in the Lemoore Cemetery in Lemoore, Kings Co., California

Jul 23, 1942: Death of Charles Henry Chatfield (age 71), son of Isaac W. Chatfield & Eliza Harrington, of cardiac failure, in Oroville, Butte Co., California. Charles is buried in the Chico Cemetery in Chico, Butte Co., California.

Aug 15, 1948: Death of Ella Clara (Chatfield) Small (age 89), daughter of Isaac W. Chatfield & Eliza Harrington, of a coronary embolism and pneumonia, in Globe, Gila Co., Arizona. Ella is buried with her husband, Josiah Small, in the Fairview Cemetery in Superior, Pinal Co., Arizona.

Sep 7, 1958: Death of Calla Mabel (Chatfield) Joslin (age 79), daughter of Isaac W. Chatfield & Eliza Harrington, of pneumonia, in Santa Monica, Los Angeles Co., California. Calla is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Santa Monica, Los Angeles Co., California.

Sep 20, 1962: Death of Elmer Ellsworth Chatfield (age 99), son of Isaac W. Chatfield & Eliza Harrington, of head shingles and old age, in Thermopolis, Hot Springs Co., Wyoming. Elmer is buried with his wife, Della, in the Riverview Memorial Gardens in Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming.

Aug 16, 1963: Death of Jacquelin (Chatfield) Adams (age 95), daughter of Isaac W. Chatfield & Eliza Harrington, of old age, in Globe, Gila Co., Arizona. Jacquelin is buried with her husband Frederick William “Fred” Adams in Globe Cemetery in Globe, Arizona.

**********

TWO BROTHERS & FRIENDS: A CHATFIELD HISTORY & GENEALOGY:
ISAAC WILLARD CHATFIELD
Isaac Willard Chatfield, born in Geauga County, Ohio, led an eventful and interesting life almost from the beginning. He was not quite eight years of age when his family moved to Mason County, Illinois where his father continued to follow his vocation of farming. However, Levi T. Chatfield was never blessed with the best of health, and in 1848 illness forced him to give up the farm and return to Ohio, where he died a few months later. Isaac was only 12 years of age when he lost his father.

Isaac’s mother soon afterward returned to Illinois and once more established the family home in Mason County. She taught school for a while in the town of Bath before entering into the hotel business. In the meantime, Isaac worked on a farm until he was 19 years of age, at which time he became associated with the commission firm of Gatten & Ruggles. He remained with the company four years, during which time he was rapidly promoted.

While he was employed by Gatten & Ruggles, Isaac took charge of a hotel in partnership with his mother, and they prospered in the undertaking until a fire destroyed the building early in 1858. Gatten & Ruggles financially backed him for another venture in the hotel business, but not long afterward his mother died about the time excitement over the discovery of gold in Colorado was sweeping the country. Isaac became infected with the “gold fever”, sold his hotel business at a profit, and with his new bride, the former Eliza A. Harrington whom he married May 20, 1858 at Havana, Illinois, he joined a wagon train headed for Denver.

There is no record as to why Isaac Chatfield did not remain long in Denver, but there is a great possibility it was because the “choice diggins” had been already claimed. Regardless of the reason, he went eastward to Kansas where he settled on a squatter’s claim near Fort Scott. Here his daughter Ella, who was destined to become one of Colorado’s most talented sopranos, was born in 1859.

Not long afterward the border troubles with all their attendant violence broke out in Kansas. Isaac did not believe the environment was conducive to the safety of his family, so he sold out and journeyed back to his former home in Bath, Illinois. There he was variously employed until shortly after the outbreak of the civil War, at which time, on Aug 12, 1861, he enlisted in Company E of the 27th Illinois Infantry. (Photo at left was taken a short time afterward). Although his military record has yet to be thoroughly investigated, it is known that he participated in the battles of Island #10, Stone River, and Farmington. In 1863 he was mustered out of the military service for medical reasons, first lieutenant.

Upon leaving the Army, Isaac once again determined to go to Colorado. Accompanied by his wife, daughter, sister Ellen, and R.M. Wright, he travelled to St. Louis where he fitted out with ox and horse teams. After a journey of eight weeks the little group arrived in Fremont County where, on the site of today’s Florence, Isaac established a farm of 160 acres, which he later expanded to 280 through purchase. It was at this time that he began raising cattle, a vocation which would eventually make him one of the most prosperous men in Colorado.

Isaac Chatfield farmed and raised cattle in the area until 1871, at which time he, for reasons never ascertained, sold out and moved to the region southwest of Denver where today is located the Chatfield Dam and Recreation area. He at first bought out J.B. Hendy, whose ranch comprised 160 acres along Bear Creek, but soon afterward he traded this for the Daniel Wetter Ranch on the Platte River. Here he farmed and raised cattle until 1879, expanding his holdings to 720 acres. During this period, in 1878, he became a stockholder of the Last Chance Ditch & Irrigation Company.

Sometime in 1879 Isaac seems to have decided to change his lifestyle, for he sold his ranch and moved to Leadville where he at first engaged in the railroad contract business and acquired one-fourth interests in the Late Acquisition and Smuggler #2 mines. Not long afterward he gave up the railroad contract business and, together with Joseph Brinker, Jr., formed the grocery firm known as Brinker & Chatfield. Of particular interest is the fact that young Brinker was the son of the founder of the Brinker Collegiate Institute, a boarding and day school in Denver which was attended by the Chatfield children.

By mid-1880 Isaac Chatfield had established himself as one of the most respected and leading citizens of Leadville and was elected as city alderman. His grocery business also grew in reputation and soon became one of Leadville’s most successful wholesale/retail outlets for miners’ provisions. In early 1881 a New York grocer by the name of Albert Wheeler joined the Brinker-Chatfield partnership and the name of the firm was changed to I.W. Chatfield & Company. However, in April of 1882 this partnership was dissolved and Isaac took on a new associate named Wing; whereupon the store became known as Chatfield & Wing.

News notes in Leadville’s contemporary newspapers add to our knowledge of Isaac’s activities outside the grocery business, giving the genealogist a more detailed insight of the man, himself, as well as the family, yet posing some interesting speculation. The record reveals that he went to Denver quite often “on business”, especially in early 1882 when he made the trip at least once a month on the Denver & South Park Railroad; yet there is no mention of what the “business” might have been. At the same time his daughter Ella, then in her 20s, was also making frequent trips to and from Denver, but seldom in company with him. It is quite possible that she could have been visiting her sister, Jacqueline, and brother, Elmer, who were attending the Brinker Collegiate Institute, but one must puzzle over such trips during the dead of winter when storms in the high country reach blizzard proportions.

Items in the June and July issues of the Leadville Daily Herald in 1882 stir the imagination regarding Ella and her relationship with the family. Following an earlier news note that Ella Chatfield had gone to Denver, the Daily Herald stated, on June 23rd, that she would “not return to Leadville this summer, but will visit Ohio for the benefit of her health.” Inasmuch as the humid climate of Ohio has NEVER been known to be especially beneficial to one’s health, this account is rather curious. Regardless, Ella did not complete the trip, for in mid-July she fell seriously ill in Kansas City. Ten days later she recovered sufficiently to return to Denver where she was met by her father. Whatever her illness had been, it seems to have had a profound effect upon her outlook on life, for she became more active in the Leadville M. E. Church, her vocal solos earning frequent notice in the local newspapers.

Ella’s illness was only one of several adversities to plague the Isaac Chatfield family over the next two years. Actually, the beginning of Isaac’s misfortunes began on Mar 26, 1882, when he was defeated in his bid for nomination as mayor of Leadville. Following Ella’s illness, the other children suffered various ailments, and on Dec 2, 1883, Isaac’s second oldest son, Phil Van Wert (Wirt) died of Bright’s Disease in Denver’s St. James Hotel. There is also strong circumstantial evidence that his daughters, Grace and Myrtle, died during this same period. In early 1884, obviously discouraged by his declining political popularity and the tragic events within the family, Isaac sold his business interests in Leadville and moved to Denver.

However, Isaac did not remain long in Denver. After engaging in a few cattle deals and purchasing range land in Rio Blanco County, he moved the family to Aspen in September of 1885. Here he became partners in a wholesale/retail mercantile business with his brother Clark S. Chatfield, who had established the firm in 1882. (Clark may have been the compelling force behind Isaac’s decision to move to Aspen). The store became known as the Chatfield Brothers Grocery and Isaac’s oldest son, Elmer, became a regular employee of the firm.

While Isaac and his oldest son were prospering in the mercantile business, daughters Ella and Jacquelina, and son Charles, began making their mark in the social world. The girls became members of the Alpine Club and were in regular attendance at the monthly balls. They were also members of the local opera company and received rave notices for their performances in the operetta “Penelope”. The newspapers were especially praiseworthy of Ella’s “beautiful” voice. Meanwhile, Charles seemed to favor the skating crowd and won races at the local rink which garnered the attention of the newspapers.

By early 1886 Isaac seems to have obtained sole ownership of the Chatfield Brothers Grocery, for on Jan 30th of that year, the Rocky Mountain Sun noted, “I.W. Chatfield has sold his business to the Theodore Blohm Merchandise County”. From that point onward his major occupation seems to have been cattle raising, for local newspapers made frequent mention of his visits to his ranches on Willow and Yellow Creeks in Rio Blanco County. During this same period his son, Elmer, now 23, also entered into the cattle business with the establishment of a ranch near Emma.

Heartache and sorrow once more plagued Isaac Chatfield and his family as summer, 1886 approached. On Jun 3rd, a close friend of the family, Eppa Strait, fell from the bell tower of the Presbyterian Church and died soon afterward. Two days later, while Ella sang at the girl’s funeral, another tragedy was unfolding closer to home. Ida Chatfield, 19-year-old daughter of Clark, had not returned home after visiting at her Uncle Isaac’s home on Friday, Jun 4th. A thorough search failed to turn up any clue as to her whereabouts, and everyone began to fear the worst. A week after Ida’s disappearance, her father offered a $200 reward for information leading to the recovery of the young girl.

The family’s worst fears were realized nine weeks later when, on Aug 6th, two fishermen found Ida’s body in the waters of the Roaring Fork River below Red Butte. Isaac was in Texas at the time, so it fell upon Ella to identify the body as that of her cousin. (Contemporary newspapers do not explain why Ida was not identified by her parents). The mysterious manner in which Ida died caused many questions to be asked – questions which were never answered. One week after her burial in the Aspen Cemetery, her father talked of selling out and moving the family to California, but the 1900 Census finds them in Basalt, Eagle County, Colorado.

While the search for Ida was in progress, Isaac and his 15-year-old son, Charles, travelled to the Texas Panhandle to purchase 1000 head of cattle for Elmer’s ranch on the Sopris Creek near Emma. Whether it was because of Ida’s strange disappearance or for some other less apparent reason, Isaac moved his family – with the exception of Ella, who stayed at her brother’s ranch – to Denver while he made the trip to Texas. According to contemporary newspapers, Isaac Chatfield’s family was to move into a new brick home upon their return to Aspen in early Sep, 1886, but the house was not yet ready for occupancy at that time. The family stayed in their old frame house until Oct 7th, at which time they were able to occupy the brick home. Here they lived until early 1889 when Isaac moved the family back to Denver.

The move to Denver proved to be of short duration, for Isaac bought a ranch of 160 acres at Emma, a short distance from Elmer’s holdings, and moved his family there in mid-summer, 1889. Shortly thereafter he became quite active in politics once again, and was elected to Colorado’s House of Representatives in Nov of that year. (This was Isaac’s first state office, which is contradictory to what his biography claims in PROGRESSIVE MEN OF WESTERN COLORADO). In 1893, Isaac was appointed to the State Board of Inspection, a position which he held until 1895. In 1896 he ran for State Senator from the 11th Senatorial District, but was soundly defeated in his bid after local newspapers revealed that he had disposed of all of his holdings in Pitkin County and had made arrangements to make his future home in Denver.

It is of interest to note that while the contemporary PROGRESSIVE MEN OF WESTERN COLORADO states that Isaac Chatfield moved to Rifle after his unsuccessful bid for State Senator in 1896, the Colorado Business Directories for the years 1896 and 1897 list him as a fruit farm owner at Basalt, a small village in the vicinity of Emma. It is possible, indeed probable, that he lived in Rifle for a brief period in 1898, as this is the only year for which we have no positive record of his whereabouts. It is known that between the years of 1899 and 1908 Isaac lived in Denver, for he is found in the Denver City Directories during that period, and he is listed on the 1900 Census. It is known also that he maintained his cattle ranges as late as 1904, for he is listed as “livestock dealer” or “cattle raiser” in city directories until that year. In 1906 he became associated with the W.E. Moses Realty & Investment Company, and in 1908 became First Vice President of that firm.

Between 1908 and the time of his death, on June 14, 1921, there is only sketchy information about this early Colorado pioneer. At a yet to be ascertained date between his 50th wedding anniversary, May 20, 1908, and the year 1911, Isaac’s wife, Eliza, died. He remarried, at about 75 years of age, a woman known only as Sarah Jane. He next appears in California in 1911, married to his second wife. He is buried at Oak Hill Memorial Park, San Jose, California. The Chatfield Dam and Recreation Area west of Littleton is named in his honor. He was the father of nine children:

1. Ella Chatfield, born near Fort Scott, Kansas, married, on May 11, 1887 to Josiah A. Small, whose family lived at Aspen during the same years as Isaac Chatfield’s. She was a soloist with a musical group that toured Europe in the late 1800s. Further information concerning Ella is not available except for family tradition which says she lived to be more than 90 years of age.

2. Elmer E. Chatfield was born in Fremont County, Colorado. Following a brief endeavor in the grocery business with his father at Aspen in 1885, he bought a ranch near Emma and raised cattle for at least five years. At this writing further record of him has not been located except the known fact he married.

3. Phil Van Wert Chatfield, born in Fremont County, Colorado, died of Bright’s Disease when only 17 years of age. His mother and father were at his side at the time, in Denver’s St. James Hotel. He is buried in the Littleton Cemetery, where he was interred on Dec 3, 1883.

4. Jacqueline Chatfield, born in Fremont County, usually accompanied sister Ella to all social functions and often sang duets with her. She married Fred Adams at Aspen on Jun 10, 1891, and had two known children: Marian, and Catherine (sic, Kathryn “Kate”)

5. Charles Henry Chatfield, born in Fremont County, married Nellie Chamberlin [b. Mar 7, 1873 at Kansas City, died 2-Jan 1956 at Chico, Cal.], on Dec 26, 1894 at Grand Junction, Colorado. He eventually moved to Montana where he owned a large ranch for many years before moving to California. He continued to follow his vocation as rancher until his children were all grown and away from home, at which time he went to work for the Diamond Match & Box Company at Chico, California. He died on July 23, 1942 at Oroville and was returned to Chico for burial. He was the father of ten children: Charles Joseph, who married Velma Avis Turnbull, Leo Willard, who never married, Howard Francis, who married Evelyn Alice Wilson, Roy Elmer, who never married, Nellie Mary, who mar. Edward Waldon McElhinney, Gordon Gregory, who never married, Verda Agnes, who married George William Day, Arden Ignatius, who never married, Ina Jacqueline, who married James Leroy Fouch, and Noreen Ellen, who married Carl John Clemens.

6. Myrtle and 7. Grace Chatfield are two members of this family who present a challenge to the genealogist. While records of their deaths are extent, exact dates are missing. They were obviously living only between census years, for their names cannot be found on any census record. They are buried in the Littleton Cemetery next to Phil Van Wert Chatfield, but the stone marking the graves has been destroyed and burial records list only the date of 1885. Inasmuch as we know Phil V.W. Chatfield did not die that year, then it must be assumed that 1885 was the date of reinterment. Considering the birthdates for Isaac’s other children, the likely birth and death dates for Myrtle and Grace are between 1870 and 1879. The vital statistics for these two children continue to elude research.

8. Calla Chatfield, born possibly in Lake County, married, on Feb 17, 1908 in Denver, Burtis T. Joslin of Big Horn Basin, Wyoming. She lived with her parents until the time of her marriage, although she was a music teacher practicing a private business.

9. Willard James Chatfield, born probably, though not certainly, in Lake County, is another member of this family who presents a challenge to the researcher. Family tradition holds that he died at 17 years of age, yet he cannot be found on any census record of the Isaac Chatfield household! The only Willard Chatfield recorded on ANY census is a boy, age 4, in the Clark Chatfield household of 1885. This Willard Chatfield is not listed on the 1900 Census, indicating he had died prior to that date. This might have been Isaac’s son, who could have been staying with Clark Chatfield when the 1885 census was taken. On the other hand, family tradition may have placed Willard James in the wrong Chatfield household! The identity of this Willard cannot be definitely determined until other records come to light.
Source: TWO BROTHERS & FRIENDS: A CHATFIELD HISTORY & GENEALOGY, Volume IV, Copyright 1990
by Harry E. Chatfield and Chatfield Western Publications. Box 5703, Security, Colorado, 80931
Note: Pictures inserted by Catherine Sevenau

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“Chatfield Family History and Genealogy” by Beverly Kelly:
I.W. and his bride Eliza joined a wagon train west to Colorado (suspected ‘gold fever’) in 1858. Remaining only a short time in the Denver area, they headed eastward to Kansas to settle on a squatter’s claim. Ella, the oldest daughter, was born there. With the border troubles and attendant violence, the family returned to Bath, Illinois in 1861, and I.W. enlisted in the Illinois Volunteers. He resigned his commission for medical reasons in 1863—then moved back to Colorado. Oldest son Elmer was born in Florence June 8th that year.

Pioneering in farming and cattle ranching, in 1879 he bought into silver and lead mines, became a railroad contractor, and a partner in a grocery-mercantile in the Leadville area. Acquiring some 720 acres in the Bear Creek and the Platte River parcel out of Littleton—the site of the Chatfield Dam and Recreation—the family established homes in Aspen and Basalt. Involved in Colorado politics, he gained a State Senate seat, then was rejected when the family moved from the district.

The Chatfields moved as a clan, it seems. From 1639 in Connecticut, to Ohio, to Illinois, to Colorado, to Wyoming, to California. After Elmer and Della settled in Spring Creek, Wyoming, others followed. I.W. and Eliza established residence in Basin 1897. (Eliza died there in the summer of 1922.) Della’s two sisters and their husbands ranched in the Big Horns—George and Mable Sawyer on the Lower Nowood, Charles Elliott and Ora Shaw on Otter Creek. Elmer’s youngest sister Calla had married Burtis Joslin and they also lived in Basin. After Eliza’s death, the exodus to California began, I.W. to San Jose where he married again, the Sawyers to Hemet, the Shaws to Southern California, and the Joslins to Santa Monica. Elmer and Della stayed in Wyoming.

Ella Clara, the oldest of the I.W. Chatfield children, was born in Kansas before the family migrated to Colorado. She attended the Brinker Institute in Denver and became one of the most talented soprano soloists in the area, singing in all the churches as well as in Denver’s music circles. In the late 1800’s she toured Europe with a musical group.

Not much is known of her life after she married Josiah Small in 1887. They had no children and in 1908 they were living in Rhyolite, Nevada. Not until 1939 when Elmer (with his son-in-law Fred Sproul and daughter Sevilla and their daughter Beverly, age 13) drove to Arizona to visit both Ella and Jacqueline—two old widows living near Jacqueline’s two daughters in Globe and Superior—did the siblings re-unite. They had not seen one another in over 40 years and Ella had her eyes-lids taped open with adhesive tape just to see. Grandpa had shrunk in stature of maybe 5’9″ or less; in greeting him, Aunt Ella was so tiny she laid her head on his chest and sighed, “Oh, El.”

Elmer, the eldest son of the I.W. Chatfield’s who were early Colorado pioneers, had little formal schooling besides his attendance at the Brinker Institute in Denver, and it was more of a cultural teaching center. But he learned the ranching-farming operations from his father, also the mercantile business. He has a fascinating history of successes and failures. As a teen-ager, he clerked in Chatfield Bros. Wholesale/Mercantile in Leadville where he met prospectors and other pioneer families. There, he was exposed to the buying and selling of mining stocks. By 1886 he had acquired acreage at Emma and bought cattle from Texas to stock it.

Little is know of the years before his marriage, though he was able to finance the purchase of a ranch in the Big Horns on Spring Creek in 1893. In 1895, he, Della, and daughter Helen began the trek north by covered wagon. Life on that mountain before the turn of the century was a primitive existence—miles to the nearest neighbors, water was hauled from the creek for household use, cutting and chopping wood was hard labor, there were only wood burning ranges and pot-bellied stoves. Transportation was team and wagon or saddle horse. Twice a year Elmer made the trip to Casper with the supply wagons for food staples, clothing, leather goods, and tools.

But the family, by now five daughters, defied those hardships and remained on that ranch until 1914.

Elmer sold out to Taylor Bros. (Dave and George) and bought acreage north of Worland to establish a farming/livestock operation. This is the house he built there on the county line. It was furnished with genuine leather throughout.

Elmer never looked a day different at age 99—maybe the moustache got grayer. He sported a goatee in his earlier years. And he was balding early in his life span, but because he always wore a hat, most people didn’t notice. Shaving was a problem because of the deep scars on either side of his chin. He had been kicked by an unruly horse and both sides of his jaw were broken—his chin hung slack against his Adam’s apple. How it was remedied is not known—probably wired together same as today.

Around 1905 he suffered a bout of erysipelas in the scalp area so severe the vesicles had to be lanced. Those scars were forever visible. It could have contributed to his balding early. And those squinty eyes were caused by black powder burns. He and his playmates were experimenting with it when it exploded in his face. He was blind for a time; eventually he did recover his eyesight, but his eyelids forever drooped.

Clark Samuel Chatfield was born Jan 22, 1839 in Middlefield, Ohio, the second son of Levi Tomlinson and Lovina Mastick Chatfield. The family moved to Illinois in 1844 to farm, but ill health forced Levi to return to Ohio after only four years. He died in 1848 leaving his widow and four young children. She moved the family back to Illinois and taught school at Bath before entering the hotel business. Probably both Isaac and Clark worked on farms, for they always had farm acreage.

In 1858 he married Louisa Tankersly, a Nebraska girl, and together they had one daughter, Ida. But Louisa died while they were ranching with I.W. Chatfield in Fremont County, Colorado. (C.S. had been mustered out of the Illinois Volunteers in Aug 1864.) He arrived in Colorado in 1866, but upon Louisa’s death in 1868, he returned her body to Nebraska for burial. There, he met and married Mary Elizabeth Morrow Mar 10, 1869. Their first four children were born at Tecumseh. In 1879, the family moved back to Colorado, to Aspen to establish a mercantile business.

In 1884, he began ranching/farming at Emma, and several of the family members railroaded at Basalt. Clark’s daughter Ida had drowned in the summer of 1886, but the family continued to grow. In all, they had nine children.

Upon the marriage of the 7th child Jacqueline to James Mallon in 1902, the clan began its exodus to California. Jim and Jacqueline settled in the town of Orland, where they ranched and farmed. Others settled elsewhere in the Sacramento Valley. The Mallons had three children, Marjorie, Devere, and Neva. Neva is the only survivor of that generation. She is a retiree of the UC Berkeley Music Department and still lives in Oakland

Della Chatfield, oldest daughter of Clark Samuel and Mary Elizabeth (Morrow) Chatfield, was an enigma. As a contralto, she sang at the Chicago Expo in 1893, yet married a rancher and successfully made the transition to a pioneer lifestyle. She endured the hardships of the high country by remaining cook, housekeeper, and laundress. She never milked a cow, or harnessed a team of horses. And, she must have been camera shy, for this is her only picture, either photo or snapshot.

 

 

Note: pictures inserted by Catherine (Clemens) Sevenau

Source: “Family History and Genealogy” by Beverly Kelly, written mid-1990s.
Note: Beverly Ann (Sproul) Kelly  (1925 – 2017) is a great-granddaughter of I.W. Chatfield, granddaughter of Elmer Chatfield, and daughter of Sevilla (Chatfield) Sproul

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As They Remembered:
I remember my grandfather, Isaac Chatfield. He would bounce me on his knee when I was a small child of five or so. He was from Colorado and remarried in California when he was quite old, much to the displeasure of other members of the family. They did not want him to marry but he did. He moved to Southern California and then later to San Jose. He died in 1921.
When we lived in Los Molinos my father Charles ran a crew of horses and men and was a rancher and farmer. Later he worked as a carpenter, as a foreman of rice fields, and worked for the Diamond Match Company making boxes. He drove a car but my mother (Nellie) would never drive a car.
My parents had a big cattle ranch in Montana, which they sold for $500,000. It was at Rose Bud, a days ride to town from the ranch. My father had gone into town to finalize the sale, and my mother had to send a ranch hand to find him. He had gotten drunk and gambled everything away.
~Ina (Chatfield) Fouch (daughter of Charles and Nellie) as told to Gordon Clemens, June 26, 1990

Note: The story of the sale of the ranch grew over time, a zero added each time it was repeated. Actually, Charles and Nellie didn’t own a ranch, they ran it for another man, and it certainly would not have been worth $500,000. In those days one could have probably bought the whole state of Montana for $500,000. They were giving away land for free to homesteaders, why would anyone pay for it? The part about Charles getting drunk and gambling everything away appears to be true, however.

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Chatfield State Park
The area where Chatfield State Park now sits was a major thoroughfare into Pike’s Peak country since 1858. The area also supported the first lumber industry and the initial purebred cattle industry within the state. Civil War Lieutenant Isaac W. Chatfield bought 720 acres of Colorado land in 1870 where the South Platte River and Plum Creek meet. Isaac lived on and farmed the land until 1879 when he moved, but left his namesake for the reservoir and dam.
Source: Colorado State Parks website

Letter to Kathryn (Adams) McDaniel from The Denver Post:
Mrs. Lee L. McDaniel Jul 24, 1969
P.O. Box 47
Globe, Arizona 85501
Dear Mrs. McDaniel:
In regard to your letter inquiring about the naming of Chatfield Dam.
Chatfield Dam was named after your Grandfather Isaac Willard Chatfield.
The Dam is being built on land owned by your Grandfather.
Enclosed is a complimentary Xerox copy of an article stating that the dam was named after Isaac W. Chatfield.
Thank you for your letter, and if we can be of service in the future, please do not hesitate to write.
Sincerely,
Anita L. Lowe (Mrs.) Library

Note: Kathryn “Kate” (Admas) McDaniel (1903 – 1983) is the daughter of Jacquelin and Fred Adams and granddaughter of Isaac, and the young girl whose handwritten stories in a small black loose-leaf notebook are included herein.

Apr 20, 1999: On a Tuesday, the Columbine High School massacre occurred in Jefferson Co., Colorado, near Denver and Littleton. Two teenage students carried out a shooting rampage—killing 12 students and a teacher and wounding 24 others—before committing suicide. After the shooting, classes at Columbine were held at nearby Chatfield High School for the remaining three weeks of that school.
Note: Chatfield High School in Littleton, Arapahoe Co., Colorado is named after my great-grandfather, Isaac Willard “I.W.” Chatfield.

2019. Catherine (Clemens) Sevenau and Gordon Clemens, the great-grandchildren of Isaac Willard “I.W.” Chatfield & Eliza Ann Harrington, and the grandchildren of Charles Henry Chatfield & Nellie Bell Chamberlin.