Helen Chatfield & Rudy Hornburg

FAMILY LINE AND HISTORY

Helen Layle Chatfield
1st of 5 children of Elmer Ellsworth Chatfield & Della Chatfield
Born: Feb 15, 1894, Emma, Pitkin Co., Colorado
Died: Dec 26, 1975 (age 81), Refugio, Refugio Co., Texas; respiratory arrest, arteriosclerosis, congestive failure
Buried: Oakwood Cemetery in Refugio, Refugio Co., Texas
Married: Jul 5, 1926, Rudolph Oscar “Rudy” Hornburg (a widower), Brownsville, Cameron Co., Texas
One step-daughter: Ruth Geraldine “Jeri” Hornburg
Two known children: Walter Jerald Hornburg, Marian Norma Hornburg (other children listed on 1930 census)

Rudolph Oscar “Rudy” Hornburg
2nd of 5 children of Henry H. Hornburg & Amelia/Amalia A. “Lilla” Karney
Born: Mar 22, 1885, Refugio, Refugio Co., Texas
Died: Aug 23, 1957 (age 73), Refugio, Refugio Co., Texas; heart attack
Buried: Oakwood Cemetery in Refugio, Refugio Co., Texas
Occupation: Saddle and harness maker, as was his father
Married (1): Mar 5, 1911, Zella Wells, Refugio Co., Texas
One known child: Ruth Geraldine “Jeri” Hornburg (other children listed on 1930 census)
Married (2): Jul 5, 1926, Helen Layle Chatfield, Brownsville, Cameron Co., Texas
Two known children: Walter Jerald Hornburg, Marian Norma Hornburg (additional children are listed on 1930 census)

Zella Wells
2nd of 5 children of William C. Wells & Alida L. LeMore
Born: Jan 19, 1885, Victoria, Victoria Co., Texas
Died: Jul 22, 1925 (age 40), San Antonio, Bexar Co., Texas; of acute pyelitis and chronic nephritis
Buried: Tivoli Cemetery in Tivoli, Refugio Co., Texas
Married: Mar 5, 1911, Rudolph Oscar “Rudy” Hornburg, Refugio Co., Texas
One known child: Ruth Geraldine “Jeri” Hornburg (other children listed on 1930 census)

1. Walter Jerald Hornburg
1st of 2 children of Rudolph Oscar “Rudy” Hornburg & Helen Layle Chatfield
Born: May 14, 1927, Brownsville, Cameron Co., Texas
Died: possibly at birth, but before Jul 1929, prob Brownsville, Cameron Co., Texas
Buried: probably Oakwood Cemetery in Refugio, Refugio Co., Texas

2. Marian Norma Hornburg
2nd of 2 children of Rudolph Oscar “Rudy” Hornburg & Helen Layle Chatfield
Born: Oct 16, 1928, Harlingen, Cameron Co., Texas
Died: Aug 21, 1967 (age 38), Refugio Co., Texas; suicide
Buried: Oakwood Cemetery in Refugio, Refugio Co., Texas
Married: Jun 18, 1952, Stewart Wilson Cashion
Divorced
One child: Susan Marie Cashion

Stewart Wilson Cashion
Son of Luther Graham Cashion & Myrtle Rebecca Baker
Born Oct 7, 1926, Cramerton, Gaston Co., North Carolina
Died: Feb 13, 1986 (age 59), Nueces Co., Texas
Buried: Palms Memorial Gardens in Portland, San Patricio Co., Texas
Military: U.S. Army, Enlisted Jan 24, 1945, Discharged Aug 29, 1946
Occupation: Manufacturing of textiles
Married (1): Jun 18, 1952, Marian Norma Hornburg
Divorced
One child: Susan Marie Cashion
Married (2): May 11, 1959 (license date), Anna Jo (Bonneau) Jones, Bexar Co., Texas

1. Ruth Geraldine “Jeri” Hornburg
Daughter of Rudolph Oscar “Rudy” Hornburg & Zella Wells, stepdaughter of Helen Layle Chatfield
Born: Aug 22, 1921, San Benito, Cameron Co., Texas
Died: Jun 11, 2004 (age 82), Houston, Harris Co., Texas
Cremated: inurned Oakwood Cemetery in Refugio, Refugio Co., Texas
Occupation: Refugio County Courthouse, Bell Telephone switchboard operator, supervisor in Sears catalog department
Affiliation: Veteran of Foreign Wars-Women’s Auxiliary, Episcopal Church/director of Altar Guild
Married: 1946, Burnett David “B.D./Bud/Hank” Haynes, Lakewood, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio
One child: David Rudolph Haynes

Burnett David “B.D./Bud/Hank” Haynes
Son of Hugh C. Haynes & Violet Nemeth
Born: Mar 25, 1923, Amherst, Lorain Co., Ohio
Died: Jan 25, 2009 (age 85), Houston, Harris Co., Texas
Military: WWII, U.S. Army Air Corps, Private, Enlisted Oct 1, 1942, Discharged Sep 1, 1945
Occupation: Tinsmith, coppersmith, sheet metal worker
Married: 1946, Ruth Geraldine “Jeri” Hornburg, Lakewood, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio
One child: David Rudolph Haynes)

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Timeline and Records

Five children of Elmer Ellsworth Chatfield & Della Chatfield:
1. Helen Layle Chatfield
1894 – 1975 (m. Rudolph Oscar “Rudy” Hornburg)
2. Marion Hortense Chatfield
1896 – 1980 (m. William Perry Tarter)
3. Sevilla Maude/Shirley Chatfield
1898 – 1981 (m. Fred Chester Sproul)
4. Audrey Ella Chatfield
1900 – 2000 (m. Joseph Anthony “Joe” Bodan)
5. Constance Cordelia “Babe/Connie” Chatfield
1905 – 1990 (m. Forest Wayne “Frosty” Rosenberry)

Five children of Henry H. Hornburg & Amelia/Amalia A. “Lilla” Karney
1. Leonora L. Hornburg
1880 – 1956
2. Rudolph Oscar “Rudy” Hornburg
1884 – 1957 (m. Helen Layle Chatfield)
3. Alma Hornburg Droddy
1885 – 1970 (m. William Worth Droddy)
4. Bert Henry “Birdie” Hornburg
1884 – 1964
5. Pearl Hilda May Hornburg
1894 – 1970 (m. Thomas Patrick Shelly)

Family of Zella Wells (1st wife of Rudolph Oscar “Rudy” Hornburg):
Parents: William C. Wells & Alida A. LeMore (Alida, 1859 – 1943)
Married: Apr 13, 1880, Refugio Co., Texas
Five of six known children:
1. Addie Kidd Wells (female)
1881 – 1967 (m. unkn Strickland)
2. Zella Wells
1885 – 1925 (m. Rudolph Oscar “Rudy” Hornburg)
3. Clessen Wells
1887 – 1954 (m. Stella Sophie Weber)
4. LeMore “Buddy” Wells
1889 – 1960 (never married)
5. Theadre “Theo” Wells
1892 – 1971 (m. Herbert Adolph Hartman)

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Mar 22, 1885: Birth of Rudolph Oscar “Rudy” Hornburg, 2nd of 5 children of Henry H. Hornburg & Amelia/Amalia A. “Lilla” Karney, in Refugio, Refugio Co., Texas

Feb 15, 1894: Birth of Helen Layle Chatfield, 1st of 5 children of Elmer Ellsworth Chatfield & Della “Dell” Chatfield, in Emma, Pitkin Co., Colorado

Mar 1895: above photo of Helen
(11 months old) taken at Heyn Studio in Omaha, Nebraska

Elmer Chatfield History, by his granddaughter Beverly (Sproul) Kelly:
Elmer, the eldest son of the I.W. Chatfields 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 teenager, 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 (Pitkin Co., Colorado) and bought cattle from Texas to stock it.

Little is known 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 with 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.

Feb 25, 1896: Birth of Marion Hortense Chatfield, 2nd child of Elmer & Della Chatfield, in Spring Creek, Big Horn Co., Wyoming

Oct 18, 1898: Birth of Sevilla Maude Chatfield, 3rd child of Elmer and Della Chatfield, in Spring Creek, Big Horn Co., Wyoming

Nov 22, 1898: Letter from Elmer Chatfield to Mary (Mollie) Chatfield (Della’s mother and Elmer’s aunt):
Buffalo, Wyoming, Nov 22, 1898
My Dear Mother–
Dell started this letter so I will finish it.
Aunt Mollie, you do not know how near I came to killing Dell and the Babies day before yesterday, while coming down that infernal hill to Buffalo.
I had my sheep wagon & Dell & the Babies were back on the brd (buckboard). In the first place I rough locked the wagon and then chained a big pine tree to the hind end and started, when about ½ the way down my wagon started to push my horses and I could see they could not hold it. So away we went as I come to the turn my wagon slued off and we run about 25 yds on the edge of the road & then over we went down the mountain. When I came to I was laying under the wagon box with the corner of the box resting on my head. I knew where I was in a minute & the first thing I thought of was Dell & the Babies. I hollered to Dell but not a sound did I get except from Toady Bull a little girl Dell had with her to help take care of the children who said, “for God sakes Mr. Chatfield get me out.”
Well now mind you I was pinned underneath the wagon box but there was a little space in front by the dashboard so I undertook to crawl out but my over coat & clothes was to bulky to let me out so I had to work my coat off & I can safely say for once I crawled through an auger hole.
When I got out and took in the surroundings my horses was about 30 feet away and entirely loose from the wagon & wagon bottom side up & the wheels & running gear on top the box.
I hollered again to Dell but not a sound. If there is a man in the world suffered as I did that minute God pity him.
When I undertook to turn that wagon over it was impossible. My only salvation was to cut them out so at it I went. The first slash I came very near cutting Toady’s head. I got her out all O.K. & then kept cutting & digging at last I struck Dell all covered up in the bedding & hay. I asked her if she was hurt & where the children was. She says I am not hurt & Helen is right here by me & the Baby is under me. I got the Baby out first & then Helen. Dell says “My God what will we do I am afraid poor little Marion is dead”.
Well I pulled Dell out & started for Marion. At last I found her entirely wrapped up in one on the Feather Beds and not a scratch. I don’t think I ever was quite as happy as when they were all loaded safe & sound.
A Mr. Kinney happened along at the time & rendered me a great deal of assistance & so ends the first chapter.
All send love. Dell is taking care of the Baby and can’t write.
Your Nephew,
Elmer
P.S. Tell old Art to come up and we will have good hunt in the Bad Lands.

Note: Elmer (age 34), Della (age 25), Helen (4 yrs, 9 mo), Marion (2 yrs, 9 mo), Sevilla (1 mo); Old Art is Arthur, Dell’s younger brother. Unable to identify anyone in the photo, though assuming the driver is Elmer and the woman is Della.

Jun 15, 1900: Federal Census for Spring Creek, Big Horn Co., Wyoming:
Chatfield, Elmer: Head, born Jun 1863, age 36, married 7 years, born Colorado, father born Illinois, mother born Illinois, farmer, 82 farm animals
Note: 3 others listed in household, 2 farm laborers and a housekeeper
Note: Della (5 months pregnant with their 4th child, Audrey) and their daughters, Helen, Marion, and Sevilla are not listed as they are visiting Dell’s mother and father in Mary (Morrow) and Clark Samuel Chatfield at their ranch in Basalt, Eagle Co., Colorado.

Jun 23, 1900: Basalt Journal, Basalt, Eagle Co., Colorado (pg 3):
LOCAL NEWS.
Mrs. E.E. Chatfield, a guest of Mr. and Mrs. C.S. Chatfield, returned to her home in Big Horn Basin, Wyoming, on Wednesday, after a visit of several weeks at Basalt.
Note: Mrs. E.E. Chatfield (wife of Elmer Chatfield and pregnant with Audrey, her 4th child) is Della Chatfield, the daughter of Mary (Morrow) Chatfield.

Nov 27, 1900: Birth of Audrey Ella Chatfield, 4th child of Elmer & Della Chatfield, in Spring Creek, Big Horn Co., Wyoming

Dec 18, 1905: Birth of Constance Cordelia “Babe/Connie” Cordelia Chatfield, 5th child of Elmer and Della Chatfield, in Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming

Mar 6, 1906: Death of Clark Samuel “C.S.” Chatfield, Sr. (age 68), father of Della Chatfield and grandfather of Helen, of Bright’s disease and acute uremia. Clark is a resident of Basalt, Eagle Co., Colorado but dies in Princeton, Colusa Co., California while staying for several months with his daughter Jacquelin (Chatfield) Mallon. Clark is buried in the Princeton Cemetery in Princeton, California.

Spring Creek, Big Horn Co., Wyoming; circa August of 1906
On the back of this picture is handwritten: “Uncle Elmer’s ranch above Tensleep”
Note: Elmer Ellsworth Chatfield, Charles Henry Chatfield, and Jacquelin (Chatfield) Adams are siblings; pictured are 13 of their combined offspring (ages approximate):
Helen, Marion Chatfield, Charles, Sevilla, Marion Adams, Leo, Howard, Roy, Kathryn, Nella May, family dog, Audrey holding two babies, Gordon and/or Constance
Helen Layle Chatfield: born Feb 15, 1894 (age 12), daughter of Elmer & Della
Marion Hortense Chatfield: born Feb 25, 1896 (age 10), daughter of Elmer & Della
Charles Joseph Chatfield: born Nov 18, 1895 (age 9) Charles & Nellie, son
Sevilla Maude Chatfield: born Oct 18, 1898 (age 7), daughter of Elmer & Della
Marion Jacqueline Adams: born Apr 24, 1898 (age 8), daughter of Jacquelin & Fred
Leo Willard Chatfield: born Oct 23, 1897 (age 8), son of Charles & Nellie
Howard Francis Chatfield: born Jun 13, 1899 (age 7), son of Charles & Nellie
Roy Elmer Chatfield: born Mar 20, 1901 (age 5), son of Charles & Nellie
Kathryn “Kate” Adams: born Jan 31, 1903 (age 3), daughter of Jacquelin & Fred
Nella Mae Chatfield: born Mar 11, 1903 (age 3), daughter of Charles & Nellie
black dog
Audrey Ella Chatfield: born Nov 27, 1900 (age 5), daughter of Elmer & Della
2 babies (note: assuming Gordon is on the left and Constance is on the right):
Gordon Gregory Chatfield: born Dec 20, 1905 (8 mo), son of Charles & Nellie
Constance Cordelia Chatfield: born Dec 18, 1905 (8 mo), daughter of Elmer & Della

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

Aug 19, 1910: Big Horn County Rustler, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming (pg 9):
Miss Helen Chatfield, daughter of Elmer Chatfield of Tensleep, is assisting at the home of her aunt, Mrs. Burtis T. Joslin.

Circa 1910 Postcard: Elmer & Dell’s five daughters at the ranch near Ten Sleep: Audrey, Marion, Helen, Sevilla, Constance “Babe”:

Circa 1910 Postcard taken at the same time; four older daughters Marion, Helen, Sevilla, Audrey:

Mar 5, 1911: Marriage of Rudolph Oscar “Rudy” Hornburg & Zella Wells, in Refugio Co., Texas

Mar 5, 1911: Texas Marriage Record:
Name: R. O. Hornburg
Gender: Male
Marriage Date: 1911
Marriage Place: Refugio Co., Texas, United States
Spouse: Zella Wells
FHL Film Number: 1012464

Dec 29, 1911: Big Horn County Rustler, Basin, Big Horn Co., Wyoming (pg 9):
Mr. Elmer Chatfield returned on Friday from Omaha, where he had been with a shipment of sheep. At Billings he was joined by his two daughters, Misses Helen and Marion, who accompanied him as far as Basin, where he remained until the next day, while they proceeded to the ranch above Tensleep.

1911 and 1912: Helen Chatfield is attending Billings Polytechnic Institute in Billings, Yellowstone Co., Montana. From there she corresponds with her friend in her hometown of Tensleep, Boyd Mills. The following postcards, letters, and group photos were contributed by Terril Mills.

In January of 1918, Helen’s grandfather, Isaac Willard Chatfield, wrote a letter to Helen’s sister, Sevilla; in it he penned:
“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.”

Mar 13, 1912: Letter from Milo Mills to his brother Boyd, friends of the Chatfield sisters:
Ten Sleep, Wyoming
March 3^rd, 1912
My dear brother,
I was over to “Chattie’s” Sunday P.M. and Sunday night tell 12:20 but did not get to be alone with H.P. over two or three minutes at a time. Great isn’t it. A fellow has a dandy time over there and the old folks treat me dandy but I don’t think that there will be any developments of serious character for chances are something you never get. You know you said in your letter for me to put it off till I come home. I don’t think that you need worry about this for I have just about made up my mind that it is foolishness to advance to far in the game. Helen and Marion (Chatfield) were here today. They were sure sweet looking. We have been having lots of fun down here lately. It would take too much time to tell you all about it in a letter so will wait till I get home and then I will admit nothing. Most of it has been jobbing each other. Van’s have been doing most of it. When I went to Chattie’s Sunday I couldn’t find my saddle. The kids had hidden it so that I pounced onto Lewis’s saddle. I certainly liked Lewis. We clicked together on most everything. Lewis is going to try and take Sevilla from Harold Friday night at the dance. I believe that he will make it stick alright too. Harold stood back and Lewis took the lead when us kids were all over at Chattie’s. Two weeks ago last Sunday Helen and Sevilla will be on the ranch with the old man next summer alone part of the time.

Write as soon as you can and tell me all the news. I am your brother, Milo Mills, Ten Sleep, Wyoming.
Note: The envelope was addressed to Boyd C. Mills, Fort Logan, Colo. in care of Army Y.M.C.A from Milo Mills, Ten Sleep, Wyoming

Apr 7, 1916: Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 5):
Misses Helen and Marion Chatfield who have been attending the Wesleyan University at Lincoln, Neb., for the past year, returned home last Thursday. They say there is no place like good old Wyoming.

Chatfield sisters Helen and Sevilla: “The art students”
Helen Chatfield, seated in the chair, and her younger sister Sevilla at the ranch north of Worland, abt 1917

Jan 17, 1918: Letter from I.W. Chatfield (age 81) to his granddaughter Sevilla (age 19):
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 to 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

Oct 16, 1918: Letter from friends of the Chatfields, Drucilla “Drusa” Mills to her son Boyd:
Oct. 16^th, 1918
My dear sweet boy,
We received a nice long letter from you last night and as usual tickled to pieces to hear from you but so sorry you were sick. I do hope you don’t get that fluenza and pneumonia. Take real good care of yourself, honey. Milo and Charlie haven’t gotten entirely over their sickness yet…

I was so glad the Chattie girls and Fern Laird were at the train to tell you good bye. Well Boyd I guess I have written all I can think of this time. Take good care of yourself. What is your girl’s name? I think it is Adelice Shubert but am not sure. If you get sick have her write me how you are. I hope this finds you well. Lovingly mother, Mrs. Drusa Mills

Nov 5, 1918: Letter from friends of the Chatfields, Milo Mills to his brother Boyd:
Ten Sleep,
Wyo., Nov 5, 1918
Dear Brother: (Boyd C. Mills)

While am not busy this afternoon I will attempt to write a line or so. I am at the Brower Ranch today and it is snowing like the dickens. Roy is here with me. I have been gone from home a week now riding for horses and cows…

How are you making it in camp now and do you know what you are going to be put at yet? I think I will be riding for about ten days yet before I go home. I suppose you know that I got deferred till Jan. 15^th. Gee aren’t the war news good these days? Do all your girls write to you. My little montana wife came very near dying with the flu. I haven’t seen or heard any thing of the Chattie girls since you left. I expect some of them are down with the flu. I’ve been awfully worried about them. Say you don’t want to let that little thing of yours in Roggen get sick for you know she has been such a comfort to you. Gee I hope you get some job you like in the army. Well must close and if there is anything you want let us know.

Sincerely Your Bro. (Milo Mills)

Nov 12, 1918: Letter from friends of the Chatfields, Milo Mills to his brother Boyd:
Ten Sleep, Wyo.
Nov. 12^th, 1918
4:30 p.m.
Mr. Boyd C. Mills,

Dear Brother:-
Will write you a line to let you know how every thing goes. Dad called me up yesterday morning and told me that mother wanted me to come home and that she was very sick so I made a quick ride from Jack Rebideaux’s to Ten Sleep. Believe me I had just got the outside riding done and had landed at Jacks to do up the Buttes when I found out that mother was real sick. You know when I left she wasn’t feeling so very well but that she would soon get better but instead she just kept getting worse each day until she just got completely down and out.

When I got here and went in the room where she was I was dumbfounded. I have seen her sick lots of times but I never saw her look like that. Boyd, I’ll tell you it scared me she was so pale and yellow. But she seemed to be happier as soon as I was with her. She didn’t get any better however. The phone line to Worland was out of whack and we weren’t able to get Dr. Grey here till about 8:30 this morning. Agnes and I sat up with her last night and mother told me that she did wish she could live till the war was over and you were home so that we could all be together again…

I guess all the women in Ten Sleep have been in to see her today. Mrs. Van and Mrs. Chatfield were here all day and helped me with her. I will stay up with her again tonight. Thank God I am here to look after her. I don’t believe she would ever pull through if we were both gone. Today she slept quite a bit and I believe she is a little better tonight. We are going to do every thing in our power to pull her through and as soon as her bowel’s begin to act vigilantly again…

Well I will close for now and write again tomorrow nite.
Lovingly, your brother Milo M.
Note: Milo and Boyd’s mother, Drucilla Mills, dies on Wednesday, December 4th. The notice is published a week later along with 12 other deaths, mostly from flu. She, however, died from breast cancer.

Mar 13, 1919: Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 15):
Notes From The Red Cross
List of workers who have earned their workroom Red Cross, by having given not less than 72 hours work since June 1, 1918… Miss Helen Chatfield …

Sep 25, 1919: Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 1):
On last Saturday evening at the Masonic Hall took place the Surveyors’ Ball. It was without a doubt the most successful affair ever given for the young people of the town.
The hall was tastefully arranged for the affair and over fifty guests tripped the light “fantastic” to the strains of the famous Thermopolis Orchestra. Carried away by the music and the delicious punch the guests danced past the hour of midnight, when they departed wishing that the surveyors might make Worland their headquarters at some future date. The invited guests of Messers. Bond, Douglas, Riley and Krewer were … Marion Chatfield, Irene Long, Helen Chatfield and Sevilla Chatfield…

Oct 31, 1919: Death of Della Chatfield (age 47), wife of Elmer and 1st child of Clark S. Chatfield & Mary Elizabeth Morrow, on Halloween night, from cancer, at her home in Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming. Her four older daughters are in their 20s, the youngest, Babe, is 14.
Note: Some family members recollect that Dell died from breast cancer—others, uterine or ovarian cancer.

Nov 4, 1919: Della is buried in the Riverview Cemetery in Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming.
Note: Della’s headstone is engraved in error. She was born in 1872 and died in 1919.

Nov 6, 1919: Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 1):
Della B. Chatfield, wife of Elmer E Chatfield, a well known stockman and farmer of this section, died at their home north of the City last Friday evening. She had just recently returned from the hospital at Rochester, Minn. and the community held hope the end was not so near. Besides her husband she leaves five daughters, Helen, Marion, Sevilla, Audrey and Babe all residing at home. Funeral services were held at the home last Monday afternoon, the services being in charge of the Rev. William Gorst.

Jan 24-26, 1920: Federal Census for Election Precinct 4, Washakie Co., Wyoming:
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 15, 1920: Federal Census for San Benito, Cameron Co., Texas:
Hornburg, Rudolph: head, owns home, age 34, married, born Texas, father born Texas, mother born Germany, manager in harness shop
Zella: wife, age 34, married, born Texas, father born Texas, mother born New York

1920: WWI Registration card, Rudolph Oscar Hornburg:

Jul 15, 1920: Worland Grit, Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming (pg 6):
County commissioners appoint election judges and for District No. 4 Precinct No. 2 Voting place Durkee school house, Judges Helen Chatfield, Aug. Lahr and Chas Robertson.

Aug 22, 1921: Birth of Ruth Geraldine “Jeri” Hornburg, the daughter of Rudolph Oscar “Rudy” Hornburg & Zella Wells, and stepdaughter of Helen Layle Chatfield, in San Benito, Cameron Co., Texas

Aug 22, 1921: Texas Birth Certificate:
Name: Ruth Geraldine Hornburg
Birth Date: 22 Aug 1921
Gender: Female
Birth Place: Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA
Father: Rudolph Oscar Hornburg
Father Birth Place: Victoria, Texas
Mother: Zella Wells
Mother Birth Place: Refugio County, Texas
Mother Residence: Dallas, Texas

circa 1923: Elmer Chatfield, Helen’s father, lost his ranch due to the flooding of the Big Horn River. Everything, including the wagons with the turkeys roosting in them, floated away. In late 1923 or early 1924 Elmer and his daughters Helen, Marion, and Audrey moved to Texas where he farmed river-bottom land between Harlingen and Brownsville, Cameron County. His youngest daughter, “Babe,” stayed behind in Basin, Wyoming (with beekeepers) to work for her room and board and finish high school. Sevilla was married and living in Manderson, Wyoming.

Jul 22, 1925: Death of Zella (Wells) Hornburg (age 40) the daughter of William C. Wells & Alida L. LeMore and 1st wife of Rudolf Oscar “Rudy” Hornburg, in San Antonio, Bexar Co., Texas; of acute pyelitis and chronic nephritis

Pyelitis: (pyelonephritis) is a bacterial infection of the renal pelvis. A urinary tract infection or a [bladder infection] is usually responsible for pyelitis. Acute pyelitis is characterized by a general feeling of sickness, pain in the area of the kidneys, burning when urinating as well as a high fever and shivering.
Chronic Nephritis: Nephritis is often described as acute or chronic. The acute form develops suddenly, sometimes after a throat or skin infection. These infections may need treatment such as antibiotics. Chronic nephritis develops silently over several years and can lead to kidney failure.

Helen Layle Chatfield’s bio: a family history compiled by Beverly (Sproul) Kelly; Beverly is the niece of Helen, daughter of Sevilla, and granddaughter of Elmer and Dell Chatfield:

Jul 5, 1926: Marriage of Helen Layle Chatfield & Rudolph Oscar “Rudy” Hornburg, a widower with a young daughter, Ruth Geraldine “Jeri” Hornburg, in Brownsville, Cameron Co., Texas
Note: Helen (age 32) is the 1st child of Elmer & Della Chatfield. Rudy (abt age 42)

Above photo: Rudy, Jeri, and Helen (Chatfield) Hornburg, circa 1926, Texas
Note: On the back is written by Helen: “The Hornburg family taken one Sunday on our way to Rio Grande City. This isn’t so good of Rudy I don’t think.”

May 14, 1927: Birth of Walter Jerald Hornburg, 1st known child of Helen Layle Chatfield & Rudy Hornburg, in Brownsville, Cameron Co., Texas
Note: The child may have died at birth—but before Jul 1929—and is likely buried in the Oakwood Cemetery in Refugio, Refugio Co., Texas. There is an unmarked grave two spaces to the right of what would be his sister’s grave, Marian Norman (Hornburg) Cashion who dies in 1967.

Oct 16, 1928: Birth of Marian Norma Hornburg, 2nd known child of Helen Layle Chatfield & Rudy Hornburg, in Harlingen, Cameron Co., Texas

Sep 1, 1929: The Brownsville Herald, Brownsville, Cameron Co., Texas (pg 20):

Note: Mrs. R.O. Hornberg (Helen Laye (Chatfield) Hornburg), was visiting her father Elmer and her sisters in Wyoming. The two daughters with her were Ruth and Marian. She and her husband Rudy had a son, Walter Jerald Hornburg, born May 14, 1927, who may have died at birth in Brownsville, Cameron Co., Texas, but before Jul 1929 (according to this article).

Apr 15, 1930: Federal Census for Precinct 3, Cameron Co., Texas:
Hamburg, Robert O: Male, age 44, Married, White, Head, born abt 1886, born Texas, father born Texas, mother born Texas, farmer on own farm (Rudy Oscar Hornburg)
Helen Hamburg: Female, 35, Married, White, Wife, born abt 1895, born Colorado, father born Colorado, mother born Colorado (Helen Chatfield Hornburg)
Armide: Female, 12, Single, White, Daughter, born abt 1918, born Texas, father born Texas, mother born Colorado (daughter of Zella?)
Helen: Female, age 10, Single, White, Daughter, born abt 1920, born Texas, father born Texas, mother born Colorado (daughter of Zella?)
Geroldine: Female, age 8, Single, White, Daughter, born abt 1922, born Texas, father born Texas, mother born Colorado (Geraldine, daughter of Zella)
Marian: Female, age 6, Single, White, Daughter, born abt 1924, born Texas, father born Texas, mother born Colorado (above birth record for Marian reflects 1928)
Lorrain: Female, age 4, Single, White, Daughter, born abt 1926, born Texas, father born Texas, mother born Colorado (no other record, died bef 1940 census?)
Martha: Female, age 2, Single, White, Daughter, born abt 1928, born Texas, father born Texas, mother born Colorado (perhaps this is Marian, daughter of Rudy & Helen)

Note: I’ve found no other records of the children listed in black, nor is Walter Jerald Hornburg, born 1927, listed on this census. The older children may have gone to live with relatives or been adopted out after their mother Zella died in 1925. No other records found of the younger ones, Lorrain and Martha. I’m unable to confirm any of the children other than Geraldine and Marion as birth children, so possibly the others were foster or adopted.

Apr 15, 1940: Federal Census for Refugio, Refugio Co., Texas:
Hornburg, Rudolph O: male, white, head, age 53, married, born Texas, high school 2nd year, owner of elec. shoe shop
Helen: female, white, wife, age 45, born Colorado, high school 1st year
Geraldine: daughter, female, white, single, age 18, born Texas, Telephone operator, high school 4th year
Marian: daughter, female, white, age 11, born Texas

1946: Marriage of Ruth Geraldine “Jeri” Hornburg & Burnett David “B.D./Bud/Hank” Haynes, in Lakewood, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio
Note: Ruth is the daughter of Rudy Hornburg & Zella Wells and the stepdaughter of Helen Layle (Chatfield) Hornburg

May 25, 1952: The Corpus Christi Caller-Times, Corpus Christi, Texas (pg 44):

Jun 18, 1952: Marriage of Marian Norma Hornburg & Stewart Wilson Cashion. Marian is the daughter of Helen Layle Chatfield & Rudolph Oscar “Rudy” Hornburg.

Aug 23, 1957: Death of Rudolph Oscar “Rudy” Hornburg (age 73), 2nd of 5 children of Henry H. Hornburg & Amelia/Amalia A. “Lilla” Karney and the husband of Helen, in Refugio, Refugio Co., Texas; heart attack. Rudy is buried in the Oakwood Cemetery in Refugio, Refugio Co., Texas

Aug 24, 1957: Corpus Christi Times, Corpus Christi, Nueces Co., Texas:
RUDOLPH HORNBURG DIES AT REFUGIO
Refugio – Rudolph Oscar Hornburg, 73, a resident of Refugio for about 60 years died at his home at 10:15 p.m. Friday after a heart attack.
Hornburg operated a saddle shop here for many years but retired about 10 years ago because of poor health.
Survivors include his wife, Helen Lael Hornburg, two daughters, Mrs. B.D. Haynes and Mrs. S.W. Cashion, both of Houston; a brother, Earl of Refugio; two sisters, Mrs. Pearl Shelly and Mrs. Alma Droddy, both of San Antonio, and two grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at Zarsky Funeral Home with the Rev. Troy Sumnall officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery.

Sep 20, 1962: Death of Elmer Ellsworth Chatfield (age 99), father of Helen, at the Pioneer Home in Thermopolis, Hot Springs Co., Wyoming. Elmer suffered terribly from head shingles which contributed to his death.
Note: Shingles are an acute viral infection characterized by inflammation of the sensory ganglia of certain spinal or cranial nerves and the eruption of vesicles along the affected nerve path.

Sep 22, 1962: Worland, Washakie Co., Wyoming:
Chatfield Rites Set for Monday at Veile Chapel
Funeral services for prominent area livestockman Elmer E. Chatfield, 99, will be held at the Veile Chapel in Worland, with the Rev. R.F. Goff officiating.
Chatfield died Thursday at the Pioneer Home in Thermopolis.
He was born July 8, 1863, the son of Isaac W. and Eliza H. Chatfield in Florence, Colo., and grew up in and around Denver. In 1892 he married Della Chatfield and in 1893 moved to the Spring creek area. One of the Big Horn Basin’s real old time livestock men, he worked in the cattle business in the area until his retirement in the 1940’s. In 1883 and 1884, he worked with trail herd crews moving castle from Abilene, Texas to Dodge City, Kansas and shortly before coming to Wyoming, he worked in and around the Colorado mining boom towns.
Surviving are five daughters, Mrs. R.O. Hornburg, Refugio, Texas, Mrs. Marian Tarter, Angwin, Calif., Mrs. Fred Sproul, Anaheim, Calif., Mrs. Joe Bodan, Lander, Mrs. Forest Rosenberry, Alamogordo, N.M., 12 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.

Aug 21, 1967: Death of Marian Norma (Hornburg) Cashion (age 38), Refugio Co., Texas; suicide/set herself afire when her husband left and took her daughter. Helen is buried in the Oakwood Cemetery in Refugio, Refugio Co., Texas

Aug 23, 1967: Corpus Christi Times, Corpus Christi, Nueces Co., Texas (pg 16):
Mrs. Marian Cashion
REFUGIO–Funeral services for Mrs. Marian Hornburg Cashion, 38, were to be at 10:30 a.m. today at Zarsky Funeral Chapel with burial in Oakwood Cemetery. Mrs. Cashion died about midnight Monday in a local hospital after a long illness. She is survived by a daughter, Miss Susan Cashion of Portland; her mother; Mrs. Helen Hornburg of Refugio, and a sister, Mrs. Jerry Haynes of Houston.

Dec 26, 1975: Death of Helen Layle (Chatfield) Hornburg (age 81), 1st of 5 children of Elmer Ellsworth Chatfield & Della “Dell” Chatfield, in Refugio, Refugio Co., Texas; of respiratory arrest, arteriosclerosis, and congestive failure. Helen is buried in the Oakwood Cemetery in Refugio, Refugio Co., Texas

Jun 11, 2004: Death of Ruth Geraldine “Jeri” (Hornburg) Haynes (age 82), in Houston, Harris Co., Texas
Ruth is the daughter of Rudy Hornburg & Zella Wells and step-daughter of Helen (Chatfield) Hornburg. Ruth is cremated and inurned Oakwood Cemetery with her husband Rudy Hornburg in Refugio, Refugio Co., Texas

Obituary:
Ruth Geraldine (Hornburg) Haynes
August 22, 1921 – June 11, 2004
Not too many years ago, there were three fair maidens, three of the prettiest to ever grace the town of Refugio. One maiden was a blonde; one had coal black hair; and one with dark red hair. The three maidens were about as close as sisters to each other. Now, all three have gone to Heaven.
The girl with the dark red hair was Ruth Geraldine Hornburg. Her friends knew her as “Jeri”. She was a beautiful woman and a perfect wife and mother for these past 58 years. Originally from San Benito, Texas, she grew up in Refugio and graduated from Refugio High School in 1939. Jeri was a member of the Girl’s Drum and Bugle Corp while attending Refugio High School.
Upon graduation from high school she became an employee of the Refugio County Court House and Tax Office. When World War II broke out, she held a second job as a telephone switchboard operator for Southwestern Bell. This was a particularly active and important time for Refugio County because of the oil production needed to support the war effort.
Jeri lived in Refugio until 1950 when she moved with her husband and son, first to Corpus Christi, then Victoria, and finally to Houston in 1954.
A member of the Episcopal Church, she served for many years as director of the altar guild while living in Houston. Jeri was a longtime member of the Refugio Chapter of the VFW-Women’s Auxiliary. A stay-at-home mother until her son’s senior year in high school, she then went to work for Sears as a supervisor in the catalog sales department, eventually retiring from Sears in 1986.
Preceded in death by her father, R.O. Hornburg, she is survived by her husband of 58 years, B.D. “Hank” Haynes and her son, David R. Haynes, both of Houston, Harris, Texas.
Earthman Funeral Directors of Bellaire, Texas performed cremation services and interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery, Refugio. The Re. Cano Robert F. De Wolfe will perform a private graveside service.
No one will miss his mate and best friend more than I. I love you. Rest in Heaven. I know you are there.
Note: Obituary written by Geraldine’s husband, Burnett David “B.D.” Haynes 1923 – 2009

Elmer and Della Chatfield named two lakes on the spine of the Wyoming Big Horn Mountain range after their first two daughters, Helen and Marion Chatfield.

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Thank you to Terril Mills who contributed greatly to this part of the Chatfield history, providing letters, numerous newspaper articles, and photographs. His connection to the family: “I am Terril Mills, my father is Boyd Sawyer Mills, grandfather Milo Benjamin Mills and his brother is Boyd Chester Mills. Their parents are Thomas Sherman Mills and Drucilla “Drusa” Fitzgerald.”

2020. Catherine (Clemens) Sevenau.