Mamie Chamberlin & Herb Rosborough

FAMILY LINE AND HISTORY

Mary Agnes “Mamie” Chamberlin
5th of 6 children of Finley McLaren “Frank” Chamberlin & Emily S. Hoy
Born: Jan 6, 1887, Longview, Gregg Co., Texas
Died: May 17, 1980 (age 93), Aberdeen, Grays Harbor Co., Washington; old age
Buried: Olympic Memorial Gardens in Tumwater, Thurston Co., Washington
Married: Nov 28, 1911, Thomas Herbert “Herb” Rosborough, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California
Three children: Mildred Emily Rosborough, Ada Arlene “Arlene” Rosborough, Willard Joseph Rosborough

Thomas Herbert “Herb” Rosborough
2nd of 8 known children of James Rossborough & Jane “Jennie” Docherty
Born: Jun 28, 1880, Palmerston, Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada
Died: Feb 2, 1962 (age 81), Boise, Ada Co., Idaho; heart attack
Buried: Mount Hope Cemetery in Baker City, Baker Co., Oregon
Occupation: 20-mule-team driver, farmer, sheep rancher, logger, gold prospector, miner
Married: Nov 28, 1911, Mary Agnes “Mamie” Chamberlin, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California
Three children: Mildred Emily Rosborough, Ada Arlene “Arlene” Rosborough, Willard Joseph Rosborough

1. Mildred Emily Rosborough
Born: Sep 20, 1912, Carson, Union Co., Oregon
Died: May 28, 1978, (age 58) Aberdeen, Thurston Co., Washington; auto accident
Buried: Mills and Mills Memorial Park, Tumwater, Thurston Co., Washington
Married (1): Aug 31, 1935, Reuben Carlson, Baker Co., Oregon 
No children
Married (2): Sep 28, 1946, Odell Elza “Red” Barrick, Tumwater, Thurston Co., Washington
No children

2. Ada Arlene “Arlene” Rosborough
Born: Jul 26, 1914, Baker, Baker Co., Oregon
Died: Jul 11, 2012 (age 97), Shoreline, King. Co., Washington; congestive heart failure
Buried: Susie Creek Cemetery, Kent, King Co., Washington
Married: Nov 20, 1940, Jack Eugene Norkool, Tacoma, Pierce Co., Washington
Three children: Thomas Lynn Norkool, Patricia Anne “Pat” Norkool, Kay Marie Norkool

3. Willard Joseph Rosborough
Born: Jan 26, 1919, Seattle, King Co., Washington
Died: Nov 27, 2004, (age 85) Portland, Multnomah Co., Oregon; Alzheimer’s disease
Interred: Lincoln Memorial Park Mausoleum, Portland, Multnomah Co., Oregon
Married: Apr 19, 1952, Joan Elizabeth Hassie Hollis, Eugene, Lane Co., Oregon
Two children: Michael Lynn “Mike” Rosborough, Daniel Joseph “Dan” Rosborough

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Timeline and Records

Six children of Finley McLaren “Frank” Chamberlin & Emily S. Hoy:
1. Nellie Belle Chamberlin
1873 – 1956
2. Frederick Lawrence “Fred” Chamberlin
1875 – 1955
3. Ada Agnes Chamberlin
1877 – 1960
4. Roy Valentine Chamberlin
1881 – 1923
5. Mary Agnes “Mamie” Chamberlin
1887 – 1980
6. Willard Joseph “Joe” Chamberlin
1890 – 1971

Eight known of ten children of James Rossborough & Jane “Jennie” Docherty:
1. Ada Maude Rossborough
1878 – 1939
2. Thomas Herbert “Herb” Rossborough (changed spelling to Rosborough)
1880 – 1962
3. George W. Rossborough (twin)
1883 – bet 1893 – 1900
4. John Milford “Jack” Rossborough (twin)
1883 – 1948
5. Franklin Cecil “Frank” Rossborough
1884 – 1955
6. Robert Johnson “Bob” Rossborough
1886 – 1950
7. Susan E. “Susie” Rossborough
1887 – 1936
8. Edith May Rossborough
1890 – 1955

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Jun 28, 1880: Birth of Thomas Herbert “Herb” Rosborough, 2nd of 8 known children of James Rossborough & Jane Docherty, in Palmerston, Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada
Note: Herb was the only family member to take the spelling of Rosborough rather than Rossborough

1881: Census for Canada:
Name: Thomas Herbert Rosborough
Age: 9/12
Birth Year: 1880
Province: Ontario
District: Perth North
Household Members: 7

1881: Census for Canada:
Name: Herbet Thomas Rosborough (Herbert)
Age: 11
Birth Year: 1880
Residence Date: 1891
Residence Place: Selkirk, Manitoba, Canada
Can Read
Can Write
French Canadian
Household Members: 11

Jan 6, 1887: Birth of Mary “Mamie” Agnes Chamberlin, 5th of 6 children of Finley McLaren “Frank” Chamberlin & Emily S. Hoy, in Longview, Gregg Co., Texas

Circa 1894: Photo of Chamberlin sisters:

Circa 1894: Assuming this photo was taken about the time the family lived in Fruita, Colorado
Mamie Chamberlin: (born Jan 6, 1887) would be 7
Nellie Chamberlin: (born Mar 7, 1873) would be 21
Ada Chamberlin: (born Nov 6, 1877) would be 16

1897(?): Frank & Emily Chamberlin children, photo by Marshall, 1637 Larimer St., Denver:

Handwritten on the back of the photo:
“Anaconda, Colorado, 1897” 
Note: estimated ages according to date on the back of the picture (though I believe it is misdated by a year or so):
Roy Valentine Chamberlin (abt 15)
Willard Joseph Chamberlin (abt 7)
Frederick L. Chamberlin (abt 22)
Nellie (Chamberlin) Chatfield (abt 24); Nellie was married in Dec 1894
Mary “Mamie” Chamberlin (abt 10) (although she looks younger)
Ada Agnes Chamberlin (abt 19)

Jun 5, 1900: U.S. Federal Census, Eldora Town, Boulder Co., Colorado:
Chamberlain, E.S.: head, born Jul 1851, age 48, widow, 6 children born, 6 children living, born Pennsylvania, father born Penn, mother born Penn, restaurant keeper, owns home
Roy: son, born Aug 1881, age 18, single, born Texas, father born New York, mother born Pennsylvania, waiter in restaurant
Mamie: daughter, born Jan 1887, age 13, born Texas, father born New York, mother born Pennsylvania, at school
Wilford: son, born Aug 1890, age 9, born Texas, father born New York, (Willard) mother born Pennsylvania, at school
Note: Emily’s (E.S) birth year is listed as 1851 rather than 1850, so would be age 49. She is listed as the owner of the property without a mortgage and is running a restaurant; her son Roy is working with her as a waiter. She is not a widow as her husband Frank is still alive and Frank is in the above 1900 Eddy, New Mexico census living with their daughter Ada (Chamberlin) Chambers. Emily’s 1st child, Winnie, is not accounted for in the number of children born or deceased.

Oct 15, 1903: Letter to Mamie Chamberlin (age 16) from her sister Nellie “Chamberlin” Chatfield (age 30):
Sulphur, Colorado
Oct. 15th, 1903
My dear Sister,
I received your letter & the pictures some time ago, but you’ve no idea how busy I have been. I went to Rifle & got my fruit then I had it all to put up & then we had a lawsuit over water at Meeker last week & I was one of the witnesses but we won the case without my going on the stand at all & Charlie was so glad for he was afraid I would be nervous & maby faint. We had the same kind of a lawsuit last year & we won it also, so now I guess they will let us alone.

I have no pictures of the children now & have never had my own taken since I was married (except in that group). Charlie had his taken last winter in Denver, they are not a bit good but he was sick at the time he went there expecting to have an operation performed. I was already to go to Denver last June, was going to take Roy & the baby & have them baptized & have their picture taken. Charlie went to Rifle to get me a pass, but when he got there he met his Father & he said they had just moved to Pueblo, so of course I didn’t go, but there is a first class photographer in Rifle now & the next time I am out there I think I will have mine & the babies taken together & the other 4 taken in a group if can keep them all together long enough. I would have had it done the other day but the artist was not there the first day & after that I was so busy getting my fruit I didn’t have the time. I don’t know whether I will be there again this winter or not.

We are about to sell the ranch, if we do we will move to Rifle for the winter & then I don’t know where we will go. People here who haven’t got the Canada fever have the Cuban fever. Charlie is about out of the notion of going to Canada & he don’t say much about Cuba but I think I would like to go there, people who have been there say it is just grand, that the climate is very much like California & the government offers $5.00 a head for all the cattle that are put in there (that would almost pay their expenses) & they say there are very few cattle there as yet & that it is a splendid cattle country, so if Charlie wants to go there I am more than willing to go to. I never did want to go to Canada. I hate the English government & the Cuban government is very much like our own & there are plenty of Americans there now, it seams a good way off & I don’t suppose I would ever come back. I would be like the Swed we had driving the stacker horse this summer. I asked him if he ever expected to go back to the old country again, he said “Vell, I don’ tink I vill, I don’ like to travel dat road some. I not eat no ting all de vay, and I feel some bad”.

I am all alone with the children tonight, Charlie is on the road with cattle, the children are all asleep & it is after 10 o’cloc so I guess I will go to bed. I have some more letters to write but will have to wait till next time. I was so glad to get the pictures. I got them before I did the letter & I said to Charlie who do you suppose that was, I don’t think it is Mamie, he said “Of course it’s Mamie, any one would know it was your sister”, but I wouldn’t believe it till I read your letter. I don’t think it looks a bit as you did when I last saw you & now I must close, with love,
your Sister,
N. Chatfield
Note: The Chatfields are living in Hot Sulphur Springs, Grand Co., Colorado

Apr 12, 1905: Letter from Frank Chamberlin (age 59) to his daughters Ada Chamberlin Whitaker (age 27) and Mamie Chamberlin (age 18) living in Baker, Oregon:
Sawtelle, Cal
Apr 12, 1905
Dear daughters,
I was glad to get your letter & that you are all well. I am doing fairly well but I wish I could get along faster. We are having a great building boom here, houses going up in every direction since they have started work on the new electric line. They had quite a time here on Saturday, 40 years since Lee surrendered. All the shoulder straps were out showing themselves (?). I didn’t take it in as it didn’t interest me much. The weather has been cloudy for several days but have a little sun today. How did Frank James get such a good job & what is he to do besides the drilling. Yes, I wish you could all get to be in the fair as you are so near & I hope you can go and get something to do to pay expenses. Well, I suppose Ed wont have to leave anything on the books. The ? ? ? and he will be out his time & expenses, hope he will have better luck buying horses. I suppose payment can be stopped on the last check. Well you so seem to have hard luck all around, maybe it will change after a while, I hope so. At least I believe that all I can think of this time.
PS Mamie,
I wish you would send me that medicine, don’t see why you have not sent it before. Well, write as often as you can, love to you both,
your Father, FC

May 8, 1905: Letter from Frank Chamberlin (age 59) to daughters Ada (age 27) and Mamie (age 18) in Baker, Oregon:
Soldiers Home
May 8, 1905
Dear daughters,
I just got your letter & will ans. right away for I like to hear from you as often as I can. I got admitted yesterday, that is what they call F.A.O., that is admitted temporarily & we get a second hand suit of clothes. From here I will be admitted regularly & assigned to some co. & then I get a suit of new clothes while I am at FAO. I am liable to be called on to work every day but I went to the Dr. & got excused till first of March. I am not getting well very fast, my stomach won’t stand the grub they have in the dining room. The grub would be all right if I had a stomach like an Ostrich but I cant go it now. There is a good restaurant here at the home & if I can make my money hold out I shal get most of my meals there. Things are very reasonable. I won’t get any more pension till June as I have to be transferred to San Francisco & I expect I will go broke before that time.

The weather is fine here since the rain and the home is a beautiful place, so much shrubbery, so many flowers. We can see the ocean from here. Its four miles away. We are 14 miles from Los Angeles & 4 miles from Santa Monica. Electric cars pass every 10 or 15 minutes. They have a big cage of birds here, something like San Francisco only on a smaller scale. There are parrots, cocatoes, China Pheasants, quail, bobwhite & California canaries, red birds and half dozen different kinds of birds from tropical countries – a black eagle and a dozen others that I don’t know what they are. Certainly use the telescope.

I hope you will like the job & do well. No, Mamie did not say anything about Nelley at all. They raise bananas and dates here & things look beautiful here now. Well, I don’t think of anything else this time, if there is anything you want to know about let me know & I will try to let you know. Love to you both & give my regards to Mrs. Whitaker.
Your Father
FC
Note: Mrs. Whitker is Ada’s mother-in-law

Jun 3, 1905: Letter from Frank Chamberlin (age 59) to daughter Mamie Chamberlin (age 18):
Sawtelle, Calif
June 3, 1905
My Dear Daughter,
Got your letter & the suspenders this PM & think they are very nice. We had quite a big time here, big crowds from outside, they fed about 600 outsiders here at the home. Well, the grub don’t get any better but I am doing fairly well, have got back some of the flesh I lost before I came here only I don’t get strong very fast. There is talk here that we are to have a change for the better in the grub line the 1st of July. I will have to see it before I believe it. I hope its true.

Well, pay day is about all the old Soldiers have to look forward to. I think we will get paid between the 13 & 16 & then I will send you a little money. My teeth have got so bad I want to get some made if I can after pay day. We are about 4 miles from the beach, I walked down there once since I have been here. Yes, they irrigate here where they can get water on the land. Yes, the home is very pretty to look at but thats about all. There is a graft on nearly everything here. Don’t like the mornings here, its nearly always cold & foggy till about 10 Am but after that its quite nice. I don’t know when hot weather begins here, haven’t had but one hot day yet & it was cold enough the day after to make up for it. I have never been to Los Angeles since I have been here but am going after my pension day to have my teeth attended to. They are so bad I can hardly eat anything any more. I am sorry Ada & Ed are going to Alaska. I am afraid it wont be a success.
Love, from your Father FC
Note: Frank’s son-in-law, Ed Whitaker, makes a living as a miner, apparently unsuccessfully

Jul 14, 1905: Letter from Frank Chamberlin (age 59) to his daughter Mamie Chamberlin (age 18), in Oregon:
Sawtelle, Calif
July 14, 1905
Dear Daughter Mamie,
Just got your letter & may as well answer at once. I am glad to hear Roy is getting along all right. Ada doesn’t say anything about coming to Calif., talks like they are going to leave Baker & going over near Weaver where she says Ed has a contract. Things are about the same old thing here. They have a new R.R. to the home & I suppose will soon be running trains to the grounds to haul all the supplies for the home. They will save money for themselves as they have to pay for the hauling from town. I am going to take a trip to Ocean Park next month if nothing happens. It is a great resort. I don’t expect to see much of Calif while I stay here & that wont be long.
Love from your Father
FC

Jul 30, 1905: Letter from Frank to daughters Ada (age 27) and Mamie (age 18) in Baker, Oregon:
Sawtelle, Calif
July 30, 1905
My Dear Daughters,
Well we are not bothered here with hot weather & don’t think we are likely to be. Well I think I will go & stay with Nelly for a while & see how it goes & if I don’t like it I wont have to stay. She has asked me to come three or four times, sent me a letter shortly before they were to leave Rifle & wanted me to come & make the trip with them, said they had two wagons & were well fixed to make the trip. I would have liked to have made the trip but could not get away from here till after pension day as I had no money. I think I will take a Furlow for six months & I can renew it at any time if I want to, or think I can get transferred to another home if I like.

I am sorry you cant both go to Portland. So there is another Sheny in Baker, well one more or less don’t matter. It seems like Ed (Ada’s husband) cant get at anything but it goes wrong some way. It would be nice if you could be at the mine, this hot weather the huckleberries would be fine now if there are any out. Suppose the mine has gone to the dogs before now. I was in hopes we might get something out of it after a while. What is Ed doing now?

I have a letter from Willard – he said Bessy McCasky had been there and staid a few days. Her husband has a grocery in Los Angeles. He says they are trying to sell out. Fred says he wont stay there another year anyhow. They have had bad luck as they always have. He says Fred is coming to Los Angeles the 10 of Aug & is going with Bessy & her husband to the grocers picnic.

I think we will have the electric line running to the home in a few days, they are putting up the pole now. Figs are ripe here now, that is the black ones, but I don’t think they are any good, they are to sickeny to suit me, guess they would be fairly good with sugar & cream. I think the white ones will be better but they are not ripe yet.

Well I dont get along very well here, have had three or four bad days lately but feel some better just now. One of the Drs. gave me an examination yesterday & said had intestinal medicine an(d) he is giving me a course of treatment now & said for me to see the head of surgeons & get a special diet of milk three times a day, the head surgeon is the only one that can make out the diet list. I went twice to see him today but its Sunday & missed me but think I can catch him tomorrow & if I do I am going to live on crackers & milk.

Well I hope it has cooled off a little by this time. I see they are having terrible hot weather everywhere. I suppose you have seen the account on the gunboat (USS) Bennington blown up (due to a boiler explosion) at San Diego harbor, 60 or more were killed and nearly everyone was hurt. I believe the blame is on the officers of the boat. Guess that’s all this time,
Love from your Father
FC

Aug 9, 1905: Death of Finley McLaren “Frank” Chamberlin (age 59), the father of Mamie, unexpectedly at the home of his daughter Nellie in Rifle, Garfield Co., Colorado, from a stomach hemorrhage due to stomach cancer.

Aug 9, 1905: Nellie Chatfield wires word at 4:30 p.m. of their father’s illness to her sister Mamie Chamberlin in Oregon. Nellie’s husband, Charles Chatfield, sends a second wire at 1:43 a.m. on behalf of Nellie, notifying Mamie of her father’s death.

Circa 1907: Presumed photo of Mamie (at right) and her two sisters, Ada and Nellie with some of their children:

Note: other than Ada, Howard, and Vera, the others pictured are an educated guess
Ada (Chamberlin) Whitaker, her son Howard Chambers, abt age 7 (between her hands),
Nellie (Chamberlin) Chatfield (in middle), Mamie Chamberlin (at right)
Standing in front: Vera Whitaker, abt age 3 or 4 (pigtails, born 1903),
Other two children unknown (either Nellie’s or Ada’s)
Assuming picture was taken abt 1907, Ada would be abt 28, Nellie abt 33, and Mamie abt 18
Sanders, Rosebud Co., Montana

Ada (Chamberlin) Whitaker and one of her children, sister Mamie Chamberlin (?):

Feb 24, 1909: Forsyth Times-Journal, Forsyth, Rosebud Co., Montana:
Sanders Items.
Miss Emma Feely entertained at progressive whist Monday evening. Prizes were won by Miss Mamie Chamberlain and Mr. Dan Deveny; a lunch was served at midnight.
Note: Mamie Chamberlin (age 22) is Nellie Chatfield’s younger sister living with the Chatfields in Sanders

Apr 23, 1910: U.S. Federal Census, Sanders School District, Rosebud Co., Montana:
Chatfield, Chas: head, age 39, married 16 years, born Colorado, father born Illinois, mother born Texas, farmer
Nellie: wife, age 37, married 16 years, born Montana, father born New York, mother born Pennsylvania (Emily’s daughter)
Chas: son, age 14, born Colorado, father born Colorado, mother born Missouri
Leo: son, age 12, born Wyoming, father born Colorado, mother born Missouri
Howard: son, age 10, born Colorado, father born Colorado, mother born Missouri
Roy: son, age 9, born Colorado, father born Colorado, mother born Missouri
Nellie May: daughter, age 7, born Colorado, father born Colorado, mother born Missouri
Gordon: son, age 4, born Wyoming, father born Colorado, mother born Missouri
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
Gregory, Anson: 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

Nov 28, 1911: Marriage of Mary Agnes “Mamie” Chamberlin (age 24) & Thomas Herbert “Herb” Rosborough (age 30), in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California

Nov 28, 1911: California Marriage Record:
Name: Mary A Chamberlin
Gender: Female
Event Type: Marriage
Marriage Date: 28 Nov 1911
Marriage Place: Los Angeles, California, USA
Spouse: Thos H Rosberough (Rosborough)

Fall of 1911: Mamie & Herb Rosborough (at far right standing and seated) with unknown others 

Sep 20, 1912: Birth of Mildred Emily Rosborough, 1st of 3 children of Mamie Chamberlin & Herb Rosborough, in Carson, Union Co., Oregon

Jul 26, 1914: Birth of Ada Arlene “Arlene” Rosborough, 2nd of 3 children of Mamie Chamberlin & Herb Rosborough, in Baker, Baker Co., Oregon

Apr 28, 1915: Letter from Ada Whitaker (age 37) to her sister, Mamie Rosborough (age 27):
Spokane, Wash.
April 28, 1915
My dear Sister,
They do funny things in a queer way in Baker, the children were not to make their first communion until in May or June and I fully intended to make Zelda (age 8) a pair of white drawers and to make that white dress over for her, it does look so Dutchy and the sleeves are so old fashioned and short and if you will go down with Len and get him a pair of black or darkest blue pants, serge I guess, he has nothing to wear excepting those brown ones and you will have to buy Zelda a pair of white drawers and take Len’s coat, the one Howard used to wear, to the tailor and have him fix the pocket he ought to do that for 50 cents I should think and I’ll get some money from Mr. Lumsden when I get back and make good what you are out while I am gone. I guess you will have to get Zelda enough wide white ribbon for a belt for her Dutchy dress also. I got her a hair ribbon before I left and intended to curl her hair for the occasion.

How much I am making out for you to do in such a short time, but just do your best dear sister and maybe I can do something for you some day but please God not under the same circumstances.

Mamie, if you could only see my poor boy – but I am glad you will remember him as you last saw him. Now his poor bones almost stick through the skin and the skin on his face is almost beyond describing.

His trouble has turned into a cancer and he is a horrible sight and how he prays for God to take him away before he becomes so repulsive that no one will want to come near him, just as though that could ever be.

The Dr. comes every morning to dress his poor face and head and it is becoming so terrible painful to him, he never makes a sound but just quivers and trembles all over. I don’t think there was ever a more pitiful case and he is so very very patient. He is reading your letter now and do you know he still dresses every morning and when necessary goes out to the closet. Isn’t his vitality wonderful and if he had even the smallest chance for life he would out live it, but he never asks for his life any more, only to be taken away soon.

Tell the children papa sends them his love and says for them to love and mind Aunt Mamie and what ever they do to never forget or neglect their religion what ever they do.

Tell them to offer up their first communion that they may never never fall into mortal sin and that Howard will be a good catholic and that papa’s end here may be quiet and peaceful and for a happy death for us all and if it be God’s will to yet make papa well.

And now I must close for today. Tell all the children to be good.
Lovingly your sister,
Ada
Note: Ada’s sister Mamie, is caring for Ada & Ed’s children. So he could be closer to his doctors, Ed and Ada are living in one room with their six-month-old baby at Ed’s parents’ house in Spokane, who are extremely unkind to Ada throughout this ordeal.

May 6, 1915: Letter from Ada Whitaker (age 37) to her sister Mamie (age 27) and Ada’s children:
Spokane, Wash
May 6, 1915
My dear Sister & Children –
Ed put in a very bad night. Aunt Olie and I thought it surely was his last, but I guess it was that horrid powerful morphine the Dr. and his father gave him, he has not been out from under its influence since yesterday about 9:30 a.m. It is terrible, oh how I wish Almighty God would give him back to us in health and strength once again and I shall never cease praying for that end until it is to late.

I wish you could know Aunt Olie. She is as different from Grandma as day is from night, you could not help loving her, no primps and frizzes and put ons about her. She is just true blue and is so good to all especially the baby and Ed. How I wish I had never let Ed come up here this last time, we could have managed him at home, he requires so little waiting on even now in this helpless condition.

Frank sent a package to his mother for me & for the children something in the wearing line, but I would have appreciated it far more if he had sent me the $16.00 he owed me and I could get what I wanted. I suppose I ought to be grateful but I am not and wish he had not sent anything. I hope God will forgive me for being ungrateful especially now and I wouldn’t do him the least harm in the world or wish him the least bit of bad luck, but I don’t like him and can’t pretend to. He has been too mean to Ed. Ed wrote him a nice short letter of forgiveness etc. about three days ago, also Fred and Nellie.

The Dr. has just come to deal Ed some more misery and this is the first time he has not been able to get up. This a.m. he has to have his face dressed in bed.
The Dr. has just gone. He told me it was only a matter of a few days now as it has eaten nearly to one of the main veins in his neck. I can’t write any more now Mamie. Tell the children to please be good and that will help so much.
Did Mr. Lumsden come in from Sparta Wed?
With love to all,
Your loving sister, Ada, and Mother
Note: Grandma referred to is Ed’s mother, Mrs. Whitaker

May 14, 1915: Letter from Ada Whitaker to her sister Mamie and Ada’s children:
Spokane, Wash.
May 14, 1915
My dear Sister & Children –
Isn’t this cold, wet weather just awful and it makes one feel so lonesome and dreary.

Your letter and the one from Howard (Howard Chambers, pictured, age 16, son of Ada & Doc Chambers) just came and I thought we would get one from Mr. Lumsden also but did not. I had a telegram from Mr. Strayer yesterday and he said a letter would follow so will get that in a few days now. I am glad you are getting along nicely and only hope all will stay well.

The baby coughs real hard but not often and mostly at night.

It still stays cold and very windy here but the cool weather is far better for poor Ed than the warm would be. I wish I might write you something encouraging about Ed’s condition but can’t, not yet anyway. Ed seems to get a little thinner and thinner every day and a little quieter. The sight has gone from his right eye entirely and he said this morning that the left eye hurts him now and it begins to look bad. You should see what quantities of morphine he takes – 15 and 20 gr and 25 grams some times in 24 hrs.

If Howard sends any pictures you can send them to me please. Doesn’t he write a poor hand and compose a childish letter for a boy 16 yrs. old? I wonder if after Ed is gone, I’ll have any trouble getting Howard home, in case I need and want him. I don’t believe I will. Well dear, I will write every two or three days and if you find time, do the same. Do you have any trouble with Thelma and Mildred quarreling and Melvin’s stubborness?

Did I tell you that Ed wants to be taken home to be buried. If you see Mr. Strayer again, ask him what I can do about it for I can not afford it now but could pay the expenses in the future, if he thinks that the expense could be put up when necessary.

If you see and talk to him, what he has to say write on a separate paper since Ed won’t see it for he always asks for your letters.

Mamie, the hole in Ed’s face now reaches from his nose right up to under his eye and straight across to his temple, then clear down his nose and a little below, straight across his cheek it is almost in a square and yet I can’t believe he is to be taken away. You never saw such a skelaton as he is, no meat at all, simply the skin and mussel drawn over his bare bones. And now he is getting bed sores, poor boy. It is pitiful to see and watch.
Love to all,
Your loving sister, Ada
Note: Mr. William Henry Strayer (b. 1866) was an attorney in Baker, Oregon

May 18, 1915: Letter from Ada Whitaker to her sister Mamie Rosborough:
Spokane, Wash.
May 18, 1915
My dear Sister,
The little bundle came yesterday and I suppose you have the one I sent.

I had such a nice letter from Mr. Strayer the other day. He said he had seen you and that you said there was nothing at present. Now Mamie, don’t dig everything out of your pocketbook; just let old Baker Co. pay for some things. I don’t expect to live there forever so won’t mind so much and don’t bother about those old bills anymore you have enough to do without that. I don’t see how I am ever to repay you as it is.

Babie’s cough is a little better I guess, anyway it does not seem as tho he coughs quite so often but just about as hard. Dr. Ahlquist here say the whooping cough lasts about six weeks when it is taken in the Spring time. And that is what I have always heard, but when taken in the Fall or Winter there seems to be no let up to it.

It still continues to pour down rain here. I am afraid this will cause washouts on the railroad. This spring storm seems to be general all over the world. I guess the freeze won’t kill the strawberries or raspberries or hurt apples very much, will it?  And have you heard any report from Eagle Valley yet?

Ed is just about the same he is slowly starving now. He has had four teaspoonfuls of broth today and two yesterday. He just lives on morphine. Last night the Dr. gave him his first dose with the hypodermic needle and he was asleep in 10 minutes.

Bert and his wife came over last Sunday afternoon. I like them so much. She is a woman about my age and I know she would be splendid. I should like to know her better. She is as dark as I am and I imagine that she was a widow before Bert married her.

I wonder what poor Nellie’s trouble can be about. I wish she would tell us. She writes a sad letter, doesn’t she?

I’ll never be able to catch up with my sewing now, never so it seems to me. I hope I can get that boarding house so I could see my way to hire a little of it done. Yes I believe Irene is a fun girl and wish we might know her better some day. Zelda writes Donald is a very bad boy. Now Mamie you make you a good paddle and you use it. You won’t hurt my feelings one bit and I know you won’t use it unless necessary and I happen to know it is quite necessary quite often, so you make them all mind you every one.
Your loving sister,
Ada W.
Note: At the time of this letter, their sister, Nellie Chatfield is five months pregnant with her tenth child. Nellie had left her husband in Montana (after he had gambled away their holdings), arriving in California with her nine children in tow two years before. Charles followed three days later. Nellie never forgave him—except apparently once—as now she was pregnant, with my mother.
Note: Bert is probably Ada’s cousin, Bert Kinne, who lives in Spokane.

May 1915 (bet. 18^th and 26th): Letter from brother-in-law Ed Whitaker (age 41) to Mamie:
My dear dear Sister –
I can only write a line or so and Sister dear they are hard to write. I’ll never see you again here Mamie but oh dear Sister I surely hope I can enter the hereafter and there we will all meet in joy and gladness. You and Ada from now on promise me, will always be sisters and never get mad at one another.

Tell dear old Herb I’ll always remember him and I know you will get along good and happy all your days. I’ve fought hard Sister dear but I am nearly gone. Remember me in your prayers and in my simple way I’ll remember you in some little word or prayer always.
Your loving Brother, Ed

Try and convey my feelings to Herb and oh I would like to see him again. Tell him for me Mamie to come and be a Catholic for he certainly has a good Catholic wife and I am asking him to come.
Good by Mamie, Good by.
Note: Herb is Herbert Rosborough, Mamie’s husband. This letter was written shortly before Edward Whitaker passed away on May 26, 1915.

May 18, 1915: Letter from Ada (Chamberlin) Whitaker (age 37) to her young children who are staying with Mamie:
Note: ages Vera (nearly 13), Leonard (10), Zelda (8), Donald (6), Melvin (4), Thelma (2yr, 6 mo)
Spokane, Wash
May 18, 1915
My dear little Children all—
Mamma hasn’t much to write to you only to ask you to be good. I received your letters yesterday but poor papa could not read them, but I did and was glad to get them.

Now Vera you know what you ought to do and can do to help Aunt Mamie. You can wash the dishes and on Saturday and Sunday sweep the kitchen and pantry and your bed room has to be straightened up every week and Zelda must help with the dishes and wash Thelma and empty the slops and try to keep things picked up in the bedroom and help dress the little ones in the morning and Len’s business I guess he knows, to get the wood and kindling, make the fires, empty the ashes, shake the mats and make your own bed and feed and water the chickens.

And don’t any of you go to communion unless you are sure you have no sin on your souls, and every time you go to confession tell every thing you can remember both great and small and then you will make no mistake and leave nothing out, you know it would be a most terrible thing not to tell everything in confession.

And tell Donald and Melvin to try and be good for I have told Aunt Mamie to make her a good paddle and to use it on all alike when they need from Thelma up. How does she get along, does she seem to miss her mamma?

You will have to look after Melvin the most. Vera you know how stubborn he is and Aunt Mamie won’t want to exactly kill him, altho she may feel like it so you take him in hand and relieve her of some of the trouble, and do lots of little things to help her for remember she is doing what very very few would do for us and it is hard work and lots of it.

It is going to rain again and we are so tired of it and I guess you are also.
When does your school let out? There was a big fire here last night. A six story building all burned to the ground.

You wouldn’t know your poor papa now he is so very thin and I don’t know whether I can bring him back with me or not so you must all be good and pray hard that you may meet him someday in heaven, where he will look as he did a year ago and more.
And now I must close and write to Grandma Chamberlain
With love and kisses to all,
Mamma

May 24, 1915: Letter from Edward Whitaker (age 41) to his children:
To Vera, Len, Zelda, Donald, Melvin & Thelma,
Papa is going away dear little souls and before I am gone I must write a little note to you all. Be good to mama always. Papa loves you very dearly and wants you all to remember him. I hope we meet again in the after hours. Good by to you one and all for ever.
From your passing heart-broken papa. Promise to always be true to your Christian duties.
Good-by.
Note: the six oldest Whitaker children were staying with Ada’s sister, Mamie, in Baker, Oregon

May 26, 1915: Death of Edward Lawrence Whitaker (age 41) in Spokane, Spokane Co., Washington; of a cancerous mouth tumor. Ed is buried at Mount Hope Cemetery in Baker, Baker Co., Oregon.

May 27, 1915: Letter to Mamie and Ada’s children from Ada Whitaker:
Spokane, Wash,
May 27th, 1915
My dear Sister & Children-
There is nothing to write only that Our Darling is gone, gone from us forever, oh it doesn’t seem that we will never have him with us any more.
I was sitting here alone with him last night and was writing a letter to Mr. Strayer, and every few minutes I would go to the bed and wet Ed’s lips, they were always so dry from the morphine, all at once I missed his regular breathing & went to the bed & moistened his lips again but he made no move. I felt his pulse & there was none, he was gone.
We will leave here Wed. evening at 8:45 that will put us in Baker on Thur at some time in the afternoon & I guess he will be buried Friday A.M.
Mr. Strayer told me he would make all the necessary arrangements. I hope Herb will get word so he can be there.
And now good-by. I’ll see you soon, just think this will be the first trip Ed & I ever took on the train together.
Aunt Olie will be with me, bless her.
Your loving & heartbroken
Sister & Mother
Note: Mr. Strayer sent a car from Baker to Paddy Creek to pick up Ed and Ada’s children to bring them to the funeral. It was the first time the children had ever seen a car. Aunt Olie was perhaps Ed Whitaker’s mother’s sister. Ed’s parents, Fred and Irene Whitaker do not attend their son’s funeral, nor have anything to do with his family after his death.

Jan 26, 1919: Birth of Willard Joseph Rosborough, 3rd of 3 children of Mamie Chamberlin & Herb Rosborough, in Seattle, King Co., Washington

Feb 5, 1920: U.S. Federal Census, Wendell, Gooding Co., Idaho:
Thomas Rosborough (Herbert Thomas “Herb” Rosborough)
Age: 39
Birth Year: 1881
Birthplace: Canada
Home in 1920: Wendell, Gooding, Idaho
Street: Ave B
Race: White
Gender: Male
Immigration Year: 1900
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse’s Name: Mamie Rosborough
Father’s Birthplace: Canada
Mother’s Birthplace: Canada
Native Tongue: English
Occupation: Sheep Industry, Raiser
Employment Field: Own Account
Home Owned or Rented: Rented
Naturalization Status: Naturalized
Able to read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Household Members:
Thomas Rosborough: Head, age 39, born Canada
Mamie Rosborough: Wife, age 33, born Texas
Mildred Rosborough: Daughter, age 7, born Oregon
Arlene Rosborough: Daughter, age 5, born Washington
Willard Rosborough: Son, age 1, born Washington

Nov 19, 1923: Death of Roy Valentine Chamberlin (age 41), brother of Mamie, in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California, in an ambulance on the way to the hospital; of pernicious anemia.

1924: Mamie (age 37) & Herb Rosborough (age 43), living in Washington:

1924: Herb Rosborough (age 43) with his children: Arlene (age 10), Willard (age 5), Mildred (age 12):

1930: Photos of Mamie’s Rosborough with the family of her sister, Nellie Chatfield, in Chico, Butte Co., California:

1930: Photo of the Chamberlin sisters (daughters of Emily and Frank) in Chico, California at Nellie’s house on Boucher Street. Nellie Chamberlin Chatfield (age 57), Mamie Chamberlin Rosborough (age 43), Ada Chamberlin Whitaker (age 53). Nellie lives in Chico, California, Mamie lives in Temple, Washington, and Ada lives in Baker, Oregon:

May 24, 1930: U.S. Federal Census, Temple, Lewis Co., Washington:
Name: Thomas H Rossborough (Rosborough)
Birth Year: 1881
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age in 1930: 49
Birthplace: Canada
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Home in 1930: Temple, Lewis, Washington
Home Owned or Rented: Rented
Radio Set: No
Lives on Farm: No
Age at First Marriage: 32
Attended School: No
Able to Read and Write: Yes
Father’s Birthplace: Canada
Mother’s Birthplace: Canada
Language Spoken: English
Immigration Year1890
Naturalization: Alien
Able to Speak English: Yes
Occupation: Miner
Industry: Curnabar Mine
Class of Worker: Employer
Employment: Yes
Household Members:
Thomas H Rossborough: Head, age 49, age at 1st marriage, 32, born Canada E, father born Canada, mother born Canada
Mamie Rossborough: Wife, age 43, age at 1st marriage 24, born Texas, father born New York, mother born Pennsylvania
Mildred Rossborough: Daughter, age 17, born Oregon, father born Canada E, mother born Texas
Arlene Rossborough: Daughter, age 15, born Oregon, father born Canada E, mother born Texas
Willard Rossborough: Son, age 11, born Washington, father born Canada E, mother born Texas

1930s: Mamie (Chamberlin) Rosborough and her sister Ada (Chamberlin) Whitaker:

Headstones, Hearsay, and a Little History:
In the 1930s and ’40s, many of the Chatfield and Chamberlin clan visited at the Boucher Street house, the children playing in the yard or off swimming and fishing at Bidwell Park. At night all the kids slept on the screened porch. Grandma’s sisters, Mamie and Ada, came often to see Nellie. Roy was their chauffeur, driving Aunt Ada, Aunt Mamie, and his mother in his black Terraplane around Chico and over to Sacramento to go shopping. Grandma was always glad to see her sisters. My sister Claudia was afraid of them. The first time she saw them at Grandma’s house they were dressed in long dark clothes and black hats; when the two aged women bent down to kiss her, my small ringlet-rimmed sister suspected they were witches—and flew from the room screaming. ~Catherine (Clemens) Sevenau

As I Was Told:
Herb was a farmer and a sheepherder, moving the family all the time looking for better opportunities. In Morton, Washington he had a small gold mining operation on the side. He was dredging in the creek and a young boy watched him with interest. “Gee Mr. Rosborough, my dad’s doesn’t look like that at all.” However, the boy was referring to his father’s still. In Morton, you always knew who had stills because their kids had good shoes.

Feb 18, 1940: Death of Emily S. (Hoy) Chamberlin (age 89 yr, 6 mo), mother of Mamie, in Los Angeles, of interstitial nephritis (kidney disease) and acute uremia.

Feb 21, 1940: Picture of Emily Chamberlin’s five living children the day of her funeral in front of her home at 343 E. Gage Avenue in Los Angeles, California. Mamie (Chamberlin) Rosborough (age 53), Fred Chamberlin (age 65), Nellie (Chamberlin) Chatfield (age 67), Ada (Chamberlin) Whitaker (age 63), Willard “Joe” Chamberlin (age 50). Emily’s other son, Roy Valentine Chamberlin, died in 1923. She also had a daughter, Winnie, who died as a young girl:

Feb 21, 1940: Family photo at Emily S. (Hoy) Chamberlin, three days after her death:

Feb 22, 1940: Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California (pg 17):
Emily Chamberlin Funeral Conducted
Requiem mass was celebrated yesterday in St. Columbkille Catholic Church for Mrs. Emily S. Chamberlin, 89, resident of Los Angeles for 34 years and widow of Finley Chamberlin, Civil War veteran. She died Monday at her home, 343 E. Gage Ave. Interment was in Calvary Cemetery under direction of Utter-McKinley Mortuary. Mrs. Chamberlin leaves five children, Mrs. Nellie Chatfield of Chico, Mrs. Ada Whitaker of Baker, Or., and Mrs. Mamie Rosborough of Morton, Wash., Fred Chamberlin of Los Angeles, and Willard Chamberlin of Corvallis, Or.

Apr 26, 1940: U.S. Federal Census, Temple, Lewis Co., Washington:
Name: Mamie A Rossborough (Rosborough)
Age: 53
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1887
Gender: Female
Race: White
Birthplace: Texas
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Home in 1940: Temple, Lewis, Washington
Map of Home in 1940: Temple, Lewis, Washington
Street: Linberg Way
Farm: No
Inferred Residence in 1935: Temple, Lewis, Washington
Residence in 1935: Temple
Resident on farm in 1935: No
House Owned or Rented: Rented
Highest Grade Completed: High School, 1st to 4th year
Income Other Sources: No
Household Members:
Mamie A Rossborough: Head, age 53, born Texas (Rosborough)
Arlene A Rossborough: daughter, age 25, born Oregon, postal clerk in post office (Rosborough)
Bonnie L Chambers: Grand Niece, age 8, born Oregon, residence in Baker, Oregon (granddaughter of Ada (Chamberlain) Chambers Whitaker & Doc Chambers, daughter of Howard Chambers & Jessie Moses; Bonnie’s father Howard died in 1930)

Mamie (Chamberlin) Rosborough:

Thomas Herbert “Herb” Rosborough:

1942: WWII Military Draft Card:
Name: Thomas Hebert Rosborough
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birth Date: 28 Jun 1880
Birth Place: Ontario, Canada
Residence Place: Plumas, California
USA Military Draft: Date 1942
Relationship to Draftee: Head

April 4, 1952: Letter from Mamie Rosborough (age 64) to her sister Nellie Chatfield (age 79):
My Dear Sister,
My but this is a beautiful day. There was a thick fog early this morning but it was gone before 9. The sun has been shining since and it is so nice and warm. We can stand a few nice days. Hope this wont’ be the last one and that every one’s colds will clear up.

I am so glad Arden is going to stay home. As long as he has something to keep him busy he may be more contented to stay. He might be surprised at how nice it will be to stay put in one place for a while. I hope he won’t leave you as long as Roy is away, and I am glad Roy is going to be able to go to work again. He has had such a long vacation.

Howard better do as the doctor says and not go back to work now. He might be able to go later on if he keeps feeling pretty well. I wonder why so many people have heart trouble these days. Years ago it seemed to be mostly elderly people who had it, but now days some quite young people have it.

I know exactly what you mean when you say it is hard to keep your mouth but sometimes (about the children). I suppose they will turn out alright when they are grown, but oh my while they are growing.

We heard on the radio about the awful thunder in California around San Francisco. I think some there thought it was bombs.

Yes I certainly do think it would be nice if some of the things happening in Japan could happen in Russia. I think it would be wonderful if the earth (in Russia) could just open up a big wide cavern and the land on both sides just topple over into it, but happen were old Joe Stalin was there with all his imps.

You know I won’t be surprised if there old Joe dies (if he ever does) his top men, Molotov (I can’t remember all their names) and such will get into a fight over who will take over and be boss. May end up by all being killed and someone take over who is not a communist, and do away with communism and rule in a Christian way, and in that way the promise of Our Lady of Fatima be fulfilled.

My gosh isn’t there a lot of dirt around Washington D.C. a lot will be uncovered and a lot won’t, and my what a fine time the communists will have trying to make something out of it.

There are two 23 year old brats in Aberdeen who loaded their car with bricks and rocks, then went around town and smashed windows in several business, houses and in a couple of cars. They went to the fourth floor of an apartment house and turned on the fire hose which did a lot of damage, and turned in false fire alarms. They told police they spent the night drinking in several taverns and when they closed they started on their vandalism spree. Now I think that would be a fine time for the whipping post, and not spare the lashes either, then make them go to work and pay for every bit of the damage they did, and take away their driver’s licenses for at least 10 years. Just the week before they had been arrested for turning in false alarms and they fined them $35 and $57 and what good did that do. I suppose they think they have done something smart. The army would probably be a good place for them and send them to Korea.

The law is lenient with hoodlums. They know they can do almost anything and get off with a very light sentence and fine, and 9 times out of ten, it will be suspended.

You know I don’t remember of their having all of this hulla baloo about a man running for nominations for President before. Why they want to fight and bicker over such a headache, I’ll never know, it may be quite an honor but an awful pain in the neck too. I don’t envy the guy who gets it.

I hope you will soon get to feeling pretty good and give my love to all and God bless one and all.
Lovingly, Mamie
Note: Arden, Roy, and Howard are the sons of Nellie Chatfield

Sep 21, 1952: Mamie and her sister Ada Whitaker:

Sep 24, 1952: Chamberlin sisters: Mamie, Ada, and Nellie in Nellie’s home in Chico:

1952: Photo of Mamie Rosborough (age 65) with her sister Ada Whitaker (age 74) during a visit in Baker, Oregon:

mid 1950s: Herb, Nellie Chatfield (sister of Mamie), Mamie:

Aug 4, 1955: Death of Frederick L. “Fred” Chamberlin (age 80), brother of Mamie, in Monterey Park, Los Angeles Co., California; heart attack.

Jan 2, 1956: Death of Nellie Belle (Chamberlin) Chatfield (age 82), the oldest sibling of Mamie, in Chico, Butte Co., California.

Jan 3, 1956: Chico Enterprise, Chico, Butte Co., California:
Nellie Chatfield
Recitation of the rosary will be held in the Brusie Funeral Home this evening at 8 o’clock for Mrs. Nellie Chatfield, who died at her home on Boucher Street Monday.
Mrs. Chatfield was born on Mar 7, 1873 in Kansas City, Mo., to Frank and Emma Chamberlin. She resided in Chico in the same house the entire time.
Mrs. Chatfield was a charter member of the Catholic Ladies relief society.
She is survived by eight children: Charles J. of, South San Francisco; Leo W., of Camptonville; Mrs. Nellie McElhiney, of Oakland; Arden, of Yountville; Mrs. Ina Fouch, of Yuba City; Mrs. Ray Hayknee, of San Jose; and Roy E. and Mrs. Verda Day, both of Chico; a brother, Willard Chamberlin of Corvallis, Ore., two sisters, Mrs. Ada Whitaker and Mrs. Mamie Rosborough, both of Baker, Ore. 21 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Chatfield lost a son, Gordon in World War II and another son, Howard, three months ago.
At 9:50 a.m. Wednesday the cortege will proceed to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church where requiem mass will be offered for the repose of the soul.
Those who desire may have masses said in lieu of flowers.

Thanksgiving 1956: Rosborough family, taken in Baker, Oregon:

Mamie & Herb Rosborough in rear, children Mildred, Arlene, and Willard in front

Thanksgiving 1956: Rosborough family after dinner:

1959: Oregon City Directory for Baker City, Baker Co., Oregon (pg 97):
Name: T Herbert Rosborough
Gender: Male
Residence Year: 1959
Street Address: 778 Valley av apt 2
Residence Place: Baker, Oregon
Spouse: Mamie Rosborough
Publication Title: Baker City, Oregon, City Directory, 1959

Jun 1959: Willard, Herb, Jack Norkool, Mamie, Arlene, Mildred, Kay, granddaughter Kay Norkool in front:

Jun 1959: son Willard, Herb Rosborough, son-in-law Jack Norkool:

Herb & Mamie Rosborough:

Jul 15, 1960: Death of Ada Agnes Chamberlin (age 82), sister of Mamie, in Baker, Baker Co., Oregon; pneumonia. Always a lady, she only answered to Mother, Grandmother, or Mrs. Whitaker—never by her first name. Even her son-in-laws referred to her as Mrs. Whitaker, as at her funeral where her friends referred to her as such. She always wore long sleeves, gloves, and brimmed hats. Ada, Mrs. Whitaker that is, was also very Catholic, and like both her sisters, if she could get there, went to mass every day of her life.

Jul 1960: Democrat Herald, Baker, Baker Co., Oregon:
— Obituaries —
ADA AGNES WHITAKER
Ada Agnes Whitaker, 82, 1710 Valley Ave., died Friday evening at St. Elizabeth Hospital.

The rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. today at West and Co. Chapel and mass will be said at 10 a.m. Tuesday, at St. Francis Cathedral. Father Charles Young will officiate and burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery.

Mrs. Whitaker, daughter of Lawrence (Finley) and Emily Chamberlain, was born in Ft. Worth, Tex., on Nov. 6, 1877. She married Edward L. Whitaker in Grand Junction, Colo., in 1902 and they moved to Baker County that same year. Mr. Whitaker died in 1915.

Mrs. Whitaker moved to Baker in 1917 and served as circulation manager for the Democrat Herald for 27 years. She was a member of the Catholic Church.

Survivors are three sons, Leonard of Roseburg, Ore.; Donald of Santa Paula, Calif.; and Edward of Arcadia, Calif.; three daughters, Vera Gillette of Seaside, Ore., Zelda Alfrey of Portland and Thelma Spencer of Baker; a brother Dr. W.J. Chamberlain of Corvallis; a sister, Mrs. T.H. Rosborough of Baker; 18 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

Aug 8, 1960: Photo of Arlene (Rosborough) Norkool, Mamie Rosborough, Joan Rosborough (Willard’s wife); seated: cousin Thelma Whitaker, Mildred (Rosborough) Barrick:

Jun 28, 1961: 50th wedding anniversary of Mamie & Herb Rosborough in Baker, Baker Co., Oregon

Feb 2, 1962: Death of Thomas Herbert “Herb ” Rosborough (age 81), in Boise, Ada Co., Idaho; of a heart attack. His home was in Baker, Oregon at the time of his death.

Burial of Thomas Herbert “Herb ” Rosborough in Mount Hope Cemetery, Baker, Baker City, Baker Co., Oregon:

Jul 5, 1964: Letter from Mamie to her niece, Verda (Chatfield) Day, the daughter of Nellie & Charles Chatfield:

Headstones, Hearsay, and a Little History:
Verda ran a girls’ boarding house for college students in Chico, California. Sometime in 1964, a boy came to the house to see the girls. He’d been drinking and was creating trouble and when Verda told him to leave, he knocked her to the ground. It caused the onset of her heart problems; she had a heart attack shortly after, the first of many. In 1978 she died of heart failure. ~Catherine (Clemens) Sevenau

Feb 13, 1965: Letter from Mamie to her niece, Verda (Chatfield) Day:

May 8, 1966: Letter from Mamie to her niece, Verda (Chatfield) Day:

Dec 10, 1971: Death of Willard Joseph “Joe” Chamberlin (age 82), brother of Mamie, in Lakeside, San Diego Co., California; emphysema. Joe was an Entomology Professor at Oregon State University. He served in WWI (Army Air Corps pilot) and WWII (Air Force Major) and helped produce the first crop duster.

As I Was Told:
Mamie was not hesitant to speak what was on her mind. After her daughter Arlene could no longer care for her, Mamie went to a nursing home that occupied a section of a hospital not far from where Arlene worked. She’d stop by every morning to see her mom and get a report from the night nurse, who adored Mamie. Mamie’s condition deteriorated to the point that she rarely was able to speak. One morning, when Arlene made her daily visit to the hospital, she was excitedly greeted by the night nurse who proclaimed, “Your mom spoke last night!” Arlene asked what she had said. “Well,” continued the nurse, “I decided to get her up and into a wheelchair and take her for a little walk. I’ve put on some weight and was struggling to get her into the chair. As I was grunting and groaning, she looked up at me and said, “Wouldn’t be so hard if you weren’t so darn fat.
~Tom Norkool, son of Jack & Arlene Norkool and grandson of Mamie

May 28, 1978: Death of Mildred Emily (Rosborough) Barrick (age 58), 1st of 3 children of Mamie Chamberlin & Herb Rosborough, in Aberdeen, Thurston Co., Washington. Mildred was killed in an auto accident on the way to visit her mother who was bedridden in a nursing home. She is buried in Mills and Mills Memorial Park, Tumwater, Thurston Co., Washington.

Jan 2, 1980: A card from the White House for Mamie’s 93rd birthday (Jan 6), from First Lady Rosalyn Carter & President Jimmy Carter:

May 17, 1980: Death of Mary Agnes “Mamie” Chamberlin (age 93), the 5th of 6 children of Finley McLaren “Frank” Chamberlin & Emily S. Hoy, in Aberdeen, Grays Harbor Co., Washington; old age.

As I Was Told:
After her children were grown, Mamie stayed with various relatives while Herb was all over the place working here and there. The church was extremely important to Mamie and a part of her daily life. She was very close to her sisters Ada and Nellie, and they made a point to get together at least once a year. Mamie raised three really nice children who were good to her. She was bedridden in a nursing home the last years of her life. Two years before she passed, her daughter Mildred was on her way to visit when Mildred (age 58) was killed in a car accident. Mamie sensed something had happened, as she was very agitated that night.

California Death Index:
Name: Mamie A Rosborough
Gender: Female
Age: 93
Birth Year: abt 1887
Residence Place: Grays Harbor, Washington, USA
Death Date: 17 May 1980
Death Place: Grays Harbor, Washington

Burial of Mary Agnes “Mamie” Chamberlin in Olympic Memorial Gardens in Tumwater, Thurston Co., Washington:

Dec 2005: From Jan Spencer Kirby, granddaughter of Ada Whitaker & niece of Mamie & Herb:
Aunt Mamie came to take care of my family while Mom was in the hospital giving birth to Greg. I hadn’t eaten all the peas on my plate; I think there were two or three left. She called me into the kitchen and asked why I hadn’t eaten everything on my plate. I explained that there were just two peas left and she replied, “Exactly, so why didn’t you eat them?” She handed me my plate and I ate them!! Clean your plate meant just that – clean your plate.

Aunt Mamie never had anything so her frugality came to her naturally. When I graduated from high school, she and Uncle Herb lived just up the block from us. She called me to come over and gave me a graduation gift, a beautiful set of jade and pearl earrings with a matching pin. When I showed them to Mom, she was amazed. We had no way of knowing how she managed to purchase such a gift. I still wear the pin but lost one of the earrings years ago. I think of her whenever I wear the pin and how generous she was.
~Jan Spencer Kirby

Dec 2005: From Suzy Spencer, granddaughter of Ada Whitaker & niece of Mamie & Herb:
I also have a story about our dear Aunt Mamie. As Jan said, she was frugal, but then, she had to be. When I graduated from high school, she gave me a very pretty necklace—oval shaped, with a dark red rose on a white background with a silver chain. I still have it and wear it often. She was a good seamstress and sewed for people. When I was a cheerleader in high school, she made our outfits. I don’t know, but maybe that’s where she got the money for the necklace. 
~Suzy Spencer

Dec 2005: Note from Pat Norkool, granddaughter of Mamie & Herb Rosborough:
My Grandmother Mamie was frugal, my grandfather, Herb, a peripatetic worker. He had jobs in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and California working variously as a sheepherder, a gold miner, a farmer, a logger, a 20 mule team driver, etc. Gram was always packing up the family to move.

She learned to cut corners wherever possible. Mom and Aunt Mildred eventually ended up being in the same grades in high school and took a home economics class at the same time. One project was to make an apron, so brought home the pattern and instructions for how much material to buy. Their mother, who sewed all their clothes, told them they needed only half as much. When the girls reported this to the teacher, she was skeptical, so Mamie came to class and showed her how to lay out the pattern on half the material originally requested. When she was done the teacher turned to Mom and Mildred and told they didn’t need to take her class as their mother already knew more than she ever would.

Mamie died the evening before Mt. St. Helens erupted, and each of us drove to Hoquiam separately (Tom, Kay, and I.) When we met each one of us recounted listening to the radio reports of the eruption and thinking that Mamie certainly wasn’t going to go out quietly. She was quite a remarkable woman.
~Pat Norkool

Dec 2005: Note from Jan Spencer, granddaughter of Ada Whitaker & niece of Mamie & Herb:
The pictures are of Aunt Mamie Rosborough and her husband Herb, and then Aunt Mamie as a young woman. On the back of one of the pictures my mother had written: “Mamie Rosborough, died the day Mt. St. Helens erupted—what a send off.”

Note: The cemetery and headstones pictures are from Find A Grave and are the property of those who photographed them.

2020. Catherine (Clemens) Sevenau and Gordon Clemens. Thank you to my Chamberlin, Rosoborough, and Chatfield descendants and kin who contributed the family photos and letters.

WCGS (World Chamberlain Genealogical Society)