Roy Chatfield & Josephine Chambers

FAMILY LINE AND HISTORY

Roy Elmer Chatfield
4th of 10 children of Charles Henry Chatfield & Nellie Belle Chamberlin
Born: Mar 20, 1901, Rifle, Garfield Co., Colorado
Died: Jul 11, 1978 (age 77), Chico, Butte Co., California; heart failure
Buried: Glen Oaks Memorial Park, Garden of the Holy Cross in Chico, Butte Co., California
Occupation: Rice farmer, Diamond Match Co./mill worker, Chico Ice & Cold Storage/driver, Grey Eagle Lumber
Affiliation: 50-year member of the Modern Woodmen of America
Married: Aug 1, 1956, Josephine Elizabeth “Jo” Chambers, Reno, Washoe Co., Nevada
No children

Josephine Elizabeth “Jo” Chambers
4th of 7 living children of John J. Chambers & Caroline Elizabeth “Carrie” Benjamin
Occupation: Inspector in match division at Diamond Match Company
Born: Feb 8, 1900, Cherokee, Butte Co., California
Died: Jan 28, 1982 (age 81), Chico, Butte Co., California; heart ailment
Buried: Glen Oaks Memorial Park in Chico, Butte Co., California
Married: Aug 1, 1956, Roy Elmer Chatfield, Reno, Washoe Co., Nevada
No children

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Timeline and Records

Ten children of Charles Henry Chatfield & Nellie Belle Chamberlin:
1. Charles Joseph “Charley” Chatfield
1895 – 1986
2. Leo Willard Chatfield
1897 – 1956
3. Howard Francis Chatfield
1899 – 1953
4. Roy Elmer Chatfield
1901 – 1978
5. Nellie Mary “Nella May” Chatfield
1903 – 1983
6. Gordon Gregory Chatfield
1905 – 1948
7. Verda Agnes Chatfield
1908 – 1978
8. Arden Sherman Chatfield
1910 – 1981
9. Ina Jacqueline Chatfield
1913 – 1993
10. Noreen Ellen “Babe” Chatfield
1915 – 1968

Seven living children of John J. Chambers & Caroline Elizabeth “Carrie” Benjamin:
Seven children:
1. Robert William Chambers
1894 – 1915
2. John Alfred Chambers
1896 – 1977
3. Theresa Genevieve Chambers
1898 – 1938
4. Josephine Elizabeth Chambers
1900 – 1982
5. Raymond Wendell Chambers
1902 – 1985
6. Leo Benjamin Chambers
1903 – 1954
7. Vera Agnes Chambers
1906 – 2000

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Feb 8, 1900: Birth of Josephine Elizabeth “Jo” Chambers, 4th of 7 living children of John J. Chambers & Caroline Elizabeth “Carrie” Benjamin, and the future wife of Roy Elmer Chatfield, in Cherokee, Butte Co., California.

Mar 20, 1901: Birth of Roy Elmer Chatfield, 4th of 10 children of Charles Henry Chatfield & Nellie Belle Chamberlin, in Rifle, Garfield Co., Colorado.

Oct 15, 1903: Letter from Nellie Chatfield (age 30) to her sister Mamie Chamberlin (age 16):
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.

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’clock 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 Chatfield’s are living in Hot Sulphur Springs, Grand Co., Colorado

circa Aug 1906: Spring Creek, Big Horn Co., Wyoming:
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
on ground: 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

Apr 23, 1910: Federal Census for 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
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

Headstones, Hearsay, and a Little History:
May 28, 1913: Nellie Chatfield boards the train in Sanders, Montana with her nine children in tow.
Nellie sold the wagon and horses for $300 and with tickets in hand and nine children in tow, she boarded the train at Sanders, leaving Charles behind. As Nellie readied her household for the long train-ride to California, she said nothing as she crated her New Haven kitchen-clock, a gift from Charles at the birth of their first child. She said nothing as she boxed her button collection, her sewing needles, and her nearly completed crazy quilt—a crayon-colored piece she’d started during her first pregnancy. She said nothing as she packed her trunks with her high-necked blouses and bloomers and petticoats, nothing as she packed away her linens, her family pictures, her black cast-iron pots, and her past. With Nellie, wrath was silent.

In a fit of venom, while ironing her traveling skirt, she dropped the heated sad iron on her foot. She boarded the train in a wheelchair. With “All aboard!” the family gathered their worldly possessions and filed on. Nellie was forty. Charles, the oldest at seventeen, carried his silver timepiece and small leather-bound pocket diary. Leo, two years younger, carried his case knife. Howard, a scrappy fourteen-year-old, carried a chip on his shoulder. Roy, not quite eleven, stayed close to Nellie; he carried the food baskets and what was needed for the little ones. Her first girl, Nella May, a wisp of a child not yet ten—had her hands full hanging on to Verda who was four and tow-headed Arden who was two-and-a-half. Gordon, seven, carried his mother’s hatbox. Tiny three-month Ina was in her mother’s arms.

Headstones, Hearsay, and a Little History:
In 1915 the Chatfield family left Los Molinos and moved to the up and coming agricultural town of Chico, buying a fairly new two-story corner residence in the Chapmantown district, a working-class neighborhood near the Diamond Match Factory. In those days most people rented; few owned their own homes. With only two upstairs bedrooms, the boys sharing one, the girls the other, it was a small house for a large family. Downstairs, Grandma Chatfield created a tiny sleeping space for herself in an alcove under the stairway, keeping the small downstairs bedroom for company. Grandpa slept in the shed.

In her tiny alcove, Nellie hung a curtain for privacy, shielding her twin bed and small dresser at its foot. Everyone was forbidden to go near her space. Under her twin bed she kept hidden a large flat coat-box with her burial clothes folded neatly inside: a gray shroud, a slip, a pair of white cotton underpants, a girdle, a new pair of shoes, and silk stockings. Grandma always thought she’d die young. Her children were aware of its existence and respected their mother’s privacy. When Mom and her kids came to Chico, Mom threatened that if they didn’t behave she would make them look at Grandma’s shroud to keep them in line. On one of Mom’s visits, Nellie had gone into her funeral box and upon finding the stockings rotted, she sent Mom to the store to replace them. (Roy, who was 55 and still living with his mother, had to replace them again when Grandma passed away.) Nellie Chatfield lived in this three-bedroom shingle and clapboard house for most of the next forty years, raising her children, holding a firm reign, and breathing her last breath here.

When my grandfather wasn’t away working he spent most of his time in his garden with his Leghorns, his sleeping quarters the large back-yard shed, his cot sharing his space with kindling brought home from the Diamond Match Factory. He didn’t have to account for his gambling and drinking if he wasn’t around Nellie. The older boys bunked with their father, as the Boucher house was small, and they too no longer wanted to account to their mother their comings and goings.

My grandfather was a small man and trodden smaller as time went by. He had a mustache his whole life, only shaving it off once. The minute his children saw him without it they laughed themselves silly; he slunk into his garden among his chard and tomatoes. His drinking didn’t help his burning dyspepsia so he kept a supply of Bromo-Seltzer on hand. Each time he finished a bottle he planted it upside-down in the dirt in his part of the yard, separating the length of the lawn from the sidewalk, his cracked and calloused hands carefully constructing a decorative three-inch high hedge of cobalt blue, adding a little color to his life. In his last five years, he lived alone in a cabin near Forest Ranch up near where Leo and his wife lived. It was a small mining town between Chico and Butte Meadows, a town with little more than a post office, a bar, and my grandfather. He also lived in Lomo Crossing, which was also little more than a levee, a train station, and my grandfather.

1918: Chico City Directory, Chico, Butte Co., California:
Chatfield Chas (Nellie) contr Union Rice Co, r Boucher av
Chatfield Chas
Chatfield Howard
Chatfield Roy

1918: Courtship of Roy Elmer Chatfield and Josephine “Jo” Elizabeth Chambers in Chico, Butte Co., California.
Note: Roy is the 4th child of Charles Chatfield & Nellie Chamberlin. Both he and Jo worked at Diamond Match Company, as did many of the Chatfields.

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

Headstones, Hearsay, and a Little History:
As her husband’s wages were not to be counted on, Nellie, in the early 1920s, worked at the Diamond Match Company, employed as a wrapper, a floor lady, and then as a supervisor. In 1926 and 1927 Charles worked there, and at various times in between, so did their children: Gordon and his wife Hylda, Verda, Roy and his sweetheart Jo.
Diamond Match was one of the largest manufacturing companies in America. The railroad line skirting the Chico plant carried lumber directly from its Stirling plant mountain operations and stored the dry lumber in the Chico yard until processed. The largest employer in Chico until its doors closed in 1958, it manufactured wood matches and matchboxes, doors and sashes, veneer and plywood, wooden produce boxes, apiaries and bee-keeping supplies. Much of the timber went to build the stately homes in San Francisco. It was a huge enterprise that included a machine shop, foundry, and mill works along with an employee social hall, baseball diamond, and badminton courts. The west end of 16^thStreet led directly into the 133-acre site and was within walking distance of 1543 Boucher Street.

1920: Chico City Directory, Chico, Butte Co., California:
Chambers Josie b 1339 Esplanade C V
Chatfield Chas H (Nellie) farmer r Boucher av ne cor Irwin
Chatfield Howard b Chas Chatfield
Chatfield Leo auto op b Boucher ad ne cor Irwin
Chatfield Nellie box fdr D M Co r Boucher ad ne cor Irwin
Chatfield Roy farmer r Boucher av ne cor Irwin
Note: Josie (Jo Chambers) is the girlfriend of Roy Chatfield

1921: Chico City Directory, Chico, Butte Co., California:
Chatfield Chas H (Nellie C) rancher h Boucher ne cor Irwin
Chatfield Chas J rancher h Boucher ne cor Irwin
Chatfield Howard F (Evelyn) driver CI&CSCo h 1061 S Chestnut
Chatfield Leo W rancher r Boucher av ne cor Irwin
Chatfield Roy E rancher r Boucher av ne cor Irwin
Note: Howard Chatfield is working for the Chico Ice & Cold Storage Co.

1922: Chico City Directory, Chico, Butte Co., California:
Chatfield Chas H (Nellie) farmer h Boucher cor Irwin
Chatfield Chas J driver CI&CSCo r C H Chatfield
Chatfield Howard F (Evelyn) driver CI&CSCo h 1061 S Chestnut
Chatfield Leo W farmer r C H Chatfield
Chatfield Roy E farmer r C H Chatfield
Note: Charles J. and Howard are working for the Chico Ice & Cold Storage Co.

1922: California Voter Registrations, Guill Precinct, Chico, Butte Co., California:

1923: Chico City Directory, Chico, Butte Co., California:
Chatfield Chas H (Nellie) farmer h Boucher av cor Irwin
Chatfield Chas J driver CI&CSCo r C H Chatfield
Chatfield Howard F (Evelyn) driver CI&CSCo h 1337 Locust
Chatfield Leo W farmer r C H Chatfield
Chatfield Roy E farmer r C H Chatfield

1924: Chico City Directory, Chico, Butte Co., California:
Chatfield Chas H (Nellie) farmer h Boucher av cor Irwin
Chatfield Chas J driver CI&CSCo r C H Chatfield
Chatfield Howard F driver CI&CSCo h 1061 S Chestnut
Chatfield Leo W farmer r C H Chatfield
Chatfield Roy E driver CI&CSCo r C H Chatfield
Note: CI&CSCo is the Chico Ice & Cold Storage Company

1926: Chico City Directory, Chico, Butte Co., California:
Chatfield Chas H (Nellie) with DMCo h Boucher av ne cor Irwin
Chatfield Chas J driver Boucher cor Irwin
Chatfield Howard F (Evelyn) driver h 1061 S Chestnut
Chatfield Roy E driver Boucher and Irwin
Note: DMCo is the Diamond Match Company

1927-28: Chico City Directory, Chico, Butte Co., California:
Chatfield Chas H (Nellie) with DMCo h Boucher av ne cor Irwin
Chatfield Chas J driver cor Irwin
Chatfield Roy E driver Chico Ice & C S Co r Boucher av ne cor Irwin
Note: DMCo is the Diamond Match Company

1928: Index to Register of Voters, Guill Precinct, Butte Co., California (pg 183):
Chatfield, Roy E.; Truck Driver; Chico Dem
Chatfield, Mrs. Nellie; Housewife; Gen. Del., Chico Dem
Chatfield, Charles H.; Lumber Man; Gen. Del., Chico Dem

1929-30: Chico City Directory, Chico, Butte Co., California:
Chatfield Chas H (Nellie) h Boucher av ne cor Irwin
Chatfield Ina h Boucher av nr cor Irwin
Chatfield Roy E driver Chico I&CS Co r Boucher av ne cor Irwin

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 and sleeping on the screened porch at night. Grandma’s sisters, Ada and Mamie, often came to stay with 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.

Headstones, Hearsay, and a Little History:
Roy was like a piece of white paper. When people came around he blended into the wall or disappeared into the woodwork. Most of the women thought him a mama’s boy; spoiled, selfish, and bratty. The men’s notion of him wasn’t any better; behind his back they referred to him as tight (he was a great saver of money) and called him a dandy. He was childlike and childish, particularly with his nieces and nephews. He’d pinch or push them when Grandma wasn’t looking, and say snide things to them when her back was turned.

Grandma protected Roy and enjoyed his company. Teasing her, he’d tip her back in her slide rocker and she’d get a kick out of it and say, “Oh Roy, now cut it out.” When they were the last two living in the house, the only other chair in the green-painted, wainscoted, ivy wallpapered kitchen was his. He had nervous “fits” and Grandma slid a piece of wood under his tongue until it was over so he wouldn’t swallow it. Other times when he was out partying or off with friends and could tell when one was coming on, he’d lock himself in the closet until the spell was over.

Roy was shy around everyone except Jo Chambers. They skated, skied, and had snow fights and on Saturday nights they drove to Paradise to dance with their friends. They did the Charleston to the Big Bands, along with the shag and swing. They were the best of buddies, more like brother and sister than a “couple.” As a friend of the family, Jo was always around. Gracious and seemingly years ahead of her time, everyone wondered what she saw in Roy. He proposed to her when he was 18 and she 19, and they were engaged for 38 years.

Apr 23, 1930: Federal Census for Chico, Butte Co., California:
Chatfield, Nellie: Head, owns, Value of property $2,500, age 54, married, 1st marriage at 19, born Missouri, father born New York, mother born Pennsylvania, wrapper in Match Factory
Roy E.: son, age 29, single, born Colorado, father born Colorado, mother born Missouri, Driver for Ice Plant
Arden I.: son, age 19, single, born Montana, father born Colorado, mother born Missouri, waiter in restaurant
Ina J.: daughter, age 17, single, born Montana, father born Colorado, mother born Missouri
Noriene E.: age 14, single, born California, father born Colorado, mother born Missouri (Noreen)
Chatfield, Charlie: Husband, age 59, married, 1st marriage at 24, born Colorado, father born Illinois, mother born Texas, carpenter for contractor
Note: Charles appears to be back in Nellie’s good graces as he is in the household again.

1931: Chico City Directory, Chico, Butte Co., California:
Chas. H. Chatfield, residence Boucher Ave near Irwin.
Chatfield Roy E driver Chico Ice & Cold Stge Co r Boucher av

Feb 4, 1933: Marriage of Carl John Clemens & Noreen Ellen “Babe”Chatfield, the younger sister or Roy Elmer Chatfield, in Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Colusa, Colusa Co., California. Roy and Jo attended the small family wedding. At left is Noreen’s friend Micki, Jo Chambers in the middle, and Noreen “Babe” (Chatfield) Clemens (my mother) is at the right.

1933: Chico City Directory, Chico, Butte Co., California:
Chatfield Chas H (Nellie) carp h Boucher av cor Irwin
Chatfield Howard F (Evelene) del slsmn Chico Ice & Cold Stge Co h953 S Chestnut
Chatfield Roy E r C H Chatfield

1934-35: Chico City Directory, Chico, Butte Co., California:
Chatfield Chas H (Nellie) h921 Boucher av
Chatfield Roy E r921 Boucher av
Chatfield Howard F (Evelyn) slsmn Chico Ice & Cold Stge Co h953 S Chestnut

1936: Index to Register of Voters, Guill Precinct, Butte Co., California:
Chatfield, Mrs. Nellie C.; Housewife; General Delivery, Chico, Rep
Chatfield, Roy E.; Truck Driver; General Delivery, Chico, Dem

1937-1938: Chico City Directory, Chico, Butte Co., California
Chatfield Nellie C Mrs h921 Boucher av.
Chatfield Howard F (Evelyn) chauf Chico Meat Co h1838 S Normal av
Chatfield May F r1838 S Normal ace
Chatfield Roy r291 Boucher av

1939: Chico City Directory, Chico, Butte Co., California
Chatfield Nellie C Mrs h921 Boucher av
Chatfield Roy r291 Boucher av
Chatfield Howard F (Evelyn) h1838 S Normal av
Chatfield May F r1838 S Normal av

1940: Index to Register of Voters, Guill Precinct, Butte Co., California (pg 283):
Chatfield, Mrs. Nellie C.; Housewife; General Delivery, Chico, Rep
Chatfield, Roy E.; Truck Driver; General Delivery, Chico, Dem

1937-1938-1939-1940-1941-1942: Chico City Directory, Chico, Butte Co. California:
Note: Charles H. Chatfield is no longer listed as living in Chico. Nellie is listed in the directory as:
Chatfield Nellie C Mrs h921 Boucher av., living with her son Roy. Roy continues to live in the house after his mother’s death and is noted as living there with his wife Jo Chatfield from 1957 through 1977.

Feb 18, 1940: Death of Emily S. (Hoy) Chamberlin (age 89 yr, 6 mo), mother of Nellie (Chamberlin) Chatfield and grandmother of Roy, of chronic nephritis and acute uremia, in her home in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California.

Earlier photo of Emily Chamberlin with grandson Roy Elmer Chatfield:

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, but the family only found out about her later.

Feb 21, 1940: Family photo at Emily S. (Hoy) Chamberlin’s three days after her death:
Children and grandchildren of Emily Chamberlin the day of her funeral: standing: Mamie, Fred, Nellie, Willard “Joe,” Ada, Ada’s son Edward Whitaker: kneeling: Nellie’s son Roy Chatfield, Ada’s son Melvin Whitaker

Feb 1940: Chico Enterprise, Chico, Butte Co., California:
Chicoan Returns From Her Mother’s Funeral in L.A.
Chico—Mrs. N.C. Chatfield and her son, Roy, have returned from Los Angeles, where they were called because of the illness and death of Mrs. Chatfield’s mother, Mrs. Emily S. Chamberlin.
Mrs. Chamberlin was the widow of Finley Chamberlin, a Civil War veteran, who died in 1905. She was born in Howard, Penn., in 1850, and was the mother of seven children, five of whom are living. They are Mrs. Chatfield of this city, Mrs. Ada Whitaker of Oregon, Mrs. Mary Rosborough of Morton, Washington; Willard Chamberlin of Corvallis, Oregon, and Fred Chamberlin of Los Angeles, with whom she made her home.
The funeral was held in Los Angeles with Requiem mass in St. Columbkill’s Church. Mrs. Chamberlin had been a member of the Third Order of St. Francis for 30 years.

Apr 4, 1940: Federal Census for Chico, Butte Co., California:
Nellie Chatfield, Head of household, married, age 67, born abt 1873, Missouri, completed 1 year high school
Roy E. Chatfield, son, single, age 39, born abt 1901, born Colorado, shipping dept in box factory, worked 26 weeks in 1939, income $600, completed 8th grade

Apr 25, 1940: Federal Census for Chico, Butte Co., California:
Chambers, Leo B., Head of household, single, age 37, born abt 1903, born California, completed 8th grade, truck driver in lumber industry
Josephine E Chambers, sister, single, age 40, born abt 1900, born California, completed 8th grade, automatic machine in match factory, worked 52 weeks in 1939, income $1,000

1941: WWII Military Registration Card for Roy Elmer Chatfield:

Jul 23, 1942: Death of Charles Henry Chatfield (age 71), father of Roy Chatfield, at the Butte County Hospital in Oroville, Butte Co., California; of cardiac failure and malnutrition.

July 24, 1942: Chico Enterprise, Chico, Butte Co., California:
C.H. Chatfield Taken by Death
Charles H. Chatfield, widely known Chico resident for the past 25 years, and retired rancher, died at a local hospital yesterday following a short illness.
Chatfield was born in Florence, Colorado, September 21, 1870 and has been a resident of this community for 25 years. The family residence was at 666 East 16th street. He followed his occupation as a rancher until his retirement a few years ago.
He leaves to mourn him, his wife Nellie Chatfield of Chico and the following children, Charles J. of San Francisco, Leo W. of Camptonville, Howard F. and Roy E. of Chico, Gordon of Martinez, Arden with the U.S. Army, Mrs. Nellie McElhiney of Oakland, Mrs. Verda Day of Vallejo, Mrs. Noreen Clemens of Vallejo, and Mrs. Irma Fouch of Yuba City. Twelve grandchildren also survive.
One brother, Elmer Chatfield of Wyoming, and two sisters, Mrs. Ella Small of Superior, Arizona, and Mrs. Calla Joslyn of Santa Monica, California.
Friends are invited to attend the funeral services Saturday morning at 9:30 o’clock at the Black and Johnson Funeral home. Rev. Father Patrick J. Cronin of St. John the Baptist Catholic church will read the last rites and the interment will be held in Chico cemetery.

Picture ID: Back row: Grandma Nellie Chatfield (in shade), Charley Chatfield, Mamie Rosborough, Carl Clemens, Ina (Chatfield) Fouch, Herb Rosborough, Velma (Turnbull) Chatfield, Ethel Chatfield (Leo’s wife), Jim Fouch (in shadow), Vera Northrup (Jo’s sister), Russell Northrup (Jo’s brother-in-law), Jo Chambers
Front row: Leo Chatfield, Betty Clemens (girl), Noreen “Babe” (Chatfield) Clemens, Verda (Chatfield) Day, Larry Clemens (boy), Howard Chatfield, Roy Chatfield (looking down), Nellie May (Chatfield) McElhiney

1942: Index to Register of Voters, Guill Precinct, Butte Co., California (pg 250):
Chatfield, Mrs. Nellie C.; Housewife; General Delivery, Chico, Rep
Chatfield, Roy E.; Laborer; 666 E. Sixteenth St., Dem

1944: Index to Register of Voters, Guill Precinct, Butte Co., California (pg 246):
Chatfield, Mrs. Nellie C.; Housewife; General Delivery, Chico, Rep
Chatfield, Roy E.; Laborer; 666 E. Sixteenth St., Chico, Dem

1945: Chico City Directory, Chico, Butte Co., California:
Chatfield Nellie C (wid Chas) r666 E 16th
Chatfield Roy E millwkr rh666 E 16th

1948: Chico City Directory, Chico, Butte Co., California:
Chatfield Nellie C (wid C H) h666 E 16th
Chatfield Roy E lab DMCo h666 E 16th

1950: Chico City Directory, Chico, Butte Co., California:
Chatfield Nellie Mrs h1543 Boucher av
Chatfield Roy E h666 E 16th

Headstones, Hearsay, and a Little History:
From her upholstered slide-rocker, Nellie kept a sharp eye on everything going on inside her home and outside her window, her ear glued to the Philco, listening like millions of others to H.V. Kaltenborn, a popular 1930s and 40s CBS radio news commentator. In winter Roy moved her rocker to the parlor where Nellie warmed herself by the pot-bellied stove that squatted in the middle of the room—sliding back and forth and fingering her black rosary beads. The ritual of her rosary comforted her. Through sacrifice and prayer one can gain forgiveness—the possibility of penance achieving the miraculous erasing of sin. In the sweltering summer her chair was moved to the parlor’s front window where she rocked the day away, the black table-fan and her paper hand-fan slowly moving the oppressive heat around her in circles.

By the ’50s Nellie seldom left her chair other than for daily mass. She had “burning feet” and it hurt her to walk. In the last years of her life, she had a small black and white television, watching rubber-faced Milton Berle from her rocker. Her favorite show was Bishop Sheen’s Holy Hour. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen was a writer, preacher, teacher and evangelist of the airwaves. He pleaded for an hour of prayer and companionship—bringing thousands of converts to the Catholic Church. Watching the Ed Sullivan Show, her other favorite, Grandma thought the Rockettes scandalous, horrified by their skimpy skirts and bare legs kicked up over their heads, showing more than she had ever seen. While harrumphing their sinfulness, she’d lean closer, cleaning the dust specks from her wire-rimmed glasses.

1953: Chico City Directory, Chico, Butte Co., California:
Chatfield Nellie C (wid Chas) h1543 Boucher av
Roy E h1543 Boucher av

1955: Chico City Directory, Chico, Butte Co., California:
Chatfield Nellie C (wid Chas H) h1543 Boucher av
Roy E h1543 Boucher av

Dec 14, 1955: Letter From Nellie Chatfield to her oldest daughter, Nella May McElhiney:
Dear Nella May, Dec. 14, 1955
For goodness sake don’t worry about me. Roy gets worried & excited so easy & there is no need notifying any others. I don’t know what really was the matter with me this last time. I was not in much pain, only just couldn’t seem to get my breath. I don’t suppose you ever heard a wind broken horse, well that is exactly the way I sounded. You could hear me all over the house.
The Dr. heard me before he reached the house. He gave me a BIG shot in each arm. Roy held my arms & said I never flinched, but it sent me out of my head. Those hypos never did that before, but if I said the things Roy said I did, I was out of my head. Those shots must have did the work because I was breathing alright by the time I reached the hospital. I was in no pain, but was still coughing & when I did cough you should have seen those nurses move off.
They took all kinds of X Ray pictures & blood tests & for 36 hours they fed me thru the veins. Then when they wanted to put tubes in my nose & down my throat, that made me mad. Both doctors were new to me & I didn’t like them & they didn’t like me. I told them if they put any down my throat I would throw up all over everything. (One of the Drs. is a Sheeny & one is a Wop). The Wop said, “your stomach is about 4 times as big as it should be.” I said all right, cut it open & take a chunk out. I suppose they thought I would say they could put those tubes down my throat & in my nose. Roy telephoned to find out if he could take me home.
Well this is the 16th so I just as well quit. Roy turns the TV on so loud I can’t write. I am feeling the best I have in a long time. They have given me so many shots. I think that may have helped my head aches, but I have a terrible roaring in it all the time it seems others can hear it.
When we first came to California, Feb was the finest month of the year. I can get in & out of the car with a little help but I can’t get up & down steps & that is why I can’t go to church. If the weather ever gets really good & all can get together on the time, we may get over to see you. We often talk of it.
Now remember no presents this year. There is nothing I want or need & I think most of us are in no physical or financial position to do so. And now good night with love.
God bless you & yours,
Your loving Mother, N.C.
Note: Two weeks later Nellie died in her home. The last rites were administered to her three times and she was highly vexed that she didn’t die the first two times, having gone to all that work preparing to die.

Jan 2, 1956: Death of Nellie Belle (Chamberlin) Chatfield (age 82), at her home on Boucher in Chico, Butte Co., California. Her death certificate does not list her cause of death. She is buried in the Catholic Section of the Chico Cemetery in Chico, nowhere near her husband.

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.

Aug 1, 1956: Marriage of Roy Elmer Chatfield to Josephine Elizabeth “Jo” Chambers in Reno, Washoe Co., Nevada, after a 38 year courtship. Roy was age 54 and Jo was age 55.

Aug 1956: Chico Enterprise, Chico, Butte Co., California:
Chico Couple Marry
in Reno Rites
A courtship of 38 years ended Wednesday as Roy Chatfield, of 1543 Boucher Avenue, took as his bride Josephine Chambers of Shasta Way. The Chicoans were married at 9:30 a.m. in St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church by Fr. John O’Conner.
Mrs. Chatfield is an inspector at Diamond Match Co. Both grew up in Chico and have lived there all their adult lives.
They are at home to their friends on Boucher Street.

Headstones, Hearsay, and a Little History:
Roy promised his mother he wouldn’t marry until she died. In return, Nellie promised him she’d leave him the house. Keeping his promise, he waited six months after his mother’s death. Jo had also promised her mother she wouldn’t marry until her mother died, and though her mother had died some years before, she honored his promise, too. On August 1, 1956, in Reno, Nevada, Roy, at age 54, married Jo, age 55. They spent the next twenty-three years in the Boucher Street house until Roy died of heart failure at age 77. The Boucher house, though originally intended for inheritance by Roy’s siblings, was passed on to Jo.

1970: Chico City Directory, Chico, Butte Co., California:
Chatfield Roy E (Josephine) retd h1543 Boucher Ave

1974: Chico City Directory, Chico, Butte Co., California:
Chatfield Roy E (Josephine) retd h1543 Boucher Ave 342-4363

1975: Chico City Directory, Chico, Butte Co., California:
Chatfield Roy E (Josephine) retd h1543 Boucher Ave 342-4363

Jul 11, 1978: Death of Roy Elmer Chatfield (age 77), 4th of 10 children of Charles Henry Chatfield & Nellie Belle Chamberlin, of heart failure in Chico, Butte Co., California.

1978: California Death Index:
Name: Roy Elmer Chatfield
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 20 Mar 1901
Birth Place: Colorado
Death Date: 11 Jul 1978
Death Place: Butte

Jul 1978: Chico Newspaper Obituary:
R.E. Chatfield
Rosary will be recited at 8 p.m. Thursday in the chapel of the Bruise Funeral Home for Roy Elmer Chatfield, 77, of 1542 Boucher Street. Chatfield died Tuesday at a local hospital. Born March 20, 1901 in Rifle, Colo., to Charles H. and Nellie Chatfield, he received his early education in Los Molinos. He came to Chico in 1915 where he was employed by Union Ice Company for 15 years, then later by Grey Eagle Co. for approximately 10 years. Chatfield was a 50-year member of Modern Woodmen of America and St. John the Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Josephine of Chico, two brothers, Charles of Paradise and Arden of Chico, and three sisters, Verda Day of Chico, Ina Fouch of Yuba City and Nellie McElhiney of Martinez.

Jul 14, 1978: Colusa Sun-Herald, Colusa, Colusa Co., California (pg 6):

Jul 1978: Burial of Roy Elmer Chatfield at Garden of the Holy Cross in Glen Oaks Memorial Park, Chico, Butte Co., California:

Sep 11, 1978: Boucher house deed from the estate of Roy Chatfield to Jo (Chambers) Chatfield:

Jan 28, 1982: Death of Josephine Elizabeth (Chambers) “Jo” Chatfield (age 81), wife of Roy Elmer CHatfield, in Chico, Butte Co., California.

Jan 29, 1982: Chico Enterprise-Record, Chico, Butte Co., California:
Josephine Chatfield
Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Brusie Funeral Home for Josephine Elizabeth Chatfield, 81, who died Thursday in her Chico home. Mrs. Chatfield was born Feb 8, 1900, to John and Carolyn Benjamine Chambers in Cherokee. She was educated in Chico and employed at the Diamond Match Co. for 42 years as an inspector in the match division. She retired 15 years ago. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church.
She married Roy Chatfield in 1955. He died in 1978. Survivors include a sister, Vera Northrup of Chico; a brother, Ray Chambers of Chico; several nephews and one niece.
The Reverend Leonard Brown of Chico will officiate the services. Casketbearers will be Elkay Northrup, John Chambers, Dick Chambers, Tom Chambers and Bob West. Honorary bearers will be Jack Chambers, Don Chambers and Dick Swett. Burial will be in Glen Oaks Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Those who may wish may contribute to the American Heart Association in care of the funeral home.

1982: California Death Index:
Name: Josephine Elizabeth Chatfield
Gender: Female
Birth Date: 8 Feb 1901
Birth Place: California
Death Date: 11 Jul 1978
Death Place: Butte
Mother’s Maiden Name: Benjamine
Father’s Surname: Chambers

Burial of Josephine Elizabeth (Chambers) Chatfield at Garden of the Holy Cross in Glen Oaks Memorial Park, Chico, Butte Co., California, alongside her husband, Roy:

**********
Chambers Timeline and Records

John J. Chambers
Son of John Chambers & Joanna Diamond (Note: both parents were born in Ireland)
Born: Jan 22, 1868, Cherokee, Butte Co., California
Died: Apr 12, 1907 (age 39), Cherokee, Butte Co., California
Buried: Cherokee Cemetery in Oroville, Butte Co., California
Occupation: Farm laborer
Married: Apr 21, 1894, Carolyn Elizabeth “Carrie” Benjamin, Chico, Butte Co., California
Seven living of 8 children: Robert William Chambers, John Alfred Chambers, Theresa Genevieve Chambers, Josephine Elizabeth “Jo” Chambers, Raymond Wendell Chambers, Leo Benjamin Chambers, Vera Agnes Chambers

Carolyn Elizabeth “Carrie” Benjamin (Note: both parents were born in Wales)
Daughter of Reece Price Benjamin & Elizabeth Williams
Born: Jun 2, 1872, Cherokee, Butte Co., California
Died: Jul 26, 1935 (age 63), Chico, Butte Co., California
Buried: Cherokee Cemetery in Oroville, Butte Co., California
Occupation: Housekeeper at Clippers Farm after death of husband
Married: Apr 21, 1894, John J. Chambers, Chico, Butte Co., California
Seven living of 8 children: Robert William Chambers, John Alfred Chambers, Theresa Genevieve Chambers, Josephine Elizabeth “Jo” Chambers, Raymond Wendell Chambers, Leo Benjamin Chambers, Vera Agnes Chambers

Seven living children:
1. Robert William Chambers
Born: Jul 23, 1894, Oregon City, Butte Co., California
Died: Oct 21, 1915 (age 21), Oregon City, Butte Co., California
Buried: Cherokee Cemetery in Oroville, Butte Co., California
Never married, no children

2. John Alfred Chambers
Born: Jul 26, 1896, Cherokee, Butte Co., California
Died: Nov 6, 1977 (age 81), Chico, Butte Co., California
Buried: Glen Oaks Memorial Park in Chico, Butte Co., California
Married: Dec 13, 1922, Irma Irene Cleveland, Chico, Butte Co., California
Two children:
1. Jack Wendall Chambers
1927-1996
2. Donald Ray Chambers
1929-2015

3. Theresa Genevieve Chambers
Born: Apr 23, 1898, Cherokee, Butte Co., California
Died: Jun 18, 1938 (age 40), Butte Co., California
Buried: Cherokee Cemetery in Oroville, Butte Co., California
Married: 1923, Chester West
Two children:
1. Dorothy Alberta West
1923-1998
2. Robert Chester West
1926-2008

4. Josephine Elizabeth “Jo” Chambers
Born: Feb 8, 1900, Cherokee, Butte Co., California
Died: Jan 28, 1982 (age 81), Chico, Butte Co., California
Buried: Glen Oaks Memorial Park in Chico, Butte Co., California
Married: Aug 1, 1956, Roy Elmer Chatfield, Reno, Washoe Co., Nevada
No children

5. Raymond Wendell Chambers
Born: Feb 21, 1902, Cherokee, Butte Co., California
Died: May 24, 1985 (age 83), Chico, Butte Co., California
Buried: Glen Oaks Memorial Park in Chico, Butte Co., California
Married: Jun 9, 1932, Ursul Kusel, Reno, Nevada
Three children:
1. Thomas Raymond “Tom” Chambers
1937-
2. Richard Wendell “Dick” Chambers
1940-2022
3. John Leo Chambers
1944-

6. Leo Benjamin Chambers
Born: May 16, 1903, Cherokee, Butte Co., California
Died: Mar 26, 1954 (age 50), Alameda Co., California
Buried: Cherokee Cemetery in Oroville, Butte Co, California
Never married, no children

7. Vera Agnes Chambers
Born: Dec 6, 1906, Cherokee, Butte Co., California
Died: Jan 11, 1999 (age 93), Chico, Butte Co., California
Buried: Chico Cemetery in Chico, Butte Co., California
Married: Jan 22, 1930 (license date), Russell Arthur Northrop, Chico, Butte Co., California
Two children:
1. Elkay Lucius Northrup
1930-1991
2. Karen Ann Northrop
1938-1938 (stillborn)

Note: Headstones, Hearsay, and a Little History, stories by Catherine Sevenau

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

2020. Catherine (Clemens) Sevenau.