DIED
West of Rapid City, Monday, February 12, 1906, Edward B. CHATFIELD, of consumption.
Particulars of the life of the deceased are not at hand, but will be given tomorrow. Deceased is a brother of Mrs. C. P. Woods, and has been ill for a long time. He came here from Kansas City last summer, and leaves four young children in poor circumstances. It is a sad case and one that is worthy of sympathy.
The funeral will be held Wednesday. If any who read these lines this morning have a few flowers it will be very much appreciated if they will send them to this office this forenoon, or immediately after dinner. If several will send even a few blossoms or leaves, all together will make a showing and please the children who have expressed a desire for some flowers for their Father’s funeral.
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Daily Journal, Feb 14, 1906 & Rapid City Journal, Feb 13, 1906
Date: 9/13/2006 8:28:10 P.M. Central Daylight Time
From: colonel2@alltel.net - James Patterson
EDWARD BEECHER CHATFIELD, SR., Lucy Ariail family line
Edward B. Chatfield was born on the old family homestead six miles west of Dubuque, Iowa, in 1866, and was forty years and nineteen days old at the time of his death which occurred Monday, February 12, 1906. He was married to Miss Dora Bushere in 1890.
About four years ago, while living in Topeka, Shawnee, Kansas, Mrs. Chatfield died, leaving four children, the youngest child having died six months before.
Mr. Chatfield has been in poor health for several years, and with his motherless children he has had a hard time, in which the little ones have bravely borne their part.
A year ago last December a sister, Mrs. C. P. Woods, who lives five miles west of Rapid City, received word from them that they were very much in need, and wanted to come here as they hoped his health would be improved by coming to a higher and dryer climate.
Mrs. Woods was very anxious to assist, but was not in a position to do a great deal, but by February the matter was arranged, and the younger children came through from Topeka on the cars alone.
The Father and oldest boy followed by team. Mr. Chatfield owning a team and wagon. They arrived here in June.
The longed for change did not help the sick man, for consumption had too strong a hold upon him. He has suffered all summer, gradually growing worse until the end came as stated. Mr. and Mrs. Woods and the neighbors did all they could for him and the children, but it was a sad case the best that could be made of it.
Deceased leaves the four children, Edward, aged 15, Nellie, aged 13, Lillian, aged 10, and Gladys, aged eight.
He also leaves two brothers in Dubuque, and three sisters whose whereabouts are unknown. The fourth sister is Mrs. Woods of this city.
The funeral service will be held in Congregational Church this afternoon at two o’clock conducted by Rev. S. G. Butcher.
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The story of the Father of Edward Beecher Chatfield Sr. is quite sad. He was living in Topeka, Shawnee, Kansas with his wife and five children. His youngest child, Florence CHATFIELD, became sick and died in 1901; his wife Dora Bushchar Chatfield died one year later leaving him with four young children. He was unable to provide for them because of his suffering with TB, so he contacted his sister Anna Augusta Chatfield Woods who lived about 5 miles west of Rapid City, South Dakota and asked her to help.
She was the Mother of 8 children and was almost unable to help him, however, arrangements were finally worked out and Edward Beecher CHATFIELD, Sr., sent his three young daughters by train to be with his sister for their care. He then hooked his team to the wagon, and with his son, made his way by wagon from either Topeka, Shawnee, Kansas or Dubuque, Iowa to Rapid City, South Dakota. The trip took him approximately 8 months. After arriving in Rapid City, South Dakota, he only lived for about 2 years. The drier air did not help his TB, it had advanced to such a stage that the progression was definite. He died in 1906, leaving his eldest child only a little less than 15 years of age. Edward Chatfield is buried with his sister at Mt. View Cemetery, Rapid City, South Dakota.
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Iowa State Census, 1895
RESIDENCE: Fifth Ward Dubuque, Dubuque, Iowa
Edward B. Chatfield 28 Dub Iowa W Fifth Ward Dubuque head
Dora Chatfield 22 Dub Iowa W Fifth Ward Dubuque wife
Edward Chatfield 04 Dub Iowa W Fifth Ward Dubuque son
Nellie Chatfield 02 Dub Iowa W Fifth Ward Dubuque dau
Emma Chatfield 22 Dub Iowa W Fifth Ward Dubuque sister
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USA Census, 1900
Name: Edward Chatfield
Event Place: Julien Township, District 3 Dubuque city Ward 1, Dubuque, Iowa
Gender: Male
Age: 34
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Relationship to Head of Household: Head
Years Married: 10
Birth Date: Jan 1866
Birthplace: Iowa
Marriage Year (Estimated): 1890
Father's Birthplace: New York
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Household Role Gender Age Birthplace
Edward Chatfield Head M 34 Iowa
Dora Chatfield Wife F 27 Iowa (both parents b: France)
Edward Chatfield Son M 9 Iowa
Nellie Chatfield Dau F 7 Iowa
Lillie Chatfield Dau F 5 Iowa
Glyds Chatfield Dau F 3 Iowa
District: 97 , Sheet Number and Letter: 5A , Household ID: 79 , Line Number: 1 , GS Film Number: 1240430 , Digital Folder Number: 004119847 , Image Number: 00247
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Two of the large ranchers were: 1) Edward Beecher CHATFIELD, Jr. and his son Edward Bernard Chatfield and 2) Bruce Jennings Walker.
The other large rancher was Bruce Jennings Walker. After graduating from Colorado State University, he joined his Father in the Bear Butte Banking Business in Sturgis, South Dakota. He had a forty-year career in the banking business, serving in many capacities during this time. He was very active in all community affairs where he could contribute his time to his town and neighbors. In 1984, the citizens of Meade County voted him to served in the South Dakota State Senate. The thing that Bruce loved the most, though, was the time that he spent at his ranch near Union City, South Dakota. This love for ranching was nurtured by the time he had spent on his grandfather, William Hughes, ranch near Interior, South Dakota. William Smoot Hughes was the husband of Maude Julia Woods, who was the daughter of Anna Augusta Chatfield Woods who was mentioned in the bio above.
