David A. CHATFIELD was educated in the common schools but is pre-eminently a self-educated and self-made man. After receiving such instruction as the schools of that day afforded he taught school himself for seven years. At the age of twenty-five he married Miss Elizabeth BROWN, of Lansing, who passed away in 1861, and in 1865 he married Miss Mary J. MILLER. daughter of Archibald MILLER, and they have six children; Clarence B., Estella, Warren A., William, Archibald, and David A. In politics he is a Republican and has been assessor for three years. He takes an active, intelligent interest in educational and religious matters, having been a member of the Presbyterian Church for the past forty years and an officer in that church for the past thirty years. He was one of the prominent farmers of his town, having a farm of 200 acres of the best land in the town, raising large quantities of hay, grain and stock.
REMINISCENCES AND LETTERS (believed to be from a book about the Dryden Presbyterian Church.)
David A. Chatfield - Sunday morning, November 17, 1895, the neighbors and friends of David A. Chatfield were saddened to hear of his sudden death at an early hour at his home on South Hill. Many in the congregation of the Presbyterian church learned first of his death from the lips of the pastor and could scarcely realise that never again would they see their faithful member and elder in his accustomed place. During the Sunday school, Dr. Howe spoke feelingly of Mr. Chatfield and his love of music and called to mind how only the Sunday before he sat on the front seat and had asked for his favorite song, "Throw Out the Life Line."
For two or three years Mr. Chatfield had had serious heart trouble and had felt that death might come at any tame. On Saturday he had felt well and walked a long distance. He wakened between five and six Sunday morning a little disturbed and Mrs. Chatfield gave him some medicine which it was his custom to take and he lay back on his pillow and in a moment or two was gone. He leaves to mourn for him, his wife, and six children, Clarence and Aaron, of Bay City, Mich., William, of this town, Mrs. Charles Fitts, also of Dryden, and Archibald and D. A., who live at home.
A good man is at rest after the allotted three score and ten years of a lifetime, which from early manhood had been spent in Christian service.
He was one of the most industrious and energetic business men and ranked with the successful agriculturalists of his generation. Of more than ordinary intelligence, a quiet but keen observer, apt and generally correct in reading character and forming estimates, his judgment regarding men and things was seldom at fault.
Though not technically a scholar, he had acquired a good English education, being in early manhood a successful teacher, was conversant with history, superior to most men of his day in his knowledge of mathematics and in his grasp of general knowledge. Had Providence directed him into some other sphere of activity he would doubtlessly have attained a prominent position among his compeers. He was passionately fond of music; to him it was an Inspiration.
He once said to the writer: ''If any one think more than another has power to draw me beyond the line of propriety and Christian consistency it is good music."
He had been a member of the Presbyterian church since 1858, was elected ruling elder as early as 1868, and continued by successive elections to serve in that relation till the time of his demise. He held the office of clerk of the Church Session for the last eighteen years.
He has frequently represented the church in Presbytery and also served as commissioner to General Assembly. In his various official relations he was always true, prompt and efficient, and the church he loved and served so well deeply feels and deplores his loss, yet bows in submission to Him who "doeth all things well."
''He being dead yet speaketh.'' His body sleeps with his kindred dead on the Green Hills. His soul hears sweeter music than ever entranced him when on earth.
"How beautiful it is for a man to die
Upon the walls of Zion; to be called
Like a watchman and weary sentinel
To put his armour off, and rest in Heaven."
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USA Census, 1870
Name David Chatfield
Event Place New York
Gender Male
Age 45
Race White
Birth Year (Estimated) 1824-1825
Birthplace New York
Page Number 57
David Chatfield M 45 New York
Mary J Chatfield F 29 New York
Clarence B Chatfield M 18 New York
Esletta Chatfield F 17 New York
Anna Chatfield F 15 New York
Aaron W Chatfield M 13 New York
William A Chatfield M 11 New York
Archibald Chatfield M 3 New York