Old Soldier fights Last Battle
Passes Away After Brief Illness from Blood Poisoning
Many Years Service for Country
The venerable Marcus M. Chatfield Sr. died at his home in this
city Tuesday morning at 10:00 after a short illness from diabetic
blood poisoning. It was only last Thursday that a painful little sore
was noticed on one of his fingers and this quickly developed into one
of worst cases of blood poisoning. Doctors could do little for the
sufferer and he grew rapidly worse until death came to his relief.
The funeral was held this morning from the Congregational church in
this city, Rev. J.M. Sutherland, the pastor officiating. The remains
were interred in Rose Hill cemetery. This funeral was somewhat of a
military nature, the deceased having served his country during the
civil war for nearly five years.
The deceased was born in Medina County, Ohio 69 years ago. When he
was but sixteen years of age he removed to Minnesota and when the war
of the Rebellion broke out he enlisted with the 1st Iowa Calvary
continuing with that regiment until February 1866.
He was in a number of hard engagements, one of the hardest being
the battle of Prairie Grove. His operations were mainly in the west
and the fighting was of the most arduous kind. He was never wounded
in battle, though owing to his service for this country, he became
impaired in health to such an extent that he was heavily pensioned by
the government. He loved his country. He enjoyed nothing more in the
later years of his life than getting down his saber and carbine from
the wall and fondly caring for them. They lay on the table in the
room where he died.
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The deceased was a farmer all his life with the exception of the 5
years he was in the service of his country.
He lived for many years in Rock county Minnesota and about ten
years ago he came with his children to this state and they filed on
homestead claims in Chatfield Township, in southwestern Bottineau
County. About two months ago Mr. and Mrs. Chatfield moved to Minot
that they might take life easier and be with their children more.
Mr. Chatfield was united in marriage to Hellen Willson of Spring
Valley, Minnesota in 1867 and to this union eleven children were born,
eight of whole life as follows:
Guy C., Coy, Marcus M. and
Mrs. T. C. Peterson of Minot, Mrs. J. R. Smith of Omemee, Mrs. Emil
Seablom of McCullough, ND. Mrs. Henry Lawrence of Crosby and Miss
Helen Chatfield, one of the nurses at the Northwestern hospital. The
deceased is survived also by his wife, who will miss him more than
words can tell.
Marcus M. Chatfield lived a good life. He fought a good fight. He
reared a most excellent family, and while the members of the family,
and the many friends mourn his departure they must receive much
consolation in the thought that he was most useful to his country,
that he lived a long and useful life. He was a man of great energy
and active in his good deeds for others to the very end of his
days.
The Independent sincerely regrets the loss of this excellent
citizen and we wish to extend our sympathy to the bereaved members of
the family.
Marcus M. Chatfield Sr (born December 5, 1841 - died January 10,
1911)
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