MARCUY M. CHATFIELD SR.,VICTIM OF BLOOD POISON

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 ten o'clock,
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 the 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.  The 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 Cavalry 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 his 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 old saber and carbine from the wall and fondly caressing them.  They lay on the table in the room where he died.

The deceased was a farmer all of his life, with the exception of the years he was in the service of his country.

He lived for many years in Rock county, Minn., and about ten years ago, he came with his children to this
state and they filed on homesteads 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 Helen Willson of Spring Valley, Minn., in 1867, and to this union
eleven children were born, eight of whom live 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, N. D., 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 had 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.

** The Ward County Independent,
Thursday, January 12, 1911, Page 12.