Chaffee, Danforth



Partial 1887 map of Somers Township, Kenosha County, Wisconsin
Section 11
Danforth Chaffee, 120 acres
Note:  This parcel is the current site of our beautiful park, Petrifying Springs



 

Amy Chaffee, mother of Danforth Chaffee
Cassius and Mercy, children of Danforth and Nancy Chaffee
Oakwood Cemetery, Somers, Wisconsin
(Source: Photo by Linda & Larry Kopet US GenWebArchivesProjectWisconsin

Danforth and Nancy Chaffee
Oakwood Cemetery, Somers, Wisconsin
(Source: Photo by Linda & Larry Kopet US GenWebArchivesProjectWisconsin

Catherine Chaffee
Oakwood Cemetery, Somers, Wisconsin
(Source:  Photo by Linda & Larry Kopet US GenWebArchivesProjectWisconsin)

Pioneer Citizen Meets Sudden End
Danforth Chaffee Summoned to Rest, Heart Failure Causing Demise
Settled in Kenosha County 60 Years Ago
"With hardly a moment's warning, Danforth Chaffee, one of the early pioneer residents of Racine and Kenosha counties, died at his home, number 1419 Villa Street, shortly after 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon, of heart failure.  Mr. Chaffee had been downtown walking around viewing the crowds attendant upon the carnival.  In front of the Herman cigar store he joked with William Paul and then leisurely repaired to his home.
Taking a chair he conversed with those of his family present.  Suddenly he complained of feeling ill and in a few moments expired before medical attendance could be summoned.
Coroner Jonas Hoyle was notified, made an investigation and issued a death certificate without an inquest being held.
Mr. Chaffee was born in New York state and had he lived until December 12th would have attained the ripe old age of 79 years.  Over sixty years ago he came west and settled in Kenosha county when that vicinity was a wilderness.  Here he purchased land, cleared it and cultivated a fine farm and became one of the most prominent and successful farmers in that section.
By his honest and upright methods he became popular and was known throughout both Racine and Kenosha counties as a good and honorable citizen, a man whose word was as good as a bond, a friend one could be and a most desirable neighbor.
Several years ago Mr. Chaffee retired from his farm near Somers, Kenosha County and came to Racine to reside.  When the news of his sudden demise was announced there was profound sorrow expressed on all sides.
There survives Mr. Chaffee a wife, two sons, Hiram Chaffee of this city, and Wilbur Chaffee of Portersville, California; also two brothers who live in Kenosha county; one sister, Mrs. C.A. Near, of Greeley, Colorado.
The funeral will take place Monday morning at 10 o'clock from the house, and the body will be taken to Somers, Kenosha County for interment at Oakwood.

A singular coincidence in connection with the death of Mr. Chaffee, is an experience of his son, Hiram, who is a well known express man.  Mr. Chaffee was driving home with his team and wagon.  On College Avenue a small boy caught a ride on his wagon.  The boy got his leg caught in the spokes of the rear wheel and it was drawn in.  Mr. Chaffee heard the lad's cries, unhitched the horses and with difficulty the limb, badly bruised, was extricated.  Had the horses gone two feet further the leg would have been broken.  When Mr. Chaffee arrived home the terrible shock of his father's death almost prostrated him."
(Source:  Racine Daily, Sept. 6, 1904)

"Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Chaffee, Mrs. Lydia Chaffee, and Mrs. Near of Racine spent Sunday afternoon in Somers."
(Source:  Racine Daily Nov. 11, 1904)

"Mr. and Mrs. Danforth Chaffee have moved into Racine."
(Source:  Racine Daily Oct. 18, 1901)

"When Mr. Chaffee opened the box of fancy fruits which he received from his son Wilbur of California, he found a beautiful deer skin in the bottom of the box."
(Source:  Racine Daily, Feb. 12, 1900)

"Miss Callie Landon and Mr. Hiram Chaffee were quietly married last Friday evening at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Landon, on Grand Avenue.  Rev. J.S. Lean officiating.
(Source:  Oct. 7, 1897)

"Mrs. Wilbur Chaffee of California is visiting with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mainland."
(Source: Aug. 7, 1901)