My Family Tree

California Death Index
Name Arden Sherman Chatfield
Event Type Death
Event Date 03 Oct 1981
Event Place Butte, California
Birth Date 29 Aug 1910
Birthplace Montana
Gender Male
Mother's Name Chamberlin
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United States Social Security Death Index
Age 71
Given Name Arden
Surname Chatfield
Birth Date 29 Aug 1910
State California
Last Place of Residence Butte, California
Previous Residence Postal Code 95926
Event Date Oct 1981
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California, Napa and Butte Counties, Obituaries
Deceased
Name Arden Sherman Chatfield
Event Type Obituary
Event Date 1981
Event Place Butte, California
Gender Male
Age 71
Relationship to Deceased Deceased
Birth Date 29 Aug 1910
Birthplace Sanders, Montana
Death Date 06 Oct 1981
Parents and Siblings
Charles Chatfield Parent Unknown
Ina Fouch Sister Female
Nellie Mcelhiney Sister Female
Charles Brother Male
Others on Record
John Crowley Nonrelative Unknown
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Find A Grave Memorial# 32458904
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Military: WWII, US Army Private, Co. G Infantry Division 184th Reg; cook
Occupation: Farm laborer, Chico Ice Company, cook, waiter, busboy
Avocation: Hobo, traveled USA hopping trains
Married: no
Children: none
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Arden was the wanderer in the family, a vagabond of sorts. He traveled the country by rails or by hitchhiking, seeing every state (except for Oklahoma) through his dark glasses (he had a growth over his eye). On the road he was always immaculately dressed (favoring light colored slacks and shirts) and his shoes always shined. Story has it that he wore two shirts, two pair of pants, and two pairs of socks so he could travel empty handed. He would disappear for a few days, occasionally a few weeks, often a few months, sometimes a couple of years. One Sunday he got up in the middle of a conversation with his mother, walked out the front door, and no one saw him for three years. When he returned, he walked back in, sat down and finished his sentence as if he’d never left. Years before he’d been hit on the head with a fifty-pound block of ice while working at the ice company. It must have affected him.

He died Saturday in a local hospital. Born Aug 29, 1910, to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Chatfield in Sanders, Mont. His family moved to Chico when he was five. He was reared and educated here. He served in World War II and worked as a farm laborer for 30 years. He retired when he was 65 years old. Survivors include two sisters, Ina Fouch of Yuba City and Nellie McElhiney of Martinez; and a brother, Charles of Paradise. The Rev. John Crowley will officiate at the service. Burial will be at the Chico Cemetery.
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TRANSIENT BOOKED Arden CHATFIELD, a transient, is scheduled to appear in police court tomorrow following his arrest at 7:15 p.m. last night at Humbolds Road and Mill streets on a charge of vagrancy.
1935, Chico Enterprise, Chico, California:

BANDIT SUSPECT FREED BY DEATH Because death wouldn’t take a holiday, Arden CHATFIELD, a 25-year-old youth, yesterday escaped a robbery trial. Chico authorities were notified by the police that the complaining witness died two weeks ago and prosecution would be useless. Judge Carraghar sentenced Chatfield to 30 days in the county jail for technical vagrancy. He was arrested by Sergeant Lee Parker, who testified he found several cans of marijuana in Chatfield’s pockets.
Oct 1981, Chico Enterprise, Chico, California:
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United States Census, 1940
Name Arden Chatfield
Event Place Ward 4, Stockton, Stockton Judicial Township, San Joaquin, California
Sex Male
Age 30
Marital Status Single
Race White
Relationship to Head of Household Inmate
Birthplace Montana
Birth Year (Estimated) 1910
Last Place of Residence California

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