Lee Ernest Chatham (1873 - 1951)

Born 28 Dec 1873 in Indiana, United States

Ancestors

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Biography

Lee Ernest Chatham was born in 1873 in Indiana, the son of Francis M. Chatham and Sarah “Sally” A. Davis.

In 1870, Francis & Sally lived on a farm in Floyd Township, Indiana with their children Rose (8yrs), son Marion (6) and Amanda (3). The farm was worth $3775, and personal assets valued $1097. Also living with them was a farm laborer, Joseph Lydick, 19yrs, born in Indiana. On a neighboring farm, lived Frances' parents and sister Ann (39). ^[1]

In 1880, Francis and Sarah lived on a farm in Floyd Township, Putnam, Indiana with their four children (dau. Rosella, 18; son Marion E., 16; and dau Manda E., 13; and son Lee E., 6. Francis was a farmer. He could read but he could not write. Living on a neighboring farm were his parents and sister (Josiah and Sarah, and Anna) ^[2]

Lee E. Chatham and Laura E. Layne applied for a marriage license on 19 December 1896, and were married on 20 December 1896 in Putnam county, Indiana. C. E. Wallace officiated. ^[3]

In 1900, the Chatham family lived in Floyd, Indiana. All members of the household were born in Indiana. The household included Lee E. Chatham, 27, born December 1873, father b. Indiana, mother b. Illinois, a farmer, who owned their farm with a mortgage; his wife, Laura E., b. March 1873, parents b. Indiana. She had had one child; their daughter, Hallie M., 2, b. April 1898; Laura’s sister, Ivy M. Layne, 17, b. July 1883; and James Coffin, 24, b. March 1876, a farm laborer. ^[4]

In 1910, the Chatham family lived in Marion, Indiana. All members of the household were born in Indiana. The household included Lee E. Chatham, 35, father b. Indiana, mother b. Illinois, a farmer, who owned his farm with a mortgage; his wife of 14 years, Laura, 35, parents b. Indiana, who had had two children; their daughters, Hallie, 11, in school; and Thelma, 4. Lee, Laura, and Hallie could read and write. Lee and Laura had each been married once.^[5]

Lee Ernest Chatham was born on 28 December 1873. He registered for the (WWI) Draft on 12 September 1917/18 in Danville, Indiana. Lee, a farmer, lived with his wife Laura (address RR B, Danville, Hendricks, Indiana). Lee was of medium height and build, with light brown eyes and dark brown hair.^[6]

In 1920, the Chatham family lived on their farm in Marion, Indiana. The household included (all born in Indiana): Lee Chatham, 46, father b. IN, mother b. KY, a farmer; his wife Laura, 46, parents b. IN; and their daughter Thelma, 14, in school ^[7]

In 1930, the Chatham family lived on Marysville Road in Marion, Indiana. The household included Lee Chatham, 56 (f. b. IN; m. b. KY), a farmer, married at 22; his wife, Laura, 57 (parents b. IN), married at 23; and their daughter, Thelma, 23. They owned their farm, and also had a radio. ^[8]

In 1940, the Chathams lived on their farm, valued at $1600 (post-Great Depression), where they had lived for at least five years. Lee Chatham, 66, born in Indiana, had completed four years of high school. He worked 60 hours per week, and also had an outside income. His wife, Laura, 67, born in Indiana, had completed four years of college.^[9]

Lee married Laura Ellen Layne (1872-1948). Lee died, a widower, aged 77-78, in 1951. Lee and Laura are buried together at Danville South Cemetery, Danville, Hendricks, Indiana.^[10]

Sources

1. ↑ 1870 US Census, Floyd Township, Putnam, Indiana
2. ↑ 1880 US Census, Floyd Township, Putnam, Indiana (https://https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHSW-Y7X)
3. ↑ Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007 (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K62H-K11)
4. ↑ 1900 US Census, Floyd, Putnam, Indiana (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M9MR-42H)
5. ↑ 1910 US Census, Marion, Hendricks, Indiana (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MKG1-YK3)
6. ↑ US WWI Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7HLV-8W2M)
7. ↑ 1920 US Census,Marion, Hendricks, Indiana (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MF7J-474)
8. ↑ 1930 US Census, Marion, Hendricks, Indiana (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHMG-V6N)
9. ↑ 1940 US Census, Marion, Hendricks, Indiana (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V1T4-JZR)
10. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #195106139