Where was Ed Chase?

 

Hattie Potter Chase about 1877

This is a continuing blog thread on my ancestor, David Edgar Chase and the on-going answers I find on the mystery of his death at age 47 in 1900 by a self-inflicted gunshot wound. To read my first entry on David, click here. 

Hattie Potter was just a month away from her 22 birthday when she married the handsome young David Edgar Chase, known as Ed. He was 25. Their wedding took place on a mild Wednesday in November of 1877 in Haverhill, Massachusetts.

Both Hattie and Ed came from privilege. Hattie’s father, Randall Potter, was a successful shoe manufacturer in Haverhill. Ed was the second son of David Chase, whose family were early settlers in nearby Newbury.

The Chase Family had long roots in Massachusetts. Ed’s 6th great grandfather, Aquila Chase, was an early settler of Newbury. Many of the later Chase men were clergy, then lumber traders, shoe manufacturers, and in some census records, merely listed as Gentlemen.

Ed’s father, David Chase, was a well respected, prosperous lumber merchant. His business included all three of his sons at various times.

In 1881, Ed and Hattie welcomed a little girl named Eva. When she was 6 in 1887,  Edgar left Haverhill and moved to Denver, Colorado. He and Hattie were married 10 years at this point.

Why he left isn’t clear. It could have been to expand the D.D. Chase & Sons company. Hattie and Eva did not go with him and can be seen in U.S. Directories living in the Chase family house on Chestnut Street in Haverhill, along with patriarch David. Ed’s brother, George, also lived there with his wife and family.

Ed would stay in Colorado for at least 3 years. 1887-1890 he is clearly seen in Denver, Colorado.  But then between 1891- 1896 he simply falls off the map. He is not listed in Denver, nor is he listed in Haverhill. Hattie is listed plainly in Haverhill during all those years living with Eva in the Chase home.

Where was Ed Chase during those years?