I’m not sure what really happened in Oregon. I’m missing context. Although Amanda Mathews’ prune ranch was not the most fascinating aspect of her life, her orchard and that she lived in Michigan were all family tradition recalled.[1]
Amanda was related to my maternal grandfather, Frank McBride. The nature of her connection was unclear. I sought her to prove her existence, determine her relationship, and erase the image of prunes lassoed by a cowgirl from my mind. Prune ranch is an odd phrase, but it is the moniker of family tradition.
My grandfather’s paternal grandmother, Julia Whelan,[2] had two sisters who married men named Mathews/Matthews. For years I only knew about one, Anna,[3] and she had no Amanda.[4] The other sister, Mary, emigrated from Ireland separately from her parents, so identifying her connection took time. Mary married Thomas Mathews. Four of Mary’s daughters reached adulthood. One married and had children. Two were physicians, an accomplishment not shared in family lore. The remaining daughter was Amanda,[5] my grandfather’s first cousin once removed.
Existence proven. Relationship determined. I only needed to erase the cowgirl image. Research finds prompt questions. Unanswered questions swirl around in my head like little lassos. The most curious part of Amanda’s story was left unspoken.
Amanda was born around December 1866 in Michigan.[6] She lived in Muskegon with family from early childhood through her mother’s death in 1905.[7] In 1887, Amanda worked as a clerk for Chamberlain & Sessions.[8] She was a stenographer for Dan T. Chamberlain in 1900,[9] and for Chamberlain & Walker from 1904 to at least 1907.[10] Amanda’s association with Chamberlain altered the course of her life.
Dan Chamberlain’s ill wife Emma spent time at the Battle Creek sanitarium. After her release in 1907, she and Dan stayed with Amanda until they could make home improvements and reopen their house.[11]
In May 1909, Chamberlain, then Muskegon County’s prosecuting attorney, announced he was retiring and moving to Oregon. He was interested in land development and exploitation. His wife’s poor health factored in the decision. The news reported several men were interested in the venture.[12] But men didn’t have the most interest. Amanda resigned from her job as the prosecuting attorney office’s bookkeeper and stenographer in June. She was joining Dan and Emma in Oregon and would enter his employment. Amanda, house sold, left for Oregon 16 June 1909.[13]
In 1910, Amanda, 43 and single, lived in Liberty, Marion County, Oregon, with Dan and Emma Chamberlain, 13 years her senior. She was partners with Dan, growing fruit on a prune farm.[14]
Amanda visited Muskegon in 1919. The news reported she “lived here until ten years ago, when she left for the west with Mr. and Mrs. Dan Chamberlain, with whom she has since been associated in an extensive prune-growing project.”[15]
Amanda headed her 1920 Shaw Precinct, Marion County, Oregon, household. No occupation was listed, but she lived on a fruit farm. Dan and Emma Chamberlain were in the next household.[16]
In May 1922, The Oregon Statesman wrote about Dan Chamberlain’s will. The article was followed by a correction. The original said Dan made a special bequest of cash and farm interest to his life-long friend and business partner, Amanda Mathews. Amanda would receive tools, stock, and a diamond ring “in which she has always had an interest.” Dan gave his adult daughter and son $200 each, and $100 went to each grandchild. Widow Emma received the balance, estimated at $10,000.[17]
The correction clarified that Amanda owned half of the farm and was given its management for two years, with half the net proceeds going to Chamberlain’s heirs. Amanda was authorized to sell the farm in that window. Dan gave Amanda $3,000 and full interest in a diamond ring, in which Dan had part interest.[18]
Although the largest bequest went to Emma, Amanda received far more than Dan’s children and grandchildren. Perhaps he counted on them inheriting Emma’s share.
Emma sold her interest in the “Chamberlain & Matthew ranch” to Amanda in 1924.[19] Amanda grew fruit in 1930; her home was valued at $7,500.[20] In 1933, Amanda named her farm Hill View, canceling the farm name Beauty of the Hills.[21]
When Dr. Elizabeth Mathews died in 1935, her only surviving sister was, “Miss Amanda Matthews, of Shaw, Ore., who went west from Muskegon as private secretary to Dan Chamberlain, a former prosecuting attorney here.”[22]
A neighbor provided Amanda’s 1940 census information. Her occupation was left blank.[23]
Amanda returned to Muskegon by 1946[24] and finished life where this story began. She died there 13 February 1955 and was buried next to her mother.[25] The cowgirl, one of three sisters who did not do as society expected, had lassoed her last prune.
I don’t know what became of the diamond ring.
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I’m happy to introduce the historic Oregon law collection! Enjoy browsing Historic Oregon Statutory Law and Historic Oregon Case Law.
Peruse Oregon law from territorial times to present. Check out 1854’s special laws, where marriages were legalized and names were changed. An 1890 livestock brand register includes laws related to branding and marking livestock, and images of registered brands.
I love gathering special topics compilations. They reflect things important to a state’s economy. Compilations on laws regarding sheep inspection, mining, commercial fishing, forestry, water, and agriculture reflect the laws Oregonians needed to know.
The extras section has items too good to leave out.
- Governor’s pardons
- Booklets and articles about law-related topics, like Oregon’s Black Laws and a report on marriage and divorce.
- History of the Bench and Bar
- Oregon Law Review
I marked some missing volumes as “Need.” If you run across them, please let me know!
Enjoy researching the historic laws of Oregon, the 25th state in my online law library!
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The names Mathews and Whelan have spelling variations in records.
[1] Family tradition from Gertrude F. McBride to author, various dates.
[2] Julia’s son, Dennis Henry McBride, was Frank McBride’s father. Dennis McBride-Julia Whelan marriage, 16 June 1856, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Buffalo, New York, v. B, p. 15, FamilySearch microfilm 0928693. “New York, New York, Index to Death Certificates, 1862–1948,” database, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61778/records/1911403 : accessed 10 July 2025), Dennis Henry McBride death, 2 January 1926, lists parents as Dennis H. and Julia McBride; citing “New York City Death Certificates; borough: Brooklyn; Year 1926, New York City Department of Records & Information Services.” Francis Augustine McBride, baptismal certificate, 28 September 1903, Immaculate Conception Church, Tuckahoe, New York; parents Dennis H. and Edith C. McBride.
[3] “Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Marriage Records and Indexes, 1810–1973,” database and images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/1876/images/32365_225646-00154 : accessed 9 July 2025), Mathews-Whelan marriage, 19 November 1866; citing “Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Marriage Records, 1810–1973, microfilm publication, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.”
[4] 1870 U.S. census, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Cleveland, population schedule, sheet 138, p. 391B, dwelling 1086, family 1099, Wm Mathews household; digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7163/records/38916382 : accessed 9 July 2025), citing National Archives microfilm publication M593, roll 1189. A child, Anne, age 1, was in the household. She was not seen in subsequent censuses. 1880 U.S. census, Ottawa County, Ohio, Port Clinton, population schedule, ED 68, sheet 30, p. 422B, dwelling 289, family 309, William Mathews household; digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/6742/images/4243663-00348 : accessed 9 July 2025), citing National Archives microfilm publication T9, roll 1056. William and Anna had children Frank and Louisa in their 1880 household. 1900 U.S. census, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Cleveland, population schedule, ED 51, sheet 11, p. 276A, dwelling 171, family 194 , Anna Matthews household; digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7602/records/39337784 : accessed 9 July 2025), citing National Archives microfilm publication T623, roll 1253. In 1900 Anna’s children were Frank and Louise.
[5] “Dies at Age of 75,” The Muskegon Daily Chronicle (Muskegon, MI), 18 August 1905, p. 7, c. 3; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/1173781527/ : accessed 9 July 2025). Mary’s separate immigration story appeared in her obituary. For the married daughter who had children: “A Resident for 50 Years,” The Marysville Advocate (Marysville, KS), 16 February 1928, p. 1, c. 2; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/341718838/ : accessed 9 July 2025).
[6] 1870 U.S. census, Muskegon County, Michigan, Muskegon, population schedule, sheet 39, p. 330A, dwelling 264, family 260, Thos. Matthews household; digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7163/records/28865298 : accessed 10 July 2025), citing National Archives microfilm publication M593, roll 692; Amanda was 4 and born in Michigan. 1900 U.S. census, Muskegon County, Michigan, Muskegon, population schedule, ED 74, sheet 12, p. 65A, dwelling 239, family 260, Mary Matthews household; digital image Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7602/records/64737341 : accessed 10 July 2025), citing National Archives microfilm publication T623, roll 734; Amanda’s birth was given as December 1871. “Dies at Age of 75,” The Muskegon Daily Chronicle (Muskegon, MI), 18 August 1905, p. 7, c. 3; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/1173781527/ : accessed 9 July 2025); Amanda lived with her mother.
[7] 1900 U.S. census, Muskegon County, Michigan, Muskegon, population schedule, ED 74, sheet 12, p. 65A, dwelling 239, family 260, Mary Matthews household; digital image Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7602/records/64737341 : accessed 10 July 2025), citing National Archives microfilm publication T623, roll 734; Amanda’s birth was given as December 1871.
[8] “City Directories, 1822–1995,” database and images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469/images/7113153 : accessed 10 July 2025), Amanda Mathews entry: citing “Muskegon [MI] City and County Directory, 1887–1888 (Detroit, MI: R. L. Polk & Co., 1887),” p. 197.
[9] “City Directories, 1822–1995,” database and images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469/images/7126757 : accessed 10 July 2025), Amanda Matthews entry: citing “Muskegon [MI] City and County Directory, 1900–1901 (Detroit, MI: R. L. Polk & Co., 1900),” p. 266.
[10] “City Directories, 1822–1995,” database and images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469/images/7234109 : accessed 10 July 2025), Amanda Matthews entry: citing “Muskegon [MI] City and County Directory, 1904–1905 (Detroit, MI: R. L. Polk & Co., 1904),” p. 257. “City Directories, 1822–1995,” database and images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469/images/7302228 : accessed 10 July 2025), Amanda Matthews entry: citing “Muskegon [MI] City and County Directory, 1908 (Detroit, MI: R. L. Polk & Co., 1907),” p. 278.
[11] “City News,” The Muskegon Chronicle (Muskegon, MI), 29 April 1907, p. 7, c. 2; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/1173915395/ : accessed 10 July 2025).
[12] “Prosecutor to Leave Office,” The Muskegon Chronicle (Muskegon, MI), 10 May 1909, p. 1 c. 7; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/1173726718/ : accessed 9 July 2025).
[13] “To Go To Northwest,” The Muskegon Chronicle (Muskegon, MI), 3 June 1909, p. 2, c. 1; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/1173727736/ : accessed 9 July 2025).
[14] 1910 U.S. census, Marion County, Oregon, Liberty Precinct, population schedule, ED 214, sheet 7A, p. 179, dwelling 110, family 113, Dan T. Chamberlain household; digital image Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/7884/images/4450120_00362 : accessed 10 July 2025), citing National Archives microfilm publication T624, roll 1284.
[15] “Oregon Woman Here,” The Muskegon Chronicle (Muskegon, MI), 29 May 1919, p. 8, c. 5; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/1174085369/ : accessed 9 July 2025).
[16] 1920 U.S. census, Marion County, Oregon, Shaw Precinct, population schedule, ED 357, sheet 1B, dwelling 21, family 21, Amanda Matthews household; digital image Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/6061/images/4384922_00385 : accessed 10 July 2025), citing National Archives microfilm publication T625, roll 1498. 1920 U.S. census, Marion County, Oregon, Shaw Precinct, population schedule, ED 357, sheet 1B, dwelling 22, family 22, Dan T. Chamberlain household; digital image Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/6061/images/4384922_00385 : accessed 10 July 2025), citing National Archives microfilm publication T625, roll 1498.
[17] “Chamberlain Will Filed in County Probate Court,” Statesman Journal (Salem, OR), 14 May 1922, p. 2, c. 8; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/79374388/ : accessed 9 July 2025).
[18] “Error is Corrected,” Statesman Journal (Salem, OR), 16 May 1922, p. 5, cols. 1–2; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/79374438/ : accessed 9 July 2025).
[19] “Shaw Briefs,” The Capital Journal (Salem, OR), p. 2, c. 4; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/96237913/ : 9 July 2025).
[20] 1930 U.S. census, Marion County, Oregon, Shaw Precinct, population schedule, ED 24-76, sheet 3B, dwelling 62, family 62, Amanda Matthews household; digital image Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/6224/images/4547510_00621 : accessed 10 July 2025), citing National Archives microfilm publication T626.
[21] “Locals,” The Capital Journal (Salem, OR), 8 March 1933, p. 7, c. 1; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/1173992338/ : accessed 9 July 2025).
[22] “Dr. Matthews Dies in Springfield, Ill.,” The Muskegon Chronicle (Muskegon, MI), 11 June 1935, p. 2, c. 5; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/1173992338/ : accessed 11 June 1935).
[23] 1940 U.S. census, Marion County, Oregon, Shaw Precinct, population schedule, ED 24-85, sheet 2B, household 38, Amanda Matthews household; digital image Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2442/images/m-t0627-03375-00467 : accessed 10 July 2025), citing National Archives microfilm publication T627, roll 3375.
[24] “City Directories, 1822–1995,” database and images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469/images/7122722 : accessed 10 July 2025), Amanda Matthews entry: citing “Muskegon (Muskegon County, Mich.) City Directory, 1946 (Detroit, MI: R. L. Polk & Co., 1946),” p. 282.
[25] “Muskegon County, Michigan, Death Index, 1867–1965,” database, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/70563/records/33583 : accessed 9 July 2025), Amanda Matthews entry, 1955; citing “Muskegon County Genealogical Death Indexing System,” Muskegon, Muskegon County, Michigan. FindAGrave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/95364986/amanda-matthews : accessed 9 July 2025), memorial page for Amanda Matthews (unknown–1955), Find A Grave memorial no. 95364986, Evergreen Cemetery, Muskegon, Muskegon County, Michigan; memorial page created by contributor Laura Plummer Ranville, maintained by Kindness Everlasting. Includes gravestone and obituary images.
Fascinating