Willie I. Chamberlain 1864-1951

CHAMBERLAIN, THURSTON, KRAMER, POWERS, PIRIE

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 5/6/2016 at 14:15:35

6 September 1951 - The Tipton Advertiser

Final rites were held Friday afternoon, Aug. 31, at 2 o'clock for W. I. Chamberlain of Tipton, who passed away Wednesday night of last week. The Rev. Leo G. Wolfe conducted the service at the Wilson funeral home and interment was made in the Tipton Masonic cemetery.

Willie Irwin Chamberlain, only son of Joseph Chamberlain and Mary Thurston Chamberlain, was born in Jackson county, Iowa, November 10, 1864. His father, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia, came west to enter the teaching field, and they settled in Jackson county where Will was born. Shortly afterward the father secured a teaching position at Pewaukee, Wis., and the wife and son Will came to Inland township, Cedar county to make their home with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Chamberlain, near Bennett. In a few months, the father was called from his teaching duties at Pewaukee, Wis., to service with the Union army from which he never returned.

When a young man Will attended the Congregational church in Tipton which was located approximately on the site where St. Mary's church now stands. Here he served as assistant librarian of the Sunday school with Agnes D. Kramer who was librarian, and to whom he was married on December 10, 1888. They began housekeeping in the Carroll residence property on Eighth street in Tipton, now occupied by Mr. F. W. Westphal.

Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain, and the family home has always been in Tipton. Mr. Chamberlain spent a number of his early years as route man for the H. L. Dean Packing Co. of Tipton, who were operating here in the butter, eggs and poultry shipping business.

He was a member of the Co. F 49th Iowa National Guard unit of Tipton who were called to Cuba in the Spanish-American war in 1898, but being a married man with family he was not long retained in service with the National Guard unit, and came home to the support and care of his family. Later he worked many years in the painting and interior decorating business, until failing health necessitated his retirement.

Mr. Chamberlain was among the oldest residents of Tipton community having resided more than 80 years in Cedar county. He was a man of genial nature and keenly appreciated the many friends he had acquired during his long residence in this community. Most of his early day relatives and friends have long preceded him in death.

Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary on Dec. 10 last year.

He passed away, Wednesday night at 11:00 o'clock in the Woode Nursing Home, after weeks of failing health, during which time he was given constant and devoted care by his wife and family. He had reached the age of 86 years, 9 months and 19 days.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Agnes Chamberlain, also four sons, Everett, Forest and Walter of Tipton, and Ralph of Muscatine, three daughters, Mrs. Charles Powers of Vinton, Mrs. Dawson Powers, now caring for her daughter in Elsinore, Calif. and Mrs. Forest Pirie of Stanwood, as well as several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other relatives in this community.