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         H. B. CHAMBERLIN, a prominent farmer of Louisa County, residing on section 34, Grand View Township, was born in Chautauqua County, N.Y., Dec. 20, 1837, and is a son of William and Ann (McDonald) Chamberlin, who were natives of New York. His father was a farmer by occupation, and remained a resident of his native State until his death, which occurred in 1859. He was in the War of 1812 and served under Gen. Scott, participating in the battles of Queenstown Heights and Lundy’s Lane. The mother of our subject was of Scotch descent, her parents being natives of Scotland, though they emigrated to this country prior to the birth of Mrs. Chamberlin, and settled in New York, where they resided during the remainder of their lives.

The earlier years of our subject’s boyhood were spent upon a farm in the Empire State, but when only thirteen years of age he entered the printing-office of the Dunkirk Journal, edited by W. L. Carpenter, at Dunkirk, N. Y., remaining there a period of about four years. He next worked upon the Buffalo Express for some time, and then went to Niagara Falls, where he secured work in the Gazette office. He next was employed in New York City on the Tribune, edited by Horace Greeley, one of the best papers ever published in the United States. After leaving that employ Mr. Chamberlin made his first trip to the West in 1855. Stopping for awhile at Iowa City, he then went to Davenport, thence to Dubuque, and later returned home by way of Canada, where he remained the rest of the year, working on the Dunkirk Journal, in which office he had learned his trade. The following spring, in company with his mother, Mr. Chamberlin went by water to Toledo, thence by rail to Chicago, and on to Muscatine, Iowa, where he took the stage for Louisa County, where he had a brother living, who was superintending the construction of a portion of the railroad which was then being built. Mr. Chamberlin at once began farming, but his mother returned to New York the same year, remaining there until her death, which occurred in 1862.

In 1861, in Louisa County, Iowa, the marriage of Mr. H. B. Chamberlin and Sarah Ann McClerry was celebrated. She was one of Louisa County’s daughters, born on the same section where she yet resides. Her parents were Abram and Sarah (Trimble) McClerry, the father a native of Ohio, and the mother of Pennsylvania. They were among the earliest pioneers of Louisa County, settling on a claim on section 22, Grand View Township, in 1836, where they remained for about three years. In 1839, during the Burlington land sales, Mr. McClerry, in partnership with his brother, purchased 1,300 acres of land in Grand View Township, and his brother dying shortly afterward without leaving a will, Mr. McClerry fell heir to two-thirds of his interest, the remainder going to his widow, who . . .

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. . . subsequently married John P. Walker. After having passed together fifty-seven years, seven months and twenty-five days of a happy married life, fifty years of which were spent in Louisa County, Mrs. McClerry was called to her final home Aug. 15, 1887, at the advanced age of eighty years, seven months and five days. But a short time elapsed before Mr. McClerry too crossed the dark river to be reunited with his wife, his death occurring March 6, 1888, at the age of eighty-two years, four months and twenty-one days. Their long residence in this county served but to increase the respect and esteem in which they were held by its citizens, and the death of both was sincerely mourned by a large circle of friends.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlin settled upon a farm on section 33, Grand View Township, which had been given her by her father, there remaining until the month of August, 1882, when they removed to a farm on section 34, where they yet reside. They removed to their present farm so that they might care for Mrs. Chamberlin’s parents in their old age, who at their death willed the home farm of eighty acres conjointly to our subject and his wife. He has since added twenty-four acres of land by purchase, and with their original farm they now own 224 acres of fine, arable land, which is well improved. Their farm is well stocked with Jersey and Durham cattle, their home is a pleasant brick residence, and everything about the place denotes the thrift and industry of the owner.

In his political views Mr. Chamberlin is a supporter of the Democratic party. He has held the office of Township Trustee for a number of years, has been School Director for many terms, and is at present one of the Directors of the Farmers’ Mutual Fire and Lightning Insurance Company, of Louisa County, being also the agent in Grand View Township.

Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlin have no children of their own, but they have one adopted child, a little girl, Margaret Beard. Mrs. Chamberlin is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Grand View. To such men as our subject, who have long been residents of this section, Louisa County owes her present high position. They who have witnessed its changes and have aided in its enterprises and supported its interests have placed it among the foremost in the State, and, as its citizens should do, receive the respect of all.