John Chamberlain

When death comes to any one it is customary to review the life record and note whether it has been for good or ill. Favorable indeed is the judgment which has been passed upon John Chamberlain, who for seventy-five years traveled life’s journey, performing faithfully and well every duty which devolved upon him and meeting fully every obligation that rested upon him. His example, therefore, is commendable and worthy of emulation, and his life history deserves a place on the pages of this volume among those of the representative citizens of Monroe county.

Mr. Chamberlain was born in Ashland county, Ohio, March 28, 1827, and was a son of James and Sarah (Peterson) Chamberlain, both of whom were natives of Virginia, whence they removed to the Buckeye state, settling there at a pioneer epoch in its history. A farmer by occupation, the father followed that pursuit throughout his entire life, cultivating his fields from year to year in order to provide for his family, which in the course of time came to number ten children. These were: John, now deceased; Mary, Josiah, James, Henry, Washington, Elizabeth, who has also passed away; Abraham, Weed, and William, deceased. The father was called to his final rest in 1882, at the age of seventy-five years, and the mother reaching the advanced age of eighty-nine years, her death occurring in 1898.

John Chamberlain lived in Ohio until twenty-two years of age, his boyhood being passed in a manner similar to that of most farmer lads of the period. When school was in session and his services were not needed on the farm he there pursued his studies, but during the months of summer he assisted in the work of the fields, plowing, planting and harvesting, all farm work becoming familiar to him ere he left home.

The year 1847 witnessed his arrival in the new state of Iowa and he took up his abode in Eddyville. Four years later, on the 29^th of June, 1851, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Sarah Bredwell, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Bredwell. Her mother died when Mrs. Chamberlain was but three years old, but her father long survived, passing away about 1872. In 1842 Mrs. Chamberlain and her brother came to Iowa, locating in Eddyville, and in Monroe county she has since made her home. She was born March 20, 1834, and at the age of seventeen she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Chamberlain, with whom she traveled life’s journey long and happily. For the past forty years she has resided upon her present farm, the location being made here shortly after their marriage. As the years passed several children came to bless the household, namely: Annis and Rachel Ann, both deceased; Sarah Elizabeth; Edward; Henry; John; Otis; Minnie, Willin, William, all three deceased; and Ida.

Throughout his entire married life Mr. Chamberlain followed farming and carpentering. He kept everything about his place in good condition, exercised care and thought in planting his fields and harvesting his crops, and the annual sale of his farm products returned to him a good income. The home place is pleasantly located west of Lovilia. In his political views Mr. Chamberlain was a Democrat and for many years served as a school director and a member of the school board. He believed in progress in education as in other lines and was anxious to have good schools and competent teachers. In his younger years he belonged to the Baptist church, but afterward united with the Christian church, with which he held membership until his death. For many years he was also identified with the Masonic fraternity and was a faithful follower of its teaching concerning brotherly kindness and helpfulness. He died on the home farm, September 16, 1902, at the age of seventy-five years, and his remains were laid to rest in the Osborn cemetery. Mrs. Chamberlain is still residing at home and she, too, is a loyal member of the Christian church, whose teachings and principles she has made the guide of her life.