Legislator Details
Portrait of Henry Chamberlain scanned from Men of Progress p.322.
Vital Records Information:
Marital Information:
married Sarah Jane Nash, dau. of Vincent Nash of Three Oaks, native of Indiana, in 1851. She died in 1852; children: 1, infant son;
married Rebecca (Van De Vanter) Ames of Ohio in 1856; children: 3, two daughters and one son
Number of Children: 4
Background
Education:
Biographical Sketch:
Son of Moses Chamberlain of London, NH. Brother of Mellen Chamberlain & William Chamberlain. He was schooled until age 12 when he became a clerk in his father's store. The family removed to Three Oaks in Berrien county in 1836 where they farmed. Mr. Chamberlain started his own farm in 1850 and then his own mercantile business in 1854. He held local positions for many years (justice of the peace, supervisor). He was a Democrat. He was a Mason since 1853. He was Grand Master (Masons) in 1872.
Notable Facts:
Candidate for Governor of Michigan, 1874; delegate to Democratic National Convention from Michigan, 1876, 1896. He was one of the people who organized the State Agricultural Society in 1849 and was the secretary of the meeting held for that purpose (although he never held any official positions within the society). He served 12 years on the State Board of Agriculture.