Legislator Details
Image Description:
Portrait of William Chamberlain scanned from Men of Progress p.405.
Number of sessions served 4
Gender: Male
Age at election: 36
Vital Records Information:
Birth
Date: 2/7/1834
City: Pembroke, NH
County: Merrimack County, NH
Country: US
Death
Date: 2/7/1901
City: Jackson, MI
County: Jackson County, MI
Country: US
Type of Burial: interred
Burial
Date:
City: Three Oaks, MI
County: Berrien County, MI
Country: US
Cemetery: Forest Lawn Cemetery
Marital Information:
married Caroline Sawyer, 3/20/1857 in New Hampshire; children: Alice, Carrie (McCann), Lou F., Benjamin, Grace C. (Teller), William and 1 other.
Number of Children: 7
Background
Religion:
Military Service:
Occupation: merchant, farmer
Race: Caucasian or White
Education:
common school
Biographical Sketch:
Son of Moses and Mary Chamberlain. Moved to New Buffalo, MI in 1843 and later, to Three Oaks. He was elected Three Oaks township clerk at age 21; was postmaster for 6 years; superintendent of the county poor, 19 years; and president of Berrien County Pioneer Society. warden, State Prison of Southern Michigan in Jackson. He was a member of the Michigan Club.
Notable Facts:
Brother of Mellen Chamberlain (state Rep. & Sen. in Massachusetts) and Henry Chamberlain.
Served in both chambers. He held every township office (in his township) except Justice of the Peace and Treasurer.
Find-a-Grave says he died in Jackson, MI; MIBiog says he died in Chicago.
Sessions Served:
Committees Served On: Appropriations and Finance, Horticulture , State House of Correction, Asylums for the Insane, Fisheries
Postions Held: President Pro Tempore
City of Residence: Three Oaks
County of Residence Berrien
District Description: Berrien County
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed
Committees Served On: Appropriations and Finance, Fisheries , State Public School , Asylums for the Insane
City of Residence: Three Oaks
County of Residence Berrien
District Description: Berrien County
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Committees Served On: Reform School, Immigration
City of Residence: Three Oaks
County of Residence Berrien
District Description: Townships of Saint Joseph, Lincoln, Royalton, Lake, Weesaw, Chickaming, Buchanan, Three Oaks and New Buffalo
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed
Committees Served On: Rules and Joint Rules , Asylum for the Deaf, Dumb and Blind
City of Residence: Three Oaks
County of Residence Berrien
District Description: Townships of Buchanan, Bertrand, Chickaming, Galien, Oronoko, New Buffalo, Three Oaks and Weesaw
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Bibliography:
PolGryd; Manual 1873 p.115; Manual 1871 p.115; Manual 1877 p.99; Manual 1879 p.528; Find-a-Grave.com; USCen 1860, 1880, 1900; NHMarRec; Men of Progress p.405, includes portrait;
