- JAMES CHAMBERLAIN, deceased, was one of Rock County's most
prominent citizens and
- honored pioneers. Probably no one has borne a more important
part in the upbuilding of the county during its early history,
and to him all honor is due for his untiring efforts and ceaseless
labors in her behalf. He was a native of England, born in 1792.
His boyhood days were there passed, and when twenty-five years
of age he crossed the broad Atlantic for the purpose of trying
his fortunes in the New World. Landing in New York he spent the
four succeeding years in that State, and in 1821 he removed to
Hartford, Conn., when he made the acquaintance of Miss Maria
JACKSON, whom he wooed and won, and together they traveled life's
journey for many years.
- While a resident of Hartford Mr. CHAMBERLAIN worked at his
trade of contractor and builder,
- and under his supervision many of the public buildings of
the city were erected, among which may be mentioned the Episcopal
Church spoken of in Goodrich's History as a remarkably fine specimen
of architectural skill. He also planned the woodwork of the bridge
across the Connecticut River at that point, which consists of
a single span of ninety feet, twenty-four feet high and 100 feet
wide, and which stands today as a monument to the ability and
faithfulness of the builder.
- In 1836, leaving his eastern home accompanied by his family,
Mr. CHAMBERLAIN emigrated to
- Wisconsin and settled on section 37 in what is now the town
of Bradford. The narrative of his experience during the succeeding
years of his life would, if written out be more thrilling and
interesting than a romance. For weeks he would not see a human
being, and was often without food save traditional "sucker"
found in Turtle Creek. For a considerable time a rock was his
only shelter, but nothing daunted, he steadily and persistently
labored to make a home for his family and surround them with
all the comforts of civilization. Strong in limb, possessing
a rugged constitution, and endowed with wonderful powers of endurance,
he underwent the severest hardships, such as would utterly prostrate
a man of ordinary powers. On one occasion he walked from his
claim to Madison in a single day. His nearest post-office was
at Janesville, and he used to relate how at one time when going
to mail a letter on a winter's day, while making his way across
Rock Prairie he fell into a half frozen slough, and thus wet
and chilled, having lost his way he wandered for hours over the
prairies with nothing to guide him to home and shelter. At length,
benumbed, speechless and almost unconscious, he stumbled across
the cabin of D. A. RICHARDSON. The inmates mistook him in the
distance for a wolf and set the dogs on him, but when they discovered
their mistake their kindness was unbounded, and the half-frozen
wanderer was cared for as a brother.
- In his occupation as a builder Mr. CHAMBERLAIN soon found
plenty of work and had the honor
- of building the first court house in Rock County. He also
superintended the construction of the first three bridges across
Rock River, built at Janesville, Beloit and Roscoe. His painstaking
care, his careful attention to every detail, and his earnest
efforts to please his customers made him a favorite with all.
As a citizen he bore an active part in the work of advancing
public interests and was honored with many position of trust,
serving as a member of the first Constitutional Convention of
the State and also on the County Board for several years. Politically,
he was an old Jacksonian Democrat. His family relations were
most pleasant; he was a kind husband and father, and as a neighbor
enjoyed universal respect and esteem. He at length overcame all
obstacles and difficulties, and his labors were rewarded by a
comfortable competence which enabled him during his declining
years to live in retirement from the more active duties of life.
After a long and useful life he passed away on the 10th of September,
1874. He was reared as an Episcopalian and died in that faith.
- The children of Mr. and Mrs. CHAMBERLAIN were four in number:
Julia A., who is now the
- widow of Peter SMITH, resides in Clinton; James A. who is
living near Shopiere; Sarah J., wife of Joseph DOCKSTADER, who
is also living near Shopiere, and Mary E., widow of Napoleon
JOHNSON of Darien, Walworth Co., Wis.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 405-406.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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