Fred Chamberlin & Clara Stingle

FAMILY LINE AND HISTORY

Frederick Lawrence “Fred” Chamberlin
2nd of 6 children of Finley McLaren “Frank” Chamberlin & Emily S. Hoy
Born: Apr 17, 1875, Garnett, Anderson Co., Kansas
Died: Aug 4, 1955 (age 80), Monterey Park, Los Angeles Co., California; heart attack
Buried: Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California
Occupation: Miner, farmer, cowboy, cattle rancher, night clerk in building materials company
Married (1): abt 1912, Ida unkn, (died before 1918)
No children
Married (2): Oct 2, 1920, Clara Alice “Alice/Callie” (Stingle) Fenner, Mesa Co., Colorado
No children

Clara Alice “Callie” Stingle
5th of 7 children of Jacob Stingle & Margaret Smith Gebhart
Born: 1864, Grandview, Louisa Co., Iowa
Died: Aug 17, 1928 (abt age 64), Colorado
Buried: Mount Olivet Cemetery in Wheat Ridge, Jefferson Co., Colorado
Married (1): Jul 13, 1884, Samuel M. Swickard, Muscatine Co., Iowa (1862 – 1886)
One child: Ruby Mary Swickard (1885 – 1910)
Married (2): Apr 10, 1887, Charles Freemont Houck, Grant Twp, Cass Co., Iowa (1862 – 1946)
Divorced: by 1894, Iowa
Married (3): Apr 19, 1894, William H. Bosley, Atlantic, Cass Co. Iowa (1851 – 1920)
Divorced: bef 1900, Iowa
Married (4): Jun 18, 1904, Paul Peebles Fenner, Denver, Denver Co., Colorado (1874 – 1950)
Divorced: Oct 1, 1920, Paul Peebles Fenner, Denver, Denver Co., Colorado
Married (5): Oct 2, 1920, Frederick Lawrence “Fred” Chamberlin, Mesa Co., Colorado
No children

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Timeline and Records

Six children of Finley McLaren “Frank” Chamberlin & Emily S. Hoy:
1. Nellie Belle Chamberlin
1873 – 1956
2. Frederick Lawrence “Fred” Chamberlin
1875 – 1955
3. Ada Agnes Chamberlin
1877 – 1960
4. Roy Valentine Chamberlin
1881 – 1923
5. Mary Agnes “Mamie” Chamberlin
1887 – 1980
6. Willard Joseph “Joe” Chamberlin
1890 – 1971

Seven children of Jacob Stingle & Margaret Smith Gebhart (m. Oct 12, 1856):
1. Clara S. Stingle
1857 – 1862
2. Loretta/Luretta/Laretta Stingle
1858 – unkn, listed in 1870 census
3. Franklin K. Stingle
1860 – 1925
4. Charles D. Stingle
1861 – 1926
5. Clara Alice “Callie” Stingle
1864 – 1928
6. Sherman Stingle
1865 – unkn, listed in 1870 census
7. Grange/Orange H. Stingle
1867 – unkn, listed in 1870 census

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Aug 18, 1870: Federal Census for Grandview, Louisa Co., Iowa:
Name: Clara Stingle
Age in 1870: 6
Birth Year: abt 1864
Birthplace: Iowa
Dwelling Number: 174
Home in 1870: Grandview, Louisa, Iowa
Race: White
Gender: Female
Post Office: Grandview
Occupation: At School
Attended School: Y
Inferred Father: Jacob Stingle
Inferred Mother: Marg Stingle
Household Members:
Name Age
Jacob Stingle 52
Marg Stingle 35
Laretta Stingle 13
Frank Stingle 11
Chas Stingle 8
Clara Stingle 6
Sherman Stingle 5
Orange Stingle 3

Mar 1, 1875: State Census for Garnett, Anderson Co., Kansas:
Name: F M Chamberlin (Finley McLaren Chamberlin)
Residence County: Anderson
Residence State: Kansas
Locality: Garnett
Birth Place: New York
Gender: Male
Age: 30
Birth Year: abt 1845
Race: White
Household Member(s), Name and Age:
F M Chamberlin, age 30 (Finley/Frank, head)
E S Chamberlin, age 24 (Emily S, wife)
M M Chamberlin, age 5 (Winifred “Winnie” M., daughter)
Nellie Chamberlin, age 2 (daughter)
Freddie Chamberlin 1/12, age (Fred, son)

Apr 17, 1875: Birth of Frederick Lawrence “Fred” Chamberlin, 2nd of 6 children of Finley McLaren Chamberlin & Emily S. Hoy, in Garnett, Anderson Co., Kansas

Sep 11, 1877: Letter from Adea Adam “A.A.” Hoy (age 25) to his sister Emily (age 27), the mother of Fred:
Evanston, Wyoming Territory
Sept. 11, 1877
Dear Sister,
Your letter was received today. I was very glad to hear from you. I wrote to you two or three times – directing to Fort Worth – the first I wrote you there, I sent you my photograph. The letter was returned, by way of the dead letter office, “unclaimed”, and then I did not know where you were – however, I wrote several times since.

Well, your letter finds us all well. James, Frank, Harry, and myself are here together. We do our own cooking – no women about. The one of us that gets hungry first does the cooking, and the one last done eating washes the dishes. Harry is in for most all the dish-washing, and does most of the cooking, to his own displeasure.

James and I intended to drive cattle to Cheyenne, and ship from there to Chicago this fall, but he sold his beeves here and will not get to. Very likely he will drive next spring, if so, we will make you a visit.

Last Tuesday, Sept. 4th was election day in Wyoming. We elected our members to the fifth Legislative Assembly: Councilmen and Representatives. James was a successful candidate for Representative, on the Republican ticket. The Wyoming Legislature meets at Cheyenne in December, and after they adjourn I think James will go on east – visiting.

James and Valentine have been very successful in their financial affairs in the past three years. Since I came to Wyoming they have sold about $7000 worth of cattle. They have one of the finest herds of cattle in this part of the country. After this spring’s sale their herd numbers six hundred head of the finest native cattle. They are now so situated that they need be at but very little expense, and sales hereafter will be clear gain.

Valentine stays with their cattle off in the mountains. He doesn’t seem to care much whether he ever leaves the mountains, where he has his home for the past twelve years, completely isolated from civilization, as it were, and all decent society.

He told me, when I first came to Wyo. that he intended to go east to visit you and he still says he will go east in a couple of years. You might be surprised to learn how well informed he is – by the way he has never failed to improve his mind. He is a very fine politician, in fact a scholar on any subject to which he could gain access. He is way ahead of the rest of us, mentally, or intellectually. He has a powerful and retentive mind – he reads a good deal and remembers the same, though he has but a very small portion of his time to devote to study.

James and I had some photographs taken a short time ago. I’ll enclose a couple. I’ll enclose two of mine, if I can, or if there is not room in this envelope I’ll send you one in my next, and I want you to answer this as soon as you get it.

I would excuse you, with all your troubles and trials, from answering my letters promptly, but it takes only a few minutes for you to write a letter and therefore I can’t think that you ought to be excused. Is Frank still conductor on the railroad? By referring to the map, I believe he is on the Texas Pacific R.R.

What kind of people do you find down there – agreeable? And what kind of a looking country is there – and what business is done there outside of railroading?

Has Winnie ever been to school? I hope she may be able to attend regularly. I presume you will soon think of sending Nellie and Fred to school – Fred especially, since he is so precocious. I should like to have his picture. Has Winnie grown much since I saw her? She was very small for her age. While Nellie grew so fast that I thought she would get as large as she.

I received a letter from Pa. some time ago in which I was informed of the death of Aunt Betsy Orndorff. She died last June. I couldn’t help but feel sad on learning of her death, for from her I received kindest treatment than from any other mortal. The poor soul has ended a long, long life of troubles, which generally originated from superstition.
Answer soon – Direct to Evanston.
Very truly, your brother
A.A. Hoy
James is not at home tonight and I cannot find his pictures, but I’ll get one and send it in my next post.

Note: Picture of Adea Hoy is taken in Apr of 1877
Brothers Adea, Frank, Harry and J.S. appear to be living in Brown’s Hole, Colorado. Evanston, Wyoming is the post office serving the area. Valentine is living in Fremont.

Jun 8, 1880: Federal Census for Precinct #5, Travis Co., Texas:
Chamberlain, Frank: age 34, born New York, father born NY, mother born NY, Contractor on RR (Chamberlin)
Emily: wife, age 29, born Pennsylvania, father born Pa, mother born Pa, keeping house
Winifred: daughter, age 10, at home, born Kansas, father born NY, mother born Pa (Winnie, the daughter of Emily and her 1st husband, Frank Davis)
Nelly: daughter, age 7, born Missouri, father born NY, mother born Pa (Nellie)
Frederick: son, age 5, born Kansas, father born NY, mother born Pa
Ada: daughter, age 2, born Texas, father born NY, mother born Pa

Circa 1880: Children of Frank & Emily Chamberlin: Frederick Lawrence Chamberlin (abt age 5) and sister Nellie Belle Chamberlin (abt age 7). Picture taken in Texas.

Sep 1883: Frank (age 38) and Emily (age 33) Chamberlin move to Savanna, Carroll Co., Illinois, another major railroad center. Their four older children, Nellie (age 9), Fred (age 8), Ada (age 5), and Roy (nearly age 2) were born in towns along the MK&T line (Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway).

1. Nellie Belle Chamberlin
   Born: Mar 7, 1873, Kansas City, Jackson Co., Missouri
2. Frederick Lawrence “Fred” Chamberlin
   Born: Apr 17, 1875, Garnett, Anderson Co., Kansas
3. Ada Agnes Chamberlin
   Born: Nov 6, 1877, Fort Worth, Tarrant Co., Texas
4. Roy Valentine Chamberlin
   Born: Aug 22, 1881, Fort Worth, Tarrant Co., Texas

Dec 24, 1894: The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, Grand Junction, Mesa Co., Colorado:
Fred Chamberlain, a young man from Fruita, fell in a faint in front of Bedwell & Smith’s this afternoon. He was soon revived by an application of water.
Note: Fred Chamberlin (age 19), son of Frank & Emily, is living in Fruita, Mesa Co., Colorado.

Frederick Lawrence “Fred” Chamberlin, eldest son of Frank and Emily Chamberlin wearing typical miner’s attire; taken in Grand Junction, Mesa Co., Colorado. The name of the photographing company at the bottom reads BARNHOUSE AND WHEELER, GRAND JUNCTION,·COLO

1896: Cripple Creek & Victor City Directory, Anaconda, El Paso Co., Colorado (pg 98):
Chamberlin, Ada A, bds Colorado House. (daughter of Frank & Emily)
Chamberlin, E S, propr Colorado house, res do. (Emily S. Chamberlin)
Chamberlin, Frederick L, miner, bds Colorado House. (son of Frank & Emily)
(pg 99):
Colorado House, E S Chamberlin propr, s s Main, 15 w Victor.
(Note: Colorado House, Emily S. Chamberlin, proprietor, south side of Main at 15 west Victor Street)
Colorado House is also listed under Hotels
Chatfield. Charles H, meat market, s s Main, 2 (husband of Nellie Chamberlin)
F&CCRR, res do.

1896: Cripple Creek & Victor City Directory, Anaconda, El Paso Co., Colorado (pg 98):
Chamberlin, Ada A, bds Colorado House. (Ada, daughter of Frank & Emily)
Chamberlin, E S, propr Colorado house, res do. (Emily S. Chamberlin)
Chamberlin, Frederick L, miner, bds Colorado House. (Fred, son of Frank & Emily)
(pg 99):
Colorado House, E S Chamberlin propr, s s Main, 15 w Victor. (Emily S. Chamberlin)
(Note: Colorado House, Emily S. Chamberlin, proprietor, south side of Main at 15 west Victor Street)
Colorado House is also listed under Hotels
Chatfield, Charles H, meat market, s s Main, 2 (husband of Nellie Chamberlin) F&CCRR, res do. (husband of Nellie Chamberlin Chatfield)

1897: Frank & Emily Chamberlin children, photo by Marshall, 1637 Larimer St., Denver:

Handwritten on the back of the photo:
“Anaconda, Colorado, 1897” 
Note: estimated ages according to date on the back of the picture:
Roy Valentine Chamberlin (abt 15)
Willard Joseph Chamberlin (abt 7)
Frederick L. Chamberlin (abt 22)
Nellie (Chamberlin) Chatfield (abt 24); Nellie was married in Dec 1894
Mary “Mamie” Chamberlin (abt 10) (although she looks younger)
Ada Agnes Chamberlin (abt 19)

Jun 13/14/15, 1900: Federal Census for Fruita, Mesa Co., Colorado:
Chamberlain, Fred: head, born 1875, age 25, single, born Colorado, father born Missouri, mother born New York, stock herder, rents

Jul 3, 1905: Letter from Frank Chamberlin (Finley McLaren “Frank” Chamberlin, Nellie’s father) to his son Willard (near age 16):
Sawtelle, Calif
July 3, 1905
Dear Son Willard,
Just got your letter, am sorry I can’t see you & Fred. I have got furlow & leave here tomorrow for Rifle to go to Casper with Nelley & Charly. Will write you on the road somewhere when I have a chance & tell you about the trip & how we are getting along.
Nothing to write about here. I am feeling pretty well at present.
Love from your Father FC

Jul 30, 1905: Letter from Frank Chamberlin to daughters, Ada (age 27) and Mamie (age 18), in Baker, Oregon:
Sawtelle, Calif
July 30, 1905
My Dear Daughters,
Well we are not bothered here with hot weather & don’t think we are likely to be. Well I think I will go & stay with Nelly for a while & see how it goes & if I don’t like it I wont have to stay. She has asked me to come three or four times, sent me a letter shortly before they were to leave Rifle & wanted me to come & make the trip with them, said they had two wagons & were well fixed to make the trip. I would have liked to have made the trip but could not get away from here till after pension day as I had no money. I think I will take a furlow for six months & I can renew it at any time if I want to, or think I can get transferred to another home if I like.

I have a letter from Willard – he said Bessy McCasky had been there and staid a few days. Her husband has a grocery in Los Angeles. He says they are trying to sell out. Fred says he wont stay there another year anyhow. They have had bad luck as they always have. He says Fred is coming to Los Angeles the 10 of Aug & is going with Bessy & her husband to the grocers picnic.

I think we will have the electric line running to the home in a few days, they are putting up the pole now. Figs are ripe here now, that is the black ones, but I don’t think they are any good, they are to sickeny to suit me, guess they would be fairly good with sugar & cream. I think the white ones will be better but they are not ripe yet.

Well I dont get along very well here, have had three or four bad days lately but feel some better just now. One of the Drs. gave me an examination yesterday & said had intestinal medicine an(d) he is giving me a course of treatment now & said for me to see the head of surgeons & get a special diet of milk three times a day, the head surgeon is the only one that can make out the diet list. I went twice to see him today but its Sunday & missed me but think I can catch him tomorrow & if I do I am going to live on crackers & milk.

Well I hope it has cooled off a little by this time. I see they are having terrible hot weather everywhere. I suppose you have seen the account on the gunboat (USS) Bennington blown up (note: due to a boiler explosion) at San Diego harbor, 60 or more were killed and nearly everyone was hurt. I believe the blame is on the officers of the boat. Guess that’s all this time,
Love from your Father
FC

1905: Frank  Chamberlin is living in the Sawtelle Soldiers’ Home. It was established in 1888, along with a cemetery and hospital, for former soldiers and sailors. The community of Sawtelle grew up after the veterans’ home was established. It was at first served by a Santa Monica horsecar line, which was later electrified.

Aug 9, 1905: Death of Finley McLaren “Frank” Chamberlin (age 59), father of Fred Chamberlin, unexpectedly at Fred’s sister’s home in Rifle, Garfield Co., Colorado, from a stomach hemorrhage. Nellie is 5 months pregnant with her sixth child, Gordon Gregory Chatfield.
Note: Death certificate lists his name as Frank Chamberlin, age almost sixty years, occupation Rail Road Conductor, mother’s maiden name Surdam, the information provided by Mrs. C.H. Chatfield, daughter. A Civil War veteran, Frank is buried in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Rifle.

Aug 11, 1905: The Rifle Telegram, Rifle, Garfield Co., Colorado:
Died.
Mr. Frank Chamberlin, who has been visiting his daughter, Mrs. Chas. Chatfield, died very suddenly Wednesday afternoon at 6 o’clock. His demise so unexpectedly was a great shock to his daughter and family. In the morning Mr. Chamberlin attempted to go down town, but was overcome by an attack of dizziness when in front of Munro’s store. He was assisted home and after a rest became considerably better. About 4 o’clock in the afternoon he was seized with another sinking spell and in spite of all the physician could do he passed away an hour later.

Mr. Chamberlin has been troubled some years with catarrh of the stomach and while in poor health none of his family or friends anticipated his sudden death. The deceased was a member of the Order of the Railway Conductors, Division 338, but had not been in active service for some time.

Mrs. Chatfield had not seen her father for eleven years. He had been making his home in Fruita lately and was intending to go north with his daughter and family. Besides his daughter Mrs. Chatfield, he leaves a son Roy in Denver and several sons and daughters in Los Angeles, Calif. Owing to the distance it is not likely that any of the latter can be present at the funeral which will be held this afternoon at 2 o’clock. Rev. Low Thomas will have charge of the services. The sympathy of the entire community is extended to Mrs. Chatfield and the other relatives to whom has come this sudden blow.
Note: His wife Emily, living in Los Angeles, California, is not mentioned in the obituary

Sep 2, 1906: Letter from James Smith “J.S.” Hoy (age 60) to his sister Emily (Hoy) Chamberlin (age 56):
Lodore, Colo.
Sep. 2nd 1906
My Dear Sister
It rained yesterday, about all last night and is a drizzling day today and I have time to write you. I have a big crop of grass to cut for hay but up till now couldn’t get any help. Couldn’t get help to brand colts & calves, and no hay up either. I work from daylight till dark, 365 days in the year. I am in debt and intend to die but if I have to work nights, when I look at other men of my age and see the old, toothless, dried up, watery eyed, rheumatic, drooling old idiots, I am surprised at myself. I tell these young whelps: “don’t call me old until you get up in the morning before I do, and take and keep the lead all day as I do, and never let the (?) trees dangle on your heels, don’t say old to me.” I don’t believe hard work kills people. If “it” did I would have been dead long ago. V.S. was more tireless and on the go than I am. He never rested except when asleep. Harry was a great worker. Work is the best medicine for all disease. It is what keeps me young and our duty.

Now to answer your letter. This is not “a far off place.” It is you that is far off. I live in the center of the Rocky Mountains. We have about all that anyone needs except Society. and I don’t need Society. We have an abundance of water, wood, pastures, free, and the best climate in the U.S. I am surprised to read what you say about life and death. Long ago, I concluded what we think amounts to little or nothing, and what beats me is: that bible believing people fear death more than the so called infidels. Life is as much of a mystery to me as death, both unsolvable. Nature is kind: ushers us into life without pain and opens the door and we go out without knowing it. Frank, V.S. nor Harry didn’t know they were dying, and I don’t think they know that they are dead. Harry was stricken with the paralysis in Alaska six years ago and suffered ever since. He never could be made to believe that he was seriously ill. He got hold of a fool book something like “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” named “Perfect Health by one who has it How to get it, How to keep it” and the fool book killed Harry Hoy. If you can, get the fool thing & read it and see what a crank Harry was. V.S. & Harry were both cranks in my opinion. V.S. had his pockets full of Mrs. Mary Cheyneunth pamphlets when he was killed. I may be a crank too but I don’t have to follow the lead of crazy people, whose advice leads to death in this world. Harry fasted 36 days and then gorged himself on carrots, stewed chicken and other food that only a cowpuncher or grubber could digest, it ended in a violent case of bowel trouble, so that he dared not eat any more, didn’t dare lie in bed, didn’t dare eat nor drink, and for four nights the horrible pain kept him awake and for days, he suffered all the tortures of the orthodox damned and at the end of the fourth day and beginning of the 5th day and night when human endurance and nature was exhausted he breathed his last. Pain, suffering is cruel, death is a relief. I could do nothing much for him. An hour before he died he said “I am going to follow out the advice of the Book!” He didn’t know he was dying but everbody else did. The end came peaceful. Half hour before pain ceased and the end of all began, at last he raised his head, looked around, (??) his chin sank on his breast and he was at rest. I wasn’t sorry, I wasn’t glad, but if I had been in his condition I would wanted somone to kill me. It was hell.

You talk of a merciful God. God shows no mercy to anyone. His only begotten Son cried: My God, My God, why has thou forsaken me. Let us let up on God and attend to business for we will be a long time dead where the sun goes down on our sight the last time. How silly for you to think your turn will come next. Would you rather see me and Adea die than you to die? It is foolish to be a fatalist or anything else so far as belief is concerned. I am going to live to be 103 years old. Now what is to hinder you coming here and we will go into partnership and raise poultry? I like ranch life, I like all live creatures (except men). You can move into Harry’s shack, hut or whatever you may call it and that is a darned sight better than canning stuff in Los Angeles. I wrote to Fremont and I think we will soon hear from Ade, and I want you and him to come and we will run and manage Harry’s estate together. We ought to be old enough to live in peace, but, although this ranch is seven miles long and a mile wide with Green River an unfordable stream through the middle, it is not big enough to hold Fred Chamberlin and me. He is vicious, cowardly and mean, he hated Harry and tried his best to send me to the penetentuary and to hell with him and all his kind of people!
J.S. Hoy
Note: The first book J.S. refers to is by Mary Baker Eddy (published 1875); the second is by Charles Courtney Haskell (pub 1902/1903), with the end of the title True Scientific Living.
Note: The Fred Chamberlin whom J.S. refers to in this letter is Emily’s oldest son

1905: Emily Chamberlin (age 55) is now living in Santa Ana, Los Angeles Co., California with her son Fred (age 30)

Dec 25, 1906: Photo of Fred, Charles Chatfield, Willard, Rafty baby, and Roy:

Fred Chamberlin, brother-in-law Charles H. Chatfield (Nellie’s husband), Willard Chamberlin, Rafty baby, Roy Chamberlin

Oct 17, 1907: Fred, with his mother Emily, is living at 226 South Bunker Hill in Los Angeles, California.
Note: Bunker Hill was where the well-to-do lived in their Victorian houses at the turn of the century. In 1901 an open cable railway was constructed to make it easier for the residents to climb the eastern part of its hill, nicknamed “Angels Flight”.

Angels Flight is a landmark funicular railway in the Bunker Hill district of Downtown Los Angeles, which claims to be the “shortest railway in the world.” Angels Flight operated from 1901 until it was closed in 1969. It consisted of two carriages pulled up a steep incline by metal cables powered by engines at the top of the hill. As one car ascended, the other descended, carried down by gravity. The two cars were named Sinai and Olivet.

1907: Los Angeles City Directory, Los Angeles Co., California (pg 291):
Chamberlin, Mrs Emily S fur rms 226 S Bunker Hill av
Chamberlin, Fred L 226 S Bunker Hill av (son)

Nov 25, 1909: Letter from Fred Chamberlin (age 33) to his mother Emily Chamberlin (age 59):
Fruita, Colo.
Nov 25, 1909
My Dear Mother
I just got back here yesterday. Have been away ever since I wrote you last. Well that wild goose chase I went on was a couple of fellows got into some trouble here & skipped out & they deputized me to go after them. They had been gone two weeks when I started after them. I followed them to the head of the Savory river in Wyoming before I caught them. I made the ride from here there on horse back in 12 days & what I stole off from the nights & I had to trail them out for my selfe as I went as no one knew where they were headed for. I held them at the nearest town until a man came to take them back on the train & then I went back into Utah & bought me a bunch of cattle with money I borrowed on the ones I had & brought them over with me & when I got to the ranch a big storm came & I had to stay there & drift the cattle out of the canyons & wean the calves so I have been back over two weeks but not in town.

Well I was in Browns Park on my trip & went to see Old J.S. but he was in Rock Springs at the time & I didn’t get to see him. That $100 he owes you should be $200 as he sold the hay for $800 & has all the money & he has the place rented now for cash rent but I didn’t find out just how much. He had an offer for 10000 for the place but would not sell. Guess he is having to good a steal out of the rent. The same party wanted to buy it that bought ant (sic aunt) Julias, place there she has sold all of her interest there to the Haley Cattle Company & J.S. has Harry’s place rented to the same Co. It seems to me if you would write to the Co Judge of Routt Co. that he would see that J.S. sent you what is coming to you. I believe he will hang on to the place until he has sutch (sic) a big bill for Administrator that he will get the lion’s share of it. The people in the…
Note: the remainder of the letter is cut off
Old J.S. is Emily’s brother, James S. Hoy; Aunt Julia is Emily’s sister-in-law, the widow of Emily’s brother, Valentine Hoy

1910 U.S. Federal Census
Name: Fred L Chamberlain (Chamberlin)
Age in 1910: 33
Birth Year: abt 1877
Birthplace: Kansas
Home in 1910: Roan Creek, Garfield, Colorado
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Boarder
Marital status: Single
Father’s Birthplace: New York
Mother’s Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Native Tongue: English
Occupation: Cow Boy
Employer, Employee or Other: Wage Earner
Able to Read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes

abt 1912: Marriage of Frederick Lawrence “Fred” Chamberlin & Ida unkn (his 1st wife)

Note: Little is known of Ida. She is not mentioned in any of Fred’s letters from 1915, so she may have died shortly after this photo.

Jan 28, 1914: Marriage of Roy Valentine Chamberlin (age 33) & Mary Irene Schaller (age 21), in Rapid City, Pennington Co., South Dakota

Jul 3, 1915: Letter from Fred Chamberlin (age 40) to his mother Emily (age 65):
Edwards, Colo.
July 3rd, 1915
Dear Mother
I received your letter this evening & if anyone was ever surprised it was me. I had no more idea you would think of coming to this country than I had of flying. When I wrote I just thot how nice it would be to have you here but as to your coming I never dreamed it. Now I consider you first & I know you told me how lonesome & home sick you got when you were at Ada’s & now I will tell you all about this place & then if you will come I will (be) the most pleased fellow you ever saw but if (you) really don’t want to come & it is going to be a hardship back out & it will be all right. For I really think you are sacrificing your self by coming.

I am 4½ miles from the railroad up a narrow creek. There is not even a station at Edwards just a side track & section house. I live in a three room log house haven’t a carpet in the house. Have no garden as I didn’t have time to put one in this year, radishes, lettuce, peas, cabbage, turnips & onions & beets is all you can raise up here as the season is so short. I have in lots of potatoes. I have plenty of milk cows & chickens & I guess there are lots of wild raspberries here in the fall. Also gooseberries, tomatoes I will try & have shipped up from the Valley if the frost didn’t kill them.

Now if you will come & don’t like it here after I thresh my grain (if I have any, my luck is so bad that something may destroy it) this fall I will buy you a ticket to any place you want to go for I think it would get on your nerves here in the winter as we have so much snow & such long winters. If you do come bring one of your carpets & I will pay you just what you would ask for it there for you must have a carpet in your room. You had better bring a little of your bedding as mine is all rough coarse stuff. There are very few mosquitoes here & they don’t bother after sun down any way there will be screens at the windows. No I have no meat grinder but think I have plenty of dishes & cooking utensils.

As there is no station at Edwards you must ship your things to Avon Colo. But you get off your self at Edwards. You write that day you will be here & I will be there to meet you as there is only one train a day from the west that stops there & that is 5:30 in the evening. I guess you will come from the west as will you come from Denver? If you do that train is due here at 9:30 in the morning. Be sure & let me know if you come, several days ahead so I will be sure & get your letter & write as soon as you have some idea when you will start so I can make it a point to get the mail more often. Then I would be on the lookout for a letter about the time you start. I see the roads in Colo have reduced their passenger rates so maby fare won’t be so high. You bet we will eat those young roasters this summer fall & winter & some of them are about big enough to murder right now. I have 61 little chicks now & haven’t got any more here as I haven’t had the time to look after them. I av (have) a hen to a brood of ten little fellows now a coyote caught their mother yesterday. The first one this year. They are about 10 days old. I gave them to another hen but she nearly pecked them to death so I have had her under a tub ever since. Now if you are not giving up to much I sure want you to come. If you only stay until winter there isn’t very much one can do here in the winter there is so much snow.

I will close now hoping to see you soon.
With lots of love, your son
Fred

N.B.
If you need some money to come on let me know at once & I will try & get it at once.
I have one flat iron.
N.B.
If any thing should happen that you could save laying over some place by coming to Minturn you can do so & I could meet you there but it would be a much longer drive & the trains nearly all get in there in the night that don’t stop at Edwards. But all trains stop there as it is an engine division. If it will bring you into Minturn at night you had better take a train that will stop at Edwards as you will be tired enough without a long night drive in a buggy.
Note: N.B. stands for “Nota Bene,” which means “please note” in Latin

Jul 12, 1915: Letter from Fred Chamberlin (age 40) to his mother Emily (age 65):
Edwards, Colo
July 12 – 15
Dear Mother
I received your letter yesterday & I was sure tickled to know you were coming for sure for I thot when I wrote you about the place you might back out. I am very busy but if some one doesn’t come along that I can send this letter to the office by, I will take it myself in a day or so. No I haven’t a butter ladle & wish you would get one. I have been using a big bowl & a big spoon to work my butter. I am glad you had no trouble in selling your goods & hope you get here by the 5th of next month as I expect to start haying about then & I would like to have a little visit with you before I start & it would be hard to do that if I had men here & then there is always so much to do.

Yes there are a few deers here but the timber is so thick it is hard to ever see one but there are lots of grouse & they will be just about big enough to eat good when you get here. You seem to think a good deal of Irene so if I were you I should visit her for a few days before coming here if you want to go way round that way. You talk as if you were rich just because you sold those notes. How much did you lose on them? You want to be sure & give the last conductor or porter you ride with before you reach Edwards your baggage check & tell them to see that it is put off here. If you don’t as there is no agent here they will carry it by. Better ship your goods to me as the agent at Avon knows me & will notify me as soon as they come. I expect it will take three weeks for them to get through as they will come by local freight.

I am just like a little kid. I cant hardly wait for you to get here. Hoping it will be soon & that you get here safe & sound & well.
I will close with love.
Fred
Note: Irene is Fred’s sister-in-law, Irene (Schaller) Chamberlin, married to his brother, Roy

Jul 14, 1915: Letter from Fred Chamberlin (age 40) to his mother Emily (age 65):
July 14
Dear Mother
I ans.’ your other letter day before yesterday but as it hasn’t gone yet I will tear it open & ans. the one I just got today.

You can find out from the agent where you get your ticket what the fare is to Grand Junction & then what it is to Edwards. The fare is $7.50 from Grand Jct. to Edwards. So it might be cheaper to buy your ticket to the Junction & then buy another on up here but I hardly think so. I think the best thing to do is to buy a ticket straight through to Edwards which you can do as it is on the main line of the Denver & Rio Grand about fifty miles east of Glenwood Springs. No you will not have to take a branch road at any time. For the life of me I can’t remember how long it took me to come through to Fruita from Corvallis but I think 2 days & nights & it is 6 hours ride from Grand Jct so I have an idea it would take you about 54 hours to come through from Corvallis but I haven’t the least idea how long it would take from Williams. If you come by the Jct. you will get here at 5:25 in the evening.

No I don’t think of any thing you ought to bring with you – only don’t forget to bring a drinking cup or you will get rather dry on the train & don’t fail to take a sleeper.
Love,
Fred

1917: Los Angeles City Directory, Los Angeles Co., California (pg 523):
Chamberlin, Emily S wid F M fur rms 120 E 12th

Emily Chamberlin with sons Fred and Roy on the front steps of Roy’s house in Huntington Park, California

Sep 12, 2018: U.S. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
Name: Fred Lawerence Chamberlain 
Race: White
Birth Date: 17 Apr 1875
Residence Place: Eagle, Colorado, USA
Relative: Emily G Chamberlain
Relative’s Relationship: Mother

Jan 3, 1920: Federal Census for Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California:
Chamberlin, Emily S.: head, age 69, widow, born Pennsylvania, father born Pennsylvania, mother born Pennsylvania.
Fred. L.: son, age 43, single, born Kansas, father born New York, mother born Pennsylvania, laborer on (?) farm
Note: Census has last names transcribed as Unambeer and again as Chambers

Oct 2, 1920: Marriage of Frederick Lawrence “Fred” Chamberlin (age 43) & Clara Alice “Callie” (Stingle) Fenner (abt age 56), his 2nd marriage (the day after her divorce from Paul P. Fenner is final), in Mesa Co., Colorado.
Note: Clara, born 1864 in Grandview, Iowa (father Jacob Stingle born Pennsylvania, mother Margaret Gebhardt born Illinois, married 1st at age 20 to Samuel M. Swickard on Jul 13, 1884 in West Liberty, Muscatine, Iowa and had one child, Ruby M. Swickard b. Apr 12, 1885). 

Colorado Divorce Index:
Name: Clara Alice Fenner
Divorce Date: 1 Oct 1920
Divorce Place: Denver, Colorado, USA
Spouse: Paul P Fenner (Paul Peebles Fenner)
Record Type: Divorce
Note: Clara Alice Swickard married Paul P. Fenner on Jun 18, 1904, in Denver, Denver Co., Colorado

Colorado Marriage Index:
Name: Clara A Fenner
Gender: Female
Marriage Date: 2 Oct 1920
Marriage Place: Mesa Colorado
Spouse Name: Fred L Chamberlin
Spouse Gender: Male
Reception Number: 163456
Document ID: 2846355

Nov 19, 1923: Death of Roy Valentine Chamberlin (age 41), 4th of 6 children of Finley McLaren “Frank” Chamberlin & Emily S. Hoy and brother of Fred, in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California; of pernicious anemia. Roy is buried in the Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California.

Aug 17, 1928: Death of Clara Alice “Callie” (Stingle) Chamberlin (abt age 64), 5th of 7 children of Jacob Stingle & Margaret Smith Gebhart and 2nd wife of Frederick Lawrence Chamberlin, in Colorado. Clara is buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Wheat Ridge, Jefferson Co., Colorado.

1929: Family wedding photo of Irene (Schaller) Chamberlin (widow of Roy Chamberlin) & Harry E. Donahoe:

Apr 12, 1930: Federal Census for Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California:
Chamberlin, Fred L.: head, age 54, widow, age 43 when married, born Kansas, father born New York, mother born Pennsylvania, night clerk in building materials
Emily S.: mother, age 79, widow, married at 17, born Pennsylvania, no occupation, both parents born Pennsylvania, renting, $40 a month

Feb 4, 1933: Marriage of Fred’s niece, Noreen Ellen “Babe” Chatfield & Carl John Clemens, in Colusa, Colusa Co., California:

Note: Photo was taken on the day of the wedding. Babe wrote on the back: “These are my uncle (Fred Chamberlin), my brother Roy (he’s just a little shaver, like all the rest) & his girl. They have been going together for fifteen years. Someday maybe… She is Jo Chambers.”

1935: Los Angeles City Directory, Los Angeles Co., California:
Chamberlin, Mrs. Emily S. 833 No. Stanley Ave., Los Angeles

1936: Los Angeles City Directory, Los Angeles Co., California:
Chamberlin, Emily S Mrs. r 833 N. Stanley av
Chamberlin, Fred L h 833 N Stanley av

1937: Los Angeles City Directory, Los Angeles Co., California:
Chamberlin, Emily (wid Frank) r 1200 W 74th

1940: Los Angeles City Directory, Los Angeles Co., California:
Chamberlin, Emma (wid Frank) rm 343 E. Gage av (Emily)
Chamberlin, Fred h 343 E. Gage av

Feb 8, 1940: Letter from C.T. Taggart to Fred L. Chamberlin regarding the estate of Fred’s cousin, Seward Cory:
February 8th-40
3243
Estate of SEWARD E. CORY, decd.

Mr. Fred L. Chamberlain,
343 East Gage Avenue
Los Angeles, California.
My dear Mr. Chamberlain-
Seward E. Cory died in the City of Rochester, New York, on the 17th day of September, 1939, and Mr. Clarence A. Smith was appointed administrator of his estate, and I am acting as his attorney.
Mr. Seward E. Cory never married and left him surviving no father, mother, sister, brother, wife or children, so his estate will go to the nearest relative of his father and mother.
His father, Edson L. Cory died in this City of Rochester, New York, on the 4th day of January, 1927 but all his estate was in the joint name of himself and his wife, Adah M. Cory and she inherited his estate.
His mother, Adah M. Cory died in this City of Rochester, New York, without a will and all of her estate went to her son, Seward E. Cory. The mother died on the 1st day of November, 1927.
In searching for the next of kin of the father, Edson L. Cory, I found that there is a surviving brother, Allen Cory of Pentwater, Michigan. Mr. Edson L. Cory had a brother by the name of Melvin B. Cory who died in 1868; a sister by the name of Olive Cory Beach who died at Clayton, Michigan on the 10th day of March, 1896 and her husband Byron Beach died there in the year 1918 and they had the following children, Louise Hudson of Clayton, Michigan and Mrs. Alto Tillman of Midwest, Wyoming. Under our law this share will go to the surviving brother, Allen Cory.
In searching for the next of kin of the mother, I found that Adah M. Cory, nee Chamberlain also spelt Chamberlin, left a brother by the name of Finley Chamberlain or Chamberlin. I had to go to Washington to the Veteran’s Bureau to obtain information relative to him and I found that he died in Rifle, Colorado on August 9th, 1905, and left him surviving a widow by the name of Emma or Emily Chamberlin and that she died in the City of Los Angeles, California on the 18th day of August, 1938, from the residence 343 East Gage Street, Los Angeles, California. I went to the Rundal Library at Rochester where they have a directory of the City of Los Angeles, California and found your name at that address, hence my letter to you.
I will need the names and addresses of the children of Finley Chamberlin and Emma or Emily Chamberlin of which you are one. Would you kindly fill out the enclosed chart with this information as I need the names of their husbands and wives.
A sister of your father was Mrs. Adelaide Kinne, of Williamston, Michigan who died in 1936, and the name of her husband was George Kinne, and they have one son by the name of Elliott Erwin Kinne of 2902 Woodward Street, Chicago, Illinois.
A sister of your father was Miss Grace Chamberlain who died in the Baptist Home at Fairport, Monroe County, New York, in May 1936. She never married.
I would appreciate your help in the matter as there is a small lot in Rochester, New York which we are selling and it is necessary to have a probate of heirship and in the petition, I must set forth the names and addresses of your mothers brothers and sister and their ages.
Thanking you for your courtesy, I am,
Very truly yours,
OTT/AP
C.T. Taggart

Feb 10, 1940: Letter from Fred Chamberlin to C.T. Taggart regarding the estate of his cousin Seward Cory:
Los Angeles Calif
Feb 10 – 40
Mr. C.T. Taggart
Dear Sir
My mother Emily Chamberlin is very much alive and lives here with me. Altho she is nearly 90 years old, you can check up on that at the Pension Department at Wash. D.C. as she gets a Civil War Veterans Pension, at this address.
343 E. Gage Ave
Los Angeles, Calif.
Respect.
Fred L. Chamberlin

Feb 13, 1940: Letter from C.T. Taggart to Grace E. Chamberlain regarding the estate of Seward Cory:
February 13-40.
3243
Estate of SEWARD E. CORY, decd.

Miss Grace E. Chamberlin,
#166 Grand Avenue, East,
Highland Park, Michigan.
My dear Miss Chamberlin:-
I have been to Washington on the estate and had a visit with the Veteran’s Bureau on the records of Finley Chamberlin.
Finley Chamberlin died on the 9th day of August, 1905 at Rifle, Colorado. He is buried in the Rose Hill Cemetery at Rifle, Colorado.
His wife Emily is alive and living with a son, Fred Chamberlin at 343 East Gage Avenue, Los Angeles California.
The son Fred L. Chamberlin is living at # 343 East Gage Avenue, California. The name of his wife is Alice Chamberlin and she departed this life on the 15th day of August, 1929.
Adah Chamberlin Whitaker lives in Baker, Oregon and was married to Edward Whitaker and he departed this life on the 15th day of June, 1914.
Mary Chamberlin Rosborough lives at Morton, Washington, and she married Herbert Rosborough. He is alive and lives at that address.
Nellie Chamberlin Chatfield lives at Chico, California and married Charles Chatfield and his address in unknown.
Willard Chamberlin lives at Cornwallis, Oregon, and the name of his wife is Frieda and he is alive and living at this address.
I am going through a probate of heirship and am sending waivers to all parties so that I can prove the genealogy, under our law but the nearest relatives of the father or mother takes and it seems that Allen Cory, the brother of Edson Cory will take.
Very truly yours,
CTT/AP.
C.T. Taggart

Feb 15, 1940: Letter to Fed Chamberlin, from a distant cousin, Mrs. Grace E. Chamberlin:
#166 Grant Ave. East
Highland Park, Michigan
February 15th, 1940
Mr. Fred L. Chamberlain-
#343 East Gage Street,
Los Angeles, California.
Dear “Cousin”:-
For a long time I have been interested in writing up my Chamberlain family history, or at least genealogy, and locating all the members I could for the rather voluminous “family tree.” Your branch have been rather difficult to corral, and as is usual, one waits to get these family details till all have passed on who might have given aid.

I should say we are straight second cousins. Our grandfathers were brothers. You come from Harrison, and I from his brother Orson. I have often heard my father speak of his Cousin Finley, and I believe they occasionally wrote each other as boys. If I can find an old letter of your father’s I will inclose it. I know I did see some in my father’s old papers.

I had the pleasure of being quite well acquainted with your Aunt Grace, who only died quite recently, and with your Aunt Addie Kinne, whom I greatly admired. She too has been gone just a short time. I did have lovely obituaries of both these aunts and if I can find one will include it. But in all these talks with them, I tried to get their memories to go farther back than your father, so asked few questions about Finley’s family, though I did have the names of his children.

We are quite a tribe, and most of our ancestors were extremely worthy of emulation. I found we had plenty of Revolutionary ancestors. Both the Elder Henry Chamberlain, father of Reuben, who was the father of Harrison, and also Capt. Ebenezer Sumner, who was the father of Mary Sumner, the wife of Reuben C. were Revolutionary soldiers. I got all the proof, and was readily accepted. Then in going back, I found that we have a direct Mayflower lineage. I also joined this, and submitted proof, so that would know it was all authentic. They are very particular but we made the grade all right. I am delighted to pass onto you so fine a lineage and if any of you ever want to join any of these societies – I will be glad to tell you more about it. In these days, with every alien well organized, I think it might be well if we Americans were a little more conscious of our Americanism. I became quite interested, and have used it as a hobby, doing all my family lines. I think it appealed to me more because I was born a Chamberlain, and married a Chamberlain and often wondered about possible relationship. We have different emigrant ancestors: Then behold my amazement to find that our ancestor the Rev. Henry Chamberlain of Vermont, had done the same thing- he had married an Abigail Chamberlain, so I had to trace her out, and she has still a different emigrant ancestor. Whether these C’s were related before coming from England, I do not know.

I wrote up my notes for a little genealogical magazine our society gets out, and as I had extra pages, am sending you a full set, not exactly full either, for our gt. grand father Reuben Chamberlain had two wives, and in a later edition I added the descendants of the second wife. But you and I come through the first wife, Mary Sumner.

I have spent several lovely vacations in and around Wyoming, N.Y., locating old graves, records, etc, and have come to know the family of Amos Chamberlain very well. He was a splendid man, and he too was quite interested in the family tree. He just died last year, but his widow and sons live in the community still. I found the old obituary of our great grandfather Reuben, and you see he was an early settler there. This Amos Chamberlain was the grandson of Luther Chamberlain, an older brother of Harrison.

Lest I give you too big a dose of family matters at one setting, I will not write more now, but leave you to digest the outline I am sending. My idea was to write up the family of Henry Chamberlain, Sr. of Westmoreland, N.H. and his wife Susannah Hinds. It was some undertaking! What a lot of writing and researching I did. I have also visited the old ancestral home on Westmoreland, N.H., and all the places in Vermont where our Rev. Henry Chamberlain preached. He was a Baptist minister.

If your mother is living, I suppose she has heard of Hinds Chamberlain, who was the first settler in LeRoy, N.Y. I have rounded up all his family, the graves, etc. He was uncle to Reuben, tho’ there wasn’t much difference in their ages. Maybe you never knew where your father got his name- Finley of Findley. Well—–this Hinds Chamberlain married the widow McLaren. She had two children, a girl and a boy, by her first husband Malcom McLaren. The boy was named Finley McLaren. I suppose Hinds Chamberlin raised him – in fact I know he did, and Hinds C. used to go out to see Reuben and Harrison, and Harrison thought this little McLaren boy was the finest youngster ever, so he later named his own son Finley McLaren Chamberlin. Addie told me this. But the old Genesee and Wyoming county histories mention the McLarens, as Scotch, and coming from Scotland about the time Hinds C. settled in LeRoy.

Now I wish you would take some time off, and write me a big letter, tell me the names, dates of birth, etc, of your brothers and sisters, who they married, etc. Also I wish I knew more about your father’s life, after he came out of the army. This Amos C. used to have your Aunt Grace come and visit them, and she told him more of your fathers life, but I do not know it. And feel free if you are interested, to ask me anything you care to about the others. Your first cousin Bert Kinne lives in Spokane, Wash. and your first cousin Elliott Kinne (this is your aunt Irene’s boy) lives in Chicago.

If your mother is living, I shall hope she can tell more of Wyoming matters.
Sincerely
Mrs. (J.F.) Grace E. Chamberlin

Note: Grace’s husband, J.F. Chamberlain, is Joseph Franklin “Frank” Chamberlain. Fred Chamberlin is her second cousin, the son of Finley McLaren “Frank” Chamberlin & Emily Hoy. Their great-grandfather Reuben Chamberlin had two wives and both descend through the first wife, Mary Sumner. Grace descends from Reuben’s son Orson, Fred descends from Reuben’s son, Harrison.

Letter (undated) from Mrs. Grace E. Chamberlain to her cousin Fred or his brother, Willard “Joe” Chamberlin:
You must have a lot of second cousins somewhere on your grandmother Surdam’s side of the family.
Your great grandfather was Seneca Surdam, and his wife was Anna. I submit this data for your family record.
Seneca Surdam was born April 27th, 1790 ) I don’t know where
Ann Surdam ” May 25th, 1790 )
Seneca Surdam died April 13th, 1859 ) I suppose they are buried around
Anna, his wife, died May 8th, 1867 ) Wyoming, N.Y. I never have looked for their graves

Children of Seneca and Anna Surdam, as follows:
Jane born June 4, 1814
Maria ” Oct 22, 1818
Melissa ” July 1, 1820
Caroline ” Jan 4, 1823 This is the one who married your grandfather, Harrison Chamberlain. They are both buried in village cemetery, Wyoming, N.Y. and have markers.
Delia ” Oct 16, 1824
Jane ” May 26, 1826
Morgan ” Nov 28, 1829
Younglove ” Feb 24, 1830
Freelove ” Feb 14, 1831
Malina ” May 8, 1832
George ” Sept 11, 1834

Quite a sizeable family! I don’t know if any one of this name still lives around Wyoming. I assume not, for I never heard either your aunt Grace or Aunt Adah speak of any such relation. Your Aunt Grace never married‚ I think lived to be 88. Think to ask me to show her your obituary. I have one of both Addie and Grace. Aunt Grace died in a Baptist home for the aged in the suburbs of Rochester, N.Y.— Fairport, where she lived for many years. She was brought back to be buried with her father and mother, Harrison and Caroline, there in Wyoming, but at the time of the funeral I did not hear of her having any relatives present except on the Chamberlain side. Yet you see she must have had Surdam relatives a plenty.

Your father’s middle name is MacLaren. He was named for Finley McLaren, a Scotchman. The first Finley MacLaren married Betsy Stewart (or Elizabeth, I suppose). I think they were married in Scotland. Came to the vicinity of LeRoy, had two children, Finley MacLaren and Helen Mary MacLaren, when their father died— one of the earliest deaths in that vicinity. His widow soon married Hinds Chamberlain, and these children were raised by him as his own. They used to visit at Reuben C’s, and Harrison C (your grandfather) thought this MacLaren boy the finest he ever knew, and gave that name later to his only son, and according to the girls nearly always called him by both names, i.e. Finley MacLaren.

Note: This letter was written to Fred Chamberlin or Willard “Joe” Chamberlin (the sons of Finley & Emily) from Grace Chamberlain, a descendent of Orson Sumner Chamberlain, the brother of Harrison Chamberlain.
Note: Seneca Surdam died in Middlebury, Wyoming County, New York
Note: Originally the name was Van Surdam, and at some point during Seneca or Reuben’s generation, the Van was dropped from usage.

Feb 18, 1940: Death of Emily S. (Hoy) Chamberlin (age 89 yr, 6 mo) in Los Angeles of interstitial nephritis (kidney disease) and acute uremia. The address on her death certificate is 345 E. Gage Ave., Los Angeles, California, her birthplace, Howard, Pennsylvania. Her son Fred is the informant for the death certificate and his address is also 345 E. Gage Ave., Los Angeles. Her death certificate states she lived in Los Angeles for 32 years, which would mean that she moved to the Los Angeles area in 1908. However, she was a resident of Santa Ana, California in 1905 when she applied for a widow’s military pension.

Feb 21, 1940: Burial of Emily S. (Chamberlin) Hoy alongside her son Roy Valentine Chamberlin in Calvary Cemetery, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California

Feb 21, 1940: Chamberlin children gathered in front of their mother’s home on Gage Street for her funeral: Mamie, Fred, Nellie, Ada, and Joe:

Note: the above photo is taken in front of Emily’s home at 343 E. Gage Avenue in Los Angeles, California. Emily’s other son, Roy Valentine Chamberlin, died in 1923.

Feb 21, 1940: Family photo at Emily S. (Hoy) Chamberlin’s three days after her death:

Feb 22, 1940: Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California (pg 17):
Emily Chamberlin Funeral Conducted
Requiem mass was celebrated yesterday in St. Columbkille Catholic Church for Mrs. Emily S. Chamberlin, 89, resident of Los Angeles for 34 years and widow of Finley Chamberlin, Civil War veteran. She died Monday at her home, 343 E. Gage Ave. Interment was in Calvary Cemetery under direction of Utter-McKinley Mortuary. Mrs. Chamberlin leaves five children, Mrs. Nellie Chatfield of Chico, Mrs. Ada Whitaker of Baker, Or., and Mrs. Mamie Rosborough of Morton, Wash., Fred Chamberlin of Los Angeles, and Willard Chamberlin of Corvallis, Or.

Feb 25, 1940: Letter from Fred Chamberlin to C.T. Taggart regarding the estate of his cousin, Seward Cory:
Los Angeles Calif
Feb 25 – 40
Mr. C.T. Taggart
Dear Sir
I guess you are wondering why I haven’t ans your last letter. My mother was taken sick and passed away on the 18th so of course with her sickness & death I have had no time to think of letter. Our Lawyer here has advised me not to sign the papers as he says we are the closest heirs to the estate of Sward E. Cory. Anyway he is going to investigate by getting in touch with some Attorney & the judge in Rochester so I think it advisable for me to hold the papers until I see what he finds out & anyway my brother will be in Rochester in May or June & he will look into it himself. I will return your money if I don’t sign the papers as requested.
Resp.
F.L. Chamberlin

Feb 1940: Chico Enterprise, Chico, Butte Co., California:
Chicoan Returns From Her Mother’s Funeral in L.A.
Chico—Mrs. N.C. Chatfield and her son, Roy, have returned from Los Angeles, where they were called because of the illness and death of Mrs. Chatfield’s mother, Mrs. Emily S. Chamberlin.
Mrs. Chamberlin was the widow of Finley Chamberlin, a Civil War veteran, who died in 1905. She was born in Howard, Penn., in 1850, and was the mother of seven children, five of whom are living. They are Mrs. Chatfield of this city, Mrs. Ada Whitaker of Oregon, Mrs. Mary Rosborough of Morton, Washington; Willard Chamberlin of Corvallis, Oregon, and Fred Chamberlin of Los Angeles, with whom she made her home.
The funeral was held in Los Angeles with Requiem mass in St. Columbkill’s Church. Mrs. Chamberlin had been a member of the Third Order of St. Francis for 30 years.

Apr 22, 1940: Federal Census for (E Gage Ave) Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California:
Chamberlin, Fred L.: head, age 45, widowed, born Kansas, shipping clerk, rented, high school 2nd year (error, age 65)
Note: Fred is living in his mother’s home on E. Gage Ave

Jul 30, 1940: Fred Chamberlin, who lived with his mother Emily and cared for her for many years, moves from Los Angeles to San Dimas, California where he has Valentine Hoy relatives. He applies for government funds for the burial of Emily S. Chamberlin, as she was a Civil War Veteran’s wife; the government paid for part of her funeral expenses. At some point, he moves to Monterey Park, California.

Jul 10, 1945: Social Security Claims Index:
Name: Fred Lawrence Chamberlin
Birth Date: 17 Apr 1875
Birth Place: Kansas
Claim Date: 10 Jul 1945
Notes: 16 Mar 1979: Name listed as FRED LAWRENCE CHAMBERLIN
Note: Unknown whose Social Security benefits Fred is applying for

1949: Photo of Fred Chamberlin and his cousin Valentine Hoy, Jr.:

1949: Photo of Fred and his sister Ada (Chamberlin) Whitaker:

Feb 19, 1952: Letter from Ada (Chamberlin) Whitaker (age 74) to her granddaughter Suzy Spencer (age 12), who lives in Baker, Oregon:
2-19-52
My dear Suzy.—
Thank you for the nice letter you wrote me & I am so pleased that you are taking so much interest in your music. Keep it up, my dear, you will never be sorry. It is something you can be very proud of, I mean a musical education.

How about your chickens. Are they laying & what do you get for the eggs? I bought some last week for 47 cents a doz, the cheapest in a long time.

I have several flowers in bloom but I don’t know the names of all but there are some beautiful Calla Lilies on the northside of the house & pretty daffodils. It won’t be long until my sweet peas will be blooming. Some people across the street have some tree roses & beautiful climbing roses all in bloom. Things are not growing very fast as it has been to cold at night.

It is so cold when I go to Mass each morning & the church is so cold so I am wearing the same clothes I did two months ago. This has been an off year for us here.

Last month the school children were selling doughnuts & last week the Girl Scouts were selling cookies & were both real good.

I will ask you to excuse so many bad mistakes I have made, it is a little difficult to listen to the news & write at the same time. Our radio goes constantly as Uncle Fred can’t see to read & it is the only amusement he has.

Tell Brian (Suzy’s 13-year-old brother) good for him for the points he made on that game. I think that was wonderful.

Tell all I know hello & give all of the family my love & keep heaps for yourself & God bless all. (I will put this programe away with my grandmother keepsakes).
Note: Ada is living with and taking care of her brother Fred in Monterey Park, Los Angeles Co., California. As he was ill, she came to care for him sometime around 1949 until his death in 1955.

Mar 30, 1955: Letter to Irene (Schaller) Chamberlin, widow of Roy Chamberlin and sister-in-law of Fred:

Aug 4, 1955: Death of Frederick Lawrence “Fred” Chamberlin (age 80), in Monterey Park, Los Angeles Co., California; heart attack.

California Death Index:
Name: Fred L Chamberlin
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 17 Apr 1875
Birth Place: Kansas
Death Date: 4 Aug 1955
Death Place: Los Angeles
Mother’s Maiden Name: Hoy
Father’s Surname: Chamberlin

Note: his Memorial card has an incorrect death date; Fred died on Aug 4, not Aug 5th

Aug 8, 1955: Burial of Frederick Lawrence “Fred” Chamberlin in Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California (Sec G, Lot 764, Grave 8) alongside his brother Roy Valentine Chamberlin and their mother Emily (Hoy) Chamberlin.

1. Catherine (Clemens) Sevenau and Gordon Clemens.

Note: The cemetery headstone photos from Find A Grave contained herein are the property of those who photographed them.

WCGS (World Chamberlain Genealogical Society)