FAMILY LINE AND HISTORY
Harold Valentine Chamberlin
Only child of Roy Valentine Chamberlin & Mary Irene “Irene” Schaller
Born: Feb 20, 1918, Walnut Park, Los Angeles Co., California
Died: Jul 11, 1971 (age 53), Maywood, Los Angeles Co., California; lung cancer
Buried: All Souls Catholic Cemetery in Long Beach, Los Angeles Co., California
Occupation: Firestone factory worker, driver/dispatcher for Willig Freight Lines
Avocation: Eagle Scout, fishing, pheasant hunting, rock/fossil collector
Married: Dec 6, 1941, Dorothy Virginia “Dot” Babbitt/McManus, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California
Two sons: Ronald Roy Chamberlin, Michael Harold Chamberlin
Dorothy Virginia “Dot” Babbitt (birth father) McManus (stepfather)
Daughter of unkn Babbitt & Mary Lou Phillips; raised by her stepfather, George Gilbert McManus
Born: Nov 5, 1919, Seaside, Clatsop Co., Oregon
Died: Jan 23, 1991 (age 71), Downey, Los Angeles Co., California; blood clot, a result of surgery
Buried: All Souls Catholic Cemetery in Long Beach, Los Angeles Co., California
Occupation: Loan officer & bank vice president, Security Pacific Bank, Maywood, California
Married: Dec 6, 1941, Harold Valentine Chamberlin, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California
Two sons: Ronald Roy Chamberlin, Michael Harold Chamberlin
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Timeline and Records
The only child of Roy Valentine Chamberlin & Mary Irene “Irene” Schaller:
1. Harold Valentine Chamberlin
1918 – 1971
Two children of unkn Babbitt & Mary Lou Phillips (both girls raised by their stepfather, George Gilbert McManus):
1. Marguerite Mary Babbitt/McManus
1918 – 2001
2. Dorothy Virginia “Dot” Babbitt/McManus
1919 – 1991
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Feb 20, 1918: Birth of Harold Valentine Chamberlin, the only child of Roy Valentine Chamberlin & Mary Irene “Irene” Schaller, in Walnut Park, Los Angeles Co., California. Harold is named after his father’s uncle (as was his father, Roy Valentine Chamberlin): Valentine Shade Hoy (1848 – 1898).
Feb 20, 1918: California Birth Index:
Name: Harold V Chamberlin
Birth Date: 20 Feb 1918
Gender: Male
Mother’s Maiden Name: Schaller
Birth County: Los Angeles
1918: Emily (Hoy) Chamberlin her, daughter-in-law Irene (Schaller), and grandchild Harold:
Note: Bottom of picture reads: “Mother Chamberlin, baby Harold & Mother”
Side of picture reads: “Walnut Park, CA. Nothing but love in this picture”
Nov 5, 1919: Birth of Dorothy Virginia “Dot” McManus, the daughter of unkn Babbitt and Mary Lou Phillips, in Seaside, Clatsop Co., Oregon. Dorothy was raised by her stepfather, George Gilbert McManus and took his last name. Dorothy and her older sister are living with their grandparents, William M. Phillips & Thea “Delia” (Thompson) Phillips, and their mother, Mary L. Babbitt, in the 1920 Seaside, Clatsop Co., Oregon census.
Jan 13, 1920: Federal Census for Seaside, Clatsop Co. Oregon:
Name: Dorothy V Babbitt
Age: 0
Birth Year: abt 1920
Birthplace: Oregon
Home in 1920: Seaside, Clatsop, Oregon
Street: 7th Street
Residence Date: 1920
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Granddaughter
Marital status: Single
Father’s name: Walter A Phillips (uncle)
Father’s Birthplace: Michigan
Mother’s Birthplace: Washington
Household Members: Name, Age
William M Phillips: age 65, grandfather
Thea Phillips: age 57, grandmother
Mary L Babbitt: age 21, mother
Walter A Phillips: age 38, uncle
Margurite M Babbitt: age 1, sister
Dorothy V Babbitt: age 0
Jan 22, 1920: Federal Census for San Antonio Precinct, Los Angeles Co., California:
Chamberlin, Roy V: head, owns, age 38, married, born Texas, father born New York, mother born Pennsylvania, manager of a store
Irene: wife, age 27, born South Dakota, father born Minnesota, mother born Minnesota
Harold V: son, age 1 yr 1 mo, born California, father born Texas, mother born South Dakota
Note: Home address is 199 Hope Street, Walnut Park, Los Angeles Co., California
Roy & Irene Chamberlin’s home at 199 Hope Street, Walnut Park, Los Angeles Co., California:
Mar 1, 1920: Harold Valentine Chamberlin (age 2), w/mother Irene (Schaller) Chamberlin (age 27) on their porch in Walnut Park, California.
Circa 1921: Harold Valentine Chamberlin, abt age 3:
1922: Index to Register of Voters, San Antonio Precinct No. 1, Los Angeles Co., California:
Chamberlain, Mrs. Irene hswf, 199 Hope st, R
Chamberlin, Roy V, str mgr, 199 Hope st, DS
Nov 19, 1923: Death of Roy Valentine Chamberlin (age 41), 4th of 6 children of Finley McLaren “Frank” Chamberlin & Emily S. Hoy and the father of Harold Valentine Chamberlin (age 5) in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California, in an ambulance on the way to the hospital; of pernicious anemia.
Note: The medication from his pernicious anemia caused Roy to lose his dark hair and it all grew back white. He must have suffered for some time as he states his hair is white on his 1918 WWI Draft Card.
Note: Pernicious anemia is severe anemia usually affecting older adults, caused by failure of the stomach to absorb vitamin B12, characterized by abnormally large red blood cells, gastrointestinal disturbances, and lesions of the spinal cord.
Nov 1923: Burial of Roy Valentine Chamberlin, the father of Harold Valentine Chamberlin, at Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California
Sep 7, 1926: Marriage of Mary Lou (Phillips) Babbitt, (mother of Dorothy Virginia “Dot” Babbitt) & George Gilbert McManus (her 2nd husband), in Spokane Co., Washington. George raises Dorothy (age 7) and her sister Marguerite Mary Babbitt (age 8) as his own, and they both take his last name.
Sep 7, 1926: Washington Marriage Records:
Name: Mary L Phillips Babbitt
Maiden Name: Phillips
Gender: Female
Marriage Date: 7 Sep 1926
Marriage Place: Spokane, Washington
Father: Wm. Phillips
Mother: Theda Phillips
Spouse: G G McManus
Jul 8, 1929: Marriage of Irene (Schaller) Chamberlin (age 36) & Harry Emmett Donahoe (age 45), the mother of Harold Valentine Chamberlin, in South Gate, Los Angeles Co., California, a second marriage for both.
Note: Harry has a nearly 11-year-old son, Stephen Norton Donahoe born Sep 25, 1918, by first wife Marie F. Norton, who died from breast cancer in 1924 when Stephen was 6. Irene and Harry will have two daughters together, Esther Katherine Donahoe and Maura Jeanne Donahoe.
Jul 9, 1929: California Marriage Record:
Name: Mary I Chamberlin
Gender: Female
Event Type: Marriage
Marriage Date: 9 Jul 1929 (Jul 8, 1929)
Marriage Place: Los Angeles, California
Spouse: Harry E Donahoe
Jul 8, 1929: Wedding photo of Irene (Schaller) Chamberlin & Harry Emmett Donahoe:
Unkn woman, Irene’s sister Elizabeth, Irene’s brother Joseph, unkn, husband Harry Donahoe, Irene (Schaller) Chamberlin in hat holding flowers, Irene’s parents at her left, her uncle Fred Chamberlin, her mother-in-law Emily (Hoy) Chamberlin
Children in front: Steve Donahoe (Harry’s son), Harold Valentine Chamberlin (Irene’s son), unkn girl
Jul 14, 1929: Argus-Leader, Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls Co., South Dakota (pg 10):
Emily (Hoy) Chamberlin and sons Fred and Roy Chamberlin:
As I Was Told:
I remember Roy’s brother Fred Chamberlin who was eight years older than Roy. He wore old-fashioned lace-up boots and smoked a lot. Roy’s son Harold was very fond of his uncle Fred, as his father died when he was five. They always had a good time, joking and laughing.
The family respectfully referred to Emily (Roy’s mother) as “Mother Chamberlin.”
By Katherine (Donahoe) Robles, daughter of Irene Schaller & Harry Donahoe
Apr 3, 1930: Federal Census for Sioux Falls, Minnehaha Co., South Dakota:
Donahoe, Harry E: head, owns, age 46, age at 1st marriage 26, born South Dakota, father born Canada English, mother born Iowa, proprietor dentist
Donahoe, Irene: wife, age 36, age at 1st marriage 19, born South Dakota, father born Minnesota, mother born Minnesota
Donahoe, Stephen: son, age 11, born South Dakota, father born South Dakota, mother born South Dakota
Chamberlin, Harold V: son, age 12, born California, father born Texas, mother born South Dakota
Apr 15, 1930: Federal Census for Watertown, Codington Co., South Dakota:
Name: Dorothy V Mcmanus
[Dorothy V Mc Manus]
Birth Year: abt 1921
Gender: Female
Race: White
Age in 1930: 9
Birthplace: Oregon
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Daughter
Home in 1930: Watertown, Codington, South Dakota
Map of Home: Watertown, Codington, South Dakota
Street Address: Fifth Ave
House Number: 108
Attended School: Yes
Able to Read and Write: Yes
Father’s Birthplace: Minnesota
Mother’s Birthplace: Washington
Household Members: Age, Relationship
George G Mcmanus: Age 30, Head
Mary L Mcmanus: Age 29, Wife
Marguerite M Mcmanus: Age 11, Daughter
Dorothy V Mcmanus: Age 9, Daughter
Harold Valentine Chamberlin before he made Eagle Scout (pictured, along with his Eagle Scout badges):
Eagle Scout History:
Since 1912, the Eagle Scout rank has represented a milestone of accomplishment—perhaps without equal—that is recognized across the country and even the world. Those who have earned the Eagle Scout rank count it among their most treasured achievements. “Eagle Scout” is not just an award; it is a state of being.
Through Scouting’s first decade and into the early 1920s, the advancement requirements remained fairly constant. The 1915 Handbook for Boys offered alternatives for two Life Scout merit badges: Scouts could substitute Physical Development for Athletics and Pioneering for Lifesaving. Moreover, the Eagle Scout candidate now had to earn 11 specific badges—First Aid, Physical Development, Lifesaving, Personal Health, Public Health, Cooking, Camping, Bird Study, Pathfinding, Pioneering, and Athletics—along with 10 badges of his choice. A slight change the next year added Civics to the list of required badges and allowed the Scout to choose either Athletics or Physical Development. Despite the strengthening of the Eagle Scout requirements, the number of Eagle Scouts increased steadily. Just 23 Scouts had earned the Eagle badge in 1912; more than 2,000 earned it in 1922. This remarkable increase soon encouraged Scout officials to refine and strengthen the badge’s requirements.
Despite the strengthened requirements, the number of Eagle Scouts continued to grow. In 1927, the annual rate was 4,500. By 1932, that number had more than doubled to 9,200. For the next six years, however, the annual number of Eagle Scouts fluctuated around 7,000, probably because of the upheaval in society caused by the Great Depression (although the number did jump to 10,000 in 1939). As countless Scoutmasters—and countless Eagle Scouts—left home to fight in World War II, numbers continued to fluctuate.
The Eagle rank’s requirements remained relatively steady, however. In the early 1930s, the year of tenure required to become an Eagle Scout was split into parts: three months as a First Class Scout, three months as a Star Scout, and six months as a Life Scout. At the same time, the Safety merit badge was added to the list of required merit badges. One thing that had changed greatly over the years was the assortment of merit badges Scouts could choose from. The 1943 Handbook for Boys listed 111 merit badges, including 23 related to agriculture and four related to aviation, a subject that was constantly in the news that year. But even the required merit badges taught timely skills. According to the handbook, “Such skills have great value in times of emergency when resourcefulness and knowing how to carry on are called for.” It further emphasized that “Scouts have always been found eager and prepared to accept responsibility both in local and national emergencies.”
Source: https://nesa.org/become-an-eagle/eagle-award-history/
Mar 8, 1931: Harold Chamberlin, Boy Scouts of America certificate:
Jul 1931: Birth of Esther Katherine “Katherine” Donahoe, 1st of 2 children of Mary Irene “Irene” Schaller & Harry Emmett Donahoe, in Sioux Falls Co., South Dakota.
1931: Photo of Harold Chamberlin (age 13), holding his infant half-sister Katherine Donahoe, Sioux Falls, South Dakota:
Sep 25, 1932: Birth of Maura Jeanne Donahoe, 2nd of 2 children of Mary Irene “Irene” Schaller Schaller & Harry Emmett Donahoe, in Sioux Falls Co., South Dakota.
1935: State Census for Sioux Falls, Minnehaha Co., South Dakota:
Name: Harold Chamberlain
Age: 17
Birth Year: 1918
Race: W
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birth Place: California
Marital status: Single
Event Place: Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Post Office: South Dakota
Father’s Birth Place: Texas
Mother’s Birth Place: South Dakota
1935: Washington High School Yearbook photo, Sioux Falls, South Dakota:
Name: Harold Chamberlin
Estimated Age: 16
Birth Year: abt 1919
Yearbook Date: 1935
School: Washington High School
School Location: Sioux Falls, South Dakota
1936: Harold Valentine Chamberlin, Washington High School Yearbook photo, Sioux Falls, South Dakota:
1936: Washington High School Yearbook graduation photo, Sioux Falls, South Dakota:
Stephen Norton Donahoe (step-brother of Harold Valentine Chamberlin)
circa 1936: Harold Valentine Chamberlin; back of photo reads “Harold in Sioux Falls probably 17 or 18 years old.”
1938: Harold Valentine Chamberlin (abt age 20):
Note: Howard is standing in front of a shiny new 1938 Ford De Luxe V-8 convertible, looking so happy that I’m hoping it was his!
Dorothy Virginia “Dot” McManus:
Apr 5, 1940: Federal Census for San Antonio, Los Angeles Co., California:
Name: Dorothy McManus
Age: 19
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1921
Gender: Female
Race: White
Birthplace: Oregon
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Daughter
Home in 1940: San Antonio, Los Angeles, California
Street: Makee Avenue
House Number: 6600
Inferred Residence in 1935: San Antonio, Los Angeles, California
Occupation: Stenographer
Highest Grade Completed: High School, 4th year
Hours Worked Week Prior to Census: 38
Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker in private work
Weeks Worked in 1939: 52
Income: 960
Household Members: Age, Relationship:
Ginge McManus: Age 40, Head (George)
Mary McManus: Age 40, Wife
Margurite McManus: Age 20, Daughter
Dorothy McManus: Age 19, Daughter
abt age 20: Dorothy Virginia “Dot” McManus:
Apr 18, 1940: Federal Census for Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California:
Name: Harold Chamberlin
Age: 22
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1918
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: California
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Stepson
Home in 1940: Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
Street: So Citrus
House Number: 406
Inferred Residence in 1935: Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Residence in 1935: Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Occupation: Tire Service
Highest Grade Completed: High School, 4th year
Hours Worked Week Prior to Census: 40
Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker in private work
Weeks Worked in 1939: 52
Income: 1220
Household Members: Age, Relationship:
Harry Donahoe: age 55, Head
Mary Donahoe: age 47, Wife (Mary Irene {Schaller} Chamberlin)
Stephen Donahoe, age 21, Son
Esther Donahoe: age 8, Daughter
Maura Donahoe: age 7, Daughter
Harold Chamberlin: age 22, Stepson
Oct 16, 1940: WWII Registration Draft Card:
Name: Harold Valentine Chamberlin
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age: 22
Relationship to Draftee: Self (Head)
Birth Date: 20 Feb 1918
Birth Place: Los Angeles, California
Residence Place: Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
Registration Date: 16 Oct 1940
Registration Place: Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
Employer: Pacific Greyhound Lines
Weight: 162
Complexion: Light
Eye Color: Gray
Hair Color: Brown
Height: 5 10
Next of Kin: H E Donahoe
Household Members: Name, Relationship:
Harold Valentine Chamberlin: Self (Head)
Mrs. H E Donahoe: Mother (Irene (Schaller) Chamberlin Donahoe, married to Harry Emmet Donahoe)
Circa 1941: Unkn man, Grandma Katie Schaller, Harold Valentine Chamberlin, poss Irene (Rigdon) & husband Phillip Schaller, unkn man, unkn children
Dec 6, 1941: Marriage of Harold Valentine Chamberlin & Dorothy Virginia “Dot” McManus, in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California
Note: Photo was taken two years later in 1943:
1941: California Marriage Records:
Name: Harold V Chamberlin
Gender: Male
Event Type: Marriage
Marriage Date: 1941
Marriage Place: Unknown, California
Spouse: Dorothy V McManus
Gender: Female
Event Type: Marriage
Marriage Date: 1941
Marriage Place: Unknown, California
1943/44: Chamberlin-Schaller family:
Note: as Ronny was born in June 1942, the date 1942 in the bottom corner of the photo must be off by a year or so
1943: Harold & Dorothy Chamberlin and son Ron:
Oct 9, 1949: Death of Harry Emmett Donahoe (age 65) of a heart attack in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California. Harry is the stepfather of Harold Valentine Chamberlin and 2nd husband of Harold’s mother, Mary Irene (Schaller) Chamberlin Donahoe.
Oct 10, 1949: Argus-Leader, Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls Co., South Dakota (pg 8):
Oct 11, 1949: Burial of Harry Emmett Donahoe at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, Los Angeles Co., California; Sec G, Lot 50, Grave 4
1952: California Voter Registration for Los Angeles Co., Huntington Park City, Precinct No. 48:
Name: Harold V. Chamberlin
Residence Date: 1952
Street Address: 3627 E 61st pi
Residence Place: Los Angeles, California
Party Affiliation: Democrat
Name: Mrs Dorothy V Chamberlin
Residence Date: 1952
Street Address: 3627 E 61st pi
Residence Place: Los Angeles, California
Party Affiliation: Democrat
Oct 1956: Photos of Harold & Dorothy Chamberlin with sons Ron and Michael:
circa 1960: Chamberlin family: Michael, Dorothy, Ron, Harold:
Oct 24, 1965: Death of Mary Lou (Phillips) McManus (age 66), mother of Dorothy Virginia “Dot” (Babbitt/McManus) Chamberlin, in Whittier, Los Angeles Co., California. Mary Lou is buried at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier; Garden of Rest, Gate 1 Section 20 Lot 908 Grave 4
Dec 6, 1966: 25th Wedding Anniversary of Harold Valentine Chamberlin & Dorothy Virginia “Dot” (Babbitt/McManus) Chamberlin:
Nov 17, 1970: Death of Mary Irene (Schaller) Donahoe (age 76), the mother of Harold Valentine Chamberlin, in Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Co., California; of colon and bone cancer. Irene is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, Los Angeles Co., California; Sec G, Lot 50, Grave 3 or 5
Jul 11, 1971: Death of Harold Valentine Chamberlin (age 53), the husband of Dorothy Virginia “Dot” (McManus) Chamberlin and only child of Roy Valentine Chamberlin & Mary Irene “Irene” Schaller, in Maywood, Los Angeles Co., California; lung cancer.
Jul 11, 1971: California Death Index:
Name: Harold V Chamberlin
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 20 Feb 1918
Birth Place: California
Death Date: 11 Jul 1971
Death Place: Los Angeles
Burial of Harold Valentine Chamberlin at All Souls Catholic Cemetery in Long Beach, Los Angeles Co., California; Section G, Lot T29 C, Grave 104
Jun 20, 1976: Death of George Gilbert McManus (age 76), stepfather of Dorothy Virginia “Dot” (Babbitt/McManus) Chamberlin, in Los Angeles Co., California. George is buried at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, Los Angeles Co., California (Garden of Rest, Gate 1 Section 20 Lot 908 Grave 3), alongside his wife and Dorothy’s mother, Mary Lou (Phillips) McManus.
Jan 23, 1991: Death of Dorothy Virginia “Dot” (McManus) Chamberlin (age 71), wife of Roy Valentine Chamberlin, In Downey, Los Angeles Co., California; from a blood clot as a result of surgery.
Jan 23, 1991: California Death Index:
Name: Dorothy Virginia Chamberlin
[Dorothy Virginia McManus]
Gender: Female
Birth Date: 5 Nov 1919
Birth Place: Oregon
Death Date: 23 Jan 1991
Death Place: Los Angeles
Mother’s Maiden Name: Phillips
Father’s Surname: McManus
Jan 23, 1991: Social Security Index:
Name: Dorothy Virginia McManus
[Dorothy McManus Chamberlin]
[Dorothy Chamberlin]
Gender: Female
Race: White
Birth Date: 5 Nov 1919
Birth Place: Seaside, Oregon
Death Date: 23 Jan 1991
Father: George G McManus
Mother: Mary L Phillips
Notes: Aug 1937: Name listed as DOROTHY VIRGINIA MCMANUS; Dec 1941: Name listed as DOROTHY MCMANUS CHAMBERLIN; 03 Jun 1993: Name listed as DOROTHY CHAMBERLIN
Burial of Dorothy Virginia “Dot” (McManus) Chamberlin alongside her husband Harold, at All Souls Catholic Cemetery in Long Beach, Los Angeles Co., California; Section G, Lot T29 C, Grave 105
2021. Catherine (Clemens) Sevenau. Thank you to all the Chamberlin and Donahoe family members for their contribution of photos and stories.
Note: The cemetery and headstones pictures are from Find A Grave and are the property of those who photographed them.