William Marlette Chamberlin Biography >From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. Surnames: Chamberlin, Marlette, Galvin. William Marlette Chamberlin, a lawyer who for twenty-four years has practiced at the Davenport bar, is today enjoying the success which comes as the result of a large clientage of an important character. He was born in Princeton, Scott county, Iowa, August 24, 1862, and comes of ancestry represented in America from colonial days. Both the paternal and maternal lines were represented in the patriot army in the Revolutionary war. The parents of our subject were Levi s. and Lucy A. (Marlette) Chamberlin, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The father was born in Susquehanna county and in 1836 came 3with his parents to Scott county. His father, Josiah Chamberlin, first settled in Rock Island county, Illinois, and soon afterward removed to Pleasant Valley, where he engaged in farming. His was one of the pioneer homes of the district and the first church services in the county were held in his house. He sought to aid in the work of public progress in every possible way and! was among those who laid broad and deep the foundation upon which the later prosperity and growth of the county were built. Levi S. Chamberlin was reared to farm life and for a number of years engaged in general agricultural pursuits but afterward tuned his attention to merchandising in LeClaire, Iowa, and was also a partial owner of a boatyard there. He likewise acted as pilot on the river for a few years and his varied activities brought him into close contact with the public life of the community. He died in 1885, at the age of sixty-three years, and was long survived by his wife, who passed away in May, 1909. In their family were three children, including W. M. Chamberlin, who was educated in the public schools of Princeton, and afterward engaged in teaching in this county for three years. He regarded this merely as an initial step to further professional labor, however, for it was his ambition to become a member of the bar and to this end he devoted his leisure hours, while engaged in teaching, to the study of law. Later he entered the State University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1886. He was an earnest student and gained comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence, so that when he entered upon active practice his equipment was unusually good. He has served for one term as county attorney, which has covered the extent of his service in political office, but he has always been active in politics since attaining his majority. On the 5th of September, 1898, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Chamberlin and Miss Helen C. Galvin, of Davenport, a daughter of Martin Galvin, one of the old residents of this city. They have one child, James Marlette, born August 11, 1899. Fraternally Mr. Chamberlin is connected with the Masons and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and his name is also on the membership roll of other societies. He is likewise identified with organized movements for the city's benefit, including the Business Men's Association and the Commercial Club. ~~~~~~*~~~~~~ Elaine Rathmann ACC Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project List Adm: *IA-CIVIL-WAR *IA-DANES