Albert L. Chamberlain
Albert L. and Anna (Sutcliffe) Chamberlain
Agricultural interests of Franklin township find a progressive
and worthy representative in Albert L. Chamberlain who has for
many years owned and operated a fine farm of one hundred and
ninety acres in this locality, the excellent condition of the
property reflecting his careful supervision and practical
methods. He was born in Hastings, Dakota county, Minnesota, on
the 18th of December, 1858, and is a son of Theodore and Caroline
(Felton) Chamberlain, natives of Pennsylvania, the former born in
Pittsburgh in 1810 and the latter in Susquehanna county in 1830.
The father was a great lover of horses and an able horseman,
driving stage over the mountains from Pittsburgh in his early
days. He went to Minnesota in 1853 and entered government land,
turning his attention to the clearing, improving and developing
of this property. The years brought him steady and well deserved
success and he became well known as a prosperous and able
agriculturist, dying upon his property in Dakota county in 1859.
In addition to the work of his farm he also engaged in teaming
for some time, hauling goods form Dubuque to Hastings and St.
Paul over the ice of the Mississippi river during the winter
months and becoming known as the best driver in that section of
Minnesota. His wife has also passed away, dying in 1888 upon the
Dakota county farm. She was a representative of one of the
earliest pioneer families in that vicinity. Her father served as
the first coroner of Dakota county, her mother was the first
white woman who ever baked a loaf of bread there and her sister
was the first bride in the county. After the death of her first
husband, Mrs. Chamberlain wedded Frederick Myers, a resident of
Dakota county, and they became the parents of four children. By
her first husband she had seven children, of whom the subject of
this review is the youngest in the order of birth.
Albert L. Chamberlain acquired his education in the public
schools of Dakota county, Minnesota, and later entered a business
college at Winona, that state, which he attended for one term.
His childhood was spent upon his father’s’ farm and he
assisted from an early age with the work of its operation. After
his father’s death he remained upon the property until he
was twenty-eight years of age, assisting his elder brother in the
operation of the homestead. Afterward he worked as timekeeper for
a local railroad contractor for one year and then turned his
attention to farming, renting land near Castle Rock, Minnesota.
At the end of one year he went to the vicinity of New Orleans,
Louisiana, and there engaged in the strawberry business for one
season, coming at the end of that time to Iowa and purchasing a
farm of ninety acres in Allamakee county, near Luana. He found
this a practically unimproved tract, forty acres of which were
cleared, but with characteristic energy set himself to develop
and cultivate the land. Success attended his well directed
efforts and from time to time he added to his holdings until he
owns today one hundred and ninety acres, all high cultivated. Mr.
Chamberlain has one of the best equipped farms in the township,
provided with a modern residence and substantial barns and
outbuildings, all of which he keeps in good repair. He
specializes in the breeding and raising of high-grade stock,
keeping fine herds of shorthorn cattle, his animals commanding a
high price and ready sale upon the market. He is a member of the
Cooperative Shipping Association of Luana and of the creamery
company of that city and his ability is widely recognized in
business circles.
On the 31st of January, 1889, Mr. Chamberlain was united in
marriage to Miss Anna Sutcliffe, who was born in Hastings Dakota
county, Minnesota, on the 19th of January, 1865, a daughter of
James and Anna (Wilde) Sutcliffe, natives of England. The father
was born in Yorkshire, March 8, 1835, and the mother, who was
some years younger, was left an orphan at an early age and reared
by her grandfather. The father was a contractor and builder by
trade and at the age of twenty-two crossed the Atlantic to
America, going directly to Chicago, Illinois, where he engaged in
business until about the year 1855. He then moved to Hastings,
Minnesota, and at the outbreak of the Civil was enlisted under
General La Duc, going south as an army carpenter. He served for
two years and after his discharge returned to Minnesota, where he
entered land, continuing active in agricultural pursuits in
Dakota county until 1882. In that year he moved to Franklin
township, Allamakee county, Iowa, and became a large landowner,
residing in the vicinity of Postville until about 1905, when he
moved to Michigan, where he is now residing retired in
Vanderbuilt. His wife passed away when Mrs. Chamberlain was still
a child. The father had been previously married to his first
union were born seven children. Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain have two
sons. William LeRoy, born May 11, 1890, married Miss Helen
Laughlin and is now engaged in farming in Post township. Leon E.,
who was born September 16, 1892, is residing with his parents.
Mr. Chamberlain is affiliated with the Ancient Order of United
Workmen and the Modern Brotherhood of America. He gives his
political allegiance to the republican party and served as
township clerk for two years, although he has never been active
as an office seeker. Mr. Chamberlain gives much credit for his
success to the able assistance, helpfulness and sound advice of
his faithful wife and helpmate but much must also be attributed
to his own energy, enterprise and public spirit. He is today one
of the most prosperous farmers of this township, enjoying in
large measure the confidence and regard of all who know him.
-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich
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