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James CHAMBERLAIN - Was born in Fareham, Hampshire, England,
March 13, 1791, and received a common school education. Emigrating
to America in 1819, he remained in New York four years; them
removed to Connecticut, and thence to Rock County, Wisconsin,
where he has since resided. He located one hundred and sixty
acres of land in Bradford Township, and kept adding to his purchase
until he owned a whole section, all of which, except his present
farm of one hundred and sixty-five acres in La Prairie Township,
he has distributed among his children. At the age of thirty-one
ne was married to Miss Ann Maria, daughter of Samuel and Margaret
Jackson. They had a family of eight children born to them, of
whom four are still living. Mr. Chamberlain built the first court-house
in Janesville, the first bridge across Rock River, in this County,
at Janesville; also the first bridge at Beloit and Rockton, and
build the first school-house in La Prairie Township, and the
first one in the township of Turtle. He attended the meeting
at J. P. Wheeler's for the organization and naming of La Prairie;
was a delegate to the first convention at Madison for the framing
of the State Constitution; has been supervisor for Clinton and
Turtle Townships; was one of the first supervisors elected after
the organization of La Prairie, and has been treasurer of his
school district for the last fifteen years. He has never had
a lawsuit, and his name will ever live in the memory of all with
whom he was acquainted as an upright gentleman. |