BIOGRAPHY: Roswell W. Chamberlain; Chester, Orange co., New York

transcribed by W. David Samuelsen for USGenWeb Archives

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Portrait and Biographical Record of Rockland and Orange Counties New York
Containing Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens of the Counties.
Together with Biographies and Portraits of all the Presidents of the United
States.
New York and Chicago; Chapman Publishing Co., 1895

ROSWELL W. CHAMBERLAIN is one of the progressive farmers and dairymen of
Orange County. His well conducted and finely improved farm is located in the
town of Chester, and is well adapted for general agriculture and dairy
purposes, in which lines the owner is interested to a considerable degree. The
farm is two hundred and eighty acres in extent, and comprises some of the best
land in the county.

Our subject is a native of New York City and was born March 14, 1843. His
parents were John C. and Mary (Aims) Chamberlain, and he was the third in
order of birth of their family. The father was a native of Dutchess County,
this state, where he spent his early life. In 1835 he located in New York City
and engaged in the provision business, which he successfully con-ducted for
more than forty years, becoming one of the best known men in that line in the
metropolis. When ready to retire to private life he turned his affairs over to
the management of his sons, and passed the remainder of his life in ease and
comfort, which he so richly deserved. He was greatly interested in school work
in the city, and served for some time on the board of the Seventeenth Ward. He
died in 1891, mourned and respected by a large circle of friends and
acquaintances. His wife, who was likewise a native of New York City, preceded
him to the land beyond, departing this life in 1887.

As soon as old enough, our subject began his studies in the public schools of
New York, and continued to attend regularly until a lad of six-teen years.
About that time it became necessary for him to do for himself, and his first
employment was as a clerk in a foreign-fruit business. In this he was engaged
until 1861, when, on the outbreak of the war, the firm, being largely
interested in southern trade, was compelled to suspend operations, and young
Chamberlain looked about for another situation. This he found with Col. Israel
Wickham, of Middletown. He remained with him just one year when he was taken
into business with his father, and was in his em-ploy until 1873. That year he
left home, and, coming to Orange County, located upon the beautiful tract of
land of which he is still the owner It is supplied with modern buildings and
machinery, and well stocked with a high grade of animals. Mr. Chamberlain,
however, makes a specialty of dairy farming, and carries on this industry on
an extensive scale.

The subject of this sketch was married, in 1869, to Miss Elizabeth A., only
daughter of Seely C. and Sarah A. (Moffat) Roe, natives of this county, and
whose descendants were among the earliest settlers of this section. To our
subject and his wife there have been born two children: Mary, at home: and
Albert, who is engaged in business in New York City. Mrs. Elizabeth A. Cham
berlain closed her eyes in death in 1871, and our subject was married in
April, 1874, to Miss Emily Durland, the daughter of Edwin and Margaret (Roe)
Durland, of the town of Chester. To them there have been born four children,
namely: Elizabeth R., Joseph C., Edwin D. and Benjamin F., all of whom are
still under the parental roof. Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain are members in
excellent standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Chester. In politics
the former has always affiliated with the Republican party, and cast his first
Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He is upright and conscientious in
every position in life and is a man of patriotic and public spirit.