Obituary of

S. L. Chamberlain.

Sylvester L. Chamberlain was born November 11, 1845, in Lickin county, Ohio, and died at his home in Altoona, Kansas, on April 13, 1915, being at the time of his death 69 years, 5 months and two days old. At the age of two years he moved with his parents to Jackson county, Iowa, where on the 11th of November, 1864, he enlisted in Company E, Second Iowa Infantry in which company he served until July 12, 1865, when he was honorably discharged at Louisville, Kentucky. After the war was over he went to Brown county, Kansas, and from there to Linn county, Kansas, where on July 22nd, 1866, he was united in marriage to Mary M. Blankenship. After residing in Linn county, for two years they came to Wilson county and settled on a farm four miles southwest of Altoona, where they lived until five years ago, when, on account of poor health, he was compelled to give up farm life and they moved to Altoona where they have since resided. To this union ten children were born, five sons, and five daughters, three of whom, one daughter and two sons, have already been called to the Great Beyond. Those who are left with the bereaved widow, Mary M. Chamberlain, to mourn the loss of a dear father, are four daughters, Mrs. Iva Bates, of Custer, Oklahoma, Mrs. Della Dannels and Mrs. Minnie Ritchey of Altoona, Kansas and Mrs. Mary Wogan of Ft. Scott, Kansas. The three sons are Elmer L. Chamberlain, of Fredonia, Kansas, Harmon S. Chamberlain, of Piedmont, Kansas, and Everet A. Chamberlain of Altoona. All of whom were in attendance at the funeral. Besides the children he is survived by thirty grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. The deceased was converted in 1868 at a camp meeting in Linn county, Kansas, and united with the Methodist church to which faith he remained faithful until the end. He was a kind, dutiful, considerate and loving husband and father and his constant advice to his children was for them to meet their Creator.

“A precious one from us is gone

A voice we loved is stilled,

A place is vacant in our home

Which never can be filled.

God in His wisdom hath recalled

The boon His love hath given,

And tho’ the body slumbers here

The Soul is safe in Heaven.”