NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Hon. Horace CHAMBERLAIN, of Morris county, New Jersey, was a man whose long and useful life was consecrated to all that was true and good, and his name will be held in lasting honor in the community where he lived and labored for the welfare of all. He was an extensive land owner and surveyor, and served in public office with credit and honor to himself and the community he so ably represented. He was a son of Abraham and Elizabeth (KEEPERS) CHAMBERLAIN, and a grandson of Thomas KEEPERS, who served in the war of the Revolution.

Hon. Horace CHAMBERLAIN was born at Petersburg, Jefferson township, Morris county, New Jersey, September 12, 1815, died at Oak Ridge, October 4, 1891. His education was acquired at a private school conducted by Professor RANKIN, at Deckertown. For more than half a century he was prominently identified with the political, social and business affairs of his section of the State. A surveyor by profession, he also owned and cultivated the large farm upon which he lived. In his professional capacity his services were in great demand, as he was thoroughly familiar with the family lines and the titles to landed property in the counties of Morris, Passaic and Sussex. His opinion was of great weight in the courts in connection with the settlement of estates. In his earlier years he was connected with the iron industry, in the days of charcoal forges, several of which he operated at various times. His knowledge of the history of forge operating on the Upper Rockaway and Pequannock rivers was considered valuable, and sketches of them contained in the History of Morris County are based upon the information furnished by Mr. CHAMBERLAIN. Possessing great natural ability combined with a large measure of self culture, he was regarded by those about him as a leader in their affairs, and was frequently called upon to represent them in public and business affairs. He filled many local public offices, serving on the grand jury frequently, and in 1851 was elected to a seat in the New Jersey legislature. Had he been at all solicitous for public preferment, he would doubtless have been called to fill still higher positions. As a citizen he will be best remembered and his large capacity for rendering service to those about him. He was prudent and successful in his business ventures, and accumulated a large estate, a part of which is his fine farm of four hundred acres.

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN married, June 13, 1841, Jane M. NORMAN, born April 23, 1821, died April 19, 1899. She was a daughter of Charles NORMAN, born near Sparta, Sussex county, New Jersey, June 17, 1787. He married Sarah MACKERLY, a daughter of Michael MACKERLY, who served in the War of 1812. Mrs. CHAMBERLAIN's paternal grandfather was John NORMAN, born in England, emigrated to America, and espoused the cause of the Colonies as a soldier in the war of the Revolution. Children of Mr. and Mrs. CHAMBERLAIN:

1. Sarah E., born at Petersburg, Jefferson township, Morris county, New Jersey, and still resides on the old homestead; she was educated in a co-educational school at Newton, New Jersey, known as the Newton (New Jersey) Collegiate Institute, and has spent her entire life on the homestead; she is possessed of much of the business ability of her estimable father, has charge of the property left by him, and is a member of the Presbyterian church.
2. John, born on the homestead at Petersburg, August 16, 1844; in 1863 he matriculated at the Newton Collegiate Institute, pursued a course of study there, and then went to Bryant & Stratton's Business College at Newark; the next eight years were spent in teaching school in Morris and Passaic counties; he was appointed commissioner of deeds by Governor ABBETT, and re-appointed by Governor WERTS, serving altogether for a period of eleven years; after the death of his father he followed farming successfully on the homestead; in political matters he was a staunch Democrat; he married (first) September 12, 1877, Thirza S. WILSON, born July 18, 1850, died October 12, 1883; he married (second) June 11, 1896, Jennie B. CAMPBELL, of Brooklyn, New York, born in that city, January 24, 1854, daughter of John G. and Maria CAMPBELL; she has filled the office of treasurer of the Chamberlain Family Reunion; John CHAMBERLAIN died April 25, 1907.
3. Abraham, born in 1849, died unmarried, November 1, 1888.
4. Emily, born in 1852, died unmarried, October 1, 1884.
5. Martha L., died unmarried, April 26, 1887.
6. Annette D., died September 27, 1881.

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