Individual Details

Joseph Leroy Chamberlain m. Olive Ashley. Research and Conclusions.

I have not found a marriage record and not really sure there was one. The Ashley family tradition is that Joseph "took off" after Olive's death, abandoning their baby son. Olive died in Kansas City in 1898. I believe he may have married a second time and was possibly the son of a George L. Chamberlain, born in Quebec, and his wife Sarah - IF my dad's story about the Chamberlains being from Canada is true. In 1925, his son Joseph, in the Iowa State Census gave his father's place of birth as England. Of course many of the stories my Dad told have proved to be untrue.

atDNA matches as 2nd or 3rd cousins to both my sister JoAnn and to her half-sister, Sandy, suggest a database which has a Joseph Leroy Chamberlin, born to Henry H. Chamberlin & Martha Jennie Kelly, in Brown Co, Ohio, 14 Oct 1868. There is a gap in his information which could allow for a marriage to Olive Ashley and the birth of the son, Joseph Leroy Chamberlin in 1896.
This man was married to Grace Lula Nichols, 7 Oct 1887, Bird City, Kansas - had one son in 1888 and they were divorced 31 Dec 1895 in Yuma, Colorado; Grace was the plaintiff. No way to know how long they had been apart - but did she divorce because she knew he had fathered a child by Olive Ashley?
Joseph Leroy & Grace had visited the World's Fair in Chicago in 1893. The younger Joseph Leroy was born either 1895 or 1896 in Chicago.

There is a divorce record in Colorado, Yuma County that is obviously this man:
In February 1890, Grace filed for divorce having been maaried a little over two years. The grounds for divorce were drunkenness and cruelty. However the divorce was not granted for over five years - did Grace change her mind?
In 1893, the Chamberlin family had journeyed to Chicago to attend the World Columbian Exposition also known as the Chicago World’s Fair.
Decree issued 31 Dec 1895.
Plaintiff: Grace L. Chamberlain. Defendant: Joseph L. Chamberlain
Married Bird City, Kansas, 19 July 1887.
Minor child: Harry Dennis Chamberlain.

Meanwhile, in 1900 - his grandmother Sophronia was living in Chicago with her son James McPherson "Mac" Chamberlin. Another of her sons - Calvin - died in Chicago in 1900. This Joseph not found but he did have relatives present in Chicago where the Ashley family was living. I cannot find him in any census in 1900.
He next appears marrying Catherine Kline Bird, 23 Mar 1901, in Manhattan, New York - they had several children. He died 1942 in Queens. See next.


Joseph Leroy Chamberlin m. Grace Nicholas & Catherine Bird. Research with crucial gap in records.

1880 Census. Red Oak, Montgomery Co, IA, Hh 745
Lenton D. Hornady, 30
Jennie, 31, wife
Bessie, 1, dau
Joseph Chamberlain, 13, stepson
Letty S., 8, stepdau
His father, Henry Hanford Chamberlin, had married Martha Jennie Kelly, 14 Dec 1865, Middletown, Butler Co, Ohio. He died 23 Jun 1873, Oskaloosa, Mahaska Co, Iowa. Jennie then married Lenton D. Hornady, 8 Jan 1878, in Butler Co, Ohio. Both the little girls, Bessie Hornady & Sophronia Letitia Chamberlin would die as children. Jennie would divorce Hornady (petition filed in 1884) and marry Alonzo R. Shattuck, 8 May 1904, in Boston.

Joseph Leroy Chamberlin married Grace Lula Nichols, 7 Oct 1887, Cheyenne Co, Kansas.
[In Colorado, the Wild West was a reality. Saloons were a bench mark of almost every community. Drinking and gambling were men’s activities. Only when they carried their drunkenness and obnoxious behavior home did most Wild West wives complain. Grace was no exception. Drunkenness often ended in spouse abuse which sometimes resulted in families breaking up.]
Decree issued 31 Dec 1895.
Plaintiff: Grace L. Chamberlain. Defendant: Joseph L. Chamberlain
Married Bird City, Kansas, 19 July 1887.
Minor child: Harry Dennis Chamberlain.

It is interesting that his grandmother, Sophronia, was living with a son's family in Chicago in the 1900 census.1900 Census. Town of Lake View City of Chicago, Cook Co, IL, Hh 37
Mac Chamberlin, b. May 1843, 57, married 30 years, b. OH, Commercial Law [Son, James McPherson Chamberlin]
Mary F., wife, b. Jan 1843, 57, 3 children, b. OH
Elizabeth B., dau, b. Sep 1873, 26, b. OH, School Teacher
Nona K., dau, b. Aug 1875, 24, b. OH, Milliner
Sophronia Chamberlin, mother, b. Nov 1814, 85, widow, had 9 children - 6 are living, b. OH


The Joseph Leroy Chamberlain who was my half-sister's mysterious great grandfather was believed to be in Chicago about 1895, early 1896, to marry Olive Ashley. No marriage record has been found. Their son, also named Joseph Leroy Chamberlain, was born 11 Sep 1896, in Chicago (Actually about nine months after the divorce from Grace Nichols). 9 Feb 1898, Olive died in Kansas City, Jackson Co, MO (where her parents were then living - they subsequently raised the child).
From a letter written by Aden Ashley, Olive's father, describing his children "Olive who married a Mr. Chamberlin - they had one child, a boy. Olive died in Kansas City in 1898, and left her baby seventeen months old. We took him to raise and he is now past sixteen. We have not heard from his father for fourteen years."
It is said in family stories that Joseph & Grace had visited the Chicago's World Fair in 1893 - and in 1900, his grandmother, Sophronia (Hanford) Chamberlain, was living with her son, James McPherson "Mac" Chamberlain, in Chicago. We also know that his wife Grace did not know where he was in 1895 when her divorce was granted. Aden Ashley had not heard from the father of the young Joseph Leroy since Olive died in 1898. There is definitely a good place for consideration - this is likely the SAME Joseph Leroy Chamberlain.
It is also very true that my half-sister has multiple atDNA matches to the family of Olive Ashley and to descendants of children from Joseph Leroy's marriages to Grace Nichols & Catherine Bird, as well as matches to descendants of George Clinton Chamberlin and Sophronia Hanford through their children other than their son Henry Hanford Chamberlin.

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By 1901, Joseph was in New York where he married Catherine "Kittie" Bird.
1910 Census. Brooklyn Borough, New York City, New York, Hh 378
1508 Ave J. Multi-family household
Joseph Chamberlain, 42, married twice (or 3 times? Was there actually a marriage to Olive?), 9 years this time, b. OH, father b. Iowa, mother b. OH, Manager, Dry goods
Kate B., wife, 36, married once, 2 children
Walton, son, 7
Florence K., dau, 4
Ada L. Bird, mother-in-law, 59, widow, 1 child

1915 New York State Census. Queens
Joseph Chamberlin, 44, Dry goods
Kate, wife, 43
Walton W., son, 12
Florence, dau, 10
Frank, son, 5

1 Aug 1917, Queens, NY. Harry D. Chamberlin, age 28, b. 1889. Parents: Joseph Chamberlin and Grace Nicols. Married Marguerite T. Kuhn, daughter of George Kuhn and Marguerite Martins.

1920 Census. Queens, New York City, Hh 46
Joseph Chamberlin, 53, Manager, Department Store
Katie, wife, 46
Walton, son, 16
Florance, dau, 14
Frank, son, 9
Gladys, dau, 2 years 8 months
Ada Bird, mother-in-law, 66, widow

In 1924, Joseph worked for Wanamaker Department Store in Manhattan. Wanamakers was one of the first successful department store chains in the country. It later became known as Lord & Tailors. In 1995, the Company was bought by the May Company, and renamed Hecht department store.

1925 New York State Census. Queens, Glenham St
Joseph Chamberlain, 53
Kate, wife, 50
Walton, son, 22, Clerical Work
Florence, dau, 19, Clerical Work
Frank, son, 15
Gladys, dau, 8
Ada Bird, mother, 72

1930 Census. St. Albans Twp, Queens, New York, Hh 30
Joseph L. Chamberlin, 57, married at age 28, Broker, Real Estate
Kate B., wife, 56, married at age 27
Florence K., dau, 24, Bookkeeper, Paper house
Frank O., son, 20, Stock Clerk, Paper house
Gladys J., dau, 12

1940 Census. Queens, New York City, Hh 233
Lived in same place in 1935
Joseph L. Chamberlin, 72, Real Estate Broker, own office
Kate B., wife, 67
Gladys, dau, 22
William Lichten, son-in-law, 25, Mechanic, Brass Foundry
Florence Jackson, dau, 34, Bookkeeper, Wholesale china ware

Death record, Queens, New York City. Joseph Leroy Chamberlin age 67, died 7 Oct 1942. Father - Henry Chamberlin; mother - Jennie Kelly. Spouse - Kate Chamberlin.

Buried Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, Kings, New York City.

From: chamberlin146; Ancestry tree
Joseph Leroy Chamberlin was an infant when his parents, Harry Dennis Chamberlin and Martha Jennie Kelly moved from Middletown, Butler County, Ohio to Red Oak Junction, Montgomery County, Iowa. In, 1871, his sister, Sophronia Lettecia Chamberlin was born. Before Joseph Leroy Chamberlin was six years old his father died. The earliest picture we have of Joseph Leroy was taken just about the time of his fathers shocking death. This is the first picture of any of our forefathers as a child. On January 8, 1878, Joseph’s mother, Jennie “Lady” Kelly Chamberlin, married, L. D. Hornady. For the next nine months Joseph lived with his step father, L. D. Hornady, and his mother, in Omaha, Nebraska. In September, 1878, his family returned to Red Oak to begin a new life. His step father built a nice home in Red Oak, and from 1878 to 1880, was in the business of manufacturing bricks. In 1880, L.D. Hornady opened a drugstore on the north east corner of the Red Oak town square. He continued to own property in Omaha, Nebraska. In January, 1881, Joseph’s sister Sophronia Lettecia, “Lettie” Chamberlin, and his half sister, Bessie Hornady, died. Both are buried in Middletown, Butler Co., Ohio. Source: Written diaries and oral testimony from Grace Lula Nichols, former wife of Joseph Leroy, to George Leroy Chamberlin, grandson of Joseph Leroy Chamberlin.
Nine months after their wedding day, Joseph and Grace Chamberlin learned that Joseph’s step father, L.D. Hornady, died in Red Oak, Montgomery County Iowa. His date of death was June 21, 1888. Grace was six months pregnant.
We have no record of where the Chamberlin newlyweds resided between October, 1887 and June, 1888. They may have lived with Grace’s father, Silas Howe Nichols, in Sterling, Logan County, Colorado, or they may have built a sod house in or near Yuma, Weld County, Colorado, or they may have lived in the Conastoga wagon coupled with a tent similiar to that shown in an 1892 photograph. We do know they used such a wagon to travel the 400 mile barren, treeless plains, to Red Oak, Montgomery Iowa, for the purposes of consoling Joseph’s grieving mother Jennie Kelley Chamberlin Hornady, sometime in the summer of 1888.
Three months later, September 15, 1888, Joseph’s son, Harry Dennis Chamberlin was born in Red Oak Junction, Montgomery County, Iowa. Apparently Joseph Leroy Chamberlin and his new pregnant wife, Grace Lula Nichols, returned to Red Oak, to console his emotionally drained mother.
My father and grandfather both told me that Joseph Leroy Chamberlin held substantial real estate investments through his later years. Examination of real estate records in the five borough area of New York, and Probate records should be examined. Source: George Richard Chamberlin

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Research of other Joseph L. Chamberlain’s to eliminate family story that Joe McKim’s grandfather was born in Canada.

It should be noted that there is no atDNA match for any of the following families, effectively eliminating them from any possibility of kinship.

This is also possibly the man, after he left his baby son:
1900 Census. Marion Twp, Franklin Co, Nebraska.
Joseph Chamberlain, b. May 1875, age 25. Born Illinois, parents born England, working as farm laborer. He was boarding with the family of William A. Porter and likely he did not give the information. He was approximately the right age. He could also be the Joseph below who was a son of a Joseph born in England and wife Ruth.

The family story has always been that Joe McKim's father was "Canadian". Apparently he was not, but perhaps his parents were either Canadian or English immigrants in their lifetime. With that in mind, I looked for possible 4-year-old Joseph Chamberlains in the 1880 census, particularly with some of the family born England or Canada. Also the son Joseph would not be with them in 1900. Figured they likely lived in either Missouri or Illinois since that's were the Ashleys lived about the time that Olive would have met him. I found two possibilities:

This one located in Scotland Co, Missouri - the very northeast corner of the state and perhaps the least likely of the two for that reason. Just a bit too far away.
Jefferson Twp, Scotland Co, MO, p.163C, Hh 184
Jos Chamberlain, age 68, b. England, as were his parents
Ruth, age 24, wife, b. Iowa
Jane, age 24, dau, b. Illinois, both parents b. England
All born in MO with both parents b. England: George, son, age 22; Amanda, dau, age 20; Born in MO, mother b. Iowa [I doubt this, I believe these two were also from the first marriage: Emily, dau, age 19; William, son, age 14.
Probably Ruth's children: Nettie 6, Joseph 4, Horace 2, Rebecca, 6 months, b. in Dec 1879.
An online database notes that in 1900, this family was in Klickitat County, Washington. The son Joseph was not still with them. Joseph had immigrated in 1821 - had been here for 79 years. The first wife was Susannah Ettleman; Ruth Coryell, b. Jul 1850, was the second wife. In 1910, Ruth was in the same place as head of household.

The second and more likely possibility from 1880 is here:
Marshall Township, Saline Co, MO, p.484A, Hh 36
Saline Co is toward the center of Missouri, just two counties East of Jackson Co & Kansas City.
Geo. L. Chamberlain, age 29, born Quebec, parents b. Quebec
Sally N., age 23, wife, b. MO, father b. KY, mother b. IN
Lucy N., age 5, daughter, b. MO, father b. Quebec, Can., mother b. MO [all children have similar birth place information]
Jos. L., age 4, son
Peter N., age 3, son
Bertille B., age 1, dau

FamilySearch has the son of this George as Joseph Lucian, and has no further data except that he was born, 14 May 1875, died 21 Nov 1927. George's father said to be Pierre Noel Chamberland (1800-1878) of Quebec, in their tree. I did find a WW I draft registration with a slightly different birth - 19 May 1875. He was living in Denver in 1918. Wife was Cleota and he was working as a butcher which appears to be a family occupation (see later).

Selected Canadian records were free on Ancestry for a weekend and I found the following census from 1871 - this was the only George Chamberlain of the right age and he was in Quebec - in Nicolet.
John Chamberlain, age 48, Anglican by religion, "Anglaise" by origin, a "Cultivateur" by profession.
Mary, 48.
George 21. Fredy 19. Arthur 16. Charles 11. William 9.
Emilia 22. Sarah 14. Catherine 13.
Mary Mason, age 65

1861 Canadian Census. Nicolet, Quebec [Canada East]
John Chamberlain, [occupation in French], Born England; Anglican religion, age 41
Erie Pardy, b. Bas Canada, Anglican religion, age 41
Emilia, 12. George 10. Frederick 8. Cera 5 [female]. Arthur 6. Matilda 3. Charles 2.
Sara Chamberlain, 17 "Etrangers" in the family [not a member]
Mary Masson, b. Bas Canada Catholic, age 55, widow, not a member of immediate family
Bas Canada = Lower Canada, Quebec

1851 Census for Nicolet Parish is lost.


A Missouri marriage record, Saline Co, reveals that George L. Chamberlain married Sarah N. Hay on 12 May 1872. Officiated by J. F. Miller, JP.

1895 Kansas State Census. Signed as complete on 1 Jun 1895
Richland Township, Miami County
G. L. Chamberlain, age 46, male, born Canada, family came from Missouri to Kansas
S. N., age 40, female, born MO, as were all the children except the youngest - placing the move to Kansas between about 1892 and 1894.
Lucian, age 19, male [This would seem to be Joseph Lucian]
Peter, 17, male
Bertel, 15, female
Mary, 14, female
Lillian, 12, female
Ethalin, 9, female
Florence, 7 female
Geo. 4, male
Leo Chester, age 1, male, born in Kansas.

This family appeared to have been in Miami Co, Kansas in 1900, Stanton Twp, Hh 163.
Geo. L. Chamberlain, b. Aug 1846, age 53, married 28 years, b. Canada as were his parents
Sarah N., wife, b. Aug 1853, age 46, has had 11 children, all living, b. MO, parents b. KY
[none of the four older children from 1880 appear - but there are seven more - only the two youngest born in Kansas]
Mary E., dau, b. Aug 1880, age 20
Sarah L., dau. b. Jan 1882, age 18
Flora E., dau, b. Mar 1886, age 14
Florence P., dau, b. Dec 1888, age 11
George H., son, b. Dec 1889, age 10
Chester L., son, b. "A." [prob Aug] 1893, age 6
Francis N., son, b. Apr 1898, age 2
Note: Miami County Kansas is centrally located on the Missouri border, not far south of Kansas City. St. Joseph, MO where the family is found later is north of Kansas City, on the Missouri/Kansas line. The distance was not great and there would have been highways between the two.

In 1900, I did find a Peter Chamberlain, St. Joseph Ward 9, Buchanan Co MO. He was a butcher, born Feb 1877 in MO, age 23, and was boarding with the Kennerling family. Birthplace of parents unknown.

FindAGrave.com:
G. L. Chamberlain
buried Holy Cross Cemetery, Paola, Miami Co, Kansas
born 15 Aug 1845, Quebec, Canada
died 28 Aug 1902.

George had died prior to 1910. Sarah was living in St. Joseph, Ward 9, Buchanan Co, MO, at 416 Massachusetts Ave. She was Hh 108:
Sarah Chamberlain, age 56, widow, had 11 children, all living, b. MO, parents b. KY, keeper of a boarding house.
Chester, son, age 16, b. Kansas, father b. Canada, mother b. MO, laborer at a wholesale house
Norman, son, age 12, b. Kansas [Francis N. in 1900]
Edward M. Powell, boarder, age 42, b. Ohio, laborer, packing house
Elmer Story, boarder, age 20, b. MO, clerk, packing house
Ethelyn Rigney, dau, age 24, widowed, no children, b. MO, father b. Can., mother b. MO [Flora E. in 1900]
Note: a number of men on this page were employed at the stockyards or packing house.

I did not find any of the family in Buchanan Co in 1920.

Norman F. Chamberlain died in 1914 - he is buried with his father in Miami Co KS and his stone says "Child of G. L. & Sarah Chamberlain". Born 1898, died 1914.
Florence Peck is also buried there and marked as a child of G. L. & Sarah chamberlain: Born 1887, died 1920. I found Florence as Florence P. Peck, died 28 Aug 1920, Shreveport, Caddo, LA, age 32. She was born in Missouri. Her father was George L. Chamberlain; her mother Sarah Hay.
Brydell E. Craig [she was age 1 in the 1880 census] died in Miami, Dade Co, FL on 3 Aug 1925. She was 44y 7m and 13d at the time of her death. She was born Marshall, MO and her spouse was Chas. L. Craig. Geo. L. Chamberlin was her father, born in Canada; Sarah W. Hay, her mother b. in MO. She was buried Woodlawn Cemetery on Aug 6th; her residence was 234 NW 2nd St in Miami.
Daughter Lillian [Sarah L.] married Martin Clark in Paola Kansas. He was 21; she was 19. They married on 15 Jan 1902. Clark's parents were Thos and Sarah Conner Clark. Lillian's were Geo. and Sarah Hay Chamberlain.


Now I found a marriage in St. Joseph, MO for a Joseph L. Chamberlain to Miss Cleota G. McQueen, also of St. Joseph, both over the age of 21. They were married by a Justice of the Peace, Henry W. Burke on 20 Jun 1902. Since Joseph Lucian named his wife Cleota in his WW I Draft registration - it is obviously this man. It cannot be ruled out that this is the same Joseph "Leroy" who married Olive Ashley prior to this marriage to Cleota.

In 1910, St. Joseph Ward 1, Buchanan Co MO, at 701 McDonald St, Household 384
Lizzie McQueen, age 52, widow, said married 25 years but then marked out, 3 children-all living, b. MO, parents b. KY, running a boarding house.
Cleo G. Chamberlain, dau, age 24, married 8 years, 1 child, b. MO
Mildred M., granddaughter, age 5, b. MO
Maud Andrews, niece, age 29, widow, 3 children, b. MO, seamstress, shirt factory
John W. D. Hall, boarder, age 70, b. MO, real estate agent
Jane Boggs, servant, age 17, b. MO, servant, private family
Clarence E. Williams, boarder, 23, b. NE, check clerk, dairy
Samuel M. Williams, boarder, age 41, married 17 years, b. MO, minister, M.E. church
Nannie L., age 39, married 17 yrs, no children, b. MO

I don't know where Cleo's husband Joseph Chamberlain was in 1910.

I did look back to find Cleota McQueen in 1900 - her mother was operating a boarding house even then in St. Joseph Ward 9, Buchanan Co, MO, Hh 144
Ella McQueen, b. Nov 1856, age 43, widow, 5 children - 3 living, b. MO
Modora, dau, b. Nov 1876, age 23, b. MO
Bessie, dau, b. Nov 1881, 18
Cleota, dau, b. Feb 1886, age 14
Five roomers, all men.
Although Ella claimed to be a widow, she had said she'd been married 25 years but then it was marked out. It appears her husband was a John E. McQueen as she and Madora were with him in Winthrop, Buchanan Co in 1880. At that time, Elizabeth Andrews, age 72, and John's mother-in-law was also living with the family. I believe I found John McQueen, b. Jan 1844, age 56, also saying "widowed" living as a boarder in Rush Township, Buchanan Co. Online databases claim he lived until 1913 and is buried Sugar Creek Cemetery in Rushville. However, no grave for him was noted for him there in a survey done 1984.

I also found from an 1881 History of Buchanan County:
John E. McQueen, East Atchison, was born Jan 12, 1844, in Boone Co, Missouri, and was brought to this place when about three years of age, and has since made his home in this vicinity. He spent his boyhood days on a farm, here received his education, and followed boating on the river up to 1871, when he commenced the grocery and liquor business in East Atchison. He was married in 1875 to Miss Elizabeth Anderson, a native of this township, born Nov 9, 1856. They have one child living, Medora A; two are deceased. Mr. McQueen formerly belonged to the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Honor
[Bessie & Cleota not yet born when the article written]

This may have been Peter Chamberlain in 1910:
East St. Louis, Ward 7, St. Clair Co, ILL
Pt. Chamberlain, boarder, age 33, b. MO, father b. Canada, mother b. MO, clerk at the stockyards.

Joseph L. Chamberlain showed back up in 1920 with Cleota. Interesting that his father was born in Canada and he is a butcher, as was Peter Chamberlain.
1920 Census Denver, Denver Co, CO, Hh 35
Joseph L. Chamberlain, age 43, b. MO, father b. Canada, mother b. MO, owns his butcher shop
Cleota B., wife, age 32, b. MO, parents b. MO
Mildred M., dau, age 15, b. MO

Joseph apparently died prior to the 1930 census.
1930 Census. Denver, CO, Hh 89
Cleo G. Chamberlain, head of household, age 43, widow, b. MO, parents b. MO, supervisor of a laundry
Elizabeth McQueen [marked as "daughter" but surely her mother], age 72, widow, b. MO, parents b. KY

The very unreliable Ancestral file of the LDS church does list a Joseph "Lucian" Chamberlin, born 19 May 1875, Miami County, Kansas, died 21 Nov 1927. Parents were George Chamberlin and Sarah Naomi Hayes. The family as shown matches the family of George L. Chamberlain above. There are exact birth dates and many death dates - one would suppose there was a family record of some sort. The data does show all the children born in Miami Co, Kansas, but that was not the case - most were born in Missouri.

I believe that the Joseph Chamberlain who married Cleota McQueen was the son of George & Sarah. There still is no sound proof that he is the same Joseph Chamberlain that married Olive Ashley and had a son named after him, particularly in view of the following problems.

There is a conflict in the middle name of Joseph Chamberlain, son of George & Sarah, and the Joseph who was married to Olive Ashley. There is also a conflict found in the birth year of their son, named Joseph Leroy Chamberlain. If he was born in September of 1895, as stated in some records,, then it seems unlikely that his father was still at home with his parents in early 1895. However, he also gave a birth date of 1896 on earlier records, which would then make the situation more plausible.

In 1895, Joseph Lucian Chamberlain, age 19, was apparently still living at home with his family in Miami Co, Kansas. I have never found the marriage record for Joseph Leroy Chamberlain to Olive Ashley. Their son was born 11 September, either in 1895 or 1896 and he always said he was born in Chicago. At the time of his World War I application and marriage, he gave his birth year as 1896 - when he applied for his Social Security number in 1937, he gave the year as 1895, so that's what appears in the Social Security Death Index. Joe McKim's birth certificate gave his father as Joseph Leroy Chamberlain, Jr. and Joe as Joseph Leroy Chamberlain III. When Joe's father applied for his Social Security number, he gave both his and his father's names as Joseph Leroy Chamberlain - so certainly he believed that was correct. Since he was abandoned as a young child, he may have only been told he was named for his father and his father's name was also Joseph; therefore, assuming the middle name was also the same.

Following are interesting but also not this Joseph Leroy Chamberlain:


This is Eugene Louis Chamberlain, son of Henry W. Chamberlain (1827, MA - 1879, Larimer, CO) and Sylvia Sophia Taft. His lineage not traced on FamilySearch.
Divorce record, Colorado, Pueblo County
Decree issued 19 Aug 1916
Plaintiff: Grace L. Chamberlain Defendant. Eugene L. Chamberlain
Married Prairie Grove, Washington Co, AR, 1 Mar 1896
Minor children: Harry, George, Arthur
When they married, Grace E Pritchard was 17; Eugene was 37.
In 1900 they lived in Denver; 1910 in Laramie, WY. Both remarried to other spouses.

This man is Joseph Lee Chamberlain, son of Milo C. Chamberlain and Fanny Henrietta Edson. His lineage apparently goes back to William Chamberlin (1690-1756) who married Sarah Day and to Henry, the immigrant - the same line as the several Joseph Leroy Chamberlins.
Divorce record in Colorado, Rio Blanco County
Decree issued 14 Nov 1919
Plaintiff: Joseph L. Chamberlain. Defendant: Anna Gertrude Chamberlain.
Married, Meeker, CO, 4 Mar 1918
No minor children
She was Anna Gertrude Ackerman, age 15 when married - Joseph was 37.
Another divorce Record in Colorado, Rio Blanco County
Decree issued: 19 Sep 1938
Plaintiff: Joseph L. Chamberlain Defendant: Eva Olive Chamberlain
Married Glenwood Springs, Garfield County, CO, 4 March 1928.
No minor children
Eva had previously been married to John Vidmar. She was 35 when they married - Joseph was 48.
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I have not found a marriage record and not really sure there was one. The Ashley family tradition is that Joseph "took off" after Olive's death, abandoning their baby son. Olive died in Kansas City in 1898. I believe he may have married a second time and was possibly the son of a George L. Chamberlain, born in Quebec, and his wife Sarah - IF my dad's story about the Chamberlains being from Canada is true. In 1925, his son Joseph, in the Iowa State Census gave his father's place of birth as England. Of course many of the stories my Dad told have proved to be untrue.

atDNA matches as 2nd or 3rd cousins to both my sister JoAnn and to her half-sister, Sandy, suggest a database which has a Joseph Leroy Chamberlin, born to Henry H. Chamberlin & Martha Jennie Kelly, in Brown Co, Ohio, 14 Oct 1868. There is a gap in his information which could allow for a marriage to Olive Ashley and the birth of the son, Joseph Leroy Chamberlin in 1896.
This man was married to Grace Lula Nichols, 7 Oct 1887, Bird City, Kansas - had one son in 1888 and they were divorced 31 Dec 1896 in Yuma, Colorado; Grace was the plaintiff. No way to know how long they had been apart - but did she divorce because she knew he had fathered a child by Olive Ashley?
Joseph Leroy & Grace had visited the World's Fair in Chicago in 1893. The younger Joseph Leroy was born either 1895 or 1896 in Chicago.

There is a divorce record in Colorado, Yuma County that is obviously this man:
In February 1890, Grace filed for divorce having been maaried a little over two years. The grounds for divorce were drunkenness and cruelty. However the divorce was not granted for over five years - did Grace change her mind?
In 1893, the Chamberlin family had journeyed to Chicago to attend the World Columbian Exposition also known as the Chicago World’s Fair.
Decree issued 31 Dec 1895.
Plaintiff: Grace L. Chamberlain. Defendant: Joseph L. Chamberlain
Married Bird City, Kansas, 19 July 1887.
Minor child: Harry Dennis Chamberlain.

Meanwhile, in 1900 - his grandmother Sophronia was living in Chicago with her son James McPherson "Mac" Chamberlin. Another of her sons - Calvin - died in Chicago in 1900. This Joseph not found but he did have relatives present in Chicago where the Ashley family was living. I cannot find him in any census in 1900.
He next appears marrying Catherine Kline Bird, 23 Mar 1901, in Manhattan, New York - they had several children. He died 1942 in Queens.
1915, NY State Census. Queens
Joseph Chamberlin, 44, Occupation: Dry goods
Kate, wife, 43
Walton, son, 12
Florence, dau, 10
Frank, son, 5
1920 Census. Queens, NY, Hh 46
Joseph Chamberlin, 53, b. OH, Manager, Department Store
Kate, wife, 46, b. NY
Walton, son, 16, Errand boy, Hardware Store
Florance, dau, 14
Frank, son, 9
Gladys, dau, 2 years, 8 months
Ada Bird, mother-in-law, 66, widow
1925 NY State Census. Queens. glenham St
Joseph Chamberlain, 53, no occupation
Kate, wife, 50
Walton, son, 22, Clericzl Work
Florence, dau, 19, Clerical Work
Frank, son, 15
Gladys, dau, 8, at school
Ada Bird, Mother -in-law, 72
1930 Census. Queens, NY, Hh 30
Joseph L. Chamberlin, 57, b. OH, Broker, Real Estate
Kate B., wife, 56
Florence K., dau, 24, Bookkeeper, paper house
Frank V., son, 20, stock clerk, paper house
Gladys J., dau, 12
1940 Census. Queens, NY, Hh 233
Joseph L. Chamberlin, 72, Real Estate Broker, own office
Kate B., wife, 66
Gladys, dau, 22
William Lichten, son-in-law, 25, Mechanic, Brass Foundry
Florence Jackson, dau, 34, Bookkeeper, Wholesale China Ware Co.


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Other research - it should be noted that there is no atDNA match for any of the following families, effectively eliminating them from any possibility of kinship.

This is also possibly the man, after he left his baby son:
1900 Census. Marion Twp, Franklin Co, Nebraska.
Joseph Chamberlain, b. May 1875, age 25. Born Illinois, parents born England, working as farm laborer. He was boarding with the family of William A. Porter and likely he did not give the information. He was approximately the right age. He could also be the Joseph below who was a son of a Joseph born in England and wife Ruth.

The family story has always been that Joe McKim's father was "Canadian". Apparently he was not, but perhaps his parents were either Canadian or English immigrants in their lifetime. With that in mind, I looked for possible 4-year-old Joseph Chamberlains in the 1880 census, particularly with some of the family born England or Canada. Also the son Joseph would not be with them in 1900. Figured they likely lived in either Missouri or Illinois since that's were the Ashleys lived about the time that Olive would have met him. I found two possibilities:

This one located in Scotland Co, Missouri - the very northeast corner of the state and perhaps the least likely of the two for that reason. Just a bit too far away.
Jefferson Twp, Scotland Co, MO, p.163C, Hh 184
Jos Chamberlain, age 68, b. England, as were his parents
Ruth, age 24, wife, b. Iowa
Jane, age 24, dau, b. Illinois, both parents b. England
All born in MO with both parents b. England: George, son, age 22; Amanda, dau, age 20; Born in MO, mother b. Iowa [I doubt this, I believe these two were also from the first marriage: Emily, dau, age 19; William, son, age 14.
Probably Ruth's children: Nettie 6, Joseph 4, Horace 2, Rebecca, 6 months, b. in Dec 1879.
An online database notes that in 1900, this family was in Klickitat County, Washington. The son Joseph was not still with them. Joseph had immigrated in 1821 - had been here for 79 years. The first wife was Susannah Ettleman; Ruth Coryell, b. Jul 1850, was the second wife. In 1910, Ruth was in the same place as head of household.

The second and more likely possibility from 1880 is here:
Marshall Township, Saline Co, MO, p.484A, Hh 36
Saline Co is toward the center of Missouri, just two counties East of Jackson Co & Kansas City.
Geo. L. Chamberlain, age 29, born Quebec, parents b. Quebec
Sally N., age 23, wife, b. MO, father b. KY, mother b. IN
Lucy N., age 5, daughter, b. MO, father b. Quebec, Can., mother b. MO [all children have similar birth place information]
Jos. L., age 4, son
Peter N., age 3, son
Bertille B., age 1, dau

FamilySearch has the son of this George as Joseph Lucian, and has no further data except that he was born, 14 May 1875, died 21 Nov 1927. George's father said to be Pierre Noel Chamberland (1800-1878) of Quebec, in their tree. I did find a WW I draft registration with a slightly different birth - 19 May 1875. He was living in Denver in 1918. Wife was Cleota and he was working as a butcher which appears to be a family occupation (see later).

Selected Canadian records were free on Ancestry for a weekend and I found the following census from 1871 - this was the only George Chamberlain of the right age and he was in Quebec - in Nicolet.
John Chamberlain, age 48, Anglican by religion, "Anglaise" by origin, a "Cultivateur" by profession.
Mary, 48.
George 21. Fredy 19. Arthur 16. Charles 11. William 9.
Emilia 22. Sarah 14. Catherine 13.
Mary Mason, age 65

1861 Canadian Census. Nicolet, Quebec [Canada East]
John Chamberlain, [occupation in French], Born England; Anglican religion, age 41
Erie Pardy, b. Bas Canada, Anglican religion, age 41
Emilia, 12. George 10. Frederick 8. Cera 5 [female]. Arthur 6. Matilda 3. Charles 2.
Sara Chamberlain, 17 "Etrangers" in the family [not a member]
Mary Masson, b. Bas Canada Catholic, age 55, widow, not a member of immediate family
Bas Canada = Lower Canada, Quebec

1851 Census for Nicolet Parish is lost.


A Missouri marriage record, Saline Co, reveals that George L. Chamberlain married Sarah N. Hay on 12 May 1872. Officiated by J. F. Miller, JP.

1895 Kansas State Census. Signed as complete on 1 Jun 1895
Richland Township, Miami County
G. L. Chamberlain, age 46, male, born Canada, family came from Missouri to Kansas
S. N., age 40, female, born MO, as were all the children except the youngest - placing the move to Kansas between about 1892 and 1894.
Lucian, age 19, male [This would seem to be Joseph Lucian]
Peter, 17, male
Bertel, 15, female
Mary, 14, female
Lillian, 12, female
Ethalin, 9, female
Florence, 7 female
Geo. 4, male
Leo Chester, age 1, male, born in Kansas.

This family appeared to have been in Miami Co, Kansas in 1900, Stanton Twp, Hh 163.
Geo. L. Chamberlain, b. Aug 1846, age 53, married 28 years, b. Canada as were his parents
Sarah N., wife, b. Aug 1853, age 46, has had 11 children, all living, b. MO, parents b. KY
[none of the four older children from 1880 appear - but there are seven more - only the two youngest born in Kansas]
Mary E., dau, b. Aug 1880, age 20
Sarah L., dau. b. Jan 1882, age 18
Flora E., dau, b. Mar 1886, age 14
Florence P., dau, b. Dec 1888, age 11
George H., son, b. Dec 1889, age 10
Chester L., son, b. "A." [prob Aug] 1893, age 6
Francis N., son, b. Apr 1898, age 2
Note: Miami County Kansas is centrally located on the Missouri border, not far south of Kansas City. St. Joseph, MO where the family is found later is north of Kansas City, on the Missouri/Kansas line. The distance was not great and there would have been highways between the two.

In 1900, I did find a Peter Chamberlain, St. Joseph Ward 9, Buchanan Co MO. He was a butcher, born Feb 1877 in MO, age 23, and was boarding with the Kennerling family. Birthplace of parents unknown.

FindAGrave.com:
G. L. Chamberlain
buried Holy Cross Cemetery, Paola, Miami Co, Kansas
born 15 Aug 1845, Quebec, Canada
died 28 Aug 1902.

George had died prior to 1910. Sarah was living in St. Joseph, Ward 9, Buchanan Co, MO, at 416 Massachusetts Ave. She was Hh 108:
Sarah Chamberlain, age 56, widow, had 11 children, all living, b. MO, parents b. KY, keeper of a boarding house.
Chester, son, age 16, b. Kansas, father b. Canada, mother b. MO, laborer at a wholesale house
Norman, son, age 12, b. Kansas [Francis N. in 1900]
Edward M. Powell, boarder, age 42, b. Ohio, laborer, packing house
Elmer Story, boarder, age 20, b. MO, clerk, packing house
Ethelyn Rigney, dau, age 24, widowed, no children, b. MO, father b. Can., mother b. MO [Flora E. in 1900]
Note: a number of men on this page were employed at the stockyards or packing house.

I did not find any of the family in Buchanan Co in 1920.

Norman F. Chamberlain died in 1914 - he is buried with his father in Miami Co KS and his stone says "Child of G. L. & Sarah Chamberlain". Born 1898, died 1914.
Florence Peck is also buried there and marked as a child of G. L. & Sarah chamberlain: Born 1887, died 1920. I found Florence as Florence P. Peck, died 28 Aug 1920, Shreveport, Caddo, LA, age 32. She was born in Missouri. Her father was George L. Chamberlain; her mother Sarah Hay.
Brydell E. Craig [she was age 1 in the 1880 census] died in Miami, Dade Co, FL on 3 Aug 1925. She was 44y 7m and 13d at the time of her death. She was born Marshall, MO and her spouse was Chas. L. Craig. Geo. L. Chamberlin was her father, born in Canada; Sarah W. Hay, her mother b. in MO. She was buried Woodlawn Cemetery on Aug 6th; her residence was 234 NW 2nd St in Miami.
Daughter Lillian [Sarah L.] married Martin Clark in Paola Kansas. He was 21; she was 19. They married on 15 Jan 1902. Clark's parents were Thos and Sarah Conner Clark. Lillian's were Geo. and Sarah Hay Chamberlain.


Now I found a marriage in St. Joseph, MO for a Joseph L. Chamberlain to Miss Cleota G. McQueen, also of St. Joseph, both over the age of 21. They were married by a Justice of the Peace, Henry W. Burke on 20 Jun 1902. Since Joseph Lucian named his wife Cleota in his WW I Draft registration - it is obviously this man. It cannot be ruled out that this is the same Joseph "Leroy" who married Olive Ashley prior to this marriage to Cleota.

In 1910, St. Joseph Ward 1, Buchanan Co MO, at 701 McDonald St, Household 384
Lizzie McQueen, age 52, widow, said married 25 years but then marked out, 3 children-all living, b. MO, parents b. KY, running a boarding house.
Cleo G. Chamberlain, dau, age 24, married 8 years, 1 child, b. MO
Mildred M., granddaughter, age 5, b. MO
Maud Andrews, niece, age 29, widow, 3 children, b. MO, seamstress, shirt factory
John W. D. Hall, boarder, age 70, b. MOreal estate agent
Jane Boggs, servant, age 17, b. MO, servant, private family
Clarence E. Williams, boarder, 23, b. NE, check clerk, dairy
Samuel M. Williams, boarder, age 41, married 17 years, b. MO, minister, M.E. church
Nannie L., age 39, married 17 yrs, no children, b. MO

I don't know where Cleo's husband Joseph Chamberlain was in 1910.

I did look back to find Cleota McQueen in 1900 - her mother was operating a boarding house even then in St. Joseph Ward 9, Buchanan Co, MO, Hh 144
Ella McQueen, b. Nov 1856, age 43, widow, 5 children - 3 living, b. MO
Modora, dau, b. Nov 1876, age 23, b. MO
Bessie, dau, b. Nov 1881, 18
Cleota, dau, b. Feb 1886, age 14
Five roomers, all men.
Although Ella claimed to be a widow, she had said she'd been married 25 years but then it was marked out. It appears her husband was a John E. McQueen as she and Madora were with him in Winthrop, Buchanan Co in 1880. At that time, Elizabeth Andrews, age 72, and John's mother-in-law was also living with the family. I believe I found John McQueen, b. Jan 1844, age 56, also saying "widowed" living as a boarder in Rush Township, Buchanan Co. Online databases claim he lived until 1913 and is buried Sugar Creek Cemetery in Rushville. However, no grave for him was noted for him there in a survey done 1984.

I also found from an 1881 History of Buchanan County:
John E. McQueen, East Atchison, was born Jan 12, 1844, in Boone Co, Missouri, and was brought to this place when about three years of age, and has since made his home in this vicity. He spent his boyhood days on a farm, here received his education, and followed boating on the river up to 1871, when he commenced the grocery and liquor business in East Atchison. He was married in 1875 to Miss Elizabeth Anderson, a native of this township, born Nov 9, 1856. They have one child living, Medora A; two are deceased. Mr. McQueen formerly belonged to the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Honor
[Bessie & Cleota not yet born when the article written]

This may have been Peter Chamberlain in 1910:
East St. Louis, Ward 7, St. Clair Co, ILL
Pt. Chamberlain, boarder, age 33, b. MO, father b. Canada, mother b. MO, clerk at the stockyards.

Joseph L. Chamberlain showed back up in 1920 with Cleota. Interesting that his father was born in Canada and he is a butcher, as was Peter Chamberlain.
1920 Census Denver, Denver Co, CO, Hh 35
Joseph L. Chamberlain, age 43, b. MO, father b. Canada, mother b. MO, owns his butcher shop
Cleota B., wife, age 32, b. MO, parents b. MO
Mildred M., dau, age 15, b. MO

Joseph apparently died prior to the 1930 census.
1930 Census. Denver, CO, Hh 89
Cleo G. Chamberlain, head of household, age 43, widow, b. MO, parents b. MO, supervisor of a laundry
Elizabeth McQueen [marked as "daughter" but surely her mother], age 72, widow, b. MO, parents b. KY

The very unreliable Ancestral file of the LDS church does list a Joseph "Lucian" Chamberlin, born 19 May 1875, Miami County, Kansas, died 21 Nov 1927. Parents were George Chamberlin and Sarah Naomi Hayes. The family as shown matches the family of George L. Chamberlain above. There are exact birth dates and many death dates - one would suppose there was a family record of some sort. The data does show all the children born in Miami Co, Kansas, but that was not the case - most were born in Missouri.

I believe that the Joseph Chamberlain who married Cleota McQueen was the son of George & Sarah. There still is no sound proof that he is the same Joseph Chamberlain that married Olive Ashley and had a son named after him, particularly in view of the following problems.

There is a conflict in the middle name of Joseph Chamberlain, son of George & Sarah, and the Joseph who was married to Olive Ashley. There is also a conflict found in the birth year of their son, named Joseph Leroy Chamberlain. If he was born in September of 1895, as stated in some records,, then it seems unlikely that his father was still at home with his parents in early 1895. However, he also gave a birth date of 1896 on earlier records, which would then make the situation more plausible.

In 1895, Joseph Lucian Chamberlain, age 19, was apparently still living at home with his family in Miami Co, Kansas. I have never found the marriage record for Joseph Leroy Chamberlain to Olive Ashley. Their son was born 11 September, either in 1895 or 1896 and he always said he was born in Chicago. At the time of his World War I application and marriage, he gave his birth year as 1896 - when he applied for his Social Security number in 1937, he gave the year as 1895, so that's what appears in the Social Security Death Index. Joe McKim's birth certificate gave his father as Joseph Leroy Chamberlain, Jr. and Joe as Joseph Leroy Chamberlain III. When Joe's father applied for his Social Security number, he gave both his and his father's names as Joseph Leroy Chamberlain - so certainly he believed that was correct. Since he was abandoned as a young child, he may have only been told he was named for his father and his father's name was also Joseph; therefore, assuming the middle name was also the same.





-- MERGED NOTE ------------



1880 Census. Red Oak, Montgomery Co, IA, Hh 745
Lenton D. Hornady, 30
Jennie, 31, wife
Bessie, 1, dau
Joseph Chamberlain, 13, stepson
Letty S., 8, stepdau


He married Grace Lula Nichols, 7 Oct 1887, Cheyenne Co, Kansas.
[In Colorado, the Wild West was a reality. Saloons were a bench mark of almost every community. Drinking and gambling were men’s activities. Only when they carried their drunkenness and obnoxious behavior home did most Wild West wives complain. Grace was no exception. Drunkenness often ended in spouse abuse which sometimes resulted in families breaking up.]
There is a divorce record in Colorado, Yuma County that is obviously this man:
In February 1890, Grace filed for divorce having been maaried a little over two years. The grounds for divorce were drunkenness and cruelty. However the divorce was not granted for over five years - Grace apparently changed her mind and when she refiled, his whereabouts were unknown so her attorney used the reason given in 1890.
In 1893, the Chamberlin family had journeyed to Chicago to attend the World Columbian Exposition also known as the Chicago World’s Fair so they were apparently reconciled at that time.
Decree issued 31 Dec 1895.
Plaintiff: Grace L. Chamberlain. Defendant: Joseph L. Chamberlain
Married Bird City, Kansas, 19 July 1887.
Minor child: Harry Dennis Chamberlain.

It is interesting that his grandmother, Sophronia, was living with a son's family in Chicago in the 1900 census.





The Joseph Leroy Chamberlain who was my half-sister's mysterious great grandfather was believed to be in Chicago about 1895, early 1896, to marry Olive Ashley. No marriage record has been found. Their son also named Joseph Leroy Chamberlain, was born 11 Sep 1896, in Chicago. 9 Feb 1898, Olive died in Kansas City, Jackson Co, MO (where her parents were then living - they subsequently raised the child).
From a letter written by Aden Ashley, Olive's father, describing his children "Olive who married a Mr. Chamberlin - they had one child, a boy. Olive died in Kansas City in 1898, and left her baby seventeen months old. We took him to raise and he is now past sixteen. We have not heard from his father for fourteen years."
It is true that this Joseph had visited the Chicago's World Fair in 1893 - and in 1900, his grandmother, Sophronia (Hanford) Chamberlain, was living with her son, James McPherson "Mac" Chamberlain, in Chicago. We also know that his wife Grace did not know where he was in 1895. Aden Ashley had not heard from the father of the young Joseph Leroy since Olive died in 1898. There is definitely a place for consideration - this is likely the SAME Joseph Leroy Chamberlain.
It is also very true that my half-sister has multiple atDNA matches to the family of Olive Ashley and to descendants of children from Joseph Leroy's marriages to Grace Nichols & Catherine Bird, as well as matches to descendants of George Clinton Chamberlin and Sophronia Hanford through their children other than their son Henry Hanford Chamberlin.

-------------------------------------------


By 1901, Joseph was in New York where he married Catherine "Kittie" Bird.
1910 Census. Brooklyn Borough, New York City, New York, Hh 378
1508 Ave J. Multi-family household
Joseph Chamberlain, 42, married twice, 9 years this time, b. OH, father b. Iowa, mother b. OH, Manager, Dry goods
Kate B., wife, 36, married once, 2 children
Walton, son, 7
Florence K., dau, 4
Ada L. Bird, mother-in-law, 59, widow, 1 child

1915 New York State Census. Queens
Joseph Chamberlin, 44, Dry goods
Kate, wife, 43
Walton W., son, 12
Florence, dau, 10
Frank, son, 5

1 Aug 1917, Queens, NY. Harry D. Chamberlin, age 28, b. 1889. Parents: Joseph Chamberlin and Grace Nicols. Married Marguerite T. Kuhn, daughter of George Kuhn and Marguerite Martins.

1920 Census. Queens, New York City, Hh 46
Joseph Chamberlin, 53, Manager, Department Store
Katie, wife, 46
Walton, son, 16
Florance, dau, 14
Frank, son, 9
Gladys, dau, 2 years 8 months
Ada Bird, mother-in-law, 66, widow

In 1924, Joseph worked for Wanamaker Department Store in Manhattan. Wanamakers was one of the first successful department store chains in the country. It later became known as Lord & Tailors. In 1995, the Company was bought by the May Company, and renamed Hecht department store.

1925 New York State Census. Queens, Glenham St
Joseph Chamberlain, 53
Kate, wife, 50
Walton, son, 22, Clerical Work
Florence, dau, 19, Clerical Work
Frank, son, 15
Gladys, dau, 8
Ada Bird, mother, 72

1930 Census. St. Albans Twp, Queens, New York, Hh 30
Joseph L. Chamberlin, 57, married at age 28, Broker, Real Estate
Kate B., wife, 56, married at age 27
Florence K., dau, 24, Bookkeeper, Paper house
Frank O., son, 20, Stock Clerk, Paper house
Gladys J., dau, 12

1940 Census. Queens, New York City, Hh 233
Lived in same place in 1935
Joseph L. Chamberlin, 72, Real Estate Broker, own office
Kate B., wife, 67
Gladys, dau, 22
William Lichten, son-in-law, 25, Mechanic, Brass Foundry
Florence Jackson, dau, 34, Bookkeeper, Wholesale china ware

Death record, Queens, New York City. Joseph Leroy Chamberlin age 67, died 7 Oct 1942. Father - Henry Chamberlin; mother - Jennie Kelly. Spouse - Kate Chamberlin.

Buried Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, Kings, New York City.

chamberlin146; Ancestry tree
Joseph Leroy Chamberlin was an infant when his parents, Harry Dennis Chamberlin and Martha Jennie Kelly moved from Middletown, Butler County, Ohio to Red Oak Junction, Montgomery County, Iowa. In, 1871, his sister, Sophronia Lettecia Chamberlin was born. Before Joseph Leroy Chamberlin was six years old his father died. The earliest picture we have of Joseph Leroy was taken just about the time of his fathers shocking death. This is the first picture of any of our forefathers as a child. On January 8, 1878, Joseph’s mother, Jennie “Lady” Kelly Chamberlin, married, L. D. Hornady. For the next nine months Joseph lived with his step father, L. D. Hornady, and his mother, in Omaha, Nebraska. In September, 1878, his family returned to Red Oak to begin a new life. His step father built a nice home in Red Oak, and from 1878 to 1880, was in the business of manufacturing bricks. In 1880, L.D. Hornady opened a drugstore on the north east corner of the Red Oak town square. He continued to own property in Omaha, Nebraska. In January, 1881, Joseph’s sister Sophronia Lettecia, “Lettie” Chamberlin, and his half sister, Bessie Hornady, died. Both are buried in Middletown, Butler Co., Ohio. Source: Written diaries and oral testimony from Grace Lula Nichols, former wife of Joseph Leroy, to George Leroy Chamberlin, grandson of Joseph Leroy Chamberlin.
Nine months after their wedding day, Joseph and Grace Chamberlin learned that Joseph’s step father, L.D. Hornady, died in Red Oak, Montgomery County Iowa. His date of death was June 21, 1888. Grace was six months pregnant.
We have no record of where the Chamberlin newlyweds resided between October, 1887 and June, 1888. They may have lived with Grace’s father, Silas Howe Nichols, in Sterling, Logan County, Colorado, or they may have built a sod house in or near Yuma, Weld County, Colorado, or they may have lived in the Conastoga wagon coupled with a tent similiar to that shown in an 1892 photograph. We do know they used such a wagon to travel the 400 mile barren, treeless plains, to Red Oak, Montgomery Iowa, for the purposes of consoling Joseph’s grieving mother Jennie Kelley Chamberlin Hornady, sometime in the summer of 1888.
Three months later, September 15, 1888, Joseph’s son, Harry Dennis Chamberlin was born in Red Oak Junction, Montgomery County, Iowa. Apparently Joseph Leroy Chamberlin and his new pregnant wife, Grace Lula Nichols, returned to Red Oak, to console his emotionally drained mother.
My father and grandfather both told me that Joseph Leroy Chamberlin held substantial real estate investments through his later years. Examination of real estate records in the five borough area of New York, and Probate records should be examined. Source: George Richard Chamberlin



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Following are interesting but likely not this Joseph Leroy Chamberlain. However, it is odd that two men named Joseph Chamberlain/Chamberlin with the middle initial "L" also married ladies named Grace.
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Then there are these... Interesting confluence of names but apparently a different person.
This is Eugene Louis Chamberlain, son of Henry W. Chamberlain (1827, MA - 1879, Larimer, CO) and Sylvia Sophia Taft. His lineage not traced on FamilySearch.
Divorce record, Colorado, Pueblo County
Decree issued 19 Aug 1916
Plaintiff: Grace L. Chamberlain Defendant. Eugene L. Chamberlain
Married Prairie Grove, Washington Co, AR, 1 Mar 1896
Minor children: Harry, George, Arthur
When they married, Grace E Pritchard was 17; Eugene was 37.
In 1900 they lived in Denver; 1910 in Laramie, WY. Both remarried to other spouses.
---------------------------------
This man is Joseph Lee Chamberlain, son of Milo C. Chamberlain and Fanny Henrietta Edson. His lineage apparently goes back to William Chamberlin (1690-1756) who married Sarah Day and to Henry, the immigrant - the same line as the several Joseph Leroy Camberlins.

Divorce record in Colorado, Rio Blanco County
Decree issued 14 Nov 1919
Plaintiff: Joseph L. Chamberlain. Defendant: Anna Gertrude Chamberlain.
Married, Meeker, CO, 4 Mar 1918
No minor children
She was Anna Gertrude Ackerman, age 15 when married - Joseph was 37.
Another divorce Record in Colorado, Rio Blanco County
Decree issued: 19 Sep 1938
Plaintiff: Joseph L. Chamberlain Defendant: Eva Olive Chamberlain
Married Glenwood Springs, Garfield County, CO, 4 March 1928.
No minor children
Eva had previously been married to John Vidmar. She was 35 when they married - Joseph was 48.
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Birth	14 Oct 1867	Preble County, Ohio
Marriage	7 Oct 1887	Cheyenne County, Kansas - Grace Lula Nichols
Marriage	Abt 1895	Olive Ashley
Divorce	31 Dec 1895	Yuma County, Colorado - Grace Lula Nichols
Marriage	23 Mar 1901	Manhattan, New York City, New York - Catherine Bird
Death	7 Oct 1942	Hollis, Queens County, New York

Spouse	Olive Ashley (1876 - 1898)
Child	Joseph Leroy Chamberlain II (1896 - 1967)

Spouse	Catherine Bird (1873 - 1958)
Child	Leroy Bird Chamberlain (1902 - 1902)
Child	William Walton Chamberlain (1903 - 1985)
Child	Florence Catherine Chamberlain (1905 - 1996)
Child	Frank Otis Chamberlin (1910 - 1981)
Child	Gladys Josephine Chamberlin (1917 - 1989)

Spouse	Grace Lula Nichols (1870 - 1958)
Child	Harry Dennis Chamberlin (1888 - 1965)

Father	Henry Hanford Chamberlin (1836 - 1873)
Mother	Martha Jennie Kelly (1850 - )
Sibling	Sophronia Lettecia Chamberlin (1871 - 1881)