Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1911-02-10

stock. The date of the lads birth was
MAY 90 1916, and the place Westmore-
land n. II. Who, in those first years,
would dare predict that that young life
was destined to cover three generations
would span the eventful period lying be-
tween 1876 and 1911, with the possibility
of extension to the century mark?
Young Chamberlain grew apace, re-
ceived the education afforded by the
schools of that early day, and moved to
Putney in 1894. He married Lucy Listina
Turner in 1S41 and came to reside in
Wilmington in 1874. In 1916 his wife
died. In 1S47 he was again married, this
time to Betsey Kathan of Putney. OF
this union three children were born
Mary Chamberlain Medbury, Addie
Chamberlain Medbury deceased May,
1910 and Elton Chamberlain, who
for some years past has been a resident of
Buffalo, n. Y. His second wife died
Aug "a, 1910. loved most by those who
knew her best
In his early years Mr.. Chamberlain
taught school in Westmoreland, Brook
line, Putney and Wilmington. Sundays,
in the early forties, saw him chorister in
the Methodist church; and other days
found him plying his trade as shoemaker.
But like Elihu Burritt, the learned
blacksmith" he worked and thought, and
read and digested and stored his observant
be afterwards used so effectively in his
main life work, that of popularizing the
natural sciences. Astronomy, geology,
biology, botany and all kindred sciences
were studied, but the evolution theory,
as it was then regarded and called, was
his especial delight To say that the
| study of these colored or modified his
views of current religion would not tell
| half the story. Rather should it be said,
il laid the foundation of his religions, on
| as some may be pleased to call it, ire
| ligous beliefs. True it was that he saw
| all phenomena, including origin and des-
| tiny, in a new light. He looked out upon
a universe in the grasp of law, and
phenomena heretofore happening by de-
sign now came through the working of
the memorable law of natural cause and
effect.
The metamorphosis of opinion, OF
| course, failed to bring favorable recog-
milton or popular acclaim, but it did
bring rest and satisfaction to heart and
brain. What before was contradictory
and incomprehensible, was now made
plain. Reason supplied with facts ha6
made deductions and drawn conclusions
| Every process and operation of nature
was invested with new meaning, anC
along with this came the inspiration tC
live, to teach, to write the tenets of the
new gospel--the gospel of science, of rea.
it is we'll known to his neighbors, hi
townsmen and all with whom he hal
come in contact
How well he has taught it can only b.
realized and appreciated by those VIII
have read his varied and instructive ar
ticles, modestly signed S. e. c., begu
in 1S49 in the Windham County Demo
crat and continued in the Record an
Farmer. the Statesman, The Vernon
Phoenix and other publications, eve
down to the year 1906, when his last ar
ticle appeared in his local paper, tn
Deerfield Valley Times entitled "Wh
men do not go to church" Few, eve
among scientists, have a better comman
OF the English language or have the ski
to use it more effectively. He coul
make others understand because he ha
clear ideas himself and because he elm
mated, so far as possible, technic;
names and phrases with which the MOI
strictly scientific are wont to embelis
their writings. His style has the sin
plicity Of truth and his statements carr
; conviction whenever and wherever mad
His candor, his logic his earnest slncerit
. were convincing.
Probably not one half dozen of h
I own townsmen or townswomen realize
have other than the faintest conceptio
of the extent and volume of his literal
productions. II compiled they would f
4 VoiuHes' Qudhly - iully up 10 quaint
Not one of his many essays and pape
: that does not contain passages wort
quoting and remembering as well; al
:. many of them are remarkable for re
y gems of thought Some idea of the
: variety and scope may be gained by Il
mention of titles. few of which is
that space will allow in this brief sketc
know Thyself," Truth" Daniel We
n ster and the Presidency" American
d dependence" sketch of Mahomet
e about Apples" "Evergreens for Shade
/ "About Rats" Morals and Farming
e and series of articles, IA in numb'
Is contributed to the Record and Farmer
e 1875, containing a relay of facts concer
e ing the use and growth of plants; hi
they feed upon organic and morgan