For fifteen years Anthony P. Chamberlin has been a resident of Denison, connected with its business development and public progress. He is distinctively American and has aided in developing at this place at typical American city, whose progress and enterprise are worthy of the spirit of the west. His birth occurred in Watertown, New York, in 1850, his parents being Nelson and Anna V. (Kauffman) Chamberlin. The father was born in Rutland, Vermont, and died in 1896, at the age of sixty- seven years. His wife, who was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is still living, her home being in Ypsilanti, Michigan. She was reared in Springfield, Ohio, and was a daughter of Michael Kauffman, a native of Pennsylvania, who came one of the first settlers of Springfield, Ohio. At the time of the Mexican war Nelson Chamberlin, father of our subject, enlisted from Boston and defended the interests of his country in that struggle. At the time of the Civil war he organized a company and was chosen captain of the command that was mustered in in 1861 as Company I, Eleventh Michigan Infantry. He rendered valuable service to the Union cause for two and a half years, after which he resigned and returned to Monroe, Michigan, where he settled on a farm. In 1865 he moved to Dexter, Michigan, where he was engaged in the marble business and there he remained until his death.
Anthony P. Chamberlain [sic] accompanied his parents on their removal from New York to Ohio and afterward to Michigan, being reared largely in the latter state. He remained there until twenty-four years of age and then came to Texas in September, 1874, making his way from Detroit, Michigan, to Dallas. He had previously learned the marble cutter’s trade in Dexter, Michigan, under the direction of his father; and sought employment in that line in the southwest. He spent the winter in Dallas and in the spring of 1875 went to Sherman, Texas, where he remained until 1879. He then went to Leadville, Colorado, where he was engaged in mining and he also did some contract work in the marble business, residing in Colorado until 1885. In that year he again became a resident of Sherman, where he was engaged in contracting and building until 1889. In October of that year he came to Denison, where he continued in the same line of business, erecting many business blocks and other important structures in the city. He was thus closely connected with its improvement and upbuilding until 1896, when he purchased a half interest in the marble works owned by Joe Cathry, of Denison. The partnership was maintained for a time and alter he purchased the interest of his partner, so that he is now sole proprietor. He conducts the plant under the name of the Denison Marble Works, the oldest established enterprise of the kind in the city. He also conducted a similar business in Sherman from 1875 until 1879, and his thorough understanding of the trade and practical workmanship enable him to capably direct the labors of those whom he employs. His business has now reached an extensive figure, for he receives and executes many orders annually, being a leading representative of this line of trade in his part of the state.
In 1877 Mr. Chamberlin was united in marriage in Sherman, Texas, to Miss Nannie Gatewood, a native of Missouri and a daughter of Colonel James Gatewood. Her father at the breaking out of the Civil war become [sic] commander of a Missouri regiment that enlisted for service in the Confederate army and was in Price’s division. Associated with George Smith he was the founder of the town of Sedalia, Missouri. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlin have been born three children: Nelson G. and William H., both born in Sherman; and Hazle T., born in Marysville, Colorado.
Mr. Chamberlin is well known in Denison and Grayson county, where for many years he has actively connected with business interests. To a student of human nature there is nothing of greater interest than to examine into the life of a self-made man and analyze the principles by which he has been governed, the methods he has pursued, to know what means he has employed for advancement and to study the plans which have given him prominence, enabling him to pass on the highway of life many who had a more advantageous start. In the history of Mr. Chamberlin there is deep food for thought, and, if one so desires, he may profit by the obvious lessons therein contained, for his success is attributable entirely to his own labors. Watchful of business opportunities and utilizing the advantages that have come to him, he has gained recognition in commercial circles as a man of capability and enterprise and has also won the substantial return of labor, of which his profitable business is today the indication.
Source: B. B. Paddock, History and Biographical Record of North and West Texas, Vol. I (Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1906), pp. 623-624.