Although a young man Thomas F. Chamberlain has won his way to a
responsible position in financial circles of Macoupin county, and as
cashier of the First National Bank of Brighton is a growing factor in
the development of the community. He is a native of Greenville, Bond
county, Illinois, and was born October 3, 1878, a son of James W. and
Martha R. (Lynch) Chamberlain. The father was born in Greenville, March
29, 1857. The grandfather, Thomas Chamberlain, was a native of Ohio and
the grandmother was born in Kentucky. They settled at Greenville in the
’40s and were among the prominent pioneers of that section. The parents
of our subject are still living and reside on the home farm, two miles
north of Greenville. The father has been connected with farming for many
years but has resided on the homestead for only six years past. He is a
molder by trade and was formerly employed in the car shops at Litchfield
and Mount Vernon.
Thomas F. Chamberlain received his early
education in the public schools and possessed advantages of attendance
for one year at the Greenville high school. At the age of fourteen he
began working in the car shops at Mount Vernon and soon afterwards,
while assisting his father in the foundry, he began the study of
shorthand which he carried forward in a night school. After gaining a
good acquaintance with stenography he entered the employ of W. A.
Northcott, who was then head consul for the Modem Woodmen of America and
is now United States district attorney. Mr. Chamberlain continued in the
employ of Mr. Northcott for seven years, at the end of which time he
accepted a position as secretary to F. J. V. Skiff, director of exhibits
at the St. Louis’ Exposition, and continued with Mr. Skiff until the
close of the exposition. He then became secretary to J. C. Van Blarcom,
president of the National Bank of Commerce of St. Louis, one of the most
important financial institutions in the west. He remained in the employ
of Mr. Van Blarcom until the death of the latter, in August, 1908. In
April, 1909, Mr. Chamberlain came to Brighton and associated with a
number of the leading citizens in organizing the First National Bank of
this city. A meeting was called to consider the organization of the bank
on Saturday afternoon and on Monday morning following, less than
thirty-six hours after the movement started, thirty-five thousand
dollars was subscribed. As only twenty-five thousand dollars was called
for, it was necessary to refuse subscriptions to the amount of ten
thousand dollars. Under able management the bank is now well established
and is one of the flourishing concerns of Macoupin county. A large share
of the credit for the success of this undertaking is due to the energy
and ability of Mr. Chamberlain who has proved thoroughly qualified for
the responsible position he has filled ever since the bank was opened.
In 1899 he was married to Miss Gertrude J. Thompson, of
Greenville, and to this union three children have been born, two of whom
survive, Thomas F., Jr., and Gertrude. Politically Mr. Chamberlain
adheres to the republican party and has taken an active interest in its
success, having served as a member of the county executive committee in
1910. He is a member of Hibbard Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; Brighton Lodge No.
366, I. O. O. F.; Greenville Lodge, K. O. T. M.; and Brighton Camp No.
1688, M. W. A. He and his wife are identified with the Methodist
Episcopal church, in which he is an active worker, being at the present
time superintendent of the Sunday school. As is indicated above, he is
an unusually busy man. He is prompt and efficient in everything to which
he gives his attention and, as he possesses good judgment and clear
discrimination, he decides questions arising in his business quickly and
correctly. His early training under acknowledged leaders has proved to
him of inestimable value and the progress he has made in the financial
world is a bright prophecy of larger honors and rewards in years to
come.
Extracted 18 Oct 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 150-151.
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