The Grinnell (IA) Herald; Dec. 5, 1922

MRS. CHAMBERLAIN DIES

After many weeks of weakness and illness Mrs. Eliza A. Chamberlain, widow of Rev. Joshua M. Chamberlain, one of the pioneer builders of Grinnell College and of Grinnell, passed peacefully away Saturday evening at her home on Park street.

Mrs. Chamberlain's maiden name was Eliza Ann Herrick. She was the daughter of Rev. Stephen Leonard Herrick, a Congregational pastor of churches in Vermont and for many years in Crown Point, New York.

She was born December 1, 1825, in Milton, Vermont, but most of her youth was spent in Crown Point, New York.

In 1846 she graduated from Mount Holyoke Seminary, having had the great privilege of being for two years a pupil of its remarkable principal, Miss Mary Lyon.

After graduation from Mount Holyoke Seminary Mrs. Chamberlain taught for three years in Steubenville Seminary, Steubenville, Ohio, and for one year in the state of New York.

November 20th, 1851, she was married to Charles Franklin Dike and they established their home in Crown Point, remaining there until 1868 when they moved to Crystal Lake, Illinois.

Mr. Dike died in 1875.

During the next few years she spent part of her time in Grinnell at the home of her sister, Mrs. Wyatt and some of the time with friends in Dundee, Illinois.

July 20th, 1880, she married Rev. Joshua M. Chamberlain who was the business manager for Iowa College.

Mr. Chamberlain died in the autumn of 1897. After her marriage to Mr. Chamberlain her home was continuously in Grinnell except for several winters passed on the Pacific coast.

The cyclone of 1882 totally destroyed the family residence which occupied the site on which Mears Cottage now stands. Since 1887 the family has lived in the present home on Park street.

Mrs. Chamberlain joined the Congregational church of Grinnell in 1878 and during many years was active in its work. She served for several years as one of its deaconesses and was long an officer of the"Benevolent Society" of the church. She was also deeply interested with her husband in college activities and in other community welfare.

Her father and mother, Rev. and Mrs. S.L. Herrick, and her sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Wyatt, had joined the Grinnell colony in 1856 and a few years later her brother, Mr. Henderson Herrick, moved to Grinnell so that from its earliest history Mrs. Chamberlain cherished a personal interest in the town. She was always hospitable in her own home and helpful in the development of this city. For a number of years she was a member of the Historical and Literary Club, also a devoted member of the Elizabeth Earle Magoun club.

Mrs. Chamberlain never had any children of her own but she took to her heart Mr. Chamberlain's little daughter and was a true mother to her through the ensuing years of her life.

Her last breakdown came three weeks ago and she passed away without suffering in unconscious sleep, Saturday evening, December 2.

Because of illness and residence at a great distance none of her own family could be present at the time of her last illness, death or burial. She leaves as family friends who honor her memory one brother, Mr. S.H. Herrick, of Riverside, Calif., three nieces, Mrs. Lida Herrick Lane, of Olympia, Calif., Mrs. Anna Wyatt Chapman of Dundee, Ill., Mrs. Agnes Wyatt Brown, of Pasadena, Calif., and her step-daughter, Mary Chamberlain of Grinnell.

"The beckoning of a Father's hand
we follow,
His Love alone is there." --Edward Sill.

Funeral services were held at 10 o'clock this morning at the Chamberlain home, conducted by Rev. E.W. Cross who at the close of his remarks read Tennyson's "Crossing the Bar," a poem to which Rev. Mr. Chamberlain had been greatly attached and which was read at his funeral. Miss Helen Schmeltz sang the beautiful hymn, "Abide With Me."

Private burial services will be held at Hazelwood cemetery at 4 o'clock this afternoon. The pall bearers will be Geo. H. Hamlin, Dr. J.R. Lewis, S.J. Pooley, W.S. Sanders, Professor W.S. Hendrixson and Professor E.B.T. Spencer.