My Genealogy Hound

HARRISON CHAMBERLAIN is recognized as one of the most enterprising business men of Seneca Falls. He has been connected with its industries for many years, and in all his undertakings has been successful, being at the present time proprietor of the National Yeast Factory, Director of the Exchange National Bank, owner of the Seneca Falls Woolen Mills (now leased to Hugh Sheridan), also of two flouring-mills, besides other valuable property, including two farms in the town of Seneca Falls, and one in Fayette. His fine dwelling on Cayuga Street is a model of convenience and comfort. He was born in the town of Seneca Falls, January 12, 1837, and is third in a family of nine children born to Jacob P. and Catharine (Kuney) Chamberlain, the former a native of Massachusetts, and the latter of New York. John Chamberlain, the grandfather of our subject, was also a native of Massachusetts, of English descent, his ancestors emigrating from England at a very early day.

Jacob P. Chamberlain moved from Cortland, N. Y., to Waterloo, then to the town of Varick, where he taught school a number of years, and where he bought and operated a farm. While living in Varick, he married Catharine Kuney, a daughter of Frederick Kuney, who was of German descent. Subsequently he moved to a farm in Seneca Falls, and soon after, becoming interested in the industries of the village, moved here and made it his home until the time of his death, in the fall of 1878.

Harrison Chamberlain was reared on the home farm, and received his primary education in the public schools of the village of Seneca Falls. Later he attended Mynderse Academy, pursuing the academical course, and then entered Genesee College, in Livingston County, from which he was graduated in 1859. Returning to his home in Seneca Falls, he assisted his father, who was then proprietor of the Phoenix Woolen Mills, and continued with him until 1864, when his father sold the mill. He then took his father’s interest in the large flouring-mill, and in connection carried on a wholesale business in flour until the mills burned. Rebuilding the mill, he continued to operate it until 1878, when he disposed of his interest and took entire charge of the business of the National Yeast Company, which was established in July, 1870, its projector being Henry Seymour, who for many years was engaged in trade in Seneca Falls. Having been connected with a distillery in early life, and gaining a knowledge of fermentation, Mr. Seymour experimented considerably in manufacturing yeast cakes before opening his factory, discovering a formula which secured marvelous results in the leavening properties of the yeast cake, and the length of time this element was retained in the product.

Advanced in years, Mr. Seymour could not put the energy in the business necessary, and so induced his son-in-law, Mr. Chamberlain, to enter the business as a partner, the firm becoming Seymour & Chamberlain. The latter gave vigor to the business, and within a few months the facilities of the factory were entirely inadequate to fill the demand for the product. October 1, 1870, location was secured, and in twenty days from that date a brick building, 32x80 feet, three stories high, besides basement, together with a wing 18x32 feet, of same height, was erected. The business of the firm increased rapidly, and other additions to the building were made, yet the demand taxed the facilities to their utmost. A slight falling off in the demand was occasioned by the general depression of 1876-77, but in 1878, when Mr. Chamberlain again assumed active management of the business, increased sales continued up to 1890, when a precarious condition of trade faced all manufacturers of dry-hop yeast. The Vienna, or soft, yeast, even before this, very largely controlled the city consumption, and, being quick and convenient in its action, had acquired a powerful hold. Its success had encouraged the investment of large capital by others, and soon there were several other large companies on the market with a similar soft east.

The dry-hop yeast, though in many respects producing a better bread, could not meet this competition, and as a result it has been largely forced out of the field. The only prospect of revival, or of continuing the trade, depends on the success of experiments that shall demonstrate the practicability of uniting in this form of fermentation the excellent qualities of the dry-hop with the quick and immediate action of the soft yeast.

Mr. Chamberlain is the owner of the large woolen-mills here, which he leases to Hugh Sheridan, and he also owns two malthouses and a storehouse. He assisted in the organization of the Exchange National Bank of Seneca Falls, and was its President for five years. This bank is the successor of the National Exchange Bank, which in February, 1885, decided to go out of business. On the 25th of February of that year, the bank building was purchased at auction by Mr. Chamberlain for $28,050. The bank was then re-organized, with Mr. Chamberlain as President, and it has enjoyed prosperity during its entire existence, being regarded as the leading bank of the county. Although retired from the Presidency, he still retains his stock, and is one of the Directors of the bank.

In 1868 Mr. Chamberlain married Miss Ophelia G. Seymour, a daughter of Henry and Susan Seymour, of Seneca Falls. To them were born four children, two sons and two daughters, namely: John P.; Willis T., who died in 1886; Mary D. and Alice F. In politics Mr. Chamberlain is a stanch Republican, taking an active part in political affairs, and for several years was a member of the Republican State Committee. Upon all subjects of general interest Mr. Chamberlain is well versed.