Background
Marvin H. Chamberlain was born in Woodstock Township, Michigan in Lenawee County on November 5, 1842, the son of Philonzo Chamberlain.
Marvin H. Chamberlain was born in Woodstock Township, Michigan in Lenawee County on November 5, 1842, the son of Philonzo Chamberlain.
He attended the district school until the age of 15. In 1859-1860 he taught school in Lenawee County, and in 1860 entered Hillsdale College. After leaving Hillsdale, he taught school in Oakland County, and in 1864 moved to Detroit where he attended a commercial college.
After leaving college in 1865, Chamberlain began work for wholesale liquor company F. A. Stokes, first as a bookkeeper and then as a travelling salesman. Chamberlain expanded his business interests, and was one of the original directors of the Central Savings Bank. In 1898, Chamberlain patented a "liquid separating process" for reduction of garbage, and received the contract to collect garbage in Detroit under the company name of Detroit Liquid Separating Company
He later built similar plants in other cities.
In 1882, Chamberlain was elected to the Detroit City Council, and in 1885 served as Council president He ran for mayor on the Democratic ticket in 1883 and was defeated, but prevailed 1885 and served as mayor in 1886-1887.
Chamberlain was a delegate to the 1888 Democratic National Convention. Chamberlain was married in 1876 to Ellen Wilson of Niagara County, New New York
Chamberlain died in 1923.