Early Life
Champlin was born in Kingston, New York, a son of Jeffrey Clarke Champlin (1798–1872) and his wife Allis Ellen (1804–73). He received his initial education at local public schools, and then he attended the academy at Rhinebeck in Dutchess County for a single term. In 1842 Champlin began studying medicine at Harperfield in Delaware County, and by 1845 a he had a medical practice located at Warwarsing in Ulster County. Champlin decided in 1848 to give up working as a physician, and by 1849 he was studying to become a lawyer. He attended the law school at Balston Spa for two terms, and in 1850 he continued his studies in Kingston, New York. Also that year Champlin was admitted to the New York state bar association, and in 1850 started a law practice in Albany, New York.
On January 1, 1851, Champlin married Mary E. Smedes at the town of Wawarsing in Ulster County. The couple had at least one child together, a son named Alexander. During 1853 he relocated his family to Grand Rapids, Michigan. There Champlin created a law partnership with Lucius Patterson, and in 1856 he was elected a judge of the Recorder’s Court of Grand Rapids for two years service. He was also active in the Michigan state militia, and on April 22 he was elected a captain in the Grand Rapids Light Artillery (“Ringgolds” Light Artillery.) During 1857 he began a new law partnership, this time with Harry Yale. In February 1858 Champlin was elected a major of the Grand River Battalion. That fall he was elected the Prosecuting Attorney for Kent County.
Read more about this topic: Stephen Gardner Champlin
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