CLASS OF 1883
Burt Chelis died at the Deaconess Hospital, Boston, December 31, 1918.
He was a son of Freeman S. and Lorinda C. Chellis, and was born in Claremont, N. H., September 19, 1860, and fitted for college in the Stevens High School of Claremont, with his brother and classmate, Rush Chellis. He was a member of Psi Upsilon.
Immediately after graduation he began the study of law at Claremont in the office of Hermon Holt '70. He was admitted to the bar in August, 1886, and Soon began practice in Claremont. In 1908 he removed to Los Angeles, Cal., and continued in practice there, but four years ago returned to Claremont.
A local newspaper says: "He was a member of Sullivan Commandery, Knights Templar, and was a 32d degree Mason. He represented Claremont in the legislature one term, and was county solicitor six years. He was interested in the formation here of the first National Guard Company, which was named Chellis Rifles in his honor. He was chairman of the committee that built the present town building. In church matters he was a member of the Congregational body. During all his active years he was deeply interested in a wide variety of business enterprises. He possessed in a high degree the old-fashiosed Yankee gift of shrewd trading, and the turnover of personal property and real estate appealed to him. It is impossible to mention more than a home builder. As the town's industries increased in importance, he was quick to note the need of more; homes for workingmen. He opened up outlying trade, built dwellings, and remodeled old buildings for modern use. There are scores of homes in Claremont today that had their inception in his fertile brain. The addition that he has thus made to the taxable valuation of the town is very large. His last work in this direction was in Various improvements on Broad Street. On Pleasant Street stands an uncompleted business block in which he was interested at the time of his death. His marriage to Esther A. Hubbard of Claremont took place June 20, 1900. She survives him.
