Caralyn B. Shelton [Carrie Bertha Skiff] was born in Union, Oregon in 1876 and orphaned at the age of eleven. In 1892, at the age of 16, she married her guardian John W. Shelton and moved to Portland, OR. After his death in 1894, she worked as a stenographer for the law firm of Starr, Thomas and Chamberlain. Her natural aptitude for the law and skills brought her to the attention of law partner George Chamberlain who promoted her to the position of private secretary, a business partnership that would continue for 30 years. In 1901, at Chamberlain’s suggestion she changed her name to Caralyn to reduce confusion with his daughter, also named Carrie. 

When Chamberlain was elected governor of Oregon in 1902, Caralyn took the oath of office as one of three private secretaries in his administration and moved to Salem, OR. As was customary practice for the time, given Oregon’s unusual political structure with no lieutenant governor, one of the governor’s private secretaries would step into the role of acting head of state in the absence of the governor during illness or travel. And in this role in February 1909, Caralyn found herself the first acting female governor in the interim period between the Chamberlain and Benson administrations.  

Once Governor Benson was sworn in, she submitted both her own and Chamberlain’s official resignations from office and traveled to Washington D.C. to continue her government work both as Chamberlain’s private secretary and senate clerk to the committees he worked on. After Chamberlain’s retirement from public life and a paralytic stroke that left him disabled, Caralyn agreed to a marriage of convenience that lasted for two years until his death. She died in Salem, OR on February 3, 1936, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. 

The largest portion of the collection, housed in two banker boxes, is an incomplete set of 53 pieces of Haviland Limoge China, a wedding gift used by Caralyn and second husband George E. Chamberlain. In addition, six teaspoons with the initials C.B.S. 

Personal items include one black mink muff and a matching brown mink set of a muff and stole housed in textile storage boxes. Jewelry consists of the engagement ring given to George E. Chamberlain, black onyx ring with diamond, one necklace of etched glass beads, and her childhood locket. 

Photographs are organized by formal studio portraits, postcards, and more candid shots. Images primarily include Caralyn, Skiff family members, and George Chamberlain. 

Record collection was assembled by Anne Mitchell, Skiff family member and primarily includes ephemera related to Caralyn’s service as the first female governor of a state, family correspondence, and a few Chamberlain administration items.

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Caralyn B. Shelton Collection List

Preferred Citation:

Caralyn B. Shelton Collection, Willamette Heritage Center 2019.013

Restrictions on Use:

The Caralyn B. Shelton Collection is the physical property of the Willamette Heritage Center, Salem, Oregon. Please contact the Willamette Heritage Center for information regarding specific use of this collection.

Processing Information:

Collection processed and researched by Kaylyn F. Mabey, 2019.