Chalkley M. Valentine

Advertisements appeared in the West Chester, Pennsylvania Register & Examiner between February 26 and July 16^th, 1850^[2] inviting the public to have their likenesses taken at his dentist office on Gay Street near the intersection with Walnut Street. No other advertisements are seen beyond this year. It is not known from whom he learned the art.

Chalkley Michener Valentine was born 13^th of second month 1819 to John and Asenath Valentine of East Marlborough Township, Chester County, PA to a family of devoted Friends^[3]. He apprenticed as a printer at the Register & Examiner newspaper in West Chester under owner Joseph Painter^[4]. But after working at that trade for a few years decided to study dentistry under Mahlon Gallagher of Coatesville. After five years of professional training, he moved to West Chester to establish his business.

Chalkley Valentine was married under the care of Kennett Meeting in 1840, 30^th of twelfth month to Mary H. Painter the daughter of former boss Joseph Painter and Lydia Marshall^[5]. In the coming years the couple had four children, Lydia, Joseph, Marshall and Mary Valentine. His wife was the sister of Samuel M. Painter, who ran an abolitionist book shop in West Chester and was active in the Underground Railroad along with father-in-law John Vickers.

The first evidence of his dental office in West Chester is from an advertisement in the American Republican dated April 14, 1846, stating that his office is located on Gay Street opposite Guss’ tavern^[6]. An advertisement appearing in the February 15, 1848, Register & Examiner announced that Valentine was certified to use ether during dental surgery by the Medical Society of Wilmington, Delaware, complete with an endorsement from dentist M. Gallagher.^[7] Valentine prospered in his dental profession until his final illness.

Valentine was active in the community. As a member of the Fame Fire Company, he held the office of treasurer for over twenty years. He held a similar position in the Funeral Benefit Association. He was also a member of the Uppowoc Tribe No. 47 of the Improved Order of Red Men, whose mission was to “succor the distressed, feed the hungry and clothe the poor^[8].” He also held the office of financial secretary for the Stella Lodge, the Knights of Pythias.

Chalkley died on 20^th of Tenth month 1880^[9] at age 63. His funeral from his home on Gay Street was largely attended by the lodge members, family and friends. His obituary in The Daily Local News had this to say of his character: “Although of strong political principles, and firmly entertaining the doctrines promulgated by Friends, yet none more freely acceded to all the right to exercise their individual opinions on these subjects. His life has been a quiet unobtrusive one, full of faith, hope and charity, and therefore his transfer and elevation was quiet, easy, happy.”^[10] He was buried in Green Mount Cemetery, West Chester.^[11]

©Pamela C. Powell, 2019