Stephen Fowler Chadwick papersStephen Fowler Chadwick was born in Colfax, Washington, in 1894, the son of Stephen J. Chadwick, who was a judge of the Supreme Court of the state of Washington and its chief justice from 1918-1919. Stephen F. Chadwick attended schools in Colfax and Olympia, Washington, and then the University of Washington, 1911-1912. He graduated from the law school at Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia, in 1914 and from the University of Washington law school in 1915, entering the practice of law in Seattle in 1915.
Chadwick withdrew from the law practice to enter the U.S. Army in May 1917, serving with the 91st Division at Camp Lewis, Washington, and the 8th Division at Camp Fremont, California, before being assigned to the 27th Infantry American Expeditionary Forces in Siberia from August 1918 to May 1919. He was honorably discharged from the service in May 1919 and resumed his law practice in Seattle.
Chadwick was active in veteran's associations, particularly the American Legion, and helped in handling legal matters for the legion. Chadwick served as the legion's national commander from 1938 to 1939. He was also a member of the operating committee of the United Service Organization and the chair of the Council on Services to Armed Forces (United Service Organization Council) in Seattle.