James H Chambers

CHAMBERS

Posted By: Tina Keister (email)
Date: 11/26/2005 at 16:35:24

James H Chambers, superintendent of public schools, Boone county; the subject of this sketch was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, on the 8th day of Jan 1841, and at the age of seven his parents removed to Schuyler county, New York, where he received his early education; when seventeen years of age he came to Wester county, this State, and engaged in teaching for one year; he then went to Livingston county, Missouri, and there follwed his profession till 1860; he then spent a few months in Kansas, and from there went to Mason county, Illinois, remaining till 1861, when he enlisted in company K of the Seventeenth Illinois infantry, and was mustered in to the United States service the following May, and that summer was with the regiment in Missouri, and participated in the battles of Frederickstown, Ft. Donaldson and Shiloh, April 6th, where he received three severe wounds, one of which cut off three fingers from his left hand; he was then taken to Pittsburgh, remaining till the last of June, and was then conveyed to Schuyler county, New York, and in the following Oct he went as far as Louisville, Ky, but was unable to get back to his regiment and was discharged on account of disability, Nov 11, 1862; he then returned to McDonough county, Illinois, where he attended high school for one year, which he supplemented with a course at Central college, of Abingdon, this State, and since he has devoted his time to teaching; he came to this county in 1865, and for the last nine years has taught in this place; in the fall of 1879 he was elected superintendent of the public schools of the county; there are lives more sensational in their career but none confer greater benefit on society or is more honored than the successful self-made; to the most thorough qualifications as an instructor he adds untiring energy in the discharge of his official duties; we cannot close this sketch better than by saying that Mr. Chambers' life is an eminent example of what every young man can accomplish who has the energy and determination of character sufficient to follow persistently and one line of action which duty and a clear judgement may mark out for him; Mr. C had two brothers who lost their lives in the late war: Mn. C enlisted in company E Third Iowa infantry; was killed Jackson, Mississippi; Lee Grand enlisted in the Twenty- fourth New York cavalry, and died from the effects of wounds received at Petersburgh.

Bio from the 1880 Boone co history book pg. 560/561