CHAMBERS, H. O.

CHAMBERS, SCHAFFER, NEWLIN, VAUGHN, RECTOR

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 5/18/2004 at 16:05:51

Biography reproduced from page 293 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

H. O. Chambers owns the north half of section 11, Luverne township, Kossuth county, where he successfully engages in farming and stock-raising. That he is a man of diligence and enterprise is evidenced by the general appearance of the place and the excellent condition of the fields, buildings and stock.

Mr. Chambers is a native of Iowa, his birth having occurred in the vicinity of Des Moines, November 8, 1875, and a son of Samuel E. and Elnora (Schaffer) Chambers. The father, who was a native of Ohio, came to Iowa in early manhood and located in Polk county. He subsequently went to Nebraska, where he farmed for two years, and then returned to Iowa and established a hardware store at Mitchellville, which he conducted for three years. Disposing of his business at the end of that time he came to Kossuth county, where he again turned his attention to farming. He located on some raw land on section 10, Luverne township, and assiduously applied himself to its improvement and cultivation during the remainder of his active life. He passed away on his farm in 1892, and is buried in the cemetery at Corwith. Mr. Chambers was one of the foremost men of his community and always took an active and helpful interest in every progressive movement. He gave efficient service as township trustee and was the incumbent of this office for several years. When Mr. Steven suggested that the citizens form a literary society, Mr. Chambers heartily indorsed the plan and was one of the most enterprising workers in the organization. He also contributed liberally of both his time and money to the organization and building of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was an earnest member. He was the type of man who so carefully planned his undertakings as to be able to meet his obligations as a citizen and member of society and at the same time never neglected or permitted his private affairs to suffer for lack of attention. His farm manifested capable management and systematic supervision and not only was he recognized as a capable agriculturist, but was known as one of the most successful breeders of thoroughbred hogs in the township. Mr. Chambers was a veteran of the Civil war, having gone to the front in 1862 with Company M, Eighth Iowa Cavalry. He was promoted from the rank of private to that of corporal and was with Sherman when he made his famous march. The mother, who is also a native of Ohio, is still living and makes her home in Corwith. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Chambers, as follows: George Franklin, who resides in the vicinity of Luverne; William Penn, who lives in Corwith; Charles E., who died in 1900; H. O., our subject; Samuel Edward, who is living in Luverne; Mary Edith, the wife of H. E. Newlin, of Corwith; J. A. , who is assessor of Luverne township; Laura Belle, the wife of S. E. Vaughn; and Eva, now of Corwith, but formerly a teacher in the schools of Algona. In the paternal line the family is of Scotch and Welsh extraction, while the maternal forefathers were Pennsylvania Dutch.

H. O. Chambers passed his boyhood and youth in the same manner as the majority of lads who were reared in the country at that period. His early education was acquired in the district schools, the course there pursued being supplemented later by a period of study in the commercial college at Humboldt, Iowa. He resided on the old homestead until December, 1911, when he removed to his present farm. He has made all of the improvements on this place, including the erection of a fine modern residence and substantial barns and outbuildings, that provide ample shelter for stock and grain. Without doubt, Mr. Chambers’ most notable achievement since locating here has been the tiling of his fields. He has one quarter section with twenty-six strings of tile, strung one hundred feet apart, and the other quarter contains about twenty-seven hundred rods of tiling. During the brief period of his residence he has accomplished an unusual amount of work by reason of his systematic and well defined methods of procedure. In connection with the cultivation of his fields he has always been an extensive feeder of stock and will continued to make this his specialty, largely devoting his land to the raising of such cereals as can be used for this purpose. He has erected two complete sets of buildings on the place, making it practically two farms. Together with his brother, Charles E., Mr. Chambers enlisted in the United States army on the 16th of June, 1898, at Des Moines, Iowa, for three years. He was a member of Company A., Fifty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry and was stationed at Camp Merritt at the Presidio, San Francisco, where he contracted typhoid fever. Subsequently he was sent home on furlough and received his discharge at Fort Crook, Nebraska, January, 1899. His brother was sent on to the Philippines and participated in thirteen different engagements and was promoted to the rank of corporal. The tropical climate together with the exposure and hardships incident to camp life undermined his health, however, and he passed away in 1900.

In 1904, Mr. Chambers was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Alice Rector of Lyon county, Kansas, and they have four children, Helen Lucille, Earl Robert, Ruth Elnora and Ethel Jane.

The family attend the Fairview Methodist Episcopal church in which the parents hold membership, and Mr. Chambers, who is now one of the trustees, assisted in its building. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, having formerly been identified with a lodge at Corwith, that is now disbanded, and he also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Yeomen, both of Corwith. In politics he is a republican and served for two terms as assessor. Mr. Chambers is ranked as one of the foremost business men and agriculturists of his community, by reason of the clear judgment, foresight and sagacity he exercises in the direction of his undertakings, in which he is meeting with a gratifying measure of success.