CHAMBERS, John D. 1820-

CHAMBERS, WOODWARD, DUNCAN

Posted By: Kathy Pike
Date: 4/13/2018 at 16:50:14

John D Chambers, one of the proprietors of the town site of the town of West Mitchell, located in Mitchell Co. Iowa in 1854.

He was born in Sharon, Windsor Co. Vt., in 1820 where he grew to manhood and received a common school education. At the age of 12 he went to live with an uncle on the farm, remaining there until he was sixteen years of age, then commenced clerking in a store, which he continued until 1845 at which time he removed to Janesville, Wis., where he engaged in a general mercantile business in company with Stoughton & Lawrance. He remained in Janesville during the summer then went to Cooksville and established a branch mercantile house, where he remained until 1856.

Mr. Chambers, in company with G.E. Newman came to Mitchell in the spring of 1854. The land came into market in September of that year, and the land on which West Mitchell now stands was entered the same year in the name of Mr. Newman, Mr. Chambers furnishing the money.

In June 1855 they built a sawmill. In 1856 Mr. Chambers bought out the interest of Mr. Newman, and afterwards in company with John F. English built the grist mill. In 1866 Mr. Chambers disposed of his mill interests and the next year engaged in the hardware business with J.P. Miller. This partnership continued until 1872 when Aaron Wood purchased the interest of Mr. Miller and the firm became Chambers & Wood. In 1877 Mr. Chambers sold out to Mead Wood and since going out of business he has devoted his time to looking after his farm interests.

Mr. Chambers was married twice. His first wife was Harriet H. Woodward, a native of Vermont. They were married in 1847 and had four children- Nellie D., now Mrs. C.H. Cale; Ida A., now Mrs. A.D. Smith; George H., deceased; and Frederick W. His first wife died in June, 1865.

His second wife was Frances J. Duncan, to whom he was married in 1867. She was a native of Windsor, Vt.

SOURCE: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties Iowa - Pages 362-363