James P. Chambers, p. 909

JAMES P. CHAMBERS is one of the most prominent of the many successful farmers of Donegal township. The great-grandfather Chambers came from County Derry, Ireland, in 1790, and settled in Lancaster county, Penn. His wife died during the voyage, and was buried at sea. One of his sons, James Hamilton Chambers, who had settled in Virginia some time before, was the first representative of the family to land on American soil. Among the children of James Hamilton Chambers we find recorded Joseph H., a successful shoe merchant, who, in later years, turned his attention to farming, having purchased the home farm from the other heirs in Marshall county, W. Va. He was united in marriage with Rebecca Bell, a lady of American birth, and of the children born to this union our subject is the second in order of birth.

James P. Chambers was born September 30, 1825, in Marshall county, W. Va. He worked on his father's farm until the age of nineteen, and then began the carpentry business. On December 25, 1849, Mr. Chambers married Mary Porter, then purchased a valuable farm of 190 acres, one mile east of West Alexander, on which he has erected a fine dwelling and a commodious barn. To his marriage with Miss Porter seven children were born: Samantha J., the oldest daughter became, at the age of fifteen years, a successful school teacher in the district school, and continued teaching for four years, or to the date of her marriage with William G. Lewis, October 27, 1870, he being a farmer of Ohio county, W. Va. Margaret N., second in order of birth, was also a noted instructor, in music and as a successful school teacher; she began her six years of successful teaching at the age of eighteen, and married John W. Murray, real estate agent of Washington, Penn. October 14, 1875. William P. died in infancy. Mary R. died at the age of sixteen years. Laura Bell, noted for her correct instructions and powerful voice in music, married Samuel Bushfield October 2, 1879 (Mr. Bushfield is a skilled and competent workman at the carpentry business in West Alexander). James A., sixth in order of birth, residing here, has become a successful grower of fine stock. Ada M. resides with her parents.

The great-grandfather Porter was Scotch-Irish, and came from Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1791, and settled in the East. One of the sons, William, came from the East and took up 225 acres of land in West Finley township, upon which he resided until his death June 4, 1818. He and his devoted wife were successful in their many efforts, although their crops were often destroyed by the Redmen, and they had often to flee to the blockhouse for safety, leaving all their possessions at the mercy of the Indians. They had seven children. Thomas, the eldest son was our subject's father. Mr. Porter married Margaret Neal, of pure Scotch descent, who devoted her noble life to her husband and family. They resided at Pittsburgh, Penn., for a number of years, where he was foreman in a boiler foundry. As that occupation was not suited to his constitution, he left the city, came to the farm, purchased his brothers' and sisters' interests in the old homestead, and followed blacksmithing and farming. Of the seven children that blessed their union, our subject was fourth in order of birth, having been born April 14, 1825. Thomas Porter resided upon the farm until his death, March 22, 1849. Mary P., our subject, was noted as a school teacher, and was a devout and Christian woman, always the idol of her many Christian admirers.

Text taken from page 909 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).

Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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