Biography - Jacob S. Chambers
JACOB S. CHAMBERS. A retired merchant, he was born in Addison County, VT on
14 March 1816, the son of Matthew and Hannah (Smith) Chambers, the former born
in New Hampshire, the latter in Vermont. Jacob was educated in the common and
select schools of his native state. He began the mercantile pursuit in his
boyhood and continued in it until 1868. His father, Matthew Chambers purchased
property in Galesburg with the colony, and erected the second store in the
place. He settled however in Knoxville where he remained several years, then
came to Galesburg where he died in 1869. Jacob went from Knoxville to Whiteside
County, but finally settled in Altona, and opened the first store in town. After
successfully conducting his business there for a number of years he came to
Galesburg where he now lives, retired. On 28 Sept 1857 he married Amanda M.
Parsons who is the mother of three children living and one dead. He is a member
of the First Church. He is a Republican. He was for several years Supervisor and
filled the office of Road Commissioner in Walnut Grove Twp.
Contributed by Joan Achille, extracted from the 1878 History of Knox County,
Illinois published by Charles C. Chapman.
