- HENRY B. CHAMBERS, cigar manufacturer of Beloit, Wis., was
born in Lancaster County, Pa.,
- on the 12th day of July, 1839, and is a son of John and Annie
(HENRY) CHAMBERS. The father was a native of Ireland, but when
a young lad came with his mother to America, settling in Lancaster
County, Pa., where he was reared to manhood and Married Hiss
HENRY. Their union was blessed with a family of seven children:
Catherine, who is now the wife of Henry REIGART, a resident of
Clinton Junction, Wis.; Bell died in girlhood; Benjamin died
in early life; Mary wedded Benjamin WITMAN, and both died in
Pennsylvania; Annie is the wife of Herman GRIFFITH, whose home
is in Fort Scott, Kan.; Henry B. is the next in order of birth;
Bell wedded Myron GRIFFITH, of Black Hawk County, Iowa. Mr. CHAMBERS,
the father of these children, departed this life in 1841. Several
years after his death, Mrs. CHAMBERS, accompanied by her family,
emigrated to Wisconsin and purchased land in Turtle Township,
Rock County, where she resided for several years. Her death occurred
in Clinton Junction about ten years ago. Mr. and Mrs. CHAMBERS
were communicants of the Presbyterian Church, and were held in
high esteem for their many excellencies of character.
- Our subject was reared to manhood in his native county, and
received education in the common
- schools. At the age of nine years he was apprenticed to the
trade of cigar making, serving a term of three years. The first
year he was to receive fifty cents per week, the second year
$1.50 per week, the third year $3, and the fourth year $4 per
week. Out of this small sum he clothed himself, boarding at home.
He remained in the East until 1855, when he emigrated to Wisconsin,
accompanied by his brother-in-law, and located at Clinton Junction,
where he remained until his mother came West, when they removed
to a farm near that town. For twelve years he followed farming,
after which he came to Beloit, where he was employed by KENDALL
& PURVES for a time. He then secured the position of foreman
in the shop of P. H. CRANE, where he remained for a period of
nine years, when he established his present business. He has
been very successful in the enterprise, and is one of the leading
tobacco dealers of Rock County.
- In 1874 Mr. CHAMBERS was united in marriage with Miss Ella
WEBB, a daughter of Albert
- WEBB, of Beloit, one of the pioneers of this county. By their
union four children have been born - Arthur, Annie, James and
May Bell, all yet living. Politically, Mr. CHAMBERS is a Republican,
and a staunch supporter of the party principles. He is a careful
and enterprising business man, and one of the progressive citizens
of Beloit.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 406-407.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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