My Genealogy Hound

William M. Chambers, postmaster at Wixom, Commerce township, Oakland County, and one of the members of the well known general hardware firm of Chambers Brothers, was born in Lyon township, Oakland County, Michigan, in 1848, and is a son of Abram F. and Lucetta M. (Parks) Chambers, the former of whom was born in Livingston County, New York, in 1822, the eighth member in his parents’ family of nine children. In 1836 he accompanied his parents to Michigan, where they took up land in Hartland township, Livingston County, later moving to Lyon township, Oakland County, where he was married. He then spent one year in Ohio, after which he married to Ionia, being all the time engaged in farming. Thence he moved back to Hartland, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1857 he moved to a farm near Wixom and in 1877 retired to Wixom, where he died December 25, 1901, aged 79 years.

Our subject is the eldest of the family of three sons born to his parents, the others being: John C., who was married to Mary Smith, who is a daughter of Sidney Smith, of Clio, Michigan, and they have two children, — Florence and Harry — and James B., who was married to Ada M. Chapman, a daughter of George Chapman of Milford township, — she died in 1886.

William M. Chambers was reared on a farm and in 1877, in association with his brother James B., secured land of their father, which they jointly farmed until 1880. They then embarked in a foundry business at Wixom, their principal output being plows, in which business they continued for 15 years. In 1895 they established their present large general hardware store, where they carry a complete stock of stoves and all kinds of general hardware. The business is one of the features of commercial life in the village.

Mr. Chambers has taken a lively interest in public matters and in politics and has been one of the leading Republicans in Commerce township. He was appointed postmaster at Wixom, November 25, 1887, and that he has been continued in office until the present time speaks well for his efficiency and popularity.

In 1871 Mr. Chambers was married to Alice A. Chapman, who is a daughter of George Chapman. Three children were born to this marriage, namely: Flora May, who married G. B. Proud of Commerce township, and has two children, Frances M. and Lucetta; George, who died in 1890, at the age of 18 years; and John E., a telegraph operator, residing in South Lyon, who was married to Florence Daniels. Fraternally Mr. Chambers belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees.