My Genealogy Hound

J. L. Chambers, merchant at Aurora Springs, was born in Cole County, Mo., June 3, 1836, and is the third of fifteen children born to his parents, William and Rebecca (Gouge) Chambers. The father was a merchant near Centre Town, Cole Co., Mo.; was also an extensive farmer, and owned large tracts of land at his death. He died March 6, 1870, and the mother died about 1854. J. L. Chambers was reared to a business life in his father’s store, and although he never attended school he gathered a good stock of learning from behind the counter. At the age of twenty-one he engaged as clerk in the drug store of Dr. Matthews, of Jefferson City, and then went to Russellville, where he started in business for himself by opening a general store at that place. During this time he married Miss Semerida Banister, of Ohio, and the daughter of James and Susannah (Johnson) Banister, who were old settlers of Ohio. In the fall of 1882 Mr. Chambers built a fine residence in Russellville, discontinued his business in Russellville, and opened in Aurora Springs in 1887. To his marriage were born seven children: Minnie Otie and Rosetta (both deceased), Etta May, Estella, Ivy, Dale and Gracie. Mrs. Chambers and Etta M. are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and Mr. Chambers is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is also a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge at Russellville.