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Author: ClaraJacobson
Surnames:
Classification: obituary
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http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.chambers/4025/mb.ashx
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The Mason County Journal, Friday, April 24, 1908
Shelton, Mason, WA
A. J. Chambers Passes Away
Andrew Jackson Chambers, the oldest pioneer in the state of Washington, died at his home
on Chambers' prairie Saturday morning. He was stricken with paralysis Tuesday morning
and two days after pneumonia set in, and he rapidly grew worse until the end.
Mr. Chambers was 82 years of age, and up to his last illness was very vigorous and active.
He was born in 1825 in Indiana, his mother being a cousin of Andrew Jackson, for whom he
was named. The family came to the Pacific coast in 1845. The party consisted of nine
prairie schooners and 60 head of cattle. They settled about six miles from what is now
Oregon City.
Mr. Chambers was one of the few persons who completed the first wagon road around Mud
mountain, near Chehalis, and he helped construct the first road from the falls of the
Deschutes river to Chambers prairie, which at that time, instead of being in Thurston
county, was part of Lewis county, Oregon In 1847 the family moved to Chambers'
prairie, where they have resided ever since. In 1849, when the gold rush set in for
California, Mr. Chambers, followed it and remained about three years.
He was one of the first persons in the state to take out a land grand of 850 acres under
the donation act of 1850. Mr. Chambers was active in the Indian Wars and did much toward
protecting the settlers around his place.
He was married to Margaret White, who still survives him, though she has been an invalid
for many years.
Out of the Chambers family which crossed the plains, there are still living, McLane
Chambers of Roy, Wash., Thomas Chambers of North Yakima, and Mrs. Mary Dougherty of
Tacoma.
Mr. Chambers was the father of five daughters, who are Mrs. Jacob Hunsaker of Everett,
Mrs. Wm. Calhoun of Seattle, Mrs. A. A. Denny of Seattle, Mrs. George Talcott of Olympia,
and Mrs. C. Hoskins
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