Thomas G. Chambers, President of the First National Bank, Charleston; has been a resident of this county and city since 1838; he is a native of Cynthiana, Harrison Co., Ky.; he was 22d of January, 1816, being a son of James and Sally Chambers; he worked on a farm until the age of 18 years, when he entered a dry goods store as a clerk, and continued at that until he came to Charleston, as above stated. He followed clerking here for a time, and, in 1840, engaged in the dry goods business for himself, which he continued, with an interruption of two years, until 1866; he then established the private banking-house of T. G. Chambers & Co., and, in 1868, became President of the First National Bank. Mr. Chambers has served several terms in the City Council, but, with this exception, has never sought nor accepted public office of any kind; he has, however, been thoroughly alive to the interests of the city and county; he was one of the active organizers of the Coles County Agricultural Society – now the Coles County Board of Agriculture – and has been an officer of that society, either as Vice President, Treasurer or Director, with the exception of one year, from its organization in 1853 to the present time. On the organization of the Coles County Old Settlers’ Society in October, 1878, he was chosen President. Mr. Chambers was married March 12, 1840, to Miss Olevia Monroe, of Charleston, and has eight children living -Alice (now Mrs. J. A. Parker), Henrie, Sarah Belle (wife of D. H. Calvert), George R., William M., Maggie, Nannie and Alfred, all of whom are residents of Coles County.
