MATHEW ROBERT CHAMBERS, Superintendent of Schools of Jo Daviess County, is a worthy representative of the liberally educated and progressive citizens of Galena. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Curwensville, Clearfield County, Dec. 27, 1849. His grandfather, Isaac Chambers, who was born in New York, removed when a young man to Pennsylvania, and became one of the original settlers of Clearfield County. He bought a tract of timber land, and soon after opened a tavern on the Philadelphia and Erie turnpike, at Curwensville, and resided there the remainder of his life. William P. Chambers, father of our subject, was born in Phillipsburg, Centre Co., Pa. He was reared in his native State, and in early life learned the trade of cabinet and spinning wheel-maker. He paid especial attention to the former business for many years, and was meanwhile engaged a part of each year in lumbering on the Susquehanna River. He is still living in his native State, and is held in high regard by his fellow-townsmen. The maiden name of his wife, mother of our subject, was Anna Dixon. She was born in Scotland and emigrated to America with her parents, James and Jane (Thompson) Dixon, who settled in Clearfield County, Pa., and there spent their remaining years. Mrs. Chambers did not live many years after her marriage, and at her death left three sons, of whom our subject was the second in order of birth. Mr. Chambers afterward contracted a second marriage with Mrs. Mary Ann Holt, and of this union six sons have been born.

The subject of our sketch was reared in his native town, and there received good educational advantages. He utilized the learning he had acquired by entering the profession of teacher when quite young. Coming to Illinois in 1866, he taught school during the winter seasons in Jo Daviess County, and worked as a farm-hand summers until he had accumulated sufficient money to further advance his education. With this object in view, he entered the seminary at Mt. Morris, from which he was graduated with a high record for scholarship in 1877. The ensuing two years Mr. Chambers had charge of a school in Lena, this State, and then studied law with Judge Spensley in Galena, serving two years while thus engaged as Deputy Sheriff. Jan. 1, 1882, he was admitted to the Illinois bar, and subsequently went to Dakota, proceeding thence to Oregon, where he engaged in the practice of his profession for a year and a half. In the fall of 1884 our subject returned to Galena, and forming a partnership with Judge Spensley, established a successful law practice. In the fall of 1886 Mr. Chambers was elected to the responsible position of County Superintendent of Schools, an office in which he has since served with signal ability, and genuine satisfaction to all concerned.

Our subject was united in marriage to Miss Mollie J. Smith in February, 1885. Of this union one child has been born, Charles C. Both Mr. and Mrs. Chambers hold a high position in the social circles of this city, and are held in universal esteem. He is eminently qualified by his superior talents and many years experience as instructor to fulfill the duties of his office, and he is devoting his time to raising the standard of the schools of the county, studying and introducing, as far as possible, the best methods of teaching advocated by the prominent educators of the country. Mrs. Chambers is a consistent and devoted member of the Baptist Church. Our subject belongs to Plum River Lodge No. 554, A. F. & A. M.; likewise is a member of Lena Chapter No. 105, and of Freeport Commandry No. 7.

The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Chambers, Isaac Smith, was of German and French ancestry. He was engaged in mercantile trade in Middleburg, and later at Selin’s Grove, Snyder Co., Pa., where his death occurred. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary M. Wittenmyer, was born of German ancestry in Middleburg, Pa., and spent the last years of her life in Lena, Ill., with her children. Isaac B. Smith, father of Mrs. Chambers, was born during the residence of his parents in Middleburg, Pa. He was reared and educated in his native township, and following the footsteps of his father, selected the mercantile business as the one by which he should maintain himself and family. He first began his career as a merchant in Selin’s Grove, Pa., but subsequently removed to Illinois and established himself in business in Lena, where he still carries on a flourishing trade. While living in the Keystone State, he was married to Miss Ann A. Snyder, who was a native of Reading, Pa. Her great-grandparents [this relationship is incorrect – should be great-great grandparents], Anthony and Maria Elizabeth Snyder, were natives of Germany, and emigrated to America in 1758, settling in Lancaster, Pa., where they spent the remainder of their days; his death occurring in 1774.

Their son Simon Snyder, great-grandfather of Mrs. Chambers, was born in Lancaster County, Pa., and after arriving at manhood, became one of its most prominent and influential citizens. He was a man of superior intellectual ability and great force of character, and ably served in the State Legislature from 1797 to 1808, resigning his position at that time to accept the office of Governor of Pennsylvania. At the expiration of his gubernatorial term of three years he was re-elected, and at the end of his second term he was again re-elected to the same office, thus serving nine consecutive years with distinction. To him belongs the honor of having been the first Governor to advocate free schools in the great State of Pennsylvania. He was a member and a stanch supporter of the old Democratic party, then known as the Republican in contra-distinction to the Federal party. After the close of his term as Governor, he was appointed and subsequently served his State as Senator. In his death, which occurred Nov. 9, 1819, Pennsylvania lost one of her most honored sons. In 1885 the State erected a monument to his memory in Selin’s Grove.

His son, Henry W. Snyder, grandfather of Mrs. Chambers, had charge for many years of the estate of Gov. Snyder; and during the late Civil War was paymaster in the army, dying while in service, at Ft. Leavenworth. The maiden name of his wife was Mary C. Smith. She was born of German parentage, in Reading, Pa., and spent her entire life there, dying in 1888.

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties, Illinois (1889)