Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1884-05-15
DEATH OF HON. RE. CHAMBERS.
The Grim Reaper Cuts Down Another
of the Leading Members Of the
Belmont County Bar.

shining mark, been forced upon US.
Another of the most distinguished citi-
zens of this community, has been gath
cred. in by the reaper, Death. Only d
few short days ago, Hon. Robert L.
Chambers, was apparently one of the
most able-bodied men in our midst, but
IN few Urief hours he has passed from
sight forever.
On Wednesday morning of last week,
although complaining of rheumatism
somewhat, he was upon the street and
conversed pleasantly with friends, not
Imagining that his illness was of seri-
Gus uature. Later in the day he went
10 his rooms and to bed, from which he
never rose, and on Monday evening at
half past six o'clock, the disease having
gone to the heart, the summons came,
and the community was Immediately
after ward shocked and panied to hear
that he was dead.
Judge Chambers was a man beloved
by very wide circle of friends, and
probably there is no one who could be
borne. to his final resting place from this
community who will be so much missed.
Judge Chambers was a man of great
force of character. which left its impress
was bold, aggressive and powerful. As
4 citizen, he had d strong attachment for
the community and its people, and was
active in promoting its interests. He
vas patron of education and took a
deep interest in the success of the COM
mon schools, especially the st. Clairs-
Vile schools, of which he was a useful
officer for several years; he was an or
nament to society and an honor to his
profession, and his death cannot be but
universally regretted.
From the Biographical Cyclopadia of
Ohio, we CLEAN lhe fUilOwings facts con-
cerning his life: He was of Scotch
Irish extraction, his grandfather having
emIgrated from the north OF Scotland in
l79S. settling in Pennsy lvania. About
1900 the Chambe family removed IL
Jefferson county, near Mt. Pleasant,
from which place VIM. Chambers, the
father of the subject OF this sketch, pur-
chased and removed to a farm near ST.
Glairsyille, where Robert Z. Chambers
was born, and spent his bOyhoOd days Gil
the farm, remaining at home until be
attained his majority. His educational
advantages were only such as were
afforded IN the common schools; being
desirouS of obtaining classic education,
he entered Franklin college, from which
institution he graduated in 1858, and
aflerward, in 1873, he was hOnUred with
the degree of Doctor of Laws. From
1858 to 1858 he taught school, the last
two years being pri 1cipal of the st.
ClairsvIlle Schools. In 1858 he began
the study of law with Hon. Wm. Ken
ho h..r j.,
1860. In 1861 be was made the candidate
of the Democratic party for State Sena-
tor, but failed of election, his successful
competitor being Hon. Isaac Welsh,
late treasurer of the State of Ohio
In 1862 he was, elected to the lower
house of the Ohio Legislature, to fill
vacancy OccasiOned by the resignation
of Hon. w. 5. Kennon. In 1870 he was
nominated by the Democracy of the old
10th Ohio District for Congress, in oppo-
sition to Hon. John A. Bingham, now
L. 5. Minister TO japan, but was defeat
ed by small majority. In 1871, having
taken leading position at the bar, he
was nominated. without solicitation on
his part, by the Democratic party for
common pleas judge in the second sub
division of the Sth Judicial District of
Ohio, composed of the counties of Bel
mont and Monroe, and was elected.
which position he held for five years,
during which time he gained a reputa-
ton for peculiar accuracy in the con-
struction and application of the law.
At ten o'clock on Wednesday, in ac-
cordance with the arrangements of the
bar, the body, which was encased in a
oil al alv OF vii hos
silver trimmings, which was furnished
by Barrett & Davis, was removed to the
court room. Upon the casket was a
Miss Emma E. Turk.
The body while it lay in state here
was viewed by hundreds of people, many
of whom could not withhold tears to the
memory of the departed jurist.
A little before noon, the casket was
removed to the parlors of the st. Clair
Hotel. where funeral services were held
at o'clock, the Rev. Robert Alexadeer
officiating Rev. DR.. Minor read a por-
ton of Scripture, and Rev. W. NJ
Grimes offered ferveLt prayer, and
brief and appropriate remarks were
made by Revs. Thomas Balph, Grimes,
Minor and Alexander
Friends and neighbors we're then Civ
en- an opportunity to look for the last
time upon the face of the distinguished
dead, the coffin was borne to the hearse,
and the solemn procession moved to
Union cemetery, where the remains
were deposited to await the resurrection
morn.
AS mark of respect to the memory
IF Judge Chambers, who was former
member of the board of education, and
teacher in the schools, the board of
education directed the closing of the
schools on the day of his funeral.
BAR PROCEEDINGS.
AT meeting of the Belmont county
oar Tuesday, at o'clock p. n., called to
take appropriate action regarding the
death of Judge Robert Z. Chambers, on
motion of r. NJ. Eaton, Esq., Hon. w. s |
Kennon was chosen chairman. R. NJ. |
EATON was appointed secretary.
On motion of Hon. l.. DanfOrd, the |
following committee on resolutions
was appointed by the chair, viz: Hon. |
l.. Danford, Peter Tallman, Isaac NJ. |
Riley, n. K. Kennnon and j. w. Shan
non.
On motion of A. H. Mitchell, Esq. a !
committee of arrangements was appoint |
ed by the chair, as follows: A H. Mitch
ell, John Pollock, c. w. Carroll, E. T. |
Petty, NJ. 5 Wilson; after which the
meeting adjourned until 10 o'clock on
Wednesday.
Pursuant to adjournment, the bar re-
convened at 10 o'clock Oh "Wednesday |
morning, and the committee of arrange
ments reported as follows:
Watches were selected, who remained |
with the body during the night.
Ordered that the body of our deceased
brother be taken by the pail bearers ac
compaRied by the bar, to the court room
on the morning of May 14th, to lie in
state until noon, and then be taken t.
the ST. Clair hotel, where the funeral
services will take place at O'Clock p. IN.
That the bar, with the officers of The