The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1885-09-02
TRENTON LETTER,

zens, Col. Benjamin F. Chambers, born
years ago, son of one of our leading
citizens, Mr.. John S. Chambers, and a
grandson of the late Benjamin Fish, af-
ter whom the subject of our sketch was
named.
The families of Fish and Chambers,
are of historic memory, dating back to
the revolutionary period, the ancestors
and descendants of both clinging to this
part of the state, particularly to Mercer
county, and in that to the township of
Ewing.
Benjamin f. Chambers was lad reared
under the advantages of kind father, an
indnlgent mother, within the walls of
luxurious home and amid the society of
the most influential in the city. His
educational facilities We're among the fin
est that could be procured. He took
schooling well, was not boy inclined to
rough sport, little reserve in his general
department, aud rather select in the
choice of his companions; in a word, he
was good boy, of strong moral tendencies
and averse to tricks of scheming char
acter.
What Bonnie Chambers was when a
boy, he carried out in his manhood. He
was the same Bennie up to the day of his
death-honest, open, candid and upright
in all his dealings with his fellowmen.
Hence he carried to his grave an integrity
unexcelled by that of any other man in
the city. We may add here that the
name of Bonnie Fish and the name of
Bonnie Chambers were synonymous with
each other, that during their lives they
were seldom addressed by any other title
on the street. They made friends by this
familiar title and their memory is held all
the more sacred to this day owing to
their free acceptance of this kind.
At the age of twenty-five, Mr.. Cham
bers graduated at Princeton College, aud
three years later he was admitted to the
New Jersey Bar. During most of his
period as lawyer, he occupied an Office
on West State street, adjoining that of
Caleb s. Green, not associated, but in the
rear of the building on the second floor.
His practice was good, but not of the
pleading order; he was good Counsellor.
but did not appear often before juries;
he was attentive to his Office duties, gen.
orally found there and did considerable
business as an Attorney aud as Counsel.
Mr.. Chambers was man of many
friends and he used them all well. He
was surrounded with the familiar in
fiuences of a military, political and social
character. He was a generous, kind
hearted and sympathetic man. Very few
friends asked favor of him that was not
granted. To reasonable request he
seldom said no, but usually gave his as
sent by that familiar smile which he car
ried with him. In commercial matters
he was lenient, not harsh nor overbear-
ing. We see him now as it were, walk
ing up State street, contemplating an un-
dertaking for the good of his friends.
For five years beginning with 1878, he
was member of Co. A, 18th Regiment.
In 1878 he was appointed Judge Advocate
of Col. Angels Staff. When Lieut.. Col.
j. G. Manning became afflicted with a
bodily ailment, which prevented him
from fulfilling his duties as n Lieutenant
Colonel, Mr.. Chambers was appointed to
fill Col. Manning's place. This position
Mr.. Chambers held until Gen. Mott pro-
NOTED him to be Assistant Adjutant
General on the Division Staff, with the
rank of Colonel. This position was
held by Mr. Chambers until after the
death of Gen. Mott, when he with the
rest of the staff, resigned, which resigna-
ton was accepted. His career as mill
tary man was satisfactory to all with
whom he was connected. AS private he
was humble and submissive, and as an Of
ficer he was prompt and attentive. He
took we'll to military tactics, studied them
well and carried them out in his marches
and drilling with the boys. Co. A may
well feel proud of his memory. He was one
of their picked men as an agreeable and
sought-for companion. If he had any
enemies in this capacity it was not from
his mistakes, but from spirit of rivalry
and prejudice on the part of his opponents.
He rose rapidly in distinction as mill
tary officer.
Col. Chambers political career was one
of marked character, one worthy of
imitation on the part of those who sur
vive him as representatives of his party.
He was strong Republican, unchange-
able In principle as we'll as in his views,
generally voted straight and never went
back on those who stood by him. He
was one of the original founders of the
Young Mems Republican Association in
this city, and stood by the club in its
dark as well as in its bright days. II we
mistake not his purse string was ever
loose for the good of the party, both
local and abroad. With permission we
repeat that the Colonel was an ardent
supporter OF the Republican party, its in
terests throughout the State, at home in
Mercer county, in city municipal and
among the primaries of the Seventh Ward.
As reward to his fidelity and devotion
to the party, he received the nomination
and was elected last Fall, as an Assembly
man from the Second District, to the
State Legislature. He faithfully per
formed his duties in this capacity and
won for himself additional friends IRE.
spective of party feeling.
AS a society man Col. Chambers was a
gentleman of the highest type. 1t must
be admitted that he was little choice in
his company, which rendered him as one
of the elite of the city; he sought the
wealthy, the intelligent and the refined,
for he embraced these qualities himself
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