David Chambers, a thriving agriculturist of Cobleskill N. Y., owning and occupying a well-improved farm of one hundred and sixteen acres on the Carlisle road, about three miles from the village of Cobleskill, is one of the town's most respected citizens. He was born January 11, 1837, in Carlisle, being a son of William Chambers, who was born in the same town, June 2, 1810. His paternal grandfather, David Chambers, first, was born and reared in Charlton, Saratoga County, whence he removed in 1800 to Carlisle, Schoharie County. Purchasing three hundred acres of heavily timbered land, Grandfather Chambers began the improvement of a homestead, on which he subsequently resided until his death.
William Chambers was one of a family of ten children born in the old log house which his father reared in the forest, and in common with his brothers and sister's was educated in the pioneer school of the district. Soon after attaining his majority he purchased land near the old homestead in Carlisle, and was there successfully engaged in tilling the soil until 1848. In that year he sold his property in Carlisle, and, going to Cherry Valley in Otsego County, bought a farm that he owned till his death, which occurred on April 22, 1899. He carried on general farming until 1890. From that time on he lived retired from active pursuits, at the home of one of his sons in Decatur, not far from Cherry Valley. He was a strong Republican in politics and a member of the Christian church, to which his good wife also belonged. Her maiden name was Betsey Salisbury. She was born in Carlisle, and was a daughter of James Salisbury, formerly of Albany County. She died at the age of seventy-five years. Of her eight children these six are still living: Mary, David, James, Norman, Stewart, and Elizabeth.
David Chambers completed his education at the Cherry Valley High School, and afterward, until he was twenty-three years old, assisted his father in the labors of the home farm. He then married, February 15, 1860, Catherine M. Richtmyer, daughter of Christian Richtmyer, a farmer of Cobleskill. Mr. Richtmyer was born, and he lived and died, on the farm which Mr. Chambers now occupies, and which he has managed to good purpose ever since his marriage, now thirty-nine years ago. He carries on general farming, raising principally hops and hay, although he has other crops, and pays some attention to raising sheep of the Shropshire breed. He has on his place a fine grove of maple-trees, from which he makes considerable sugar each season. The original owner of this homestead was Conrad Richtmyer, Mrs. Chambers's grandfather, who was one of the first settlers of the town, coming here with his family when his son Christian was about three years old. This son succeeded to the ownership of the paternal acres, and here reared his two children — one son, Elias, and one daughter — Mrs. Chambers being the only survivor. Mr. and Mrs. Chambers have one child, Florence. She is the wife of Adam J. Karker, and has four children — Orrin C., Blanche M., Lloyd D., and Myra A. Mr. Karker and his family reside with Mr. and Mrs. Chambers, and he assists in the management of the homestead property, although he has a fine farm of his own near by.
In politics Mr. Chambers has always affiliated with the Republican party, which is in the minority in this section of the State, and he has the distinction of being the only Supervisor elected on that ticket in Schoharie County for thirty years. He held the office in the years 1894 and 1895, being elected by a majority of forty-three votes in a town whose Democratic majority was usually three hundred. He attends and liberally supports the Dutch Reformed church, of which Mrs. Chambers is a member.