SMILEY NEWTON CHAMBERS was born in the village of Edwardsport, Knox Co., Ind., March 18, 1845. His father's family were among the pioneers of the county; his great-grandfather, Alexander Chambers, having moved into Knox County shortly after the close of the Revolutionary war. Of his family there were a number of children who settled in Knox and adjoining counties and became useful and influential citizens, one of the sons, Joseph Chambers, filling many offices of the public trust. He was a strong, pure, intelligent man, whose influence is still felt in the county. Our subject's mother was of a family as strong, physically and mentally, as that of the father, and although not so early in the county, have aided largely in its development. Her name was Rachael Keith, and the family moved from Kentucky to this State about 1820. His parents were married in 1838 And soon after settled at Edwardsport, where the father, Alexander Chambers, engaged in the milling business. This venture proved disastrous, and soon after they moved upon a farm in Widner Township, which they developed and improved, and where they died in the year 1866, leaving behind these children: Nancy A., Elliott, Lottie C., Johnson and Smiley N. They received the best education afforded by the public schools of the county. Soon after the death of his parents Smiley N. entered the college at Alton, Ill., where he graduated in June, 1870. In 1863, when scarcely eighteen years of age he volunteered his services in the One Hundred and Fifteenth Indiana Regiment for six months, and afterward in the 100 days' service in the Twenty fifth Indiana Battery and took part in the battle of Nashville, December 15 and 16, 1864. He was discharged at Indianapolis in July, 1865, having attained the position of sergeant in the battery. Having read law one year in St. Louis, in 1871 he began the practice of that profession in Vincennes, where he has since continued, meeting with merited success. In 1872 he was candidate for the Legislature on the Republican ticket, and although defeated, received the full support of his party. He is a member and secretary of the board of trustees of the Vincennes University and member of the Presbyterian Church. In 1876 he married Isadora McCord, daughter of William and Eliza (Caborn) McCord, a highly accomplished and intelligent lady. Their life has been happy and prosperous and their future promises to be exceptionally bright. "

Ref: History of Knox and Daviess County, Indiana (Chicago, Illinois, The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1886) Page 325/326