~THOMAS GAVIN CHAMBERS~
The son of James & Sarah (Rankin) Chambers
Married Olivia Monroe, 12 Mar 1840 in Charleston, Illinois, USA
Thomas was born Jan. 25 1816 in Cynthiana, KY. where he lived until the year 1837. His education was thoroughly english. After a pretty fair education, at about his 15th year, he commenced working on a farm as a hired hand,until a few years older he commenced driving our father's team, hauling stone from the country a few miles from town to where our father was building,and occasionally helping to quarry stones. In the winter time he would haul wood and now and then would help to cut the wood. About 1835 or 1836 he went into the drygood business as salesman with J. C. & G.T.Hamilton who were popular businessmen and where he became very popular. He remained with them until they closed out their business about two years after he commenced to do business for them.
In the summer or Fall of 1837 he came to Charleston,IL on horseback in company with Capt. B. F. Jones and was shortly afterward employed in the store of Byrd and John Monroe where every species of merchandise was sold, groceries, hardware, boots and shoes,medicines,etc,etc. In this he continued some time and on the 12th of March 1840 he married Oliva Monroe,the sister of Byrd and John Monroe.He commenced merchandising for himself.(Gen.of the Family of James Chambers by W. M. Chambers 1887)

Thomas G. Chambers, W. G. Wright and Lewis Monroe proposing to form a Corporation under the laws of the State of Illinois, the object of which was to provide for a place of interment of the dead, providing for the care of the grounds legally, on the 3rd day of July A. D. 1885, met at the office of Doct. J. C. Hall in Charleston, Illinois and made a statement to that effect and set their hand, which was duly acknowledged by Thos. Stoddert, Jr. a Notary Public in and for said County, and forwarded to Henry D. Dement, Secretary of State.