Clay county has been signally favored in the class of men who 
have occupied her public offices, for with few exceptions they 
have been citizens of ability and of public virtue, interested
in discharging their duties to the best of their ability in behalf of the
community at large. Such a record was made by Joseph M. Chambers,
formerly county recorder of Clay county, to which position Clayton C.
Chambers succeeded upon his father’s death. He is one of the native
sons of the county, his birth having here occurred July 26, 1882. His
parents were Joseph M. and Susan (Lambert) Chambers. The father
was born in Clay county, Indiana, September 15, 1848, and died Septem-
ber 28, 1906. The mother, who was born in Hart county, Kentucky,
June 1, 1862, gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Chambers on the 28th
of February, 1878, and they became parents of four children: Ola,
Clayton C., Bessie L. and Addie May. The father was a farmer by
occupation and a representative of one of the old pioneer families of Clay
county. His parents were Marshall and Betsy (Crevison) Chambers, the
former a native of Indiana and the latter of Kentucky. It will thus be
seen that the great-grandparents in the paternal line were residents of this
state, locating here when the great district comprised within the borders
of Indiana was largely a wild and unimproved region, which they as-
sisted in reclaiming and converting into the uses of civilization. The
maternal grandparents of Clayton C. Chambers were William and Pricy
(Polly) Lambert, both of whom were natives of Kentucky, in which state
they were reared and married. The former is now deceased but the
latter is still living at the age of seventy-two years. She had a family of
four children, of whom two sons and a daughter yet survive, Mrs. Joseph
M. Chambers being the youngest child. Mr. Lambert was a soldier of
the Civil war for three and a half years, valorous and loyal to the cause
he espoused when on the field of battle. The last six years of his life
were spent in Clay county, Indiana, where he died in his fifty-ninth year.
    Joseph M. Chambers was a farmer by occupation and carried on
general agricultural pursuits until 1904, when he was elected county
recorder. He had previously served as township trustee of Lewis town-
ship for five years and in public office was always prompt, accurate and
faithful in the discharge of his duties. During the period of hostilities
between the north and the south be enlisted for active service with Com-
pany C of the Forty-third Regiment of Indiana Volunteers for three
years or during the war, and at the front met all of the experiences inci-
dent to military life. His political allegiance was given to the Republican
party and upon that ticket be was elected to the office of county recorder,
in which position he served until his demise. He was the only candi-
date on the republican ticket elected to a county office that year—a fact
which was strongly indicative of his personal popularity and the confi-
dence and trust reposed in him by his fellowmen. He was long a de—
voted member of the Baptist church and in his younger days was
affiliated with the Order of Red Men. He likewise belonged to the
Masonic Lodge at Lewis, Indiana, and when called to his final rest was
accorded the honors of a Masonic burial. In business life, in public office
and in home and social relations he ever commanded the respect and
good will of those with whom be was associated and his name is now
enrolled with the honored dead of Clay county.
    Reared upon the home farm in this county Clayton C. Chambers
pursued his education in the graded schools of Lewis township, and
after his father’s election to the office of county recorder he became his
assistant. Two years later, upon his father’s death, he was chosen to
succeed him in the position November 1, 1906. His previous experience
had well qualified him for the capable discharge of his duties and his
appointment was a gratification to his many friends who recognize his
worth and fidelity. He is yet a young man but has full appreciation of
the responsibilities that devolve upon him and in the discharge of his
duties is proving himself worthy of the public trust. Like his father,
be has given his political support to the Republican party since attaining
his majority.