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WILLIAM M. CHAMBERS, M. D., the oldest resident physician of Charleston, came to this county in the fall of 1855, from Covington, Ky., where he had successfully followed the practice of his profession for a period of ten years.  He was born in Cynthiana, Ky., Apr. 11, 1814, and is the son of James and Sallie (Rankin) Chambers, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Kentucky.  His grandfather, James Chambers, was born in Scotland, whence he emigrated to the United States while a young man, and settled near Chambersburg, Pa., where he followed his trade as a stonemason.  He also married there and reared a family, and his son, James, Jr., learned the same trade.
     James Chambers, Jr., the father of our subject, served as a soldier in the War of 1812.  He came to Illinois in 1850 and settling near Charleston, remained a permanent resident until his death, which too place in the summer of 1873, after he had attained the age of eighty-three years.  He was a man of much force of character, a stanch member of the old Whig party, and signalized his belief in the Christian religion early in life by becoming a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he continued until his death.  The mother departed this life at the old homestead, near Charleston, in 1855.  She also belonged to the same church as her husband, and was in all respects his suitable and worthy helpmeet.  The parental household included eight children, five now living, namely, William M., of our sketch, Thomas G., Mary A., Hannah A. and Sarah R.
     Dr. Chambers was reared in his native town and attended school there until seventeen years old.  There also he commenced the study of medicine in 1833, and three years later began the practice of his chosen profession in Harrison County.  He still continued his close application to his books, and in due time entered the medical department of Transylvania University at Lexington, from which he graduated in 1843.  His practice while a resident of Kentucky was mostly in Covington and vicinity.  After coming to this county and soon after the outbreak of the Rebellion, Dr. Chambers was appointed by President Lincoln Brigade Surgeon in the Union army, serving in the division of the Cumberland until in July, 1865.  The fidelity with which he fulfilled the duties of that position was rewarded with the brevet of Lieutenant Colonel and afterward Colonel.  In his mangement of the hospitals under his charge, he displayed most excellent judgment and introduced many features which proved of great benefit to both patents and attendants.
     After an absence of four years Dr. Chambers returned to Charleston and resumed his practice as a private citizen, and became connected with the various important medical societies of the Mississippi Valley.  He was President of the Kentucky State Medical, the Illinois Medical, and the Esculapian Societies of the Wabash Valley, and in 1877 was appointed by Gov. Cullum a member of the Health Association of the United States.  He is now Examining Surgeon for Pensions.
     The marriage of Dr. William M. Chambers and Miss C. A. Porter, of Harrison County, Ky., took place in Pulmansville, Ky., in teh spring of 1837.  After remaining the companion of her husband but three short years Mrs. Chambers departed this life in the spring of 1840, leaving one child, a son, Charles S., who now a resident of Hopkinsville, Ky.  Dr. Chambers was subsequently married to Miss Mary B. F. Ingals, of Kentucky.  This las a lineal descendant of Daniel Boone, and died on the 30th of December, 1876, at her home in Charleston, leaving two children.  Theses were Mollie M. S., now the wife of Dr. C. A. Payton, surgeon of the Sac and Fox Indian Agency in Indian Territory, and T. Gavin, who is an attorney and a resident of Kansas.  The Doctor is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, and a Royal Arch Mason.
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WILLIAM M. CHETTLE, manager of the Western Union Telegraph office at Mattoon, is an interesting example of the self-made man who began early in life to "paddle his own canoe," and has persevered until he has gained a position with which any reasonable man should be satisfied.  The early life of our subject until he was sixteen years old was spent on the other side of the Atlantic, in Nottingham, England, where his birth took place Oct. 16, 1853.
     William M. Chettle is a son of George and Ann (England) Chettle, also natives of the British Empire, born not far from the birthplace of their son.  The father died in the Crimea of fever in 1855.  He had been a soldier in the English army a greater part of his life.  While away upon his duties his wife and three children made their home at Nottingham.  Of these but two are ow living, oar subject and his sister.  Mrs. Carrie Thompson, of yde Park, Cook County, this State.  The paternal grandfather of our subject, George M. Chettle, followed a soldier's life nearly all his days and was color-bearer in the English regiment.  The maternal grandfather, Barnes by name, also served in the Life Guards.
     The subject of this sketch was in the military school at Nottingham from the time he was seven years old until fifteen.  He then went into a printing-office, where he spent ten months, and then started for the United States.  After landing in New York he proceeded to Indianapolis and was employed in a telegraph office one year, becoming quite proficient as an operator.  Soon afterward, in 1870, he was sent to Chicago to take charge of a branch office for the Pan Handle Railroad, and from there to Stanford, Ky., on the line of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad.  He was for some time afterward employed at the different points on this road, and finally repaired to New Albany, Ind., where he became assistant in the Union Telegraph office, and remained until 1873.  Thence he went to Water Valley, Miss., where he became Train Dispatcher for the Illinois Central.  He came to Mattoon in 1875, and has held his present position since that time.  He has discharged his duties in a faithful and efficient manner, and has proved himself capable and equal to all emergencies.
     Mr. Chettle was married, in 1874, to Miss Emma Edwards, of New Albany, Ind., and they are the parents of two children - Harry and Gertie.  Their residence is located on Broadway.  It is in all respects the home of taste and refinement, and is the resort of a large circle of warm friends.  Mr. Chettle, politically, is Democratic, and socially, belongs to the K. of P.
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JAMES W. CRAIG, a farmer and stock-raiser of this county, resides on section 20, Morgan Township.  He is the son of William Craig, who was born in October, 1804, in Kentucky.  His paternal grandparents, Robert Craig and Elizabeth Nichol, were natives of Virginia.  Robert Craig's father, William, was a gunsmith by trade.  He sold out his interest in his native State, and settled in Kentucky at an early day, where he built the third or fourth house that was erected in Lexington, and took the first sheep there.  He was drafted for the War of 1812, and sent to Detroit.  While on the way the regiment stopped on the Sandusky, and while there old Simon Kenton came to him and made his acquaintance.  Kenton told him that his father had repaired his gun for him (Kenton) many a time.
     William Craig remained in Kentucky until he was about twenty-four years of age, residing at the homestead until he was nineteen.  His marriage took place on Christmas Day of 1823, an event which was attended by great festivities.  The house was decorated for the occasion, and the young people for miles around assembled to congratulate their young friends and partake of the old-time Kentucky hospitality and cheer.  The bride, Rosana Day, was born in 1809, in Greenbrier County, now West Virginia, and was the daughter of Peter Day.  Her parents came to Kentucky at an early day, making their home in that State.  James Day, a brother, was drowned in 1867, leaving a large family of children.  Mr. and Mrs. Craig had a family of six children born to them: Lorenzo Dow, born in November, 1824, died at the age of sixteen; Clarinda, born in July, 1826, died in January, 1848; she became the wife of Thomas Davis, and left a family of three children.  James W., born Apr. 26, 1829, is the subject of this sketch; Isaac, born in January, 1831, resides in Edgar County, Ill., within a mile and a half of the place where he was born; he owns 300 acres, and also a large farm in Douglas County; he is married, and has a large family.  Andrew Jackson, who has been for several years past a minister in the Baptist Church, resides in Meridian, Miss., where he owns some property; his eldest son is a successful physician in Louisiana.  Peter, born in December, 1834, was an invalid for twenty-five years, and passed his life at the homestead, where his death occurred at the age of thirty-three.
     After his marriage William Craig cleared and improved a tract of timber land, and engaged in farming and stock-raising.  The arduous work involved in this task proved too great a strain upon his immature physical strength, and nearly resulted in breaking down his health.  After remaining on this farm five years he sold out his property in Kentucky and came to Illinois, where he purchased eighty acres of timber land in Edgar County, five miles south of Paris, at $1.25 per acre.  He cleared and improved this place, adding to his property as he was prospered in business, until he acquired an estate containing about 500 acres, and made his home there, carrying on a successful farming business until 1854.  He then sold this property and moved to Donica Point.  He met with an accident while moving to this place which came very near resulting fatally; he was thrown from his wagon, sacks of grain falling on him, and it was some time before he was extricated, almost exhausted with cold and suffering.  He purchased a large farm, containing 460 acres, and made his permanent home there.  His death occurred in February, 1874.  His wife died Mar. 3, 1848.  She was a kind mother and loving wife.  Mr. Craig was active and energetic in business throughout his life, although never strong physically.  His health was injured by privation and exposure while serving in the Black Hawk War, and still further impaired by an attack of measles, and he was obliged to struggle against much ph3'sical suffering and infirmity.  He was a leading member of the Old-School Baptist Church, and was always active in promoting the best interests of the community.  In politics he was a Democrat.  His last wife is living at the old home place, aged seventy-five.
     James Craig passed his boyhood and youth on the homestead, assisting his father in the various farm duties, and attending the common schools, where he received a good practical education.  At the age of twenty-two his marriage with Miss Maria L. Miller took place.  Mrs. Craig was the daughter of James M. and Mary Ann (Wayne) Miller, the former born in 1791, in Scotland, and the latter in the same year in Virginia.  Mr. Miller's family emigrated to this country, and settled in South Carolina at an early day, where James passed his early life.  He subsequently removed to Kentucky, where his marriage took place, and thence to Illinois in 1830.  He settled in Edgar  below Paris.  Mr. Miller was an intelligent, welleducated man, and taught school in the pioneer days, during the early part of his life, his future son-in-law, James Craig, being one of his pupils at the old log school-house.  In later life he was engaged in official business, and was serving as County Clerk at the time of his death, which occurred in 1853.  His widow, who possessed an unusually vigorous physique, survived him many years, and died in 1877, in Westfield, Ill.  Their family comprised five children.
     After his marriage Mr. Craig located on the farm where he now resides, which was a gift from his father, and contained 360 acres (now 700) of excellent land.  He came to his new home in the autumn of 1850, and began business for himself, and has been successful, adding to his estate until he owned at one time over 1,400 acres.  He now has the management of about 1,000 acres, and carries on his business of farming and stock-raising, all of which is under his supervision and direction.  June 1, 1869, he met with an accident which has disabled him from physical exertion.  He was at that time superintending the erection of his farm residence, and on a load of doors and window frames,  as driving in the barn.   The load being too high he was caught, receiving injuries to the spine, which have rendered him powerless to use his lower limbs.  During the first two years he was under the care of skillful physicians, but all means for restoration have proved unavailing.
     Mr. C. has been twice married; his first wife died in the spring of 1858.  She was the mother of two children, one of whom died at the age of sixteen months; the other, Rosa C., is the wife of John McGregor, a farmer residing in Morgan Township.  Feb. 26, 1860, Mr. Craig was married to Mrs. Eliza J. Randolph, a resident of Edgar County.  Mrs. Craig is the daughter of Simeon and Lucetta (Hearn) Stark, residents of Illinois.  They were born in Indiana, and moved to Illinois in 1857.  Mr. Stark was a successful business man, acquiring a good farm of 360 acres.  His wife died in the fall of 1866, leaving a large family.  She was an invalid for five years before her death.  Mr. and Mrs. Stark were consistent members of the Old School Baptist Church.  She was a good mother and loving wife.  Mr. Stark now lives in Missouri.  Mrs. Stark's parents came to Illinois while it was yet a Territory.  His name was Dennis Hearn, hers, Elizabeth Smith.  She was a native of North Carolina.   Mr. Hearn, after his marriage, moved from Illinois to near Terre Haute, Ind., before the town was thought of.  He died in 1867.  His wife still survives him, being eighty-seven years old.  She lives in Terre Haute with one of her daughters, and is very active for one of her age.  Mr. and Mrs. Hearn were faithful members of the Old School Baptist Church.  Mrs. Craig was the mother of one son by her first husband, R. C. Randolph, a farmer residing in Seven Hickory Township.  Mr. and Mrs. Craig had two children born to them: Maria L., born Sept. 10, 1865, died in her eighteenth year; William S., born May 1, 1867, resides at the homestead, and assists his father in business.
Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Coles Co., Illinois - Publ. Chicago: Chapman Brothers.  1887- Page 531

JAMES W. CRAIG, attorney and counselor at law, and a resident of Mattoon, was born in Morgan Township, this county, June 29, 1844.  He is the offspring of a well-known and highly respected family, being the son of Isaac N. and Elizabeth (Bloyer) Craig, native of Kentucky and Pennsylvania respectively.  The paternal grandfather of our subject, Robert Craig, a native of Virginia, removed to Kentucky when a young man, and located on the Licking River, where he became one of the most prosperous farmers of that region.  Desiring, however, to come North, he, in 1828, removed to Clark County, Ill., where he followed his former occupation, and became prominent among the well-to-do and reliable citizens of that locality.
     The Craig family is of Scotch ancestry, and the great-grandfather of our subject served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and religiously, was a Scotch Presbyterian of the old school.  His son, Roert, served in the War of 1812.  His grandson, Isaac N., the father of our subject, was in the Black Hawk War, a part of which was fought on the soil of Illinois...  On the maternal side of the house the Bloyers were from Switzerland, whence they emigrated at an early day and settled in Lancaster, Pa.  After the death of Grandfather Bloyer, the mother came with her family to this county, and located at Charleston, where she resided until her death.  Isaac N. Craig made farming his business during the early aprt of his life, but retired from active labor many years ago, having accumulated a fine property, and is now living in Charleston, surrounded by all the comforts of life.  His biography will be found elsewhere in this volume.
     The parental family of our subject included nine children, and James W., of our sketch, was the fifth of the family.  He remained on the farm with his parents until twenty years of age, and received a practical education at the country schools, being fond of his books and ambitious to excel.  Before reaching his majority he entered the office of Col. O. B. Ficklin, where he engaged in reading law from July, 1864, to the fall of the following year.  Afterward he entered the law department of the Michigan University at Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated in 1867.  Soon afterward he formed a partnership with Col. Ficklin, and commenced the practice of his profession in Charleston.  He removed to Mattoon in 1868, but continued in partnership with the Colonel several years.  His progress has been steadily onward.  In 1872 he was elected States Attorney for Coles County, which office he held four years, and aside from this has built up a profitable and extensive practice.  At the same time he has been interested in the moral and intellectual welfare of the community around him, interesting himself in the city schools, and is at this time President of the Board of Education.
     The marriage of James W. Craig and Miss Mary, the daughter of James and Lavina (Dore) Chilton, was celebrated at the bride's residence, June 17, 1868.  Mr. and Mrs. Chilton were natives of Maryland and Maine respectively, whence they both emigrated West in their youth, and were married in Scott County, this State.  Mr. C., during his early manhood, engaged in merchandising, but in 1860 sold out his stock of goods and repaired to a farm north of Charleston.
     Our subject and wife have become the parents of four children, namely, Lizzie L., Edward C., James W. and Donald B.  They occupy a handsome home in the western part of Mattoon, and number among their friends the most cultivated people of the city.  Mr. Craig, politically, is a stanch adherent of the Democratic party, and socially a member in good standing of the Masonic fraternity.  As a citizen and business man he ranks with the prominent and successful element of Central Illinois.
     Isaac B. Craig, who is the junior of his brother by nearly eleven years, was born on the farm in Morgan Township, Apr. 28, 1855, and remained there, attending the district school during the winter season, until a youth of eighteen years.  He then entered the High School at Charleston, where he was graduated, and later commenced studying law under the instruction of Col. O. B. Ficklin & Co.  He completed his legal education in the University at Ann Arbor, and commenced practice at Mattoon in 1879.  That year also he was united in marriage with Miss Helen, the daughter of Abraham and Susan (Smith) Hasbrouck, of Mattoon.  He bids fair to follow in the footsteps of his brother, who has attained to such success and popularity, and is a worthy representative of one of the finest families in the State.
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