Archives West Finding Aid

Andrew Jackson Chambers was born on November 25, 1825 in Indiana to parents Letitia and Thomas McCutcheon Chambers. He was named for President Andrew Jackson, who was said to be Letitia Chambers’ cousin. Chambers and his family moved to the Pacific Coast in 1845, and settled six miles from Oregon City. He was active in the development of the area, and assisted with building roads around Mud Mountain near Chehalis and from the falls of the Deschutes River to Chambers Prairie, a 700-acre area of land near Olympia, Washington. In 1847 the family moved to Chambers Prairie. Chambers lived there for the remainder of his life, with the exception of three years spent in California during the Gold Rush.

Chambers’ first wife, Rebecca V. Buckner Chambers, died in 1853. He remarried to Margaret White Chambers, who died in 1911. He had ten daughters: Viretta Chambers Denny, Elizabeth V. Chambers Hunsaker, Eliza Letitia Chambers Grainger, Addie Jane Chambers Talcott, Selma Chambers, Margaret Chambers Calhoun, Edith M. Chambers, Estella Chambers, Leonora Chambers Hoskins, and Ella Chambers Raymond. Andrew Jackson Chambers died of pneumonia on April 25, 1908, at the age of 82. He is buried at Odd Fellows Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Tumwater, Washington.

Viretta (Retta) Chambers Denny (1862-1951), grew up on Chambers Prairie. She attended the Washington Territorial University during the 1879-1880 school year and took classes in the Commercial Course, but did not complete her degree. Her family was on personal terms with the University President, A. J. Anderson. She married Charles L. Denny on June 15, 1887 in Olympia. She and her husband were founding members of the first Seattle Camera Club, which formed in 1895, as well as the Seattle Amateur Photographic Club in 1901. She was also a painter and a historian for the Seattle Historical Society (now the Museum of History and Industry).

The Denny family figures significantly in Seattle history. With his partner Elbert F. Blaine, C. L. Denny established the Denny-Blaine Land Company in 1899 and bought land to develop several parks in Seattle, forming the Denny-Blaine Lake Park neighborhood in the early 20th century. Viretta Denny and Mr. Blaine's wife, Minerva Stone Blaine, are commemorated in the names of Viretta Park and Minerva Fountain. Viretta and Charles Denny had two children, Andrew Chambers Denny (1893-1973) and Horton Hershel Denny (1888-1925). Andrew was named for Viretta's father, while Horton was named for Dexter Horton, who partnered with Charles' father, Arthur Denny (1822-1899), in 1854.

Elizabeth V. Chambers Hunsaker (1854-1938) was married to Jacob Hunsaker and had three children, Lloyd, Harlowe, and Hallie.

Eliza Letitia Chambers Grainger (1857-1921) was married to Robert Grainger.

Addie Jane Chambers Talcott (1858-1938) was married to George Noyes Talcott and had two children, Everett and George Noyes. The Talcott family were early settlers in Olympia, Washington and established Talcott Jewelers. Addie and George lived on Eastside Street in Olympia before moving to a Craftsman home at 2003 Capitol Way S in 1923.

Ella Chambers Raymond (1860-1884) was married to Herbert R. Raymond.

Selma Chambers was born in 1865, and died in 1903.

Margaret Chambers Calhoun (1868-1953) was married to William M. Calhoun.

Edith M. Chambers was born in October 1874 and died on November 23, 1884.

Estella Chambers died in infancy.

Leonora (Nora) Chambers Hoskins (1876-1951) was married to William T. Hoskins and had two children, William T. and James Marquis. The Hoskins family lived in Sacramento, California for some time.