His parents came from Lurgan Co, Ireland. Born in and around the Butternuts MH area of Ostego Co, NY.
James lived on the family farm in 1833, when he married Mary Ann Tipton.
By 1845, he had 4 sons - Samuel (12), John (7), William (5), and Robert Elwood (3) - all born in Ohio.
In 1850, he and his wife Mary (Tipton) b. 1814, PA were living with their 5 sons [above plus Elihue - 1] in Perry Twp, Richland Co, OH and listed next to his brothers Robert and John. Living with them were Rebecca Tipton (25) and Phebe Tipton (20) - apparently her sisters.
In 1860 he is listed in Knox Co, OH as a farmer (50, NY) with his wife Mary (45, PA) and children Samuel (26) and John (22) both teachers, William (19) and Elwood (17) both laborers, Elihu (11), Elma (fem, 8), and David (6) all born in Ohio. Living with them, but relationship not listed, were Lydia Smith (1), Jane Lewis (20) a teacher, and Mary J. Chambers (21) a teacher.
After years on a farm in and around Mansfield, Richland Co, OH James Chambers moved to Cedar Co, Iowa about 29 June 1864 and settled on a farm near Springdale (West Branch). He moved there with his wife Mary Tipton Chambers and his children Elihu, Priscilla E. and David.
In 1870 they were listed there with only children Wm H. (27), Elihu (21), Priscilla E. (18) and David (16).