Biographies
VACTOR T. CHAMBERS
A comparatively brief period has been
sufficient to prove that in placing a branch of the Gorham Revere Rubber
Company, No. 917 Sixth street, in Sacramento it has
met a decided need in the material progress of the capital city. As a general
rubber store, carrying almost anything that is made of rubber, it is the first
of its kind. While it is essentially a factory branch and dealing almost
entirely with dealers and jobbers, it yet has a retail end which includes auto
tires and auto sundries.
This branch of the Gorham-Revere Rubber
Company keeps a comparatively large stock of rubber hose, belting, both rubber
and leather, and packings for factories, railroad
shops and agricultural purposes, in fact, anything in the mechanical line of
rubber goods for which there is a common call. It carries also drug sundries,
oil clothing, rainproof overcoats and cravenettes,
rubber boots and shoes. A complete vulcanizing and tire repair plant is also
maintained and operated by William M. Rigdon, an
expert in this line who has had a large experience in tire factories.
The manager of this branch, Vactor T. Chambers, of whom a slight biography will follow,
is a descendant from an old Southern family and himself the inheritor of
qualities that gave the race prominence in the original development of
Kentucky. He was born at Covington, that state, April 1, 1886, and had the good
fortune to enjoy the excellent educational advantages offered by that cultured
southern city. The information thus acquired was supplemented by study in the
Cincinnati University. The educational training gained in that institution has
been broadened through habits of careful reading and close observation, so that
he is the possessor of a comprehensive knowledge valuable in business, in
society and in public affairs. Upon leaving the university he was connected
with a brokerage business but after eighteen months he turned his attention to
other activities. For one year as manager and for a similar period as receiver,
he was connected with the Harrison Water and Light Company, of Harrison, Ohio,
from which city in 1907 he came to California. A connection of several months
with the advertising department of the Sacramento Bee formed the first
business associations of Mr. Chambers in the west and later for one year he
served as assistant secretary of the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce under the
secretary, A. L. Crane. After severing his connections with that department he
became identified with the growth of the Sacramento Builders' Supply Company, a
recent but valuable acquisition to the important industries of the city, of
which he was assistant manager until April, 1912, when he resigned to establish
the Sacramento branch of the Gorham-Revere Rubber Company.
While giving his
attention to the business with intelligent and unflagging devotion Mr. Chambers
has not held aloof from the social opportunities which the capital city
affords. On the other hand he is both prominent and popular in the most
select social circles and occupies a leading place in the activities of the
University, Sutter and Sacramento Country Clubs, while his skill in tennis has
brought him into leadership among the members of the East Side and the McKinley
Park Tennis Clubs. In addition he retains membership with the Sigma Chi
Fraternity of the Cincinnati University.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis,
William L., History of Sacramento County,
California, Pages 981-982. Historic
Record Company,
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.