Santa
Clara County
Biographies
JOSEPH BENJAMIN CAMBERS
Prominent among the most extensive
and progressive merchants of San Jose is J. B. Cambers, proprietor of a
well-stocked furniture store, located at Nos. 66-74 South Market street. A man
of versatile talents, he has worked industriously from his boyhood days until
the present time, and by dint of perseverance, judicious management, and great
business ability, has won deserved success in his undertakings. A native of
England, he was born July 8, 1846, in Bedfordshire, which was also the
birthplace of his father, James Cambers, and is of French descent.
After spending several years as a
dry goods merchant in his native land, James Cambers immigrated with his family
to United States in 1852, and located first in Pennsylvania, and afterward in
Ohio. Subsequently removing to Illinois, he was engaged in general farming in
Champaign county until his retirement from active
pursuits. Now, a hale and vigorous man of ninety-four years, he resides in Hot
Springs, Ark., where he owns valuable real estate, and a good farm. He belongs
to a family noted for its longevity, his father having lived to be ninety-eight
years old. His wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Moore, was born in
Bedfordshire, England, and died in Illinois at the age of sixty years. Of the
four sons and one daughter born of their union, all are living, one son, John
Cambers, is a capitalist in Oregon.
Coming with his parents to this
country in 1852 on the sailing vessel, Western World, J. B. Cambers spent the
larger part of his boyhood and youth on an Illinois farm, acquiring his early
education in the district school. At the age of twenty-one years he began life
on his own account, and for three years was employed in teaching school and in farming,
in Campaign county, Ill. Removing to Cherrycreek,
(sic) Nev., in 1874, he was in the employ of a mining company, as
superintendent of the waterworks, for a year. Going back then to Illinois for
his family, he returned to Nevada in 1875, and located in Reno where, as a
carpenter, he assisted in the building of the Mackay & Fair flume. Going
then to Carson valley, he was deputy sheriff of Churchill county
for two years, and during this time he bought a farm. Subsequently assuming
management of his ranch, Mr. Cambers served as deputy sheriff one term and
county recorder and auditor for four years, for his brother John, and was
afterward justice of the peace two years. The following eight years he was in
the government service, having the contract for carrying the United States mail
from Wadsworth, Nev., to Stillwater, Nev., a distance of fifty-two miles, and
resided in Wadsworth, where he bought a home.
Locating in San Jose in 1889, Mr.
Cambers bought one-half interest in the furniture store of C. A. Judd, and as a
member of the firm of Judd & Cambers removed to his present stand, on South
Market street, where he has built up a magnificent
trade, having been successful from the start. His store, a part of which is two
stories in height, is 75x205 feet, and contains twenty thousand feet of space,
exclusive of galleries. He carries a complete line of house furnishing goods,
including carpets, stoves and furniture of all kinds; keeps a supply of paints
and oils; does picture framing; and handles the White sewing machine, selling
as high as three hundred machines in a year.
In Jefferson county, Ind., the
birthplace of his bride, Mr. Cambers married Louisa Imel,
and they have six children: Omar, in business with his father; Mrs. Nellie
Snyder, of Oakland; Dora, living at home; Mrs. Vicia
Gilbert, of Los Angeles; Lelah, at home; and Adeline,
also at home. Politically Mr. Cambers is a steadfast Republican. While living
in Nevada he was made a Mason, and now belongs to San Jose Lodge No. 210, F.
& A. M. He is also a member of Garden City Lodge, I. O. O. F., of which he
is past noble grand; of the Encampment; and of the National Union. He is an
active member of the Merchants’ Association, and Chamber of Commerce of this
city, and has the distinction of having the largest store of its kind in the
state. A professing Christian, strong in his religious beliefs, he is a member,
and a deacon, of the First Baptist Church of San Jose.
Transcribed By: Cecelia M. Setty.
Source: History of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast
Counties, California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 1038-1041. The
Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2016 Cecelia M. Setty.