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Chambers, Okey Johnson (b. 1870)
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Men of West Virginia, Volume II
Biographical Publishing Company
George Richmond, Pres.: C. R. Arnold, Sec'y and Treas.
Chicago, Illinois, 1903

Pages 459-460

OKEY JOHNSON CHAMBERS, an able member of the Roane County bar,
residing at Spencer, was born July 10, 1870, at Walnut Grove, Roane
County, West Virginia, and is a son of L. D. Chambers, one of the
pioneers of that county.

Mr. Chambers worked on the home farm and received only the
educational advantages offered by the local common schools. He was
a very faithful and ambitious student and seldom lost a day,
although the long trudge to and from school was often made through
rain and snow. At the age of 18 years, he began to teach school and
followed this vocation for three years. He then entered the State
University at Morgantown, West Virginia, and took up studies in the
classical department. However, on account of the serious illness of
his father, he was unable to finish the course, but in his last
year he had taken up the study of the law, and was admitted to
practice in 1893. The same year he located at Spencer and there he
has built up a lucrative and constantly increasing practice. As an
evidence of his legal standing, comment may not be out of order
concerning the most celebrated case that ever occupied the courts
of Roane County. This was the Simmons will case, and was bitterly
fought for three years, with the best legal talent of the State At
this time Mr. Chambers was the youngest attorney at the bar, but
his conduct of this case established his reputation as a profound
lawyer and advocate. His speech was one of the best ever heard in
the courts of the State and won for him legal approval.

He is a man of pleasing address and charming personality. He has
been the architect of his own fortunes and is a self-made man. One
of his possessions, of which he is justly proud, is his library and
much of his time is spent as a student.

In 1895 Mr. Chambers was married to Alice Crislip, a daughter of
Asbury Crislip, of Reedyville, Roane County and two sons have been
born to this union, Merville and Wendell. He has always taken an
active part in politics and is held in high esteem by both parties.
In 1900 he was a candidate for nomination for the office of
prosecuting attorney, but, on account of the severe illness of his
wife at that time, abandoned active effort in that direction that
she might have his care and attention. His star, however, has not
set, for he possesses every qualification for efficient public
service, and the time has come when such men of honor, integrity
and principle, together with virtue and that watchful tenderness
for loved ones, should fill the highest offices of trust.

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(wife of Okey Chambers)
From Death Certificate, Roane County, WV #13832
FULL-NAME: Alice Chambers
BIRTH-DATE: March 26, 1876
BIRTH-PLACE: Roane Co., W.Va.
DEATH-DATE: September 28, 1949 (at age 73y-6m-2d)
DEATH-PLACE: Spencer, Roane County, WV
MARITAL-STATUS: Widow
OCCUPATION: Housewife
FATHER: Asbury Crislip
MOTHER: Mary Crislip
CAUSE-OF-DEATH: Cholelithiosis, also suspected Carcinoma of gall bladder
INFORMANT: Merville Chambers (of Spencer, W.Va.)
BURIAL: Spencer

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