Benjamin Ellis Chambers was the son of Isaac Elmer and Rebecca Jane Lee Chambers. He had five brothers and three sisters. First he wed Mary Ann Washburn and had four sons: E.W. in 1879, G.W. in 1882, D.G. in 1885, B.J. in 1889. They moved to Texas and divorced. Benjamin wed his second wife, Leila "Lela" Ada Griffin in 1890. Their children were Nellie May Harvey in 1894, William Isaac in 1894, George Dewey in 1898, Minnie Ola Baker in 1900, Mary Ada McManus in 1902, Jeanette Jane in 1903, Theophilus Joseph in 1906, Maggie Elrena Adams in 1905, James Ellis in 1909, and Jule P. in 1912.

Obituary from the Sawyer County Gazette
Death Summons B.E. Chambers

Shortly after midnight early Tuesday morning occurred the death of one of our community's respected elderly citizens, when B.E. Chambers was summoned from this earth following a paralytic stroke with which he had become afflicted the middle of last week, while at his home near this village.

The deceased, Benjamin E. Chambers, was born July 30, 1858 in vicinity of Knoxville, TN, and at the time of his demise had attained the age of eighty years, eight months, and seven days. He, his wife, and members of their family had made the Winter community their home for more than eleven years.

When about twenty years old, he departed from his parental home and went to the state of Texas, for a while, later returning and for a short period serving in the U.S. regular army. He was married during 1890 to Miss Leila A. Griffin, and they took up their abode at places in her home state of Texas, residing there continuously, except for about fifteen months spent in Louisiana, until he moved here from Waco, Texas, in October 1927. His wife and several of their children came to Winter several months later.

To the Chambers were born eleven children, passing away at the age of about three years being a daughter, and a son died when about nine years old. Surviving besides the widow are four daughters--Mrs. Nellie Harvey, Abilene, TX; Mrs. Minnie Baker, Winter, WI; Mrs. Mary McManus, Prentice, WI; and Mrs. Maggie Adams, Capitola, CA; and five sons--Benjamin L. Chambers, Concord, TN; George D. Chambers, Morgan, TX; Theo J. Chambers, Winer; James E. Chambers and Jewell P. Chambers, each of Chicago.

Funeral services were conducted this (Thursday) afternoon from the local Presbyterian Church by Rev. S. A. Lay, and with the Alexander Funeral Home of Hayward, officiating. Interment occurred in the cemetery to the north of this village.

As a man of kind and honest traits, Mr. Chambers was well-known throughout the community and he had endeared himself to many, and it was with regret that we learned of his demise, but in expressing sympathy to the bereaved relatives, we can say that it is with the comforting thought that his late affliction was brief and that he passed away with little suffering.