Isham Chambers

Isham Chambers was a Scott County lawman who lived in the Buffalo area and served as Scott County Sheriff from 1925 to 1928.

See Also: Sheriffs of Scott County
Preceded By: Richard Ellis • Succeeded By: Esau Laxton

Early Life

Born March 25, 1884, Chambers was the son of Isham T. Chambers (1852-1919) and Lucinda Botts (1859-1885). He was a second great-grandson of Revolutionary War veteran William Chambers and part of the expansive Chambers family that lived in the Buffalo and Smith Creek areas of eastern Scott County.

Chambers married Nancy Jane Laxton (1887-1969) in 1904. They had no children.

Sheriff of Scott County

When Richard Ellis was assassinated in the midst of a moonshine war on Aug. 11, 1925, Chambers was appointed by Scott County Court to take his place as Scott County Sheriff. He subsequently was elected by voters in the 1926 election.

A newspaper article at the time of Chambers’ death in 1928 said, “Mr. Chambers has made one of the best sheriffs Scott County has had for many years, serving the county faithfully and trying at all times to preserve order and enforce the laws in every section of the county.”

Death

Chambers fell ill in 1928, first contracting measles, then flu, which progressed to pneumonia and led to his death on April 4, 1928, at the age of 44. He was the last Scott County Sheriff to die in office until Mike Cross in 2013.

Chambers was buried at Chambers Cemetery at Buffalo. He was replaced as sheriff by his brother-in-law, Esau Laxton.