R. C. Chambers

Robert Craig Chambers (January 16, 1832 – April 11, 1901) was an American 19th-century businessman, minerals miner, banker, politician, sheriff, and silver mine supervisor. He had mining investments in many states, and was one of the best-known miners in the west. Chambers was a prominent figure in the formation of Butte, Montana, and Park City, Utah; and was named one of Utah's Bonanza Kings because he led the operation of the Ontario silver mine near Park City, from 1872 until 1891.

Early life and family Robert Craig Chambers was born on January 16, 1832, in Lexington, Richland County, Ohio; to parents Jane (née Foster) and James Chambers. He is sometimes misidentified with the name Richard Craig Chamber, but he primarily used his initials R. C.. He was of Scottish descent. Eudora was from a pioneer family from Rushville, Illinois; and her sister Mabel B. Tolles Ray was married to William H. Ray, a member of the United States House of Representatives from Illinois.

In 1893, Eudora survived an attempted suicide by jumping in front of a moving train in San Francisco, she had a history of mental instability.

Career

The California Gold Rush Chambers was attracted to move west because of the California Gold Rush, and arrived in Sacramento, California, in July 1850. Through his relationship with Hearst, Chambers was able to meet other powerful people in mining and finance.

In 1877, Chambers had commissioned the Chambers Mansion at 2220 Sacramento Street in San Francisco. His wife sometimes lived in the Chambers Mansion when her husband was working in other states, in order to be closer to her mother; as well as living in Salt Lake City with her husband.

When Albion Bernard Emery (1846–1894) died, the former partner in the Mayflower and Silver King Mines, Chambers had sued his estate in claiming that they had a "handshake deal" with an investment, and Emery still owed him money. Chambers lost the lawsuit. He was initially interred at Laurel Hill Cemetery in San Francisco; when that closed around 1940, he was re-interred to Cypress Lawn Memorial Park in Colma California.

After his death and with no direct heirs, his two nieces inherited his house in San Francisco.