My Genealogy Hound

HON. W. H. CHENEY, deceased, whose portrait will be found in this work, was born Feb. 19, 1822, near Mechanicsburg, Ohio, and died in Cheney Grove, Ill., Aug. 24, 1878. He was the tenth child and fourth son of Jonathan and Catharine Cheney. In 1825, his parents came to Illinois and settled in the grove which now bears their family name. At that time, their nearest neighbors lived at Blooming Grove, twenty-five miles distant. As may be supposed, educational facilities were rare. In this family Mary, the eldest daughter, instructed the younger children, and afterward taught school in the neighborhood. The subject of our sketch attended school in the winter season until 19 years old, when he began his life business of. farming and stock-dealing. During his boyhood, his frequent playmates were little Indian boys, who taught him to use the bow and arrow with considerable dexterity. He was rather fond of hunting, and, in his youth, killed a great many wild turkeys, deer and wolves. In the winter of 1843, he shot ten head of deer. When not quite 21 years old, he married Miss Mary Jane Orendorff, aged 16. She was the daughter of William and Lavina (Sales) Orendorff, and was born and educated in Blooming Grove. This grove was named by her mother, and when the town which is now the city of Bloomington was started, its name was taken from the grove. She was a most affectionate wife and mother; was entirely devoted to the interests and welfare of her husband and children, and was universally loved and respected. Their children were nine in number — Lavina, Jay, Kate, Charlie, Emma, Willie, Harry, Mary Belle and Minnie Estelle; six are now living — Lavina, wife of W. H. Beckwith, lives in Saybrook; Charlie, who married Miss Lizzie Pugsley, resides near the homestead, which adjoins Saybrook. The remaining four live in their childhood home. Jay died in infancy, Willie when not quite 3 years old, and Emma at the age of 22. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Cheney made himself a home, where he all his life resided, on the southern edge of the grove, about a mile and a half from the head of the Sangamon River. This stream runs through his farm, which is composed of about a thousand acres. George Cheney’s farm adjoins his, and for many years the two brothers dealt in live-stock as partners. A remarkably close friendship existed between them; George’s death was mourned most deeply by his brother. Mr. Cheney possessed a deeply religious nature, and, although not a member of any religious denomination, yet he entertained a profound respect for Christianity wherever he found it truly exemplified; and particularly after the loss of a portion of his family, did he turn his thoughts toward the life yet to come; in the beginning of his last illness he remarked, among other things, that he held the kindest of feelings toward every person living. In politics, he was always Republican, and bore a prominent part. In 1867, he was elected to the State Senate to succeed Hon. Isaac Funk. The granting of the charter for the La Fayette, Bloomington & Mississippi Railway Company was due principally to Mr. Cheney’s exertions. The road afterwards built by this company passes through Saybrook, near his home. To him was accorded the honor of first “breaking ground” at the commencement of the work. May 28, 1873, Mr. C. married Miss Caroline Brown, daughter of Demas and Mary Brown, of Medina, Ohio. She is a most estimable lady, and highly regarded by all who know her. Their children are three in number—George, Nellie and Wilbur Haines; they, with their mother and the unmarried brother and sisters, constitute one family. Mr. Cheney’s manners were cordial, yet accompanied by a dignified bearing that immediately commanded respect. In character, he strongly resembled his mother, who was a person of rare good sense and judgment, and whom he always treated with the kindest respect and reverence. He was always a temperate man, and never used tobacco in any form. In his dealings he was a man of whom it might well be said, “His word was as good as his bond.” True to his friends, and to his enemies also true, for they always knew where to find him. In public enterprise in his vicinity he was ever the leading spirit. Possessed of restless, indomitable energy, his mind was always at work devising improvements, both public and private, which he rarely failed to carry through. The old adage, “Where there’s a will there’s a way,” was unusually verified in his case. He possessed the will and he made the way. Like many pioneers, he was noted for open-handed hospitality. Scattered over the country there are scores of men who will recollect his home as a welcome stopping-place in their travels, before the days of railroads in the West. He was a very social man, and delighted to entertain his friends in his own home. Fond of music and possessing an excellent voice, he spent many an evening singing, for the enjoyment of his family, “John Paulding,” “Sinclair’s Defeat” and other ballads of the olden time. Having, from his childhood, practiced incessant industry, he had little pity for need caused by idleness, but no deserving poor one ever left his presence unaided. His was an extremely sensitive, nervous organism, and any hurt, either physical or mental, caused him intense suffering. He was a most affectionate husband and father. The welfare and comfort of his family seemed to be his greatest care and pride. His place in the hearts of his intimate friends cannot be filled. In his death, the community where he had lived lost an active worker, and the world an honorable man. His grave is in the family lot in the new cemetery, and can be seen from his late residence.