ELI M. CHANEY DEAD. PROMINENT PAYNES POINT CITIZEN PASSES AWAY. Death Occured Last Sunday--Was One of Ogle County's Oldest and Most Respected Settlers--Lived on the Land He pre-empted From the Government.

The many friends of Eli M. Chaney, of Paynes Point, were pained to hear of his death which occured last Sunday. He has been in failing health since the last six years when he had an attack of la grippe. Mr. Eli M. Chaney was born at West Union, West Virginia, Oct. 7, 1824, and departed this life at his home near Paynes Point, July 18, 1897.

His father died when he was three years old. In September 1829 the family moved to Clark County, Ohio, and resided there five years. In 1834 in company with his mother and two brothers he emigrated to Illinois, the family locating in Bureau County, near Henipey [sic, Hennipen]. From there they moved to Galena, where they resided two years.
In the spring of 1838 he came with his mother and four brothers to White Rock, Illinois, or fifty nine years ago. In 1856 he was united in marriage to Ellen B. Eyster. To them were born three children, two daughters, the elder the wife of Mr. Jerome Burroughs, John, of Rockford, and Miss Ella.

When he came to Illinois the land had not been surveyed, nor prepared by the government for settlement but was still occupied by bands of Indians, who migrated back and forth as best suited their fancy. Even at that early date the deceased recognized the fertility of the soil and was convinced that northern Illinois was destined to become a fertile and prductive country. Accordingly he drove his stakes to remain and through hardship, prosperty, adversity and calamity he persisted, often succeeding, where others, less determined, would have failed. He lived to see the mighty changes which have taken place during the past half century and when settlements were scarce, houses far apart, the light from his window and the smoke from his chimney were beacons of joy to [any] man who might need his assisting hand.
His social qualities were rare and his mind well stored with useful knowledge. Six years ago his health was broken by la grippe, since which time there seemed to be a relaxing of his energies until on last Sabbath the faithful heart ceased to beat. His stately home surrounded by a beautiful grove of his own planting is a monument to his industry, taste, culture and toil.

The last sad funeral rites were held at the home of the departed Tuesday afternoon and called together a large circle of friends from his own neighborhood as well as from Rockford, Holcomb, Kings, Oregon, Stillman Valley and elsewhere.
The song service was beautifully rendered by Miss Iva Etnyre and Mr. Henry Mix, Miss Catherine Etnyre, of Oregon, presiding at the piano. Rev. C. H. Hoffman, preached the sermon from I Thess. IV.13 and was assisted by Rev. J. K. Reed, of Oregon, after which his mortal remains were laid to rest in the Paynes Point Cemetery there to await the second coming of the Lord.

[Ogle County Republican, 23 Jul 1897]

Contributed by Juli Chaney Jarvis

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