JOHN R. CHANEY, farmer, Sec. 25; P. 0. Biggs Station; was born in Simpson Co., Ky., Nov. 4, 1811, and is a son of Moses and Elizabeth Chaney, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of Kentucky. The family removed to Tennessee when John R. was about 15 years of age. He removed to Illinois in 1837, locating first in Greene Co., and, in the spring of 1839, settled in what is now Crane Creek Township, Mason Co. He came to Havana Township in the fall of that year, having located his claim the year previous, and now resides on the original claim, which has been his home for the last forty years. At the second election after the organization of Mason Co., Mr. Chaney was elected County Commissioner. He was married, May 8, 1834. to Miss Missouri Gregor, who was born in Sumner Co., Tenn. They have had ten children by this union, nine of whom are now living—Sarah A., wife of James Haynes. resides in Bourbon Co., Kan.; James T. resides in Mason Co.; Elizabeth resides in Mason Co.; Charity J. lives at home; Catharine, wife of Daniel Clark, resides in Mason Co.; Harriet, wife of William H. Williamson, lives in this county; Martha C., wife of J. R. Poland, resides in Mason Co.; John; Missouri A., wife of Albert Glyn, resides in Pike Co., Ill.; Thomas H. died Feb. 16, 1873. Mr. Chaney's father was one of the early settlers of Morgan Co., Ill., locating there as early as 1830.



Maintained by Mason County Coordinator Donna Mayer