Descendants of James * CHENEY

 

 

Generation No. 1

 

1.  JAMES *2 CHENEY  (EDWARD *1) was born October 23, 1785 in Lancaster, Lancaster Co., PA;, and died April 11, 1861 in see NOTES;They are @ Oakridge Cem. - Camargo, IL.  He married ANNA * WHEAT March 23, 1807 in Mason Co. KY (source Geof.Knapp & CD229, daughter of ZACHARIAH WHEAT and UNKNOWN WHEAT.  She was born April 10, 1790 in Prob.PA, and died May 27, 1855 in this couple moved to Coles Co.in 1832.

 

Notes for JAMES * CHENEY:

I can't be certain this is the correct James Cheney, Father of our Samuel, and husband of Ann WHEAT.  One IGI source lists him as being from Vermillion County, IL?;  Source from IGI cd-rom = Agnes Jean of Maricopa, AZ.  I wasn't able to find Agnes.  Geoffrey Knapp (gknapp@auc.trw.com) of Aurora, CO emailed me: James & Anna were married in Mason Co. KY 1807 & moved to Coles Co. (actually what is now part of Douglas Co, but then was in Coles co) in 1832. They had a Zachariah WHEAT (9 yr. old, born in IL) young boy living with them on the 1850 census, Page 1A, New Albany Twp.  That census hows James & Ann both from PA.  I assume that the 2 children, that I had had previously of theirs (only 2 that I had), since they were apparently the eldest had moved on by that census, as Susan would have been 36 & Samuel 33.  I still need to get more data proving them as older children of this couple.  On that same census, Samuel Cheney is found also in Coles Co, at Lower Okaw Precinct, page 60B, with wife Elizabeth 2 years younger, and with 5 children, Ann being less than 1 year old, but I cannot make out the number of months (illegible).  There are 3 probate notes regarding James CHENEY;  These are indexed as in County Court Record Book 1.  It does not indicate exact date of death, but the probate records are from Dec. 1861 to June 1862.  A likely relative of these CHENEYs is Susannah CHENEY shown married to Thomas BEATTY, Sept.5, 1804, bonded by Isaiah CHENEY in Mason Co, KY.

There is a James CHENEY on the 1820 census Co.

Sept. 1999.  Carolyn Scott has emailed me that she has records showing the burial with dates of both Anna & James @ the OakRidge Cem. at Camargo, IL and that the former name of that cemetery was the Camargo Cem.

 

More About JAMES * CHENEY:

Burial: Oakridge Cem., Camargo, IL -Douglas Co.

 

Notes for ANNA * WHEAT:

The most likely prospect for Anna's relatives in Coles Co, are Samuel & Sarah, although, this couple ?, is shown as 20 yrs apart in age (67 & 47) and both from Pennsylvania, on the 1850 census in New Albany Precinct, Coles Co, census page 4B. Geoffrey Knapp thinks Samuel is Anna's older Brother.  Samuel was shown married in Lewis Co, KY in 1810 to Sarah Moss. There are two others living with them then, but I suspect the male is hired: John Bennett 25 from KY, & Nancy Meyors (or Meyers, Majors?), age 3 from Indiana.  Samuel could be her brother, but since he is only shown as 7 years older than she would be unlikely to be a Father.  However the only WHEATs listed in Pennsylvania on the 1790 or 1800 census was Zachariah, page 107 in 1790 & 543 in 1800, Fayette Co.  with 1male<10, 1 male 26-45, (that one is Zachariah), 1 female<10, & 1 female 16-26.  This same man is still in Fayette Co, census page 084 in 1810, German Twp., but by then there is another WHEAT, Joseph of Philadelphia Co., Pg. 192, WN Co., Lib.Twp.  There is a Zachariah WHEAT listed in KY in 1810 & 1820 at Bourbon Co., KY. The name Zachariah fits very well, since that is the name of the boy living with them, whom I presume to be her brother or nephew, with the same name being passed down. That census shows the correct female less than 10 in 1800, and should have one brother less than 10 then also.  Another possibility for Anna's Father is Isaiah.

 

 

More About ANNA * WHEAT:

Burial: OakRidge Cem., Camargo, IL

       

Children of JAMES CHENEY and ANNA WHEAT are:

                   i.    SUSAN (CHENEY)3 JONES, b. February 12, 1814.

2.               ii.    SAMUEL (1) * CHENEY, b. May 22, 1817, Lewis Co, KY per Death Cert. & Obit.; d. October 26, 1903, Arcola, IL- Douglas Co. @ 86; may be CHANEY ?.

                 iii.    MARY ANN (CHENEY) COLLINS, b. Abt. 1819.

3.              iv.    SARAH CHENEY, b. 1821, or Sarah / Mary ?.

4.               v.    EDWARD (2) CHENEY, b. 1824, KY.

                 vi.    JAMES HENRY (2) CHENEY, b. 1828; m. CHARLOTTE PARKER, November 23, 1854; b. Abt. 1830, This may not be the correct wife for him.; d. this is Mary McNeely's ancestor ?.

                vii.    NELSON WASHINGTON CHENEY, b. 1829, Is he for certain James' son ?; d. April 25, 1868.

               viii.    NAPOLEON B. CHENEY, b. 1830, Is he for certain James' son ?; d. February 12, 1870.

 

 

Generation No. 2

 

2.  SAMUEL (1) *3 CHENEY (JAMES *2, EDWARD *1) was born May 22, 1817 in Lewis Co, KY per Death Cert. & Obit., and died October 26, 1903 in Arcola, IL- Douglas Co. @ 86; may be CHANEY ?.  He married (1) ELIZABETH * ELLIS June 22, 1841 in Coles County, IL; Per IL-IN marriage CDROM.  She was born February 9, 1820 in Pennsylvania; maiden name ELLES, ELLESS ?, and died December 19, 1877 in age 57; See NOTES; 2nd wife = Mahalia DUER.  He married (2) MAHALA A. DUEHR July 29, 1880 in Douglas Co, IL; per his obit.; Sam's 2nd wife.  She was born June 1834 in OH, and died August 3, 1914 in Douglas Co, IL.

 

Notes for SAMUEL (1) * CHENEY:

Anna (CHENEY) SKINNER's listing in the 1900 census says her Father was born in KY, and her Mother in PA.  James CHENEY & Anna WHEAT were married in 1807 in Mason Co, KY, and Historical books in Coles Co & Douglas Co says Samuel & Edward Cheney were two of the earliest settlers of the Coles Co. area.  I don't know if this Edward was his Father or Possibly a brother.  I think he must have had a brother also named Edward.  Samuels Death Cert. Record 1902 in Douglas Co, I have a copy of shows him born in KY also.  He was buried in Arcola.  His obituary in The weekly Arcola newspaper - "the Arcolian" -  says he was born in Louis Co, KY.  It offers important additions in that "In 1829, he moved with his parents to Vermillion Co, IL, where he resided a short time, coming to Douglas Co and settling near Camargo the following year."  It also tells about his 2nd marriage, that to Mahalia DUER in 1880 and that 3 of his 6 children died before he.

A CD-ROM of LDS origin says Samuel was born in Carmargo, Douglas Co, IL - that I think is highly unlikely.

 

1860 - Census Douglas Co, at Arcola, Page 799 -

    Samuel CHANEY spelled here with an "A" -

     age 42, b.KY, Farmer - w. wife, Elizabeth 40, b.PA, children John Samuel, age 18, this middle name must be a mistake in comprehension by the census taker, as we know his middle initial as J. and also the next child shown immediately below this is Samuel, age 17, then James 15, Mary E 12, Anna 10, & Lana 6.   These all fit with prior knowledge of the family.

 

1870  - Samuel is seen on the 1870 census at Okaw Twp, Coles Co, IL @ age 53  - on Pg. 4/ 265B - living 3 households from his daughter Anna Skinner (& husband James), she was then shown as age 20, and James 29.   Samuel was listed as a farmer,  living with Elizabeth (Ellis), age 51.    No children then but there was a 15 year old teenage male living with them named Damar WOOD -born in Illinois (the name is difficult to read) with no relation nor occupation listed for him - (the surname is definitely not Wheat).

 

 

More About SAMUEL (1) * CHENEY:

Burial: Arcola Cem.

 

Notes for ELIZABETH * ELLIS:

Geoffrey Knapp has emailed me important information on the Cheney & Ellis families.  He says there was a Wm. Ellis living near Elizabeth & Samuel & he too listed being born in Pennsylvania on the 1850 census.   I have now a copy of the 1850 census that does show William H. ELLES (difficult to see spelling on the census sheets), age 32 with wife Martha (see her grave on Elizabeth's scrapbook), age 26 and children:  Abraham H. age 8, Isaac 5, John W. 3 & David B. 2.   It is presumed that William is Elizabeth's brother.   He also relates that the most likely parents for Elizabeth that he can find are: John & Lani ELLIS both from Pennsylvania & living in Coles Co. in 1850. He says they are the right age for her parents (I now have that census: John Ellis age 62, Laney 52, with apparent children , and also that there were several other ELLIS families in Coles Co. then that would fit as her brothers:

1.) Daniel (1st name barely legible) ELLIS age 41 (10 years older than Elizabeth), New Albany Precinct, page 4A, 1850 census, with wife Phebe, and kids Sarah age 16, Ann 12, Elizabeth 10, Aquilla 8, Rebecca 3, & James 6 months.  But much more interesting at the household are 2 other familiar names: WHEAT & CHANEY!!: Martha Wheat 6, & Nelson Chaney 21.

2.) George ELLIS, age 37 (6 years older than Elizabeth) also in New Albany Precinct, page 2B, 1850 census with wife Mary 31, & kids: John10, Larry (could be Garry?) 8, Stephen 6, & William 3. Also there are two persons named Ballenger: Hannah 31 & Joseph 4.  I suspect this is related to Mary (a twin ... same age exactly), or hired help?

 

 

 

More About ELIZABETH * ELLIS:

Burial: Arcola Cem.

       

Children of SAMUEL CHENEY and ELIZABETH ELLIS are:

                   i.    JOHN J.4 CHENEY, b. May 19, 1842; m. CATHERINE JENKINS, August 1864; b. Abt. 1842.

                  ii.    SAMUEL (2) CHENEY, b. August 25, 1843; d. October 6, 1864, GA; age 21 @ Andersonville Prison in Civil War.

 

More About SAMUEL (2) CHENEY:

Burial: Andersonville, GA - Prison Grave # 10,459

 

                 iii.    JAMES CHENEY, b. November 24, 1845, Buried w Parents & Sister @ Arcola; d. November 27, 1862, age 17; did he die in the War as Bro, Sam?.

5.              iv.    MARY ELIZABETH CHENEY, b. October 15, 1847; d. December 31, 1928, Parsons, KS; family moved to KS.

6.               v.    ANNA * CHENEY, b. April 28, 1850, Coles Co., IL (or possibly present day Douglas Co, IL); d. February 7, 1929, Name also shown as CHANEY.

                 vi.    LANA CHENEY, b. August 28, 1854; d. April 4, 1862, age 7; Buried w Samuel  Elizabeth & James.

 

More About LANA CHENEY:

Burial: Arcola, Cem.

 

 

3.  SARAH3 CHENEY (JAMES *2, EDWARD *1) was born 1821 in or Sarah / Mary ?.  She married ISSACHAR DAVIS.  He was born June 17, 1818 in OH, and died January 30, 1896.

       

Children of SARAH CHENEY and ISSACHAR DAVIS are:

                   i.    MELINDA4 DAVIS, b. 1843.

                  ii.    WALTER P. DAVIS, b. 1845.

                 iii.    MARIETTA DAVIS, b. 1847.

                 iv.    EMILY DAVIS, b. 1849.

 

 

4.  EDWARD (2)3 CHENEY (JAMES *2, EDWARD *1) was born 1824 in KY.  He married DELIAH JONES.  She was born 1826 in Indiana, and died in They are together on 1850 cen. w. Fa.James.

       

Children of EDWARD CHENEY and DELIAH JONES are:

                   i.    JAMES (3)4 CHANEY, b. 1848, IL, per 1850 census age unreadable.

                  ii.    WM. A. CHENEY, b. 1847, IL; per 1850 census age 3, Coles Co..

 

 

Generation No. 3

 

5.  MARY ELIZABETH4 CHENEY (SAMUEL (1) *3, JAMES *2, EDWARD *1) was born October 15, 1847, and died December 31, 1928 in Parsons, KS; family moved to KS.  She married FRANCIS SHARP, SR. June 30, 1864 in Douglas Co, IL.  He was born June 27, 1840 in Franklin Co, OH, and died March 16, 1889 in Thayer-Neosho Co, KS.

       

Child of MARY CHENEY and FRANCIS SHARP is:

7.                i.    ANNA5 SHARP, b. Abt. 1890; d. moved to KS.

 

 

6.  ANNA *4 CHENEY (SAMUEL (1) *3, JAMES *2, EDWARD *1) was born April 28, 1850 in Coles Co., IL (or possibly present day Douglas Co, IL), and died February 7, 1929 in Name also shown as CHANEY.  She married JAMES (1) * SKINNER August 30, 1866 in Douglas Co., IL, son of ROBERT SKINNER and MARY RICH.  He was born April 25, 1841 in Bridgewater, Somersetshire,England;see NOTES, and died January 15, 1929 in Arcola, IL; 87 year old; per death cert..

 

Notes for ANNA * CHENEY:

Anna, age 20 is living with James, age 29 on the 1870 census - Pg.4/265B- in Okaw Twp, Coles Co, IL - 4 households away from her parents Samuel Cheney 53 & Elizabeth Ellis 51.   They had one child then, Samuel, age 3.   John William wasn't born til 2 more years.

 

More About ANNA * CHENEY:

Burial: Arcola Cem., Douglas Co, IL

 

Notes for JAMES (1) * SKINNER:

Nov. 94- A book in the Tuscola, IL library "Biographical sketches of Douglas Co., IL" states James was born in Somersetshire, England on the date we have and "Arrived with his parents in America OCTOBER, 1854." This is a very interesting book and coupled with another one there on the history of Douglas Co. which I made several copies of, give a plethora of information. The latter book offers one small contradiction (1855 emigration rather than 1854), but adds much more saying he was born in BRIDGWATER, SOMERSETSHIRE, ENGLAND and emigrated on a sailing vessel that landed in New York and he thence went to Cook Co., IL where the Father Robert Skinner worked on a farm west of Chicago.  His parents, Robert, Mary & Ann's Birth dates are from these books.  These two books cannot be fairly summarized here so they are a must reading to anyone looking at this genealogy note.  His father, Robert, apparently rented a farm in Shelby Co. during the Civil War, then rented land in Vermillion Co. and in 1871 or 1872 he bought a tract of 200 acres in Champaign County, and lived there most of his adult life.  Two mothers are mentioned for James: apparent actual Mother was Mary (RICH) SKINNER who died in England in 1843, and then his Father (Robt.) married Mary's sister Ann.  Birthdates of all these parents are given as well as an extensive Civil War history with the Company D, 21st Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry.  He was allegedly at the following Battles: Frederickstown, Corinth, Perryville, Stone River, and Chickamauga (where he was captured).   He was imprisoned at a Pemberton tobacco-house at Richmond, then Danville, VA, then finally Andersonville Prison, and still moved to other sites for a total imprisonment of 17 months, 20 days.      There are the following James SKINNERs in the 1860 Illinois census: Coles Co. Humboldt Twp pg 087 & Douglas Co. Camargo Twp. pg 884 & James G. in Shelby Co. Ocaner P.O. pg 398., any one of these seems likely candidates.  Also see his father's notes for more census & obituary information to find.

James is on the 1870 census Page 4/265B in Okaw Twp., age 29, Farmer born in England - living with Anna 20, and only one child, Samuel age 3 (John Wm. was not born til 2 more years).  It states both she and Samuel are born in Illinois.   They are living 4 households away from Anna's parents, Samuel Cheney & Elizabeth Ellis.

 

1841 - Born @ Bridgewater, Somersetshire Co, England

1843 - His mother, Mary RICH died in England

about 1844 ? - his Maternal Aunt became his step-mother when Mary's younger sister Ann, married Robert.

1854/ 55 ?- emigrated with 7 siblings, Father & Step-Mother/Aunt

1856-57 worked in Wisconsin according to biography.

May 1858 -came to Eastern Illinois - worked on farms in Coles & Douglas Counties.

1860 - on census at Coles Co, in Humboldt Twp. same as his brother William in 1870, but no Wm. in 1860 there), James is 19 and from England- Farm laborer.

May 8, 1861 -age 20, enlisted in Company D, 21st Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry X 30 days

June 1861- re-enlisted for 3 yrs after the company was re-organized under Col. Grant  (later General).

Several Civil War campaigns - Frederickstown, Corinth, Perryville, Stone River & Chickamauga- was captured at Chicamauga

Sept.-Dec. 1863 imprisoned at Pemberton Tobacco House in Richmond, VA

Dec. -April 1864 imprisoned at Danville, VA

April 1864 imprisoned at Andersonville Prison

Sept. 1864 moved to Savanah, Georgia, then to Charleston, then finally to Florence, SC

March 10, 1865 - returned to Federal lines, then ultimately transferred to Indianapolis, Indiana where he for 3 weeks recuperating.

May 6, 1865 - Honorably Discharged from service

Summer 1865, he purchased a team of horses and rented land in Coles Co. IL for 2 years (with $700 back pay income from service).

Aug. 30, 1866 married Ann Cheney, d/o Samuel Cheney & Elizabeth Ellis.

1867 purchased 40 acres of land, moved into a log house, farmed there until 1869

1869 sold above land (believe in Douglas Co, IL?) and bought 40 acres in Coles Co. and from then continued to add til he had 225 acres in Coles Co.

1870 - on Coles Co. Census, age 29, living with wife, Anna age 20 and Samuel age 3.   at same time Robert is in Vermillion Co. & William in Coles Co.

1881 purchased the Dr. Martin farm of 175 Acres in Arcola Twp, Douglas Co. and by 1882 had moved there.

1886 he retired and moved to the city of Arcola, but he moved back and forth to the farm vs. city a few more times. by this time he owned 265 Acres in Coles Co. and 135 Acres in Douglas Co., but later resided mostly at the Arcola home in the city.  He served 3 years as Road Commisioner of Arcola Twp. and as a member of the School Board of Arcola.

1900 - June 4 - Census -living in the city of Arcola, age 59, Retired Farmer - Immigrated 1954 with wife, but shows her then as Hanna but should be Anna - and the only other person is a listed as a servant, Nellie Johnson.

 

 

 

 

More About JAMES (1) * SKINNER:

Burial: Arcola Cem.

       

Children of ANNA CHENEY and JAMES SKINNER are:

8.                i.    SAMUEL ROBERT5 SKINNER, b. June 25, 1867, Arcola, Douglas Co. IL;  from Death Cert.; d. March 5, 1939, Arcola, IL; age 71;  was a minister & farmer.

9.               ii.    JOHN * WILLIAM SKINNER, b. February 20, 1872, Illinois; maybe Born:Feb.23rd - went by "Will"; d. August 24, 1942, Arcola, IL in a Mausoleum there.

 

 

Generation No. 4

 

7.  ANNA5 SHARP (MARY ELIZABETH4 CHENEY, SAMUEL (1) *3, JAMES *2, EDWARD *1) was born Abt. 1890, and died in moved to KS.  She married GEORGE ROBINSON in Douglas Co, IL.  He was born Abt. 1890.

       

Child of ANNA SHARP and GEORGE ROBINSON is:

                   i.    MABEL6 ROBINSON, b. Abt. 1915; d. moved to KS; m. FLOYD KNAPP, Missouri; b. Abt. 1915.

 

 

8.  SAMUEL ROBERT5 SKINNER (ANNA *4 CHENEY, SAMUEL (1) *3, JAMES *2, EDWARD *1) was born June 25, 1867 in Arcola, Douglas Co. IL;  from Death Cert., and died March 5, 1939 in Arcola, IL; age 71;  was a minister & farmer.  He married ELEANOR HERVEY.  She was born Abt. 1870 in went by Nell.

       

Child of SAMUEL SKINNER and ELEANOR HERVEY is:

                   i.    JAMES CLINTON LAURENCE6 SKINNER, DR., b. December 12, 1897, went by Laurence and lived @ Oxford, OH; d. July 12, 1944; m. VIRGINIA KERR; b. July 23, 1902; d. November 11, 1944.

 

More About JAMES CLINTON LAURENCE SKINNER, DR.:

Burial: Arcola Cem.

 

More About VIRGINIA KERR:

Burial: Arcola Cem.

 

 

9.  JOHN * WILLIAM5 SKINNER (ANNA *4 CHENEY, SAMUEL (1) *3, JAMES *2, EDWARD *1) was born February 20, 1872 in Illinois; maybe Born:Feb.23rd - went by "Will", and died August 24, 1942 in Arcola, IL in a Mausoleum there.  He married (1) ALDA E. * STOVER August 22, 1895 in Galton, Arcola Twp, Douglas Co.IL, daughter of DANIEL STOVER and SUSAN WOLFORD.  She was born December 31, 1871 in Middletown, Ohio- Butler Co.; 1900 census says 1873, and died June 23, 1937 in Arcola, Douglas Co. IL; see NOTES.  He married (2) SUELLA RAYBURN (?) SKINNER October 25, 1939 in 1st wife, Alda died 1937.  She was born Abt. 1880 in this was John's 2nd wife (after Anna died).

 

Notes for JOHN * WILLIAM SKINNER:

John is on the 1920 census with his age erroneously corrected to 58 when it should be 48, same as Alda's.   That census is from the city of Arcola, and it correctly lists his parents birth places.    Virginia LAWRENCE in Pittsburg, KS tells me her Grandfather, John William went by "Will".

 

Notes for ALDA E. * STOVER:

Initially there were other versions of her name (STOKER), but both her marriage certificate and her death certificate show it as STOVER.  What is different about the 2 certificates is the 1st name of her Father: the death Cert. reads David and the Marriage C. reads Daniel.  The Marriage C. would seem to me to be more likely correct.  Both show her Mother as being Sue WOOLFORD, and both parents born in Ohio, and her being born in Middleton, OH.  I suspect this is Middletown, (between Dayton & Cincinnati), However I have discovered a tiny town named Middleton on the far Eastern border of Ohio, south of Youngstown, just SE of Columbiana; & NW of Pittsburgh, PA.  I need to get her obituary from June 1937 to finalize her research.   Later I found solid data showing her family in Butler Co, OH, thus making the correct town that of Middletown in Eastern Butler Co.    I've also been in contact - analog mail - with descendants of Alda's only sibling (a brother died at age 5), her sister Ella.   Apparently Ella & her husband moved to Port Arthur, TX from Douglas Co., about the turn of the century - and some still live there.

 

       

Children of JOHN SKINNER and ALDA STOVER are:

                   i.    JAMES * CLIFFORD6 SKINNER, b. May 12, 1898, Arcola, IL; d. May 6, 1962, Decatur, IL 6 days short of 64 years old of Emphysema; m. EDNA * VIOLA BROTHERTON, June 1, 1921, Mattoon, IL; b. July 4, 1900, Mattoon, IL; d. October 18, 1994, Lakeland, FL.

 

Notes for JAMES * CLIFFORD SKINNER:

J.C. was on the 1920 census of the city of Arcola at age 21, still living with John W. & Alda and his younger sister, Lucille

 

More About JAMES * CLIFFORD SKINNER:

Burial: Fairlawn Cem., Decatur, IL

 

Notes for EDNA * VIOLA BROTHERTON:

When I first met my wife's Grandmother, Edna in 1976, she was a very frail, small, friendly lady who lived in Decatur, IL. She had been widowed for 14 years by then and seemed quite capable of being independent and seemed to enjoy remaining so.  However, as she became older, and somewhat demented, her only living child, Kenneth (Ann's Uncle) moved her next door to he & his wife in Connecticut.  She continued to deteriorate and needed to be moved to a nursing home.  In her last 5 years she usually did not recognize her family, and had major medical problems, kept alive in an unnatural state by modern medicine.  She died after Kenneth elected to move her to Florida where they were also moving to.   -  Allan Griffith

 

 

More About EDNA * VIOLA BROTHERTON:

Burial: Fairlawn Cem., Decatur, IL

Event 1: 1925, Clifford Stanton = Stillborn

Event 2: 1927, Donald Ray Stanton= Stillborn

 

                  ii.    LUCILLE ELIZABETH SKINNER, b. April 29, 1903; d. March 12, 1972, Terre Haute, IN; m. SYLVAN AUSTIN YAGER, Arcola, IL; b. February 18, 1896; d. August 23, 1970, They lived @ 2227 S.8th St. Terre Haute,IN.

 

More About LUCILLE ELIZABETH SKINNER:

Burial: Roselawn Cem., Terre Haute, IN

 

More About SYLVAN AUSTIN YAGER:

Burial: Roselawn Cem.