McCHESNEY, Cassius M. - 1912 Bio (1858-1922)

MCCHESNEY, DAVISON, BENNINGTON, HOLLENBACK, PETERS, BARRON

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 9/22/2007 at 10:47:53

History of Jefferson County, Iowa -- A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol II
Published 1912, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 414-416

CASSIUS M. McCHESNEY.

Cassius M. McCHESNEY is one of the most prominent and best known farmers of Polk township, his landed possessions being extensive. His time and energies are devoted to the cultivation of six hundred and seventy acres and his practical judgment and progressive methods are manifest in the excellent appearance of the place and in the splendid results which crown his labors. He was born upon a farm in Clayton township, Woodford county, Illinois, October 26, 1858, a son of Jacob and Elsie (DAVISON) McCHESNEY. The father was born in Rensselaer county, New York, in 1835 and was of Scotch (sic) and German descent, while his wife, also a native of Rensselaer county, was of Scotch-Irish (sic) lineage. Jacob McCHESNEY was a college graduate, having pursued his course of study with the intention of becoming a representative of one of the learned professions. However, he changed his plans, was married and turned his attention to the carpenter's trade. His college training, however, was not lost, for it was the basis of his proficiency as a mechanic and of the artistic element which entered in to the fine woodwork that he did in connection with his trade. Previous to his marriage he had engaged in clerking in a store for a time but later became connected with building operations. When twenty-two years of age he removed from the state of New York to Illnois, settling in Clayton township, Woodford county, where his son Cassius was born. For a few years the father resided upon a farm and in connection with the cultivation of his fields continued to engage in carpentering. At length he established his home in Minonk, Illinois, where he began work as a contractor and builder. There he lived for twenty years, following his trade throughout that period, but at the end of two decades retired from active life, his former indefatigable labor having brought to him a substantial return. Indolence and idleness, however, are utterly foreign to his nature and, being unable to content himself without some employment, he works just enough to keep himself active and well. His wife is still living and this worthy couple, who were married in Renssalaer county, New York, are still traveling life's journey happily together, their mutual love and confidence increasing as the years have passed by.

In the public schools of Minonk, Illinois, Cassius McCHESNEY pursued his education until he reached the age of sixteen years, when his parents returned to the farm, and there he assisted his father in the further development and improvement of the fields until twenty-three years of age, when he started out in life on his own account. He began farming on rented land, thus spending his time for three years on a tract near the old homestead. During that period he carefully saved his earnings until he possessed a sum sufficient to enable him to purchase eighty acres in the same neighborhood. For six years he resided upon that property and in 1890 he came to Jefferson county, Iowa, establishing his home about three miles east of Packwood in Black Hawk township, having previously disposed of his Illinois property. His first Iowa farm he purchased of Curtis Houghton -- a tract of two hundred acres for which he paid thirty dollars per acre. For nine years he lived upon that place and during that period extended its boundaries by an additional purchase of forty acres. Subsequently he sold the two hundred and forty acre tract and removed to a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, two and a half miles south, which he purchased. There he made his home until 1904, when he took up his abode at his present place of residence, buying one hundred and seventy-six acres on section 25, Polk township. He still retains the Black Hawk township property, however, and both tracts of land are rich and valuable. At different times he has added to his holdings until today in the various fine farms which he owns are found six hundred and seventy acres of as arable and productive land as can be seen in Jefferson county. His entire acreage is well devoted to cultivation or to pasturage and Mr. NcCHESNEY and his son are now cultivating three hundred and twenty acres of his land, while the remainder he rents.

On the 29th of August, 1880, occurred the marriage of Mr. McCHESNEY and Miss Flora E. BENNINGTON, a native of Marshall county, Illinois, and a daughter of James N. and Amanda (HOLLENBACK) BENNINGTON. Her father was born in Tazewell county, Illinois, in 1831, and was of Scotch (sic) descent, while his wife, a native of Ohio, was of Scotch-Irish (sic) lineage. When only a year old Mr. BENNINGTON was taken by his parents to Marshall county, Illinois, where he spent his entire life, always following the occupation of farming and making his home for a quarter of a century upon the farm where his death occurred November 10, 1911. His widow still resides on the old homestead. He was one of the worthy and honored pioneer residents of that district and all who knew him entertained for him high regard.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. McCHESNEY have been born seven children, of whom five are yet living. LeRoy Virgil, who occupies his father's farm just north of the homestead property, married Lela PETERS, a daughter of John and Mollie PETERS, and they now have one child, Viola Irene. Lena Ellen is the wife of Melvin BARRON, a farmer of Black Hawk township, and they have one son, Merle McChesney BARRON. Cassius Cullom assists his father in his farming operations. Carrie Lois is a pupil in the Packwood high school and Blanche Marie is also attending school in Packwood. The two children who have passed away are: Ethel Irene, who died at the age of three years; and Viola, who died at the age of one year. The parents and the two oldest children are members of the Christian church of Packwood and in politics Mr. McCHESNEY is a stalwart republican. He has served a clerk of Polk township for two terms and for several terms has been a member of the district school board in Black Hawk township. He has also been secretary of the school board of district No. 1 since coming to Polk township and is a champion of the cause of education, doing much to advance the interests of the schools in this part of the county. In fact Mr. McCHESNEY is known as a citizen who has deep interest in the welfare and progress of his community and whose cooperation can always be counted upon to further any movement for the general good. As a business man he stands prominent among those whose labors have constituted the basis of substantial success. Wherever known he is held in high regard not only because his business interests have brought him prosperity, but also because of the straightforward, honorable policy which he has ever followed in the conduct of business transactions. He has based his principles upon the rules which govern strict and unswerving integrity and owes his success to his judicious investment, his sound judgment and his unfaltering energy.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.