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The Irving Park Signal and the Evanston Index both paid fitting tribute to the passing of this really great man. The April number of the Medillite was made an "In Memoriam" issue, opening with a photograph of the beloved educator surrounded by the youthful faces of the little ones he loved so dearly, the concep- tion being beautiful and touching to those who knew him well. In this number of the school paper, in which he had taken a deep interest in life, was given his life history, together with copies of some of the letters received by his widow; some reminiscences of Chicago schools previously written by Mr. Sabin; se- lections from an article read to the school by Mr. Sabin relative to personal experiences dur- ing the Civil war; an article written by him on the 100th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln; "Mr. Sabin As We Knew Him," by Rose M. Kavana, and a further tribute to his memory by Aloysius L. McDermott, in addi- tion to a beautifully expressed sentiment which was the last writing of Mr. Sabin. "The life of each man being short and the search for truth being long, infinite love has made provi- sion for Earth's children, that they may wor- ship Him half truthfully, seeing through a glass darkly ; provision for the coming to the Homeland by the way of the heart and not by the way of the intellect."
A man of scholarly attainments, Mr. Sabin was admirably adapted for his life work. Al- though his mind was capable of profound
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albert R. Sabin
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thought, he could present matters so simply that the youngest child was able to compre- hend his meaning. He was the author of four text books on arithmetic and a spelling book which is largely used in the West, and was a frequent contributor to papers and of special articles to various journals, particularly those connected with his profession. He was a man
kindly by nature, charitable in thought and deed and attached young and old to him and his death thus became a personal loss to all who knew him. Mr. Sabin was a member of the N. E. A., of the Illinois State Teachers Association, of the National Geographical So- ciety, of the Loyal Legion, Commandery of Illi- nois, and of the Chi Psi college fraternity.
PRENTISS D. CHENEY.
In the present day when competition rides, like the Old Man of the Sea, on almost every branch of human endeavor, success demands a decided superiority. This is true at the village four-corners, but it is applicable in a much greater degree in those lines of highly special- ized work where the best brains and the most extensive training are devoted to each intricate detail, striving to produce absolute efficiency and to secure the advantage from each new trend of circumstances. Whether in the pro- fessions, in productive lines, in work of a pro- motive character, or in the great markets of the world, a man finds equally keen strife ahead of bim; and when the light is made with vigor, nerve and discernment; when success is ac- quired, half the compensation, other than tinan- cial independence, is derived from the satisfac- tion of having come a victor from a conflict worthy of his steel.
Prentiss D. Cheney, eldest son of Murray and Caroline (Pickett) Cheney, was born Aug. 2, 1836, in Chautauqua County, N. Y., while his parents were en route for Illinois. His father had visited the Prairie State, in 1833, walking the distance from Shawneetown to Edwards- ville, Illinois, and, though his home was in Ver- mont, entered land in Jersey County. It was to make their home on this property that Mr. and Mrs. Cheney were journeying overland, when their son was born. In Jersey County they found much to enjoy and the activities of the comparatively new section, not unpleasant. Dur- ing the years of his residence there, Mr. Cheney served the county as sheriff and as deputy sheriff. In 1858, land interests caused the family to remove to Sangamon County, Ill., where property comprising 500 acres was owned by Mr. Cheney. In 1860 they again moved, this time to Virden, Macoupin County, where the father died on December 7, 1885.
Prentiss D. Cheney became a clerk in the store of Alexander Morean, in Jerseyville ; and later was engaged as the cashier in the bank of
Dubois & Chestnut, at Carlinville. This experi- ence was splendid and enabled him, iu 1550, to organize the Bank of D'Arcy & Cheney, and to manage the operation of the concern so as to insure reasonable returns. This bank was later organized as the Bank of D'Arey, Teese & Cheney, and was eventually sold to Messrs. Cross, Carlin & Co. In his connection with the bank, Mr. Cheney became thoroughly ac- quainted with the great machine of finance, and later when he commenced his activities as an operator on Wall street, as he did soon after the bank he headed was sold, his success was founded on the keen insight and sagacity that the years previous had instilled. His offices were at No. 27 Wall street, where he and his associate, Mr. Murray, transacted business un- der the firm name of Cheney & Murray. On his retirement from the over-strenuous enter- prise on Wall street, he returned to his home in Illinois and devoted his attention almost ex- clusively to the management of his lands in Jersey and Christian counties and in Nebraska. He made his residence in the old homestead that originally belonged to his wife's father, and it was there that he passed away, on July 3, 1900.
He had done much, by way of local improve- ments, to further the interests of the county, and had served as chairman of the board of supervisors during the erection of the court- house, in 1893. He was a Democrat in politics, and his membership rested with the Presby- terian church. He was a valuable man to the community, and when he died, not only his own private affairs, which involved the ownership and control of 5,000 acres of land, but the en- terprises of local general importance suffered. His devoted wife, who was very active in the work of the Presbyterian church, died in Jack- sonville, Fla., April 23, 1877. She too was most deeply missed by many who had enjoyed the pleasure of her delightful friendship. To Mr. and Mrs. Cheney it was granted that but one
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son should grow to maturity, he being Dr. Alexander M. Cheney, who was born in Mend- ham, Morris County, N. J., September 19, 1508.
Alexander M. Cheney lived with his parents until the death of his mother, after which he eu- tered the home of his aunt, Mrs. Teese of New- ark, N. J. He received his preliminary educa- tion in the neighboring public schools and at the Institute. He had, by this time, chosen the practice of medicine as his life work, and he entered the Gross Medical College of Denver. After his graduation from here, he continued his course of training by serving in the hospi- tals of Denver and Nashville. Thus he gained a splendid foundation for his practice to follow.
He was married, November 9, 1904, to Miss Sarah T. Barry, a daughter of Dr. E. L. H.
Barry, of Jerseyville. Two sons were born to the Doctor and his wife: Edward D'Arey, born July 31, 1907, died August 5, 1907, and Pren- tiss Dana, bora Marek 15, 1912. At present Dr. Cheney aud his family are living in a home that embraces the Old Red House, the former home of his grandfather, Dr. D'Arey, around which it was built in 1874. From this base he supervises his farn. lands and, though each separate farm in his possession is operated by tenants, his strictly business method of man- agemeor make possible results as great as from personally conducted farming. These lands are in Christian County and are the same lands entered by his grandfather, Dr. E. A. D'Arey, in 1858-59.
E. A. D'ARCY.
There is one profession, that of the physician, which opens to its devotees an extremely wide range of usefulness. Its sphere is many-sided, and that particular phase which accomplishes the more than splendid work of preserving God- given life, says nothing of the world of sorrow that is banished or of the happiness and con- tinued love which is re-enthroned through health restored at the exercise of that divine art. It is indeed a divine art, and those who study it, mellowed and enriched as they are through their association with unmasked humanity are pos- sessed of a priceless ability to answer the com- mand to "heal the sick." Dr. Edward A. D'Arcy was born in Longhill, N. J., April 15, 1796, a son of Dr. John D'Arcy, a surgeon on General Washington's staff, who was of direct Huguenot descent. Edward A. D'Arcy. after some preparation in the schools of his home town, entered the New York Medical College and was graduated therefrom with the class of 1817, February 25, of that year. Ile then made his residence in Basking Ridge, N. J., until 1833, when he decided to go West; and, accordingly, disposed of some of his effects and started. The journey from New York to Philadelphia was made by rail, thence by stare via Lancaster, Harrisburg, and Pittsburg, to Juniata, where he secured transportation by boat to Portsmouth. On arriving in that city he found it in flames. While he was engaged in fighting the fire which threatened to wipe out the entire district, his boat left and he was forced to continue on his way as best he might. On reaching Kaskaskia, Il., he bought a house from Col. Pierce Menard, the
Indian agent, and road through Pinkneyville, on to Edwardsville. seeing many berd of deer On the prairie. Here he entered 400 acres of land and forty more for the timber which grew on it, later taking over 100 acres of bottom land on Macoupin Creek. He then returned to New Jersey with the purpose of bringing his wife back to Illinois with him. Mrs. D'Arcy, formerly Miss Mary MeEowen, had been born in Basking Ridge, April 5, 1802, and, though her interests were mainly centered in the people of the town and her church associations, she gladly left her home in deference to her husband's wishes. Edward A. D'Arcy and Mary McEowen were married October 22, 1821, at Basking Ridge, N. J. They made the long over-land journey in a wagon, which their grandson still pre- serves, and settled, in Illinois, on an undeveloped farm of 160 acres, two miles north of Hickory Grove, now Jerseyville. Later be removed to 400 acres south of Hickory Grove, and here con- dueted his practice of medicine along with bis farming operations. Rapidly he increased his land-holdings, owning over 1,000 acres in Jer- sey County and seven sections in one body in Christian County, having entered over 5,000 acres there. In 1859, he, with his son-in-law. organized the Bank of D'Arcy & Cheney, con tinuing in this business for the remainder of his life, though when occasion demanded he ten- dered his medical services to those that needed them. In 1845 he moved into Jerseyville, to the house now occupied by his grandson, Dr Cheney, and it was here be passed away, April 25, 1863. He left an estate of over $150,000.
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In politics, Dr. D'Arcy voted with the Demo- cratic party. He was an elder in the Presby- terian church, and had as his close friend Dr. MeDowall of St. Louis. Dr. D'Arcy and his wife, who died in New Jersey, Aug. 12, 1887, were the parents of two daughters, namely: Ann Caroline, who married and returned to New Jersey, and Catherine McEowen, who was born Oct. 31, 1838, married Prentiss D. Cheney, July 6, 1859. Dr. D'Arey had done a great work dur-
ing the span of life allotted him. He did much to add to the contentment of his friends and neighbors ; had proved of incalculable assistance to the growing town of Jerseyville and had en- gendered the love and respect of his family and in fact, of all who knew him, by being a kind and generous father, a true gentleman in every sense and a devout believer in the efficacy of the Golden Rule.
JOHN FLETCHER MYER.
The admiration of the world is invariably challenged by success in any of the pursuits or activities of life. It is of little consequence whether it be in the profession of literature, medicine or law, or in the theological domain, in commerce or trade, in public life, or in the peaceful paths of agriculture, it is the one dis- tinetive and distinguishing characteristic of all the transactions of existence. In the agricul- tural field, alone, the late John F. Myer dis- tinguished himself as an active, energetic busi- ness man, and demonstrated the fact that to the individual of merit belongs the full meas- ure of success and prosperity. His success in a material way, however, did not prevent him from winning a like position in the esteem of his community, for his activities in assisting to advance the welfare of his section and its people brought him prominently to the forefront among the progressive men of Livingston County. Ill. John F. Myer was born at or near Rushville, Ind., in 1848, and died July 3, 1913, at Pontiac, III., aged sixty-four years, nine months, thirteen days. He was a son of Daniel Mckenzie Myer, ·who was born in Maryland, October 23, 1812, and who was married in Fayette County, Ind., Janu- ary 2, 1842, to Miss Jane Summers, who was born December 25, 1821, near Philomath, Union County, Ind. To this union were born the fol- lowing children: Sarah M., William G., John F., Matilda J., Mary F., Leah Ellen and Harriott L. Following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Myer purchased a small farm near Blue River, Ind., on which they resided until 1850, and in that year. with their three children, Sarah, Wil- liam and John F .. came to Illinois, traveling in covered wagons all the way over the old stage road. For three years they resided near Ot- tawa, Ill., and then returned to Indiana, on account of sickness in the father's family. In the fall of 1556 the family returned to Illinois
and settled near Seneca, in Manlius Township, and in that vicinity resided until John F. had reached young manhood.
He was reared to agricultural pursuits, was brought up to habits of industry, thrift and honesty, and grow up skilled of hand, alert of mind and sound of body. During the summer seasons he assisted in the work of the home- stead place, and in the short winter terms at- tended the old Bell schoolhouse, a district school. Later he attended school at Peotone, Will County, until he reached the age of twenty- one years, then went to the high school at Loda. Ill., of which his brother William was super- intendent, and afterwards he pursued a teach- er's course in the State Normal School at Nor- mal, Ill. Succeeding this, Mr. Myer spent several years teaching near Marseilles, Peotone and in Bloom, the latter now known as Chi- cago Heights, Ill. He was engaged as a drug- gist at Peotone for about a year. His parents though poor were industrious and highly re- spectable people, and it was their greatest amu- bition to give their children the very best edu- cational advantages obtainable. Like many others, they were greatly hindered by the out- break of the Civil war, for much of the time the sons were compelled to work on the farm when they should have been attending school. John F. Myer was always a willing worker. He had an inherent mechanical skill and a natural love for carpenter's tools, and when the weather prevented him from working in the fields he could nearly always be found in his shop, where he made many useful articles, such as gates, bookracks, little wagons and sleds. stands and bookcases, doing naturally the kind of work that is now taught in the manual training de- partments of our public schools, and doing it well.
From early manhood, Mr. Myer was a total
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abstainer, refraining from the use of intoxicants, tobacco and profanity, and continued thus throughout his life. On one occasion, a certain Christian lady of his neighborhood, in speaking with him about a certain set of rough young men in the community, told him she wished that he would associate with them more, feeling that his influence would do something to help them to reform. As it was, however, they felt that he was proud and prudish. His answer was: "When those young men are ready to come up to my standard of living, I am ready to associate with them; but if they expect me to lower mine before they care to be my friends they will be disappointed." Mr. Myer was al- ways a leader in social affairs. He loved music, dancing and all harmless amusements, and was a general favorite among young and old alike. Those who knew him best loved him most, for they could best appreciate his many sterling qualities of mind and heart. His influence will long be felt for good in the community in which he made his home and carried on his activities for so many years. He never allowed himself to be so busily occupied that he could not find time to contribute to the wants and needs of his section. He was directly responsible for the narrowing of the roads of Broughton Town- ship. When this was accomplished, eight feet on each side of the road were saved for the people, which had otherwise been a total waste of land. For years he was an efficient and faith- ful member of the school board, served also as school trustee, and ever gave his support to the Republican party. Although he never af- filiated with any particular religious denomina- tion, he was a Christian throughout his life, and never turned a deaf ear to the requests of worthy movements, whether of church or charity. Well versed in the Bible, he made good use of his knowledge at all times, and never neglected an opportunity to do what he felt would advance morality, good citizenship and education.
On March 2, 1876, Mr. Myer was married, at Wilmington, Ill., to Josephine (Gray) Ken- nedy, and after their marriage they settled on her 240-acre farm, which she inherited from her father's estate, located in Broughton Town- ship, Livingston County, which, with 140 acres inherited from her mother's estate, they con- tinued to farm for many years. From time to time they added to their land, through wise investment, industry, perseverance and stick-to- itiveness, and at the present time Mrs. Myer is
the owner of 931 acres of well-improved land, which is now being rented out on shares. Sev- eral years prior to Mr. Myer's death, he and his wife retired from active labor, and made their home at various places which best suited their wishes. At this time, Mrs. Myer is residing in her modern home at Pontiac. She is well known in church and social circles, and has numerous warm and appreciative friends. It may be said, in passing, that among her most valued pos- sessions are a number of articles written by her late husband, and which were accepted and published by various newspapers.
Mrs. Myer's parents came to the United States from Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1536. John Gray was born July 4, 1504, and died February 4, 1875, aged seventy years, seven months, while Mary (Urquhart) Gray was born October 15, 1810, and died October 5, 1885, aged seventy- four years, eleven months, twenty days. The trip to this country, made in a sailing vessel, consumed six weeks. Mr. Gray, who had been a merchant in his native land, was compelled to seek another climate on account of failing health, and accordingly crossed the ocean to Canada, where he had several consins in Brant- ford. There be purchased a Canadian horse, and rode through to the city of Chicago, then but a small settlement which gave little prom- ise of developing into the mighty city which it now is. Mr. Gray was offered inducements to remain in the locality, but he responded that "it was too swampy and had too many cat-o'- nine-tails to suit him," and rode on through the wild prairies, then in their virgin state, with no roads, no railroads, no bridges, practically no settlements, and where the principal forms of life to be found were those represented by the wild animals which still made their home here. For a short time he made his headquarters at Lisbon, a small inland town with a few inhab- itants, and then, once again mounting his sturdy Canadian horse, started out looking for a farm on which to take up his habitation. With a spade on his shoulder. he rode from point to point, testing the land at various places until he arrived in Nettle Creek Township, Grundy County, and there found black soil three feet deep, with gravel sub-soil. Into this he drove his spade, saying : "This is my farm." As soon as possible he effected the purchase of this land from the Government, at a cost of $1.25 per acre, receiving a deed from President Van Buren, which still remains in the family. There were no banks at that time, and Mr. Gray carried his
Josephine R. Inyer
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money in a leather gold belt, fastened around his waist next his body. He was able to pay for the greater part of his property, and the remainder he paid for subsequently, securing the money through hard work and the enduring of many hardships. In this same section he ac- cumulated 560 acres, in addition to which in after years he became the owner of much other land in that and other counties, and when he died he left his family in decidedly comfortable circumstances. During the early days Mr. Gray met with a number of misfortunes, but he sus- tained them with fortitude and indomitable per- severance. On three different occasions he lost his buildings, his equipment and even his crops
through disastrous prairie fires. On several og- casions the family was compelled to subsist upon potatoes, which, being in the ground, had escaped the flames, and salt, until Mr. Gray could make the long journey to Chicago to secure other provisions. As it was easy to lose one's self during those early days, his faithful wife would keep a great fire burning to mark his way to his home. The children that grew to ma- turity were: Thomas, Jane, Mary, Margaret, Louisa, Matilda, Josephine and John. All have now passed away except Jane and Josephine, the oldest and youngest daughters, who still recall the hardships which the host of grand- children are fortunate enough to have escaped.
OSCAR B. HAMILTON.
The legal profession has, from time immemo- rial, attracted to its ranks a very large percent- age of the notably brilliant men. It is, when rightly followed, one of the noblest of callings. It affords full play to Christian sympathy, and it holds a mighty prerogative, that of instigating exoneration of and restitution to the wrongly oppressed, or the administration of just retribu- tion to the guilty. It does not afford room or opportunity to the weakling; but the strong it strengthens with a keener insight to human thought and feeling, with a more accurate reali- zation of the obligations and responsibilities that are civilization's bequest to modern man- hood.
Oscar B. Hamilton, president of the Jersey County Historical Society and a successful at- torney-at-law, was born at Otterville, Greene County, Ill., Jan. 31, 1839, a son of Nathaniel and Mary (Daugherty) Hamilton. Nathaniel Hamilton came to Illinois from Ohio with his father in 1818, making the trip on foot and settling at New Design, in Monroe County. They arrived in time to vote for delegates to the con- vention that was to frame the Constitution of our State. This they consider a pleasing remem- brance, as indeed it is. Nathaniel Hamilton removed to Otterville, Jersey County, in 1830, and here, subsequent to several years of farming. he opened the first lumber yard to be operated in that town. His wife had died in 1850, and his later years were spent at the home of his son, in Jerseyville.
Oscar B. Hamilton commenced his education in the Hamilton Primary School, at Otterville, Ill., and later entered the St. Louis Law School, from which he was graduated and was admitted
to the bar at St. Louis, in 1870. His practice embraced all of the Courts. In 1886 he went to Kansas and undertook a general practice, but remained there only three years, when he made Jerseyville his place of residence, and after some few years, entered into a partnership with his son, Paul M. Hamilton. He is now the presi- dent of the Jersey County Bar Association, but finds much time, in spite of other demands on his attention, to devote to the work of the Methodist church and Sunday school, whose in- terests lie very close to his heart. On the Re- publican ticket, he was made a delegate to the National Convention of 1880, where he lent his support to Gen. U. S. Grant. Since then he has been a delegate to various State and other con- ventions.
Mr. Hamilton was married to Miss Eliza M. Brown, October 25, 1860, the ceremony being performed by his uncle, Elder Benjamin B. Hamilton, a Baptist preacher of much influence in Greene County, who, years later, had the pleasure of being with the couple when they celebrated the day that ended twenty-five years of married life. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton have since had the privilege of passing their golden anniversary. Of the eleven children born to them, all but one are now living and actively engaged in their chosen work. Mr. Hamilton has lived a useful life, no one will deny. It has held its downfalls and discouragements for him, but more than abundant compensation for these has come in the success that has been granted him, and in the trust, love, and respect he is now accorded. Mr. Hamilton began his education in an institution which has an inter- esting history.
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