The Ottawa free trader., 1889-02-16
Obituary.,
SlLAS W. CHEENER


Silas W. Cheever died at his home on
Buchanan street, at eleven thirty o'clock on
Saturday morning, OF heart disease, aged
seventy two years and ten months
He was son of John and Elizat eth
Cheever, of Lowell, Mass, where he was
born on October 10th, 1916 At the age of
twenty'four he graduated from Dartmouth
College at the head of his class. His health
being somewhat impaired, he relinquished d
the field of law, for which he had prepared
himself, and travelled westward. He taught
school for about a year at St. Louis, and then
went to New Orleans, where he engaged in
the export of sugar until stricken down hy
yellow fever, when he came north and fin
ally opened general store In this city in
1913, under the south bluff, removing the
following year to Main St., and later he
bought out the general store of Walker a.
Hickling. Here he remained in business
until 1868, when he retired and began specu,
lating in real estate, pursuit which he con.
tinued in with great success until few years
ago, when his health became shattered and
he was forced to desist from all energetic
thought and action. He was ssgac:ous to a
marked degree in financial matters, and his
judgment in business affairs was rarely at
fault
He was true student. treasuring the best
of literature for its instructive value. His
views on the problems of the day were al
ways broad and abreast with the age in which
he lived Unlike the many who threw ASIDE
literature and art at the college gate and
carry the air of the counting house ever
about them, he devoted large share of his
time to the requirements of knowledge,
and gifted with a splendid memory, was
able to cope with intricate problems, at
which his associates stood agash
During the last years of his life, when the
great tariff discussion drew thinking men
toward more comprehensive understand
ing of its import, he allied himself with the
democracy,
He did not aspire to political power or
place, but at the earnest solicitation of his
friends he allowed his name to be used as a
candidate for mayor in 1861, and was elected
by large majority. He also served one
term as supervisor. In the hour of his
country's peril, he gave freely toward the
equipment Of troops, furnishing the cloth
from which the uniforms of the first com
pnnies which left the city, were made.
Socially he was genial companion,
an entertaining conversationaist and
royal host. He was married twice, his first
wife being, Phebe, daughter of Jeremiah
Strawn, by whom he had one child, Mrs. W.
Dent, wife of a LeMars, Ia, banker. The
first Mrs. Cheever died in 1852, and in 1853
he married his present widow, Fannie D.
Borbridge, by whom he had another daugh
ter, Mrs. John J. Scott of Hamilton, Ont.
The funeral took place from his late res
idence at two o'clock on Tuesday afternoon,
and was very largely attended, his remains
being laid to rest in the family lot in the
Ottawa avenue Cemetery.
MRS. H. k. PARR.
Mrs II. X. Parr, wife of H. X Parr, q
prominent citizen of Serena, and one of the
oldest residents of this county, died at her
home on Saturday morning, after a severe
illness, at the age of fifty. four years.
Mrs. Parr was a daughter of Hon. John s.
Armstrong, of Mission township, and was
married to Mr.. Parr in 1853, the marriage
being the first in which the parties we're ma
tives Of La Sale county. She was the
mother of five children, all of whom are liv,
ing, we believe.
Mrs. Parr was well known to all the old
settlers of this county, as well as to large
number of the present generation Of La
Sale county people. Her hospitality was
proverbial. Her duties as wife and mother
Of family she performed like a true scion
Of the pioneer stock, raising family that
has done honor to herself and her husband |
\ noble woman has gone to her rest.
The funeral took place on Monday after
noon from the residence.