DAVID C. CHASE. Age falls upon some men like a gracious benediction at the end of the lesson of life. With whitened hair and measured tread, the venerable aspect of age is an open hook in which even the youngest and most thoughtless can read the story of life, whether the experience has been one of adventure, and colored and broidered o'er with romance and tragedy, or whether adopting a fixed principle as a guiding star, the aged man has ever steered his course by its guidance. Our subject has just passed his three-score years and ten, and any one who looks upon his rugged but serene face can see therein that his has been an experience guided by the principles of rectitude and honor; that no matter how frail the superstructure may now be, that the base and foundation is of adamantine firmness; for character never grows old.

David C. Chase is a native of Indiana. His parents, however, both came from the Empire State. His father was William J. Chase, and his mother Eunice (Chamberlain) Chase. They married in Indiana, and settled immediately after their union in Washington County, where they lived and made the journey of life together until death claimed them for its own. Our subject's father was a shoemaker by trade, although he was engaged to some extent in farming, but his preference was for the exercise of the trade that he had learned in youth. Both parents were victims of the cholera, and both passed away in the month of August, 1833. They had six children and of these our subject was the eldest.

The original of our sketch was born in Washington County, Ind., May 25, 1821. Left an orphan at the age of twelve, he was obliged to struggle as best he could for a maintenance. He went to Lawrence County, Ind., and there grew to manhood, learning in the meantime the blacksmiths' trade, which he followed until 1852, and the imagination pictures the smithy at the meeting of the roads, where farmers brought their horses, and over the injured tire of an ancient vehicle, discussed crops and politics and every subject within the ken of the rural mind, "from Homer down to Thackeray, and Swedenborg on hell." The fact remains, however, stripped of fancy, that our subject succeeded in his work, receiving such returns for his labor as to justify him in taking unto himself a companion and wife, which he did June 26, 1845, in Orange County, Ind. His bride was Miss Hannah Hostetler, a daughter of Christian and Elizabeth (Hardman) Hostetler. They had nine children, Mrs. Chase was the seventh in order of birth; she was born in Orange County, Ind., December 1, 1823. In 1852 Mr. Chase and his wife came to Illinois, and settled in Coles County, there living until January, 1853, when they came to Lovington Township, this country, since which time he has here been a resident. He lived on his farm which he had purchased upon first coming here, until the fall of 1885, when with his family he removed to the village of Loviugton. He now rents his farm, which comprises one hundred acres of good land, and it brings him in a very good income. Three children have grown up about our subject and his wife. Elizabeth E. is the wife of Thomas Spilker; Francis M. married Miss Margaret Morthland; and David C. took to wife Miss Mary Haley. Three children died in infancy.

Since coming to this State, Mr. Chase has followed agricultural pursuits, and has been reasonably successful in his chosen calling. In politics he has ever taken an active interest, and is an ardent adherent of the Democratic party, having very positive views in regard to the efficiency of the governmental principles and rule of that power. Mrs. Chase, who is a kindly and intelligent old lady, has been a member of the Christian Church since girlhood. Her husband is a Universalist in his belief. Mrs. Chase is a sister of Noah Hostetler, of Lovington, of whom a more extended history can be found in another part of this volume.

Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, 1891 - p. 725/726

Transcription copyright 2003/2007, Moultrie County ILGenWeb/USGenWeb