BYRON CHEEVER. One of the best characteristics of a true gentleman is gentleness and kindness to the beings that are dependent upon him for care and protection. Especially is this true when dumb brutes are the objects of the care. He of whom we write is a lover of horses with all which that beautiful word implies as to tenderness and protective care of the objects of his affections. While he breeds upon his fine farm of two hundred acres located on section 27, of Lovington Township, Moultrie County, some very fine horses, he is not satisfied with this alone, but so cultivates the best traits in the horses under his care that they are almost human in their understanding of the sympathy of the higher animal.

Our subject is a son of Nathan Cheever, a physician who was born in Delaware County, Ohio, April 13, 1818. Our subject's mother was Mary Ann Hubbard in her maiden days and she was a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, where she was born April 16, 1828. They were married in the last named county and State, September 22, 1842, and settled in Franklin County of the same State, where they resided over three years, from there removing to Waterloo, Fayette County, Ohio, where they made their home for eleven years, during which time the father was engaged in the practice of his profession. From that place they removed to Jefferson County, Iowa, where Nathan Cheever entered eight hundred acres of land and purchased eighty acres of improved land, upon which they settled. During the time that they remained in Jefferson County, he was engaged in the practice of his profession in which he continued until 1857, when the family removed to this county, and settled in Lovington, where the old gentleman continued to practice until 1875, then he retired from active professional life. He continued to reside in Lovington until his death, which occurred November 23, 1884.

The maternal grandparents of him of whom we write were Jacob and Hester Ann Asher, both of whom were natives of Ohio, the former passing away in Pickaway County, Ohio, and the latter dying in this county and State. The parents of Byron Cheever saw grow up about them six children and of this family our subject was the only son. He was born in Fayette County, Ohio, September 22, 1848, and was almost nine years old when his parents came to Lovington where he grew to manhood. The young man was educated in the common schools of the district in which he lived.

Like most boys, he was brimming with mischief, but managed to acquire the branches that were most valuable to him in a business life and his mind continued to develop until he became a well educated and cultured gentleman.

The original of our sketch continued to make his home with his father until he was twenty-two years of age. At this time he was married, his wedding being celebrated October 20, 1870, and his bride being Miss Eliza V. Nichols, a daughter of James H. and Hester (Wingate) Nichols, the former probably being a native of Maryland, and the latter of Delaware. Mrs. Cheever's parents were married in Delaware and made their first home in Maryland, the father being engaged in the occupation of carpentry. They came to this county and State in 1862, and settled in Lovington, where he followed his trade and resided until the time of his deceased. The mother passed away from this life January 27, 1863. The father died May 14, 1869. They had five children and of these Mrs. Cheever was the youngest. She was born in Caroline County, Md., March 16, 1850.

After marriage our subject and wife settled in Lovington and for the first year thereafter he was engaged in farming, and then engaged in the mercantile business for a period of seven years, after which time he devoted himself to the grain business, in which he dealt extensively, buying and shipping to the Metropolitan markets. He also was the proprietor of the hotel known as the Central House, continuing in the charge of this for two years. He then removed to his farm just north of Lovington, to the cultivation and improvement of which he has since devoted himself. His farm is devoted mostly to breeding purposes and some of the finest horses that are raised in the county, may be seen here.

Mr. and Mrs. Cheever are the parents of six children whose names are as follows: Will L., Herbert E., Frank B., Lillie E., Henry O. and Adah F., all of whom are bright and interesting young people, promising to be the comfort and solace of their parents' declining years. Mr. Cheever has always taken an active interest in political affairs the Republican party being the object of his faith and devotion and receiving from him his influence and vote. He has occupied a number of the local offices, having filled the office of Justice of the Peace since the spring of 1890, and having also satisfactorily discharged the duties of many other township offices. Socially our subject is a member of the Masonic fraternity and also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. He is, besides, a member of the Knights of Pythias. He of whom we write is at the present time just approaching the best and most mature portion of his life and the fine business qualifications that he possesses insure for him the privilege of enjoying all the comforts that good financial position insure.

Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, 1891 - p. 387-389

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