SILVER CHANEY.-A lawyer, real estate dealer and loan agent, who is doing an extensive business at Sullivan, Indiana, is Silver Chaney, who was born September 14, 1858, in Allen county, Indiana, near Fort Wayne. He is the son of James and Nancy (Crawford) Chaney, the former being a native of Columbiana county, Ohio, born August 9, 1823. He was of Scotch-Irish descent. By trade he was a carpenter and contractor, working at the same in the vicinity of Fort Wayne. In his politics, he was a supporter of Republican party principles. He died in 1901, on a farm in Allen county. The mother was a native of Columbiana county, also; the date of her birth was 1828, and she still survives and is residing in Allen county. Both she and her husband were Presbyterians in their church faith and membership. Twelve children were born to them, seven being now deceased and the living are: John C., present member of Congress from the Second District of Indiana; Silver, of this biographical notice; Mary E.; Belle, wife of George Lopshire, a resident of Allen county; Matilda, wife of Joseph Weaver, residing in Wells county.
Silver Chaney spent the early part of his life on the farm and attended the public schools, after which he took an eight months course in the schools of Farmersburg, and received a license to teach and taught two years at Cloverland, Clay county, Indiana. lie next attended the Wabash College one year and entered Washington and Jefferson College, in Pennsylvania, where he took a literary course, graduating with the class of 1879. He returned to his native state and taught school in Wells and Allen counties two years, as principal of the Zanesville schools. In 1883, he went to Sullivan and engaged in the abstract business, handling real estate at the same time, and continuing in such work until 1887, when he entered the University of Michigan, graduating from the law department of that most thorough and modern school, with the class of 1889. He then returned to Sullivan county, and commenced the practice of law with C. D. Hunt, of Sullivan. After two years thus associated, he practiced independently for a time, and then formed a partnership with A. G. McNabb, with whom he remained a partner for four years. Since that date he has been alone or with his brother, Hon. John C. Besides carrying on in a successful manner his legal business, he is extensively engaged in loans and real estate transactions. He is a director of the Citizens Trust Company of Sullivan and also director in the American- German Trust Company of Terre Haute; director and auditor of the Great Western Life Insurance Co. of Terre Haute.
Mr. Chaney and his brother, Hon. John C. Chaney, organized the Alum Cave Coal and Coke company, which was the first movement in the direction of developing the coal fields of the neighborhood of Sullivan county.
Mr. Chaney is interested in fraternities, being a member of the Odd Fellows order and has been district deputy grand master and grand patriarch for about fourteen years in Lodge No. 146. He is also a member of the Masonic blue lodge, chapter and council. He was married August 12, 1889, to Minnie M. McEneney, born in Sullivan county, August 12, 1864; she was educated in Sullivan county and at St. Mary of the Woods class. Her parents were, Patrick and Julia A. McEneney, both now residents of Sullivan, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Chaney have four children: Julia Verne, Silver Dean, John Francis, and Harold R. Mrs. Chaney is a member of the Christian church and he of the Presbyterian.