WILLIAM L. CHANEY, one of the intelligent and enterprising citizens of Washington Township came to this county in 1881 where he has since resided and made his home. He was born in Montgomery County, Missouri, March 3, 1853, a son of Samuel and Ellen (Parmer) Chaney. William L. was two years of age when his father died in Montgomery County. His widow and the six children removed to Scott County, where the mother died two years later. William, was reared by James Henry after the death of his mother. He was reared on a farm in Princeton Township, Scott County, Iowa where he remained until 1868, when he came to Mills County, Iowa. His first purchase of land was eighty acres of wild railroad land at $9 per acre, but this he has since improved in a good manner. Two years later he purchased forty acres one-fourth of a mile north of his home for $25, and he now owns 120 acres of well-improved land.

Mr. Chaney was married December 31, 1877, in Mills County, Iowa to Florence Hodgin, who was born in Cedar County, Missouri, a daughter of Valentine and Harriet (Council) Hodgin, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Illinois. Mr. and Mrs.Chaney have six children, viz.: Anna L., Georgia D., Lottie I., William O., Henry Clyde and Earl. Politically Mr. Chaney is a strong and radical Republican. He is a member of the Evangelical Church as is also his wife; and in the church he is a steward and superintendent of the Sabbath school. He is a man yet in the prime of life, frank and cordial in his manner, and is honorable in all his business dealings.

Contributed by: Darlene Vergamini