R. W. Cheely Passes Away

R. W. Cheely, who has been a sufferer with disease for many months died last evening at six o'clock, at his home in this city. The funeral service will be held at the Christian Church at 2 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday.

#2-Published in the Tribune February 7, 1917

Robert W. Cheely

On Saturday forenoon last, at 10:30 o’clock, the funeral service of Mr. R. W. Cheely occurred in the Christian church of this city, Rev. John B. Williams preached the sermon, and the audience was large. Following is the obituary read in connection with the discourse:

Robert Wren Cheely was born March 24, 1840, in St. Charles county, Missouri, and there he was brought up. At his death last Thursday evening, February 1, he was therefore in his 77th year.

When he was twenty years of age in the dark period of the Civil War, he enlisted in the 49th Missouri regiment on the Southern side and saw a good deal of active duty in the two years he served in the army. His commander was Joe Shelby. At the close of the war he returned home to Missouri, and in 1869, on March 15th, married Miss Nancy Leanora Jewell, in Lincoln county. They made their home there for a number of years. To this union three sons and three daughters were born. There is also now twelve grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

In later years Mr. and Mrs. Cheely removed to South Dakota, living there about seventeen years. Then they came here to reside in this vicinity and have lived here about seventeen years.

Mr. Cheely has been a farmer and a gardener. Industrious and hardworking all his life, he took delight in the maintenance of his home and family, instilling in his children by precept and example, the excellency of an upright, honorable, life.

He was a man of few words. Only on rare occasions would he talk freely of the stirring days of his youth and the heroic part he endeavored to take. Many incidents of his long, eventful life would be interesting to keep in the recollection of his decendants, but this quiet man was not of an ostentatious nature and cared little to speak about himself or the things he had put his hand to.

Although a man of strong purpose and wonderful vitality, his health has been failing for some years. Worn out by the strain and burden of a long life, perhaps also by the severe experiences he underwent in the war time, his fine vigor has been giving way. In the last six months he failed rapidly, and finally fell into the last rest, wearied with suffering.

All his family was with him at the last: Charles, who lives at Hornick, Iowa; Mrs. John Gardipee, of Tekamah; Mrs. Louis Hopkins, of Elk Point, S.D.; Samuel, who lives here; William, also of Blair; and Mrs. Geo. Chambers, who has been living with her parents.

Eleven years ago Mr. Cheely made profession of Christian faith uniting with the Christian church at Blair. Since then, though hindered by bodily infirmity from regular attendance to this profession, and died in the faith and hope of the gospel of Christ.

And now, nevermore will the jar of earthly trouble vex him. He is safe beyond its reach forever. To him there is henceforth, the rest that remains for the people of God, and the rewards of righteousness in the Better Land. – Contributed.

#3-Published in the Pilot February 7, 1917

Note: It was almost word for word the same as the previous Tribune obituary. It did mention that he died “last Thursday, February 1st, from heart trouble incident to old age.” He served in the army under Division General Joe Shelby.

#4-Published in the Blair Democrat February 8, 1917

Robert Wren Cheely Enters The Valley of Shadows

Saturday morning funeral services over the remains of the late Robert W. Cheely were held at the Christian Church, Rev. John Williams officiating. Mr. Cheely died after a lingering illness; for several weeks his condition was such that his death was momentarily expected and when the end came of February 1, 1917, his family stood at the bedside and watched the passing of a loving parent into the Valley of the Shadows.>p> Robert Wren Cheely was born March 24, 1840, in St. Charles County, Missouri, and was 77 years old at the time of his death. When he was twenty years of age, in the dark period of the Civil War, he enlisted in the 49th Missouri regiment on the Southern side and saw a good deal of active duty in the two years he served in the army. He was under Division General Joe Shelby

At the close of the war he returned home to Missouri and on March 15, 1869, was married to Miss Nancy Lenore Jewell in Lincoln County. There they made their home for a number of years. They are the parents of three sons and three daughters. There are also twelve grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Later Mrs. and Mrs. Cheely removed to South Dakota. Seventeen years ago they came to Washington County where the deceased operated a farm. All his life, industrious and hard working, he took delight in the maintenance of his home and family, instilling in the minds of his children by precept and example the excellency of an honorable, upright and diligent life.

He was a man of few words. Only once in awhile would he talk freely of the stirring days of his youth, and the heroic part he endeavored to take. Many incidents of his long, eventful life would he be interesting to keep in the recollection of his descendants, but this quiet man was of no ostentatious disposition and cared little to speak about himself or the things he had put his hand to. All his sons and daughters were with him at the last: Charles, who lives at Horuick, Iowa; Mrs. John Gardipee, of Tekamah; Mrs. Louis Hopkins, of Elk Point, S. D.; Samuel and William, who live in Blair; and Mrs. George Chambers, who has been living at home with her parents. Eleven years ago Mr. Cheely made professions of Christian faith, uniting with the Christian Church. Since then, although hindered by bodily infirmity from regular attendance at church worship, he has adhered to this profession and died in the faith and hope of the gospel of Christ.

Obituaries courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.