Lovina was the daughter of Zachariah Allen Whitson and Jean Seebolt (1802-1956). They were the parents of Elmer and Earl. She married 2nd Mathew Chaney on 20 Aug 1856 in Mt. Caro, Illinois. They were the parents of Carrie, George, Mathew, Lenora, Frank, and Charles. They adopted Earl Billings.

CENSUS 1850 Millville, Jo Daviess, Illinois

Zachariah Whitson M 50 years Tennessee

Jane Whitson F 48 years North Carolina

Harrison Whitson M 24 years Tennessee

Allan Whitson M 23 years Tennessee

Eliza Whitson F 20 years Tennessee

Lovina Whitson F 17 Tennessee

Emily Whitson F 13 years Tennessee

Delitha Whitson F 10 years Illinois

Louisa Whitson F 7 years Illinois

Charles W Whitson M 3 years Illinois

Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1940

Name Harvey Olmstead

Sex Male

Spouse's Name Jane Whitson

Spouse's Sex Female

Spouse's Age 18 years

Spouse's Birth Year (Estimated) 1839

Event Type Marriage

Event Date 1857

Event Place Jo Daviess, Illinois, United States

Source Details item 4 p 93

CENSUS 1885 Douglas Township, Sac, Iowa

Mathew Cheney M 48 years

Lovina Cheney F 48 years

George Cheney M 24 years

Mathew E Cheney M 22 years

Frank Cheney M 15 years

Charles Cheney M 3 years

Iowa, Death Records, 1904-1951

Name Lovina Jane Cheney

Sex Female

Age 68 years

Birth Year (Estimated) 1837

Father's Name Zacheriah Whitson

Mother's Name Siebold

Event Type Death

Event Date 19 August 1905

Event Place Newell, Buena Vista, Iowa, United States

Certificate Number 1100124

OBITUARY - Mrs. Matthew Cheney died at her home in the west part of town Saturday, August 19, 1905, at 11:25 p.m., at the age of 68 years, 10 months and 1 day, the immediate cause of death being an old ailment causing heart failure.

The news that Mrs. Cheney was not expected to live through the night which was circulated Saturday through our town only proved to be too true, when at the hour above stated Saturday night the death messenger entered the home and claimed the kind and loving mother.

Mrs. Cheney was taken suddenly sick on Tuesday, August first, but medical assistance soon showed a marked improvement and the next day was again able to be up, although she was far from being well. She remained in this condition, sometimes feeling a little better, until the day before she died when she was compelled to go to bed, from which she never again arose. She was conscious to the last, and just before she died she said to her sons and daughters who had gathered at her bed side that "she had trusted in God always and wanted her children whom she so dearly loved but must part with, to meet her in Heaven." Then peacefully and sweetly she passed into that great beyond, to return no more to her loving family and friends.

Lovina Jane Witson was born in Washington county, Tennessee, November 18, 1836. When at the age of two years her parents and family moved to Stevenson county, where she lived and grew to womanhood. On August 20, 1856, at Mt. Caro, Illinois, she became the wife of Matthew Cheney and in 1866 with her husband they came to Iowa, locating on the homestead in Douglas township. They were among the very first to settle in this vicinity, and the highly cultivated farm lands of today were then but a wild and wooley plaine occupied by the Indians in many localities. Their nearest neighbors lived five miles away and they were few until the second year when settlers arrived daily to take up claims. They resided there until 1892, when they retired from farm life, moving to town in the fall, where they have ever since resided. On February 4, 1897, her husband, Matthew, died.

Six children were born to them - five of whom are still living. The other, Mrs. Lenora Billings, died at Sioux City October 28, 1888. Mrs. Cheney united with the Baptist church thirty-two years ago and has ever since lived a noble christian life. She was a kind and loving mother and will be greatly missed by her children - especially George who has lived with his mother ever since his father died. They had purchased a beautiful home in the suburbs of the city and were living a life of contentment when the sad parting came.

The remaining children, with the exception of Carrie E. Ellis, of Roslyn, La., were all present at the funeral. They are George R. and Matthew E., of this place, Frank A., of Sac City, and Charley C., of Boone.

Funeral services were held at the home Monday morning at ten o?clock. Rev. G.W. Shideler spoke comforting words to the sorrowing relatives and appropriate music was furnished by a mixed quartet, after which the remains were taken to the Newell cemetery, followed by a large number of sympathizing friends, and buried in the family lot beside her husband and daughter.