Source: Portrait & Biographical Album of Whiteside County, IL
Originally published 1885 Chapman Bros., Chicago, IL

Transcribed by: Becky Jones

Pages 574-575

Michael Carney, farmer residing on section 27, Portland Township, and owning 160 acres thereon, is a son of James and Sally (England) Carney, and was born in Massena Township, St. Lawrence Co., N.Y., April 5, 1847. His father was a native of Ireland, and died when the subject of this notice was about nine years of age. His mother was also a native of the same county, and still resides there. They were the parents of nine children, eight living, all in New York except Michael and one sister. The record is as follows: John, Margaret, William, Michael, Libbie, wife of Joseph Cockins, shoemaker and dealer in boots and shoes at Erie, this county, Mary, James, Robert. James (1st) is deceased.

In 1865, Mr. Carney came to this township without any capital, but with the firm determination to establish a home for himself and family. He was employed by the month for a period of six months, when he hired to his present father-in-law, David Chase, for whom he worked one year. He then rented Mr. Chase’s farm of 160 acres, which he continued to cultivate for a period of six years, meeting with success in a financial point of view. He then rented a farm of 200 acres adjoining his present farm on the north, and for four years cultivated it. In 1880 he bought 130 acres of his farm, and subsequently has added, by purchase 30 acres more, which latter purchase occurred in 1884. He now has a nice farm well improved and profitable.

Mr. Carney is a member of the I. O. O. F., and has held the position of Constable for four years, having been re-elected in the spring of 1885.

Mr. Carney was united in marriage in Geneseo, Henry County, this State, June 21, 1870, to Miss Esther M. Chase. She is a daughter of David and Sally Chase, and was born in Allegany Co., Ny. Y., village of Rushford, Oct. 5, 1848. The issue of their union has been three children, of whom the following is a record: Dency was born Sept. 21, 1871; Zena was born Jan. 14, 1875; and Bertie, born March, 1872, died Aug. 9, 1872. The parents of Mrs. Carney are both deceased. They came from New York to this county, and both died here.