Heber Chase

Heber Chase, a native of Jubilee, Peoria county, Ill., removed with his parents, Philander and Anna K. Chase, to Stark county at the age of four years, and for the six succeeding years resided with them on the homestead farm on section 31, Valley. He then attended a winter term of school at Jubilee, returned home and some time later took a course in the Normal University and in Jubilee College. Then resuming work on the farm, he resided there until 1871, when he was appointed postmaster at this place, of which his father was founder, and by whom the name Wady Petra (Stone Valley) was given. Very soon after he received the appointment of railroad and express agent. In the spring of 1878 he sustained a heavy loss in the death of his father, when the responsibility of head of the family, and indeed of the community, which his father had gathered around him, fell upon him. About this time he formed a partnership with his brother, William J. Chase, to carry on the mercantile house which his father established. In 1874 he married Miss Emma Isabelle, daughter of George and Margaret Brain, of Burlingame, Kan. Her father had been dead a number of years, but the lady and her mother were then visiting here and with Mrs. Chase's cousin at Galva, Thomas Milcrist.

Mrs. Brain died at Wady Petra in July, 1886. She married Geo. Brain in 1854, six years after her emigration from the Isle of Man, and eight years preceding the death of her husband. To Mr. and Mrs. Chase four children were born, of whom Virginius H. and Victor P., are at home. In politics he is Republican, and in all local and county affairs liberal and enterprising.