William Henry Chaney

William Henry Chaney

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/134930699/william-henry-chaney

Astrologer and Writer, was living with Flora Wellman in 1874-1875 before the birth of her son John Griffith Chaney (the writer Jack London) on January 12, 1876 in San Francisco. The 55 year old William Chaney denied he was the father of the child, separated from his common law wife (June of 1875) after learning of her pregnancy. In 1897 a young Jack London located his father who again denied his paternity.

At his death in 1903 W. Chaney was buried at Elmwood Cemetery. "Whoever made the arrangements for Chaney's burial on 9 September 1903 did not purchase the "perpetual care" option; instead, he or she paid only for a 25-year term grave. So in 1928, no other arrangements having been made, Chaney's gravestone was removed and disposed of, and the lot re-sold." -quote from "Chasing William H. Chaney" by Daniel Dyer. So the grave location of the man thought to be the father of Jack London is now lost.