Born May 12, 1838, in Brookfield, Vermont and made that his home until 1866. He received the advantages of the schools of Brookfield and later became a teacher. When the South seceded and war was declared, he was teaching school but at once resigned and enlisted as a private in the 10th Vermont but subsequently was appointed 5th Sergeant and within six months afterward was the Orderly Sergeant of his Company. In March 1865, he was commissioned Major. Upon receiving his discharge he visited his Vermont home for a brief period and then came to Buchanan County, Iowa, where for two years he engaged in farming and then engaged in the Agricultural Implement Business. In 1871, he came to Clay County, where he again entered the same line of trade and which he continued until 1877. In the fall of 1874, he was elected county recorder and held that office one term, declining reelection. In 1877, he disposed of his interest in the farm machinery business, and went to the Black Hills where he remained five months. On his return from the west he engaged in farming and stock raising in Riverton Township. At the fall election of 1888, he was elected Clerk of the Courts and in 1890 was reelected without opposition. He represented the county in the State Legislature in 1902 and 1904, serving in two regular and one special session. He was married in 1865 to Miss Emma W. Whitney. Major Cheney was one of the most honorable men of this community.

Born May 12, 1838, in Brookfield, Vermont and made that his home until 1866. He received the advantages of the schools of Brookfield and later became a teacher. When the South seceded and war was declared, he was teaching school but at once resigned and enlisted as a private in the 10th Vermont but subsequently was appointed 5th Sergeant and within six months afterward was the Orderly Sergeant of his Company. In March 1865, he was commissioned Major. Upon receiving his discharge he visited his Vermont home for a brief period and then came to Buchanan County, Iowa, where for two years he engaged in farming and then engaged in the Agricultural Implement Business. In 1871, he came to Clay County, where he again entered the same line of trade and which he continued until 1877. In the fall of 1874, he was elected county recorder and held that office one term, declining reelection. In 1877, he disposed of his interest in the farm machinery business, and went to the Black Hills where he remained five months. On his return from the west he engaged in farming and stock raising in Riverton Township. At the fall election of 1888, he was elected Clerk of the Courts and in 1890 was reelected without opposition. He represented the county in the State Legislature in 1902 and 1904, serving in two regular and one special session. He was married in 1865 to Miss Emma W. Whitney. Major Cheney was one of the most honorable men of this community.

Born May 12, 1838, in Brookfield, Vermont and made that his home until 1866. He received the advantages of the schools of Brookfield and later became a teacher. When the South seceded and war was declared, he was teaching school but at once resigned and enlisted as a private in the 10th Vermont but subsequently was appointed 5th Sergeant and within six months afterward was the Orderly Sergeant of his Company. In March 1865, he was commissioned Major. Upon receiving his discharge he visited his Vermont home for a brief period and then came to Buchanan County, Iowa, where for two years he engaged in farming and then engaged in the Agricultural Implement Business. In 1871, he came to Clay County, where he again entered the same line of trade and which he continued until 1877. In the fall of 1874, he was elected county recorder and held that office one term, declining reelection. In 1877, he disposed of his interest in the farm machinery business, and went to the Black Hills where he remained five months. On his return from the west he engaged in farming and stock raising in Riverton Township. At the fall election of 1888, he was elected Clerk of the Courts and in 1890 was reelected without opposition. He represented the county in the State Legislature in 1902 and 1904, serving in two regular and one special session. He was married in 1865 to Miss Emma W. Whitney. Major Cheney was one of the most honorable men of this community.