Person:James Cheney (10)

From HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO (published by W. H. Beers & Co, 1881), pp. 879-880: JONATHAN CHENEY (deceased). To the subject of this sketch we are pleased to accord a place in the biographical album of this work. He was born in August, 1816?, in Union Township, Champaign Co., and was prominently identified with the history of the county. As far back as his paternal ancestors can be traced, they inhabited the Isle of Man. In about 1770, Thomas Cheney and four sons-Thomas, William, Joseph and Ebenezer-emigrated from the Isle of Man to America, locating in Massachusetts. The father and three sons were engaged in the battle of Bunker Hill, in which the former, then a man of about 70 summers, was killed by a chain-shot. Thomas, Jr., emigrated to Harrison Co., Va., where he reared a family of sons and daughters, four sons of whom-William, Benjamin (the father of our subject), Jona than and Ebenezer-became pioneers to Champaign Co. Benjamin was married to Sarah Cochran, a native, also, of Harrison Co., Va., from where they immediately emigrate," to Ohio, locating in Champaign Co. in about 1808. The journey was made on horseback, bringing all their meager earthly possessions with them. Benjamin inherited nothing but an honest name, good business habits and a vigorous intellect. His cabin was erected in the wilderness of Union Township, where his industry and perseverance soon carved out a farm and home. He was conspicuously identified with the early political as well as pioneer history of the county. He served for a number of years as Justice of the Peace, and his proceedings in his official capacity are to be found among the early records of the county. As a member of the State Legislature for twelve years, he discharged his duties with fidelity and commendable zeal. He was possessed of more than ordinary business sagacity, and accumulated, before his death, a large landed estate, consisting of nearly 2,000 acres. He never moved from his first location, his death occurring there in 1834, and that of his wife and one son about the same time, all dying of typhoid fever. In his death, the community recognized the loss of a valuable citizen and useful member of society. He had seven sons and one daughter, of whom our subject was the fifth child. His entire life was passed upon the farm on which he was born. He was early taught the art and dignity of farming, and, as regards integrity, business habits and a vigorous intellect, his father's mantle fell upon him. In his life, he was honored as a good and useful member of society, ever found interested in whatever pertained to the common welfare. He filled with the strictest integrity numerous offices of honor and trust; was two years a member of the State Legislature, and for twelve or fifteen years Justice of the Peace. He possessed many sterling characteristics, his devotion to the right being fearless. His life was given principally to farming and stock-raising. In 1836, he married Rachel, daughter of John W. and Eleanor (Duval) Williams, by whom be had eight sons and three daughters; one son and two daughters deceased. He died March 6, 1864. lamented by all who knew him. His son, J. H. Cheney, was born Dec. 1, 1839, in Union Township; was reared on a farm, and has made farming his life occupation. Aug. 14, 1860, he married Beatrice Tullis, a native of Goshen Township, and a descendant of early settlers; be lived in Union and Goshen Townships till about five years ago, when he moved to his present place in Mechanicsburg. He served a time in the late civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Cheney have three sons and one daughter.

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1880 Census Place Mechanicsburg, Champaign, Ohio Family History Library Film 1254998 NA Film Number T9-0998 Page Number 226A Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace Henry CHENEY Self M Male W 40 OH Retired Farm Beattress S. CHENEY Wife M Female W 36 OH Keeping House OH MD Irwood E. CHENEY Son S Male W 18 OH At Scho Brookley E. CHENEY Son S Male W 17 OH Clerk In Store OH OH Lizzie R. CHENEY Dau S Female W 16 OH At Scho William H. CHENEY Son S Male W 4 OH OH OH Elizabeth TULLES MotherL W Female W 53 MD MD MD