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Cheney firm prior to his departure for
China. In 1874, his father who was
treasurer and secretary of the firm, died,
and Frank W. succeeded to his offices.
From that time forward the management
of the huge concern devolved mainly
upon him, and "to this really enormous
task he brought a degree of consummate
skill, judgment and tact, which have
resulted in greatly increasing the volume
of business, and redounded to his own
great credit and reputation as a business
leader," stated his biographer in article
included in "Representative Citizens of
Connecticut" (1916), edited by Samuel
Hart, D. D., D. C. L., president of the
Connecticut Historical Society.
He was one of the leading silk manufacturers
of America, recognized as such
by the national organizations connected
with that industry. Only a year before
his death, he was voted by the Silk Association
of America to constitute, with Mr.
J. Huber, a committee "to urge upon Congress
a revision of the silk tariff." And
in many other lines of business activity,
or interest, he was a commanding per-
sonality, and came into responsible execu-
tive capacities in leading organizations
and corporations because of his ability
to ably and honorably administer the
trusts. He was on the directorates of
many of the largest and most important
financial and industrial institutions in the
State of Connecticut. Regarding his po-
litical activities, a biographer stated
Although of a most retiring disposition and
shrinking from taking public office of any kind,
his extreme popularity rendered it inevitable
that he should take part in the political world,
even though it might be against his will and
inclination. He was a strong supporter of the
Republican party and its principles, and in
1892 the State organization urged upon him
the nomination for Lieutenant-Governor. The
year happened to be that of the "deadfall" issue,
upon which the Democrats were easily victori-
ous, and Colonel Cheney suffered defeat with
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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
293
the rest of his party. Two years later, he was
nominated by the Republicans for Governor of
the State, but the Democratic star had not yet
set, and once more he was defeated. He remarked
with a smile when the news was
brought him that he had paid for a room at the
Allyn House, together with a box of cigars
and plenty of experience, and that he would
now take a bath and wash off the politics. He
was not able entirely to rid himself of politics even
then, however, for eight years later, while traveling
in Europe, he received a cablegram from
the people of Manchester, asking him to return
and act as their representative at the State Con-
stitutional Convention. This he agreed to do,
and returned at once from his travels.
Colonel Cheney was very popular in
Manchester and Hartford, and was a
member of most of the leading social
organizations of the capital city. Espe-
cially did he interest himself in the pro-
ceedings of the Grand Army of the Re-
public. It was his chief interest outside
of business, and some think it came even
before that with him. Certain it is that
the Grand Army had interest in him. An
editorial, before quoted, of the "Hartford
Courant," stated : "The Colonel was one
of the Connecticut heroes of the Civil
War * * * , and the old soldiers
have ever since had in him not only a
friend but a brother. The mystic bond
that draws the veterans together was
very strong in him. * * * A year
ago, June 5, 1908, on the occasion of his
becoming seventy-six years old, the sur-
vivors of his regiment surprised him at
his home, and presented him with a loving
cup." He was a member of the Con-
necticut Sixteenth Regiment Association,
and of Drake Post, Grand Army of the
Republic, and also of the Veteran Asso-
ciation of the Hartford City Guard. Following
his death, the "Hartford Courant"
of May 27, 1909, stated, in part
Colonel Frank W. Cheney died suddenly and
peacefully at his home (in South Manchester,
May 26, 1909). * * * He was loved by a
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