Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

member now living of the eighth Amer-
ican generation of the Cheney family of
that place, the enterprise and business
ability of which, in association with those
of the seventh generation, established and
developed in South Manchester a silk
manufacturing plant, the product of
which was destined to make the name of
Cheney known throughout America, in
connection with sewing silk and other
silken products. He was born in Man-
chester, Connecticut, February 9, 1838,
the son of George Wells and Mary (Wil-
son) Cheney.
James Woodbridge Cheney was edu-
cated in the public schools of that town,
the progress of which has depended so
much upon the enterprise of the Cheney
family. In due course, he entered the
business of the family, and has lived prac-
tically his entire life in the vicinity of the
Cheney Brothers' manufacturing head-
quarters. He has considerably aided the
advancement of the business to a leading
place among the silk manufacturers of
America, and until he retired, in 1915,
held responsible office. He is still a direc-
tor of the firm of Cheney Brothers' Silk
Manufacturing Company. During his
long residence in South Manchester he
has entered actively in public affairs, and
has held many town and State offices. He
was president of the Connecticut State
Prison Board for fifteen years, and a di-
rector for twenty-two years. He was particularly
interested in the movement
which resulted in the accummulation of
the necessary funds to assure the erection
in Spring Grove Cemetery, Hartford, of
a monument to fittingly memorialize the
achievements of Henry Clay Work,
author of "Marching Through Georgia,"
and other popular Civil WT
ar songs. Mr.
Cheney acted as treasurer of the association
formed in 1908 for that purpose, and
to his interest and personal indefatigable
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
296
endeavors may be attributed the success-
ful consummation of the project. Politi-
cally, Mr. Cheney has always been a zeal-
ous and active worker in the interests of
the Republican party of the State and Nation.
In 1871 he represented Manchester
in the Connecticut General Assembly,
and for nearly thirty-five years was asso-
ciated with Charles H. Arnold and the
late Maro S. Chapman on the Republican
town committee of Manchester, and
has represented that district in conven-
tions of the party—State, Senatorial,
county, and Congressional—for more than
half a century. He was elected delegate
from the First Congressional District to
the National Republican Convention at St.
Louis in 1896, and ardently supported the
nomination of William McKinley for
United States President.
Of interest also to record, in connec-
tion with Mr. Cheney, is the fact that he
joined the Hartford City Guards in May,
1861, to give military service during the
Civil War, and thus became a charter
member of that historic organization.
Mr. Cheney has had a remarkably long
and successful business career. He re-
tired in 191 5, after having held responsible
official connection with the Cheney
Brothers' Silk Manufacturing Company
for sixty-four years, during which time he
earned the sincere regard of those with
whom he associated, both in business and
public affairs. Fraternally, he is affili-
ated with the Order of Free and Accepted
Masons, and has passed through all the
chairs of the Manchester Lodge. And,
by reason of his ancestry, was elected to
membership in the Connecticut Society
of the Sons of the Revolution.
On February 5, 1868, Mr. Cheney mar-
ried Harriet Elizabeth, daughter of Halsey
and Adeline (Blish) Cheney. They
have two children : John Piatt, born November
12, 1868; and Adeline, born
December 2, 1890.