[1] His father was born in Vermont before serving as a minister in Ohio, and his mother was from New York.
[2] On September 4, 1862, Cheney voluntarily enlisted in the 21st Michigan Infantry Regiment as quartermaster sergeant.
[4] On March 19, 1865, he was severely wounded in Bentonville, North Carolina while commanding Company B.
[1] After the Civil War, Cheney was engaged in a number of businesses, including insurance and real estate.
[1] By 1876, Cheney had served in the local political offices of justice of the peace and town treasurer.
[9][10] In March 1894, Cheney confessed in probate court to double selling a mortgage to a mentally disabled widow whom he was guardian over.