M.J. CHENEY, a prominent farmer of Washington Township, was born in Cattaraugus County, New York, October 1, 1832, the son of Hurd Cheney, who traces his ancestry back to three brothers who came from England before the Revolutionary War, and one of whom participated in that struggle. Our subject's mother was Phoebe (Ballard) Cheney, a native of New York State, and daughter of David Ballard, of Scotch-Irish descent. The parents were married in Cattaraugus County; the father died in Wyoming when crossing the plains at the age of seventy-one years, and the mother died in Millersburg, Iowa at the age of sixty-four years.

M.J. Cheney was reared in his native state until eleven years of age, when his parents moved to Stephenson County, Illinois. In 1854 he came to Mills County, Iowa, which he made his home until 1878, excepting ten months spent in Iowa County, Iowa. He then came to his present farm of 160 acres in Pottawattamie County, which he has since improved, and on which he has erected a fine house.

Mr. Cheney was married in Mills County to Mary M. Dalph, who was born in Terre Haute, Indiana a daughter of Aaron and Eveline (Miller) Dalph, both natives of New York State. The mother died when Mrs. Cheney was but ten years of age, and the father died in Cass County, Nebraska, when seventy-six years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Cheney have eight children, viz.: Milton H., a resident of Neola, Iowa and a barber and jeweler by trade; Hiram E., who is married and lives in Colorado, engaged in the stock business; Amanda E., wife of M.O. Inman, of Fremont County, Iowa; Charles O. of Colorado; Andrew M. at home; Otha C., Sadie May and Rhoda Ellen. Politically Mr. Cheney is a Democrat, is intelligent and of broad and progressive views, and is regarded as one of the best informed men in Washington Township.

Contributed by: Darlene Vergamini