From Memorial and Genealogical Record of Dodge and Jefferson Counties, Wisconsin, publ. 
1894 - Page 97-99
 
CALVIN CHENEY.  There is nothing which adds so much to the assurance and security of the 
people of a town or city as well-lighted streets.  Those meditating crime generally seek darkness 
for its accomplishment, and in a well-lighted street much less of it is done.  Watertown, Wis., is 
well supplied in this respect, and has reason to be proud of her illuminated streets, on which one 
feels almost as safe as in broad daylight.  Among those who have been instrumental in bringing 
this city to its present well-lighted condition is Calvin CHENEY, who has been secretary of the 
Watertown Gas Company for the past twelve years, and is one of the heaviest stock-holders in 
the same.  He is one of the many self-made men of the city, for his means were small when he 
started out to fight the battle of life for himself, but his own energy, persistence and grit carried 
him over many obstacles that strewed his pathway, and he has long been considered one of the 
solid and substantial business men of the city, the destinies of which he has had a hand in 
shaping.  With such a man as he in control of a business, it is no matter for surprise that it should 
steadily increase in magnitude and importance, and as secretary of the gas company of 
Watertown, no better man could have been found for the position.  Mr. CHENEY is a native of 
Prospect, Me., where he first saw the light September 23, 1829, and through his father, Cyrus 
CHENEY, he inherited Scotch and English blood.  His ancestors came to this country prior to the 
French and Indian Wars, in which they partook, and in one of which an early member of the 
family was killed.  The paternal grandfather, Israel CHENEY, was an extensive land-holder of 
Vermont, but at an early day he disposed of his land and removed to Beloit, Wis., the most of the 
journey thither being made by water, and he brought with him eleven head of horses, besides 
other valuable property, and was considered a very wealthy man for that period.  He purchased 
some valuable city property in Beloit and near that place, and there he resided until his death.  
Cyrus CHENEY was a very skillful and experienced mechanic, and in his youth learned the art of 
ship-building, a taste for which he no doubt inherited from his mother's people, several of whom 
were noted ship-builders and prominent in marine circles.
 
In the spring of 1844 he took up his residence in Watertown, Wis., and began the erection of 
houses, and was also engaged in making patterns for foundries, in which he was very skillful.  He 
died in 1878, at the age of seventy-eight years, but his wife died many years earlier, after having 
become the mother of six children, two of whom are living: Eliza A. (GRANT), of Maine, and 
Calvin.  Elden, a brother, was a sea captain, died of yellow fever and was buried in Cuba; John, 
another brother, died and was buried at sea.  Calvin CHENEY has been a resident of Wisconsin 
since he was about eleven years old, and he, unfortunately, only attended school a very short 
time.  However his father was finely educated, and under his able instruction he proved an apt 
pupil and acquired a good practical education.  He followed in the footsteps of his worthy sire as 
to his early occupation, and became a builder and pattern maker, and he also subsequently 
learned the turner's trade and became an expert workman.  As he was of an ambitious and 
energetic temperament, this business proved too slow for him and he abandoned it to become a 
traveling salesman for a Milwaukee cigar house.  After a time he became an employee of a 
wholesale grocery house of Chicago, and subsequently was traveling salesman for several years 
for a wholesale tobacco house of that city.  Following this, he was assistant assessor and deputy 
revenue collector at Watertown, and for sixteen years remained in the Government service, 
discharging his duties in a manner calculated to win him the respect of all.  The interest he has 
always taken in the affairs of Jefferson County, Wis., led to his election to the office of county 
supervisor two terms, during which time he was appointed chairman of some of the most 
important committees, notwithstanding the fact that he has ever been a stanch, Republican and 
was elected to the office in a ward which usually gives a Democratic majority of over 300.  Mr. 
CHENEY occupies a most responsible position, but his natural ability and faithfulness to his 
duties are recognized by all, who repose the utmost confidence in his ability and judgment.  The 
welfare of the section in which he resides has ever been paramount with him, and he has ever 
exerted himself to promote her interests. He is a pleasant, social gentleman, characteristics which 
usually predominate among men of his popularity, and he is respected and well liked by those 
with whom he comes in business contact.  In 1854 he was united in marriage with Miss Nancy 
KEYES, a native of Vermont, by whom he has three sons, of whom he has every reason to feel 
proud: David Clinton, superintendent of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, on the 
Milwaukee and La Crosse division; Ernest C., engineer of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul 
Railroad, and Willis L., a chief collector in the Wisconsin National Bank of Milwaukee.  These 
wide-awake and pushing young business men have been well educated by their father, and are 
honorable, law-abiding and substantial American citizens, a credit to themselves, and to their 
worthy father.  The wife and mother died March 4, 1887, a devout member of the Congregational 
Church, and one who had many warm personal friends.  Mr. CHENEY is a member in good 
standing of the A.F.& A.M.
 
Submitted by Carol