From the book History of Walworth County Wisconsin, by Albert Clayton Beckwith, 
publ. 1912 - Pages 499 - 500
 
AUGUSTUS JACKMAN CHENEY, son of Moody CHENEY and Susan Burbank, daughter of 
Paul JACKMAN, was born at Byfield, Massachusetts, March 1, 1837; was graduated 
from Dartmouth College in 1857; came to Racine in 1858 and the next year to 
Delavan as principal of the high school.  In 1862 he was chosen county 
superintendent of schools - the first to hold that office, for Walworth county, 
and was re-elected in 1864.  In May, 1864, he raised a company of which he was 
captain - Company F, Fortieth Infantry, for one hundred days' service.  On his 
return he raised Company K, Forty-ninth Infantry, for one year's service, and 
was successively captain and major.
 
While in this later service he was detailed for various duties requiring 
technical knowledge and sound judgment.  These military services took him away 
from his duties as a school officer, and his second term was served by Osmore 
R. SMITH.  He was among the earlier members of the State Teachers' Association, 
and one of the most intelligent and active among them.  He was western manager 
for various school-book publishers, among them G. & C. Merriam.  He made his 
home, several years ago, at Oak Park, Illinois, but his business was largely in 
Wisconsin, and there were few great soldier-meetings in this county or state 
that he failed to attend.  To the end of his life he seemed to his old friends 
of the sixties as still one of the "Old Walworth"; while between him and such 
of his pupils as had obeyed him as captain the bond was two-fold and not to be 
broken.  He died at Oak Park, February 27, 1907.  He had married at Racine, 
August 5, 1862, Sybil Ann, daughter of Duncan SINCLAIR and Lucretia ASHLEY, 
who, with an adopted son, lives (1911) at Oak Park.  Major CHENEY's ancestors 
were John1, Peter2, John3, Edmund4, Moses5, Jonathan6, Mark7, Moody8.  Rufus 
Ellis CHENEY, of Whitewater, had only the first of these ancestors, and thus 
was the major's fourth-cousin twice removed.

Submitted By:  Carol
(carolann612@charter.net)