Richard Otis Cheney

Richard Otis Cheney was born on 1 March 1841 to Ralph Cheney (1806-1897) and Jerusha D. Goodwin (1811-1869). He was their only son. They had one daughter, Mary Jane Robbins Cheney Ellis (1835-1885), possibly adopted.

Richard was very involved with the Cheney Brothers silk business, serving as a director later in life, and was also manager of the South Manchester Railroad.

He married Sophia Bissell (1842-1916) in 1863. They had seven children: Florence Douglas Cheney (1864-1916); Mary Bissell Cheney (1866-1890); Annie Cheney (1869-1951); Sophie Cheney (1872-1872); Richard Otis Cheney, Jr. (1874-1931); Ralph Cheney (1877-1896); and Elsie Deane Cheney (1882-1923).

Richard died of Bright's disease (nephritis) on 14 November 1912.