William C. Cheyne

     William C. Cheyne was born, 22 May 1853, in Pekin, Tazewell, Illinois, USA.^1,2,3

Christian Cheyne, William C. Cheyne, John S. Cheyne and Matthew C. Cheyne were listed as in the household of William Cheyne on the 1860 United States Census, in Morton Township, Tazewell, Illinois, USA. He was actually a son. All family members names were recorded as Chane.⁴

William C. Cheyne was listed on the 1880 United States Census in Avoca Township, Pottawattamie, Iowa, USA. He was a bookkeeper employed by a grain dealer. He and both of his parents were said to have been born in Scotland.⁵

William C. Cheyne married Clara Belle Bates 7 November 1888, in Oakland, Pottawattamie, Iowa, USA. The couple was listed as having been married for twelve years on the 1900 US Census.^1,6

William C. Cheyne was listed on the 1900 United States Census, at 117 Iowa Avenue, in Kane Township, Pottawattamie, Iowa, USA. He was head of household and a clerk. Also present were his children, William Walter Cheyne, Sue Bates Cheyne, Phoebe C. Cheyne and Joseph Duncan Cheyne. The family rented their home.⁶

William C. Cheyne was listed on the 1910 United States Census, in Belknap Township, Pottawattamie, Iowa, USA. He was head of household and a real estate salesman. Also present were his children, William Walter Cheyne, Sue Bates Cheyne, Phoebe C. Cheyne, Joseph Duncan Cheyne, Charles Theodore Cheyne and Allison Boyd Cheyne. The family rented their home.⁷

William C. Cheyne and his wife Clara Cheyne were listed on the 1920 United States Census, at 301 Grace Street, in Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie, Iowa, USA. He was head of household and a bookkeeper for a manufacturing company. Also present were his children, William Walter Cheyne, Phoebe C. Cheyne, Charles Theodore Cheyne and Allison Boyd Cheyne. The family rented their home.⁸

William C. Cheyne died 19 April 1926 in Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie, Iowa, USA. From the Council Bluffs Nonpariel; Monday, 19 April 1926, page 9. "William C. Cheyne, 72, died Monday forenoon at his home, 508 North 7th Street. He had lived here for 36 years and at one time served as county auditor. He is survived by four sons, Wm. W., of Rock Island, Ill., Joe D., Chas. T., and Allison B., of this city, three daughters, Mrs. Howard C. Smith of Tulare, California, Mrs. Arnold G. Wahlstrom of Price, Utah, and Mrs. George E. Leman of this city, and one brother Matthew Cheyne, of Pittsburgh, Kansas. The body was removed to Cutler's Funeral Home pending arrangements."
From the Council Bluffs Nonpariel; Tuesday, 20 April 1926, page 9. "The funeral of W. C. Cheyne will be held Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock from Cutler's chapel, Rev. J. P. Linn of Grace Presbyterian Church officiating. Burial will be in the cemetery at Oakland, Iowa."^1,9

William C. Cheyne was buried 21 April 1926, at Oaklawn Cemetery, in Oakland, Pottawattamie, Iowa, USA. From the Council Bluffs Nonpariel; Thursday, 22 April 1926. "Funeral services for the late Wm. C. Cheyne, were held Wednesday morning from Cutler's chapel, Rev. J. P. Linn of Grace Presbyterian Church officiating. Music was furnished by Mr. & Mrs. J. W. Beardsley. Relatives served as pallbearers. The funeral cortege went overland to Oakland where burial occurred.".^1,10

According to the records of Allison Boyd Cheyne; the following is quoted from "History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa", by Homer H. Field and Hon. Joseph R. Reed, Vol. 1, page 530. Published by S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1907. The volume located at the Public Library, Council Bluffs, Iowa.
"Pottawattamie County has been signally favored in the class of men who have filled her public offices, and in this connection Wm. C. Cheyne is deserving of more than passing mention. He is now Auditor of the County, and in office has made an excellent record, leading to his election for a second term in 1906. He was born in Peoria, Ill., in 1853, and lived in and near that city until 1880, the greater part of his education being acquired in the public schools.
"Hoping to benefit by a change of location, he came to Pottawattamie County in 1880, settling at Avoca, where he acquired a position in the office of a grain firm as general office man. He acted in that capacity until August, 1882, when he was sent to Oakland, to take charge of an elevator for his firm and there he continued until March, 1890. He then went to Carson, where he was given charge of the South Branch Elevator Co., continuing as manager at that point until November, 1894. A more advantageous offer then came to him the position of Deputy in the County Clerk's office (Council Bluffs), to which he was appointed, there remaining for ten years under one administration (Freeman Reed), a fact that is indicative of the care and diligence he displayed in the discharge of his duties. In January, 1905, he entered upon the duties of the office of County Auditor, to which he had been elected, and in 1906 he was re-elected so that he is now serving his second term.
"Mr. Cheyne was married in November, 1888, in Oakland, Iowa, to Miss Clara B. Bates, a daughter of J. B. T. Bates and they have seven children, Wm. W., Sue, Phobe, Joe D., Katherine C., Chas. T., and Allison B.
"Mr. Cheyne belongs to the 100F and is in hearty sympathy with the spirit of benevolence and helpfulness upon which the organization is based. He has always given his political allegiance to the Republican Party and it has been upon this ticket that he has been elected to public office. He has made a worthy record, commending him to the confidence, regard and further support of the public and winning for him his classification with the representative men of this party of the state".¹