Cheney Ames

Cheney Ames (June 19, 1808 – September 14, 1892) was an American businessman and politician from New York.

Life
He was born on June 19, 1808, in Mexico, New York, the son of Leonard Ames (1775–1843) and Minerva (Peck) Ames (d. 1852). He became a hatter, first in Delphi, then in Cortlandville. On October 23, 1834, he married Emily North (1817–1848), and they had six children. In 1837, he removed to Oswego, and at first set up shop as a hatter, but then became engaged in other business, like grain and flour trade; the manufacture of limewater and plaster; a knitting factory; and the construction of the New York and Oswego Midland and other railroads.

He was Postmaster of Oswego, New York, from 1849 to 1853. In 1854, he married Catherine "Kate" Brown (1832–1910), and they had four children.

He was a member of the New York State Senate (21st D.) in 1858, 1859, 1864 and 1865.

He was again Postmaster of Oswego from 1877 to 1881.

He died on September 14, 1892, in Chicago, Illinois; and was buried at the Riverside Cemetery in Oswego.

Assemblyman Leonard Ames (b. 1818) was his brother.