James D. Cheesman
James D. Cheesman, the enterprising President and Treasurer of the Cheesman-Kelley Manufacturing Company, of Muskegon, Mich., is a long-time resident and prominent citizen of his present locality, and for thirty years has been closely indentified with the progressive interests of the Wolverine State. Born in Jefferson County, N. Y., April 11, 1842, our subject was but twenty years of age when independently setting out to seek his fortune in the West, he came to Muskegon. His father, Francis Cheesman, likewise a native of the Empire State, was the son of Jeremiah Cheesman, who courageously fought in the War of the Revolution. The mother, Susan (Kellog) Cheesman, born, reared and educated in the Empire State, was the descendant of sturdy ancestry, who made their home in America in a very early day. The father, by occupation a contractor and builder, was well known and highly respected in his lifetime home, Mr. Cheesman spent the years of his boyhood in his birthplace, and received a good, substantial education in the excellent district school of his home neighborhood. Attaining to mature years, and trained in habits of self-reliant industry, he determined to enter upon the labor of life in a newer field of action, and with the tide of emigration journeyed to Michigan.
Locating in Muskegon in 1862, our subject received immediate and remunerative empolyment in a sawmill, where he continued to remain for a number of years. Finally, in 1887, he organized the Cheesman-Kelley Manufacturing Company, with James D. Cheesman as President and Treasurer, T. B. McNiff Vice-President, and M. G. Avery Secretary. The company, financially prospered does a large and rapidly extending business, the success of the enterprise being mainly due to the energetic efforts and executive ability of the President and Treasurer, who is also one of the principal stockholders of the company. The extensive plant of the Cheesman-Kelley Company is located at the corner of East Western Avenue and the Chicago & West Michigan Railroad tracks, and does a general planing-mill business, manufacturing boxes and interior and exterior finishings, and likewise building stairs, etc. It commands one of the largest lines of custom given to any similar establishment in this part of the State. Literally a self-made man, of earnest purpose and sterling integrity, our subject has in truth won his way upward unaided, and now, one of the leading business men of Muskegon, has attained a position of influence, commanding the respect of all who know him.
In the year 1866 were united in marriage James D. Cheesman and Miss Helen J. Dean, daughter of Harvey and Abbie (Warren) Dean, both of sturdy New England ancestry. The mother of Mrs. Cheesman was a native of Connecticut, and was there reared and educated, but died in the Empire State in 1859. Mr. Dean, also a native of New England, was a farmer by occupation, and after residing in New York returned to Massachusetts, and from the old Bay State emigrated in 1862 to Muskegon, Mich. The union of our subject and his accomplished wife has been blessed by the birth of two children, a son and a daughter, Frank T. and Addie, now at home. The pleasant and commodious family residence is located at No. 16 West Webster Avenue, Muskegon, and, desirably situated, is well known to a large circle of intimate acquaintances and long-time friends. Occupying positions of useful influence, Mr. and Mrs. Cheesman take an active part in the social and benevolent enterprises of the locality, our subject being a ready aid in all matters pertaining to the public welfare. - From Portrait and Biographical Record of Muskegon and Ottawa Counties, Michigan (1893)
Marriage Notes for Leon R. Cheesman and ?-1773
Married for 19 years and then divorced. In 1930 he was living with his parents in Gary City, Lake County, Indiana. - 1930 US Federal Census