Background
Edwin was the son of James Wilson Cheney (b August 20, 1841) and Armilla Armanda (b ca 1846), daughter of Linus S. and Rebekah J. (Jaegger) Perkins. His father was born in Royalton, Master of Arts, and moved to Maine with his parents ca.
Edwin was the son of James Wilson Cheney (b August 20, 1841) and Armilla Armanda (b ca 1846), daughter of Linus S. and Rebekah J. (Jaegger) Perkins. His father was born in Royalton, Master of Arts, and moved to Maine with his parents ca.
1850. James West. entered Oberlin College in 1860 before enlisting in the 7th Ohio Infantry in April 1861. Edwin"s sister, Luella Emory Cheney, was born April 11, 1871 (adopted). Cheney became an electrical engineer
He commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright to build his family a house in Oak Park.
Wright engaged in a love affair with Edwin"s wife Mamah, with whom he went to Europe. Upon their return, Mamah moved into Taliesin, the new house Wright was building for them, while it was still under construction.
Four others were also murdered during this event, and Carlton, following ingestion of acid in an apparent suicide attempt, died before being tried. Edwin Cheney later remarried and moved to Webster Groves, Missouri.
The Edwin H. Cheney House is used as a bed & breakfast.
An opera, Shining Brow, covers the story of the Cheneys and Wrights, from when they meet in Wright"s office, through the aftermath of Mamah"s death. Music by Daron Hagen and lyrics by Paul Muldoon.