Elam Cheney was born, May 16, 1825 in the town of Freedom, New York in Cattaraugus County. He was the 10th child of 16 born to Aaron Cheney and Mehitable Wells. Only 9 of whom lived to adulthood. Aaron Cheney, the Father of Elam, was born in Berwich, Providence Co., Maine July 14, 1787. When but a small boy his father moved to Granby, Vermont. When Aaron was twenty-six or seven, he met and married Mehitable Wells, and was a prosperous farmer and later the owner of a foundry where a number of men were employed and where large quantities of cast iron were produced. Elam's mother, Mehitable Wells, was born in Bolton, Lancashire, England, January 1, 1787. Although a very frail woman, she was a capable and industrious housekeeper and a faithful wife and mother.
Both of Elam's parents were religiously inclined and were faithful members of the Methodist Church until they were visited by the Prophet Joseph Smith and Orson Pratt, who taught them the gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They were baptized members of this Church in the year 1831.