David Cheeks

David Cheeks (April 1841 - March 20, 1914) served as a private in Company G, 13th Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry.

Personal life
David Cheeks was born in April 1841 in Yadkin County, North Carolina to a father who has not been identified and Mary Jane Cheek. He first married Nancy Sheffield (1833-1910), with whom he had three children. He married second Lola A. Holiway.

Civil War service
Cheeks first enlisted as a private in Company G, 6th North Carolina Cavalry. His only surviving record for the regiment states that he deserted on January 1, 1863 in Carter County, Tennessee and disappeared into the mountains of Johnson County, Tennessee. Changing his allegiance, he enlisted as a private in Company G, 13th Tennessee Cavalry on September 24, 1863 in Carter County for a period of three years and mustered in October 28, 1863 at Strawberry Plains, Tennessee. Cheeks was appointed blacksmith on October 20, 1863 by order of Colonel Miller. On the May and June 1865 muster roll he is listed as a private.

He is described as 22 years old, 5' 8" tall, fair complexion, blue eyes, black hair, and by occupation a farmer.

Cheeks is listed as present for duty throughout his term of service for which muster roll records have survived.

Cheeks mustered out with the regiment on September 5, 1865 at Knoxville. He had last been paid to June 31, 1864, had received $77.30 for clothing in kind or money advanced, had been paid a $25 bounty, and was owed a $75 bounty.

Post-war life
Cheeks applied for an invalid's pension on December 15, 1869. He died March 20, 1914 near Fish Springs in Carter County and is buried at Hamby Cemetery in Carter County. His wife applied for a widow's pension on April 7, 1914.