345 – Postwar Cheneys

Mark Jarvis

World War I armistice officially ended the war in November 1918. By the end of 1919, most troops were home from Europe and out of the service.

By mid-1919, all the Cheneys were out of military service. Life returned to normal in Gypsum, Kansas.

Rollo Cheney

Dr. Rollo Cheney separated from military service in August 1919. He returned to his dental practice in Herington, Kansas.

In April 1920, Rollo purchased the practice of Dr. W.N. Winder in Gypsum.

Rollo’s office was in the Schmitter Building, adjacent to his father E.R.’s office. They even shared the phone number 63.

Ned Cheney

Ned had enrolled in St. Louis University Medical School in the fall of 1916.

Ned wasn’t drafted in 1917, but in 1918, he joined the Student Army Training Corps at Jefferson Barracks, ten miles south of St. Louis. The SATC gave military training alongside the student’s college courses.

After the Armistice, the SATC was quickly dissolved, and the students discharged.

After interruptions for the Mexican Expedition and the SATC, Ned continued his studies.

Ralph E. Cheney – The Archive – St. Louis University – 1920

During summer and semester breaks, Ned interned at Wichita Hospital in Wichita, Kansas. Ned’s uncle Dr. J.W. Cheney was on the board at the hospital and had a private practice specializing in Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat (EENT).

One of the specialties of the Wichita Hospital was treatment of the eye, ear, nose, and throat.

Ned’s internships with his uncle in Wichita had two major impacts on his life:

  • Ned became an Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist like his uncle
  • The Wichita Hospital had a School of Nursing, where Ned met his future wife

In June 1920, Ned Cheney graduated from St. Louis University with a Bachelor of Science degree.

Ralph Edwin Cheney – Bachelor of Science – St. Louis University – June 7, 1920

He took a job at a large St. Louis Hospital, maybe Barnes Hospital. Perhaps it was a residency.

On February 1, 1921, Ned received his Doctor of Medicine degree.

Ralph Edwin Cheney – Doctor of Medicine – St. Louis University – February 1, 1921

Fred Cheney

Fred Cheney – ca 1919

1919 was a busy year for Fred Cheney. He was discharged from military service in January.

In February, Fred and his partner sold their C & K auto garage.

By April, Fred had re-opened his battery and electrical shop in Gypsum. Fred was a whiz at mechanical and electrical work, and he would pursue these interests throughout his life.

On August 31, Fred Cheney and Ethel Winslow married.

By October, Fred and Ethel Cheney began construction of a new house on Maple Street. That was next door to his father’s home.

On August 27, 1920, Ethel Cheney gave birth to a new baby girl, Ethel Virginia Cheney.

Enos R. Cheney

Enos R. Cheney – ca 1920

Lieutenant Enos R. Cheney was discharged from service at Camp Funston, Fort Riley, Kansas on April 26, 1919.

E.R. Cheney was back at work as a country doctor as soon as he returned home.

Ever the automobile enthusiast, E.R. was driving a new Buick Six within two weeks of being home.

E.R. and others also invested in an oil drilling investment, Hepler Oil. It didn’t pan out.

Timeline

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