Lewie Vern Cheney

Submitted by: Margaret E. Haynes

Biography written © by: Margaret E. Haynes

Lewie Vern Cheney was born September 30, 1911 in LaHarpe, Allen Co. Kansas. He was the son of Warren and Louise Cheney.

In the 1910 Census of LaHarpe, Allen Co. Kansas, Lewie was 17, working as a furnaceman at a smelter, and living with his parents Warren and Louise Cheney. His father was also a furnaceman at the smelter. Lewis's younger siblings were also living at home; Golda E., Loyd L., Alfred and Edith Cheney.

Lewie married Carrie Belle (Bushman) Cheney, on November 30, 1911 in LaHarpe, Allen Co., Kansas. She was the daughter of John Henry and Rachel Barbara (Billbe) Bushman.

By 1909 LaHarpe was thought to become one of the largest cities in Kansas. It was judged to be sitting on the largest natural gas deposit in Allen County. It was a busy and growing community, and smelters and other business were built. Then the gas supply began to run down, and many people and businesses moved away. By 1920, Lewie, age 27, had moved his wife and children to Blackwell, Oklhaoma where he was a foreman at the zinc smelter there. And Carrie's parents and family had moved there too.

In 1918, his wife's mother suffered a fatal fall, and left several of her young children motherless. And in 1920, Lewie and Carrie and their two small children, Rowena and Chester, were sharing their home with his wife's father John Henry Bushman, and Carrie's younger sisters, Louise and Wilma; ane her younger brother James Bushman, and Lewis's father had died or his parents had divorced and his mother, Louise Cheney was also living with them.

Lewie and wife lived in Blackwell and elsewhere in Kay County, and in Grant County, Oklahoma.

His wife Carrie Belle died April 19, 1962, in Ulysses, Grant Co., Oklahoma, and was buried in the IOOF Cemetery in Blackwell, Kay Co., Oklahoma, where her parents are buried.

Lewie Vern Cheney died January 24, 1968, in Kay County, Oklahoma, and was buried in Blackwell IOOF Cemetery in Blackwell, Kay Co., Oklahoma, beside his wife. He is buried in Block 324, L/R 4, Space 7. His mother is also buried in this cemetery.