Beginings

American History Through Cheek Family Eyes

You are Cherokee, your dad is a quarter and you are an eighth that's what I was told when I was a small boy. That's what I believed and how I looked at the world through most of my life. Didn't really know what it meant to be Cherokee, but I was one.. My family was from southern WV. we were Hillbilly's and proud of it. We lived near a sign that said Sundial. High up on the side of a mountain.. Dad was Clarence, mom was Annie, big brother Willie and sister Jane Ann. Dad worked in the mines as did most men down in the hills.. Earliest memories are of chasing butterflies and lizards, and riding the giant hobby horse down the road at the Beckners..Dad built the house we lived in though he only had an eighth grade education.. He was a veteran of WW2, given  a commission to 1st Lieutenant in the field in Europe..Mom went to bussiness school in Charleston, so she was over educated for the area.

Sundial WV Coal River Road Hulda Loop

Up the hill then turn left at the top, last place on the right. That was the Cheek home till 1959