Born in China and raised in Hawaii, Grandfather Ho En Seong moved his young family to Nanjing where he was dentist to Chiang Kai-shek, as well as other Chinese and Western notables in the Republican era.
Dr. Ho's dental surgery
False Teeth
In December 1936, Chiang was famously kidnapped (the "Xian Incident") and when visiting the Xian Incident Memorial Hall today, it is sometimes mentioned that Chiang had to flee so quickly that he left behind his dentures - made according to Quon family hearsay by Dr. Ho.
It was said that Dr. Ho believed in American egalitarianism and made Chiang Kai-shek wait for his consultations just like any other patient.
Dr. Ho's "office boy", called Da Ti Zi
True Reminiscences
Earlier In 1936, Irma Tam Soong, a journalist and niece by marriage, wrote the following article about meeting the Hos at their home.
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Harsh Realities
The 1941 letter below from the elder Dr. Ho to his son, Guy, is surely one of the most poignant documents on this site.
You see Dr. Ho's fluent English (idiosyncratic punctuation aside). You realize that while his children Guy and Lily are comfortably ensconced in Los Angeles, he and other family members are eking out an existence in severely war-deprived circumstances. The Japanese "rape" of Nanjing had taken place less than four years earlier. Dr. Ho writes father to son, but also dentist to dentist. In the early 1900s, moving "back" to China was a smart move that ensured him professional respect, a comfortable life for his China-born wife, and good educational opportunities for his children. By 1941, perusing the textbooks of his profession appears to be a form of internal escape. (The transcript of the letter preserves Dr. Ho's idiosyncratic use of commas and other punctuation.)
Notably, Dr. Ho closes his letter with love and affection. This stands in sharp contrast to his reputation for being extremely gruff, at least in old age, and in sharp contrast to the father-son dynamics between Quon Mane and his sons and nephews.
Golisch home, Hui Wen, Nanking, China
March 5, 1941
Dearest Guy: –
During early Jan., Ernest sent up your letter, and informed us that your draft, he has received, is waiting to my disposal. Immediately advised him, to take ???, to Mr. Marx, and have it transferred, thru the mission, to N.K. Since the J. bank here charges, a collecting fee of ½% on minimum of $4– per 1,000. Thanksa lot, foryourthoughtfulness; in such a generousgift, fromyourmeagreearnings; for which, parents deeply appreciate, for your remembrance of the occasion. Ernest has been busy lately; but, I’m afraid that his work, proves too much, for his health. Doris, wrote; that he is low in spirit, and thin; instead of gaining, in weight! For that reason, we urged him to come ‘home’ for a short rest! Or give up his job, temporarily? His main problem is, that his salary is not sufficient for him, to afford good foods, to build up his old strength – especially to have a supply of fresh milk and eggs etc. Food stuffs and clothings; and in fact, everything; under the sun, is now, sky high!! Daily necessities, are still soaring, day by day!! We were wondering, how the poorer people are going to exist; if they do not go robbing or cheating their fellowmen?! Before this letter reaches you, Miss Golisch, must have seen you, all, and you’ll get more regarding our present situation, than I can write to you! We’ve dismissed our onlyamah, whenwemovedover; for she is a rice pot, and we figured, it’ll cost us over $40 per month, to feed and pay her; perhapsmore as rice, is nowover $90-$100 per picul! And yetnotobtainable!!
All the Golisch servants, are now serving us; the cook at $20 – per month; the amah at $10 or one half; and the gardener also $10 or half; the washwoman the school pays; and whatever subsidy due to them, Miss Golisch on the school pays! So, we are paying all, $40– per mo. And they furnish their own food! We get our running water, and fresh vegetables free (raise by the gardener). For the electric lights, we’ve to pay from $8-9 minimum or to 12 even $15 maximum, in J yens, which [is] equivalent to $180 in Ch. $. Doris was here during the lunarNewyear, and spent 11 days (18/1-31/1) with us, she has to go back to school, in order to [close?], in time, in April. We hope, E. can come up for a few months, as it’ll do him a lot of good, if he’ll heed our advice! Milk is much cheaper here, and eggs (9-10 for $1.00) and chicken (1.40 [?] per catty) arestillcheaper than in S’hai, yet? We’ve, 4 more vacant bed rooms, enough to entertain or house 6 or 8 guests.
Guy – If you are at leisure, please look up for me, a few second hand dental books; which I missed so much. 1 copy Buckley’s ‘Dental’ MateriaMedica and Therapeutics or Pring’s [?]; but I preferredtheformer, as it’s more practical; I’ve seen the last edition (Buckley), in S’hai, years ago! The Pring is more scientific + authoritative. I also lost my Potter’s Materia Medica + Therapeutics, + Pharmacy – I deadly missed! Could you replace with a copy of Isaacz [?] Compend, which will serve the purpose (for me!) I also missed so much, of my Horwitz’ “Compend of surgery”, which I’ve read so much. Please replace with ??? edition? Or (Quig/Quiz/Ossiz Compend) other still better work? The Buckley’s work only cost $2.50 [?]; nearly 20 years ago; now the new book must cost $8 or 10. All the Quiz Compends only $1– each. The White + Wilcox’s Materia Medica (regular text book), is also very good, if you can get, pleasesubstitutefor thePotter’s.
Becareful, onlybuythe2ndhandbooks, as I don’t want you, to spend so much money, on y behalf!!
Also book up, 1 copy of Oral surgery; I’ve lost my Brophy’s and McCurdy; both are good books.
Have you [seen?] the Blair’s (I’ve not seen); if so, please don’t buy any!
We are well and enjoying this new premises, which we’re getting to be more like our own home.