My Dad says- nonsense, but I have this recollection of Grandma Louise telling a strange tale of the (possible?) origin of the Marquis Clan in the States. The story is of Lafayette Marquis spiriting his Sons out of France during the French revolution. I think in an empty whisky cask. Dad said he had one branch of the Marquis line traced to a marriage to one of George Washington’s close relatives, which would tie in nicely as the two were close friends.

Going through Dads papers, I found an article written for some (religious?) magazine called the Classmate in Feb 16 1947 called “Lafayette’s Son” authored by Frank W Hutchins which confirms most all of those details - but I have only the 1^st page of that article.

Son_of_Lafayette.jpg

lafayettes_Son.htm

1^st cousin of George Washington was a girl last name Nancy Warner married the Lough line. Tom Lough was 6^th cousin of George Washington.

Covington

Diary of JA Covington 1896

Diary of JA Covington 1897

Grandpa Tom Lough; had 4 wives:

1^st. wife; Lavina Graham (Died) had 1 child:

Only child; daughter - Viva

Only child; son - Bob Clithero

2^nd wife; Louisa Alice Covington (Died) had 1 child:

Only child; daughter - Louise Covington Lough

History – Louise growing up

By Louisa Alice, they had a daughter named Louise Covington Lough. Lavina had a daughter named Viva ½ sister to Louise. But tragically, Alice Covington dies of Tuberculosis in Arizona when Louise is only 8 years old. His 3^rd wife Fern Irene then raised Louise and promoted her into acting and singing. Louise thought her step mom was somewhat of a slave driver. She was taught at a young age to sing and dance and was quite a poet. We have a whole book of her poetry and she would often write a few lines in the cards she would send to us grandsons. I suppose that’s where some of us Marquis’s have got our thespian proclivities.

Jim wanted to adopt the boys, but Louise did not want to loose the boy’s natural surname. This really bothered Jim and created a bit of coldness that endured. He henceforth never allowed the boys to call him Dad. I never saw him abusive, but he did drink quite a bit. I do have fond memories of a summer where my brother Jim and I Steve were able to spend a couple of weeks with them. Grandpa Jim would take us fishing on the lake and he made sure we pulled our weight doing dishes – which I actually enjoyed – all of us working and talking together. Grandma Louse was extremely thoughtful, but eccentric and intense. She made Jim and I a V8 drink like concoction that Grandpa Jim rescued us from.

1^st Husband; Russell Sage Marquis Had 3 sons:

1^st child; son - Randall

2^nd child; son - Spenser

3^rd child; son – Leland

2^nd Husband; Jim Johnson:

History – Jim & Louise raising the boys

Grandma Louise remarried one Jim Johnson. Very different from the possibly flamboyant Russell Sage, Jim Johnson was a more serious makeup. He also was, I am told by Randall, Louise’ 1^st cousin. They loved each other, but for obvious reasons never had children. He was a mechanic and handyman and I still have many of his tools in active use today. He also later trained as a masseuse, which added to his employment mix. I once heard a story that at the 64 Seattle worlds fair, that Grandpa Jim was one of the hands who scaled the pinnacles of the Space Needle to install the fixtures. During the war, Jim worked for Boeing.

3^rd wife; Fern Irene (Divorced)

History

Raised Louise Covington (See History – Louise growing up)

4^th wife; Sadie Mason

Only child; son - Tom Mason Lough

History

Dad’s Grandma Sadie Mason (Sweetest lady Roxanne (Mom) ever met and Tom Lough, born in Kansas, figured in my Dads young life. They lived on Bainbridge Island (summer house) and had a lovely garden with fairytale figurines tucked into the woods. Sadie was Nanny to the 3 boys after Russell Sage Marquis’ untimely death. She was very kind, but a disciplinarian as well. Spence recalled getting a swat for lighting a fire in a makeshift pit at the side of the house.

Marquis

Charles Wesley Marquis and Laura Wortman had two sons:

Archibald Marquis

Melvin Marquis married Florence; had 4 daughters and 2 sons:

Russell Sage Marquis marred Louise Covington Lough

History of Russell & Louise Marquis

Russell Sage Marquis worked as a clerk at a hotel in LaGrand (Lee or Spence has his picture at the hotel. He was a hunter, fisherman and son of a farmer (Lee or Spence has have some of his poetry). Louise was on a tour and checked into the LaGrand hotel (Lee or Spence has a picture of her troop) were he met the young, pretty and talented Louse Covington Lough. They fell in love and were married. They settled in Ellensburg working for Uncle Bill Rice (Russell’s sisters Olive’s husband. (later, possibly near Yakima.

All the boys were born in Ellensburg. The 1st child was Randall, born on 11/20/26 followed by Spenser, born 5/17/28 and lastly came my dad, Leland, born 3/3/30.

Dad was by then working for a dealership as a mechanic until the crash in 29 – Moved into a duplex or in some way rented out ½ the house to save money. He probably stayed at the dealership, but to supplement, he did a fair amount of fish, elk and probably deer and definitely ducks.

Around the time Dad was 8 years old, Russell Sage, while coming home late at night after possibly spending some time at a pub was tragically hit by a hit & run truck or car and killed. It was never known for sure as the perpetrator was never found and it wasn’t until the next morning that his body was discovered at the side of the road. The news story said that the game warden was drinking that night with Dad and was found in their car, stuck in a ditch, somewhat dazed. Dad had been apparently walking to get help when he was struck by a vehicle and killed. That was April of ’33.

(See History – Jim & Louise raising the boys)

“We had a big Springer spaniel called Gilmore; Spence has a picture of the clan with the dog,” said Lee. Spence recalls getting a nail stuck in the foot.

Not long after that, Russell died, the family moved to Seattle. Mom drove Dad (Lee) over to Seattle in a little Chevy coupe and then came back and retrieved the boys on the train. “At 1^st we lived at Grandpa Lough’s place. Aunt Bell introduced Jim Johnson to Mom who was working for the Seattle Star Seattle writing the A’la-cart column.”(Lee) (See History – Jim & Louise raising the boys)

Around 39 they moved to a house on Green Lake near Seattle where the boys attended Lincoln High School.

Around 1945, spring, they moved into the ranch home off Issaquah-Fall city road.

Around late 40s Louise and Jim moved to the Haller Lake home may have been built by Ralph Byers. His son, Dick Byers (Close cousin of Lee, Rand and Spence) His mother is a sister to Alice Louise Covington

1^st child; son - Randall

2^nd child; son - Spenser

3^rd child; son – Leland – Married Roxie Nugent

History of Leland

Hawking Newspapers

Dad used to sell newspapers as a young lad on the street corners of Seattle as this was in the midst of the great depression.

Dad meets the Bull of the Woods:

When Dad was a young man <12, He and Spence came to visit their aunt Ruth and Lorna in Oregon Northern. They were inland somewhere near Portland and were brought to a lumber camp where they were introduced to the camp master that Dad always referred to as the ‘ol Bull of the Woods. (Great Uncle George Brunk was possibly an accountant at the logging camp but not sure at all if they were even married yet). Dad remembered Ruth, Lorna and Gramps and Grandma (Melvin & Florence Marquis) being there. The camp master was an older and crusty tough man. Now Dad had the misfortune at the time to have had an ingrown toenail that pained him considerably. His only relief was obtained by cutting the toe section out of his shoe. So it was as Dad limped slightly into the office of the Ol’ Bull of the Woods. Now, the Ol, Bull noticed dads predicament and asked of his trouble. To the explanation, the Ol’ Bull said, “why, let’s see that foot sonny.” Dad propped up his foot on the desk to be examined. Quicker than Dad could hardly react, the old codger whipped out his razor sharp pocket knife and slit his toenail up the middle and clean off! A brief yelp and then relief as the pressure was removed.

Dad joins the Scouts:

As a young Boy Scout, Dad got to go on several campouts with his older brothers. On one campout, Dad and Uncle Spence, I think were together on a snow camp. There was a good hike in and Dad had to struggle to keep up. At night, being in the midst of the depression, the 2 brothers had to share 1 sleeping bag that had a hole in it. As the night progressed, the 2 would wrestle around a bit to give the other guy the benefit of the draft.

Life in Fall City

As a young teen, the family moved back to Fall City on a 40 acre ranch just about a ½ mile outside the Herb Farm up the Fall City Issaquah Rd. Grandpa Jim obtained employment at the Boeing Farm near Duthie Hill. They are finally turning the old farm into a golf Course now, but at least the beautiful old site will be spared a would be housing tract. Their now remodeled home sits just across the street near Toad Hall - an odd rambling residence on the hill. The boys helped out on the farm tending stock and plowing the fields. Dads’ older brothers attended High School in Fall City. The original Gym is still being used by the present day Fall City Elementary, but the beautiful wood bleachers that really gave it its old character were unfortunately replaced in 1999. By the time Dad was in High School, the district had opened the new Mt Si High School in Snoqualmie. The elegant multi-story building is now the present District administration building.

Dad Gets Religion

Our Grandma Louise was always very active in religion – later becoming a prominent faith healer in the Christian Science faith, but in Fall City, grandma was a active in the local Methodist Church which is still standing. She led the coir. I gather dad must have participated because we were raised as Methodists and sing was a prominent part of our upbringing.

Dad plays sports:

Dad loved the social life of High School and was a real go-getter. He ran for office, but I don’t remember the outcome. He was on just about every club and team the school offered. He wanted to letter in some sport –any sport real bad. I think he was on the tennis team and the track team. He loved all the activities and little Mt Si managed to field a really outstanding basketball team. Dad acted as the team manager and helped the team to a State championship. I don’t remember how well they placed 2^nd or 3^rd I think. In those days, it wasn’t good enough to play on the team; you or your team had to win or place highly to get a letter. Dad then put his eggs in the Track and Field basket and specialized in medium distances 880 and the mile. Dad only had a few disappointments that he told us about and track was one of them. For as hard as he trained, as late as the senior year he had not obtained his letter. To get that you had to place in a race. Finally the stats were working for him and based on his competition, he was sure at this last race, he would get his goal. Tragically, for all his effort, something came up that delayed his arrival on the field. I think it was a orthodontic appointment. He either got there in time to see the race begin without him or the braces were so tight it interfered.

Dad check out the chicks:

I said Dad must have been a go-getter. There are a few Gals here in Fall City that still remembered Dad fondly. I met several during a reunion of his High School class in 1990~ I met Irene Pike at the voting polls. He had a goal to dates all the chicks in the Senior Class. I believe he did accomplish that goal!

Dad spent his teenage years in Fall City during WWII. Everything was rationed, but since they had a small 40-acre farm, they got a small gas allowance for the tractor. One of the boys had a 38 Ford, though, that was the main transportation on Saturday night, and so the youth would pool their coupons to fuel the fun-mobile. They would drive around Fall City picking up friends and packing the rig for transport to Snoqualmie Falls dance hall. The entire logging town has been raised now, but at the time it was the center of action for Saturday night. Lacking fuel, then, for the tractor, Dad was left to plow the strawberry fields with their horse. Come Sunday morning, the Marquis’ would attend the Fall City Methodist Church. Grandma Louise led the coir and her boys participated. I think Dad also sang in a Glee Club at the high School and carried that tradition to at least Mike and Myself (Steve).

Dad drives a jeep

One particularly rainy day in Fall City, Dad (Leland) and a friend were coming home from Snoqualmie in a jeep. The rain was fierce, but the windshield wipers would not cooperate. They figured that the only way to proceed was to have one person steer while standing so as to see above the windshield while having the other work the pedals. Dad steered while his friend at least at the time worked the gas and brakes. This went all right for a while but as they wound down the steep grade from Snoqualmie Falls, his friend pressed more and more on the gas despite dad’s hollering to slow down. The jeep barely held to the road as they careened wildly down the narrow two-lane road. Somehow, by the grace of God, they made it to the bottom of the grade where Dad finally coaxed some sense into his friend’s pea brain.

Dad Leaves for College

In 1947 Dad had taken the fast track through high school had enough units and was prepared to graduate early. At the last minute after he was already accepted to a 2-year college, Mt Si High school changed the graduation rules and demanded that dad take some more courses and would not grandfather him with the old requirements. Dad felt these were useless classes and that the new requirements were patently unfair, so dad just left for college without his diploma. Over the years, dad would grouse about that injustice whenever he reminisced about his younger years. For the Rest of the story see Dad gets his diploma

The boys drive to Long beach:

Wrong way Randall; on the way south so go to college in southern California, the three brothers found themselves on a long mountain pass two-lane road. There seemed to be some sort of hang-up on the road well up beyond what could be seen. A long seemingly endless train of vehicles clogged the road on the way up the pass. This tested the patients of the young bucks beyond the point of temptation. Randal impetuously pulled the old vehicle out of line into the downhill lane and proceeded up the hill as fast as they could never knowing what they might find around the next bend and not a wee space in the line of cars to squeeze back into should they encounter opposing traffic. Finally they neared the crest where they could see some kind of road equipment and flagmen working. Just as they came to the front of the line the flagmen opened the road to both lanes and Randal squeezed his car back to the right in front of the train and rolled on the down the road as if the whole thing had been timed and syncopated!

Dad gets his girl:

To help make ends meet while in school, dad worked in the bowling alley setting pins. In those days, the pins were reset by hand. Dad would study homework in between sets and I believe practiced glee club songs. He spotted a young pretty red headed lass, but was at 1^st discouraged when he saw the Navy man escorting her. When Dad found out that the Navy fellow was actually her rather youthful looking father, Dad introduced himself and soon was a regular fixture around the home. Roxie (Mom) was for all practical purposes the female head of house, doing much the cooking for her younger siblings. Mom’s younger siblings loved dad as he played with the girls and roughhoused with the boys. That good relationship extended all his life.

At last Dad popped the question and Mom said yes. She was only 17, but well prepared to head her own house; likely anxious to take care of just 1 man. They had a simple civil ceremony and poor as church mice set up their new life together. Mom worked as a bank teller and Dad continued setting pins and studying.

Dad and the very short honeymoon

After only a few month of marriage the newlyweds had a chance to go on a honeymoon. The plan was to wind their way up the coast, visiting the beautiful redwoods and Crater Lake and to visit Dad’s folks in Seattle. Just as Dad and Mom were getting in the car for the drive up North, Dad received a call ostensibly from another well wisher. Dad got out of the car and received the call of his life, a call to service – 10 days to report to San Pedro to go to war. Dad’s Marine reserve unit had been activated for the war in Korea. Poor Mom and Dad had to rush their journey visiting their folks in Seattle and deadheading straight back where the war bride had to say a tearful goodbye to soldier Dad.

Dad goes to Korea:

Dad had many stories about his experiences surviving and fighting the war, but like any of these reminisces, it is hard for me do justice to Dad – the master storyteller.

On the way to Inchon

On the way to Inchon, Korea on a troop transport the navy gave Dad some very poor semblance his basic training, but left out anything interesting to Dad. “They gave me dumb jobs like laundry instead of letting us shoot and practice with our weapons. I happed to be below deck one day when suddenly there was a tremendous explosion. I got the heck out of there as the Navy fire crews moved in with their hoses. When we finally arrived in Inchon we had a very short window to unload into the landing crafts. McArthur had a bold plan that called on every available Marine and the landing was thought exceptionally risky with 20 foot tides. We had to climb down the netting to get into our small landing boats (LSTs). My job was to help the Marines load up I was the last to leave.”

B29 line wipes out

One time a very large B29 was landing at our airstrip at Inchon and just as it was landing something failed on its landing gear causing it to slide a bit and dang if it didn’t hit like a bunch of dominoes a whole line of our smaller craft.

The Pot Belly Stove and incoming

Dad was supposed to be maintaining electronic gear for advanced recon. So dad was always right in front of the artillery. If you saw the potbelly stove lid rise you knew a shell was going overhead — just before the report.

Shrapnel and our tent

One time a landmine detonated under a tank and a piece of shrapnel went right through our tent.

Stray Rocket

Another time someone tripped a rocket off near our sea of tents. It shot right passed our tent an on down between the long line of tents; a real miracle it never hit anything.

Escaping Wansan

When our squad went north, we went in on a LST. When we got to Wansan, we found out the Chinese had just entered the war and were rolling over all defenses. The US forces were immediately forced into a mass exodus. Some army commander said they were going to confiscate our LST so that night our colonel hustled us all back into our LST and we high tailed it back to Pusan.

Missing out on leave

What became known as “Marquis luck” played out again when our large group was being rotated out for R-n-R in Japan, but for some reason, at the last minute, we were excluded! Everyone else got to go to Japan but our 75-man squad. We had to wait a month or so.

Late arriving in Japan

Finally we got leave and arrived in Japan on New Years Eve. Because we had not yet been issued our dress uniforms, we were not given liberty. We were so frustrated, and wound up that a few of us went out and shot up the sky with our rifles until finally the MPscame and confiscated our weapons.

Short lived rotation

Finally, Dad got to go to Japan. The rotation was supposed to be for some substantial period of time, but only one month later the marines were looking for 2 volunteers to return to Korea. “Because I was manning the radio shack, I came in late and they all said — there’s your volunteer — and I had to go back to Korea.”

Dad falls asleep on guard duty

One very cold night, Dad was manning a foxhole doing graveyard shift guard duty with two other companions. There were foxholes set at some interval around the base and active fire occasionally around the perimeter. It was dads turn to be up. The cold was extreme and you had to just sit there without being able to move around. Suddenly his sergeant nudged him with his own rifle. The startled Dad was excoriated by a very angry Sergeant who escorted Dad from the foxhole to the front lines and set him in front of their forward placed machine nests survive or not. Bullets flew through the night and Dad huddled on the cold ground. “After some interminable time, the sergeant retrieved me and escorted me to CO who repeated the excoriation.” He gave Dad some hard labor to do moving heavy boxes all day and into the evening and then with no sleep, sent Dad back to the front line to do guard duty. This time Dad was wide eyed and stayed quite awake until his relief.

Dad climbs a cliff and other stories

One day, while walking along a riverbed, Dad’s small group found that the only way out was to climb a cliff. One guy was scared to death of heights and had a lot of trouble making the climb. ½ way up, somehow this klutz must have failed to tie his laces well because losses one of his boots. After dad finished pushing and helping this guy to the top, Dad went back and down-climbed to the bottom of the cliff to recover the boot! — Finally they all got to the top and walked a few miles to a road junction. There was a barricade across the dirt road they were just emerging from. As they passed the barricade, they saw that there was a sign posted on the other side. The sign they passed read, “Danger road mined”. They also found Chinese solders that surrendered to us. There were a number of dead on the ground. A picture of this exists in dad’s albums.

Dad steals a jeep

Dad had some leave time and found out that his cousin Dick Byers was nearby. He wanted to see Dick and the only vehicle handy was a navy jeep. So Dad painted it up Marine kaki and took off by himself with a case of beat up beer cans. At one point Dad got behind a convoy of tanks. They were going too slow, so dad went 4-wheeling around them having a great re-union with Dick. Later some time after Dad returned some army inspectors came around doing some vehicle inventories – obviously trying to locate several missing jeeps. They spotted Dads painted jeep by its number, but no one could explain how it changed color!

Dad has a family

On returning from War, Dad and Mom were stationed in Tennessee for a year where their 1^st son, Michael Lee, was born. There was another woman giving birth at the same time and they shared the room. A life long friendship was forged that winter night. They went on to have 5 boys and their friend – 5 girls. (More of these family stories can be picked up in Roxanne’s history Mom has kids)

Dad goes back to school

Dad was accepted to school at the University of Washington and so Mom Dad & baby Mike moved back to Seattle were for a short while they lived with Grandma Louise and Grandpa Jim. They has had a hard enough time being apart so much of their new marriage and living with eccentric Grandma Louise was particularly trying so when an opportunity to get government housing on a converted base came up, they took the opportunity and moving in to a drafty quansa Hut in the dead of a bitterly cold winter. (See Rickety ‘Quansa Hut’)

In those difficult conditions, Mom gave birth to her next two sons Chris and Steve. She was increasingly ill with each child and nutrition was such a problem that the doctor gave her injections of certain vitamins when she was pregnant with.

Dad Rescues a girl

There were rough elements in and about the government housing where Mom & Dad lived in Seattle. One night Dad saved a girls life by confronting her brutal attacker. Read the story as Mom retold it. (See Dad_Rescues_girl)

Dad goes to work

After getting a dual degree from UW in Electrical & Industrial engineering, Dad worked for a stint for Boeing laying out plant equipment, but was offered a position by the budding GE Nuclear division. The chance to get in on the ground floor of an exciting emerging industry was very compelling. So the decision was made. Dad accepted the position and the young, and growing family was sent to Massachusetts. After a couple of years in the east coast, Dad was transferred to San Jose California where they were working with a test reactor in Livermore and designing the 1^st of a series of huge commercial reactors.

Dad’s Young Family

We lived in a hotel for a month as our house was being finished. This was a wonderful time for us all. We worked together and played a lot. There were lawns to put in and fences to build. We didn’t need a lot because we had each other. Dad always played & roughhoused with us – our favorite was the tickle bug where we for boys would run around and jump over Dad who would occasionally catch us and tickle us mercilessly. He read children’s Bible stories to us faithfully every night, as all 4 of us would snuggle around him in his big easy chair. We loved to play cannon ball, as Dad would launch us with his legs. He would also do balancing acts with us standing on his feet. Another favorite activity was our trips to Alum Rock Park. In those days, a large indoor swimming pool, left over from the parks hey-days earlier in the century, was still in very popular use. Dad would play submarine with us. (see Steve Learns to High Dive)

Dad would regularly take us on hikes and sometimes runs. Times were different then and running for fun was so weird that at one point school officials checked into it to see if some sort of abuse was occurring!

On one hike in Alum Rock Park, we were hiking the old railroad grade. Dad jumped across a gap in the rock cliff. The gap was large enough that I clearly determined that my small frame was not going to make the distance. Dad coaxed and encouraged me saying he would catch me. This was a real test of faith as I jumped knowing only my Dads arms would save me from death. (see Steve’s Leap of Faith)

Dad goes to church

When the family set up their home in San Jose, they sought out a church in which to raise their boys. There was growing Methodist church not far from home and Mom and Dad joined and lent their considerable talents toward building up the ministry. They helped with promoting the building fund and both taught Sunday school to the youngsters.

At some point, while Mom was teaching about God, a youngster took exception that God was not like a man, but was a spirit. This was like a thunderclap to Mom. The difference between the popular imagery of God and the official teachings of the Methodist were simply irreconcilable. Mom & Dad sat down with the pastor and talked about their problem. When the pastor was unable to offer any satisfactory understanding, they resigned or asked for a vacation.

Dad Takes the boys to Indian guides

As we grew, Dad enrolled the lot of us in Indian Guides. It was a fun organization dedicated to building relationships and citizenship in the home. We boys had to do simple chores like cleaning out the fireplace to earn our 10cents for dues. (See Steve’s Life is Spared)

Dad Starts up a Cub Scout Group

When we boys were old enough for Cub Scouts, Dad worked with a group of like-minded folks and being the kind of get-it-done kind of fellow he was became the cub-master. I think Mom may have been a Den Mother. Dad was always at the forefront of trying to make good opportunities for us boys. It was at that time that Mom & Dad began to investigate the Church.

Dad & Mom Investigate the church

After leaving their position in the Methodist Sunday school, for the next few months they visited numerous sects, searching for truth and understanding. In the Lord’s time two individuals approach Mom & Dad. A Mormon missionary, who worked with Dad at GE, proffered an opportunity to learn about the Church. At about the same time, a near neighbor and acquaintance approach them and suggested that if they were investigating religion, then they might want to also investigate the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. And that they did – in earnest for about 6 months. They still had yet to attend a single church meeting and us children were largely not included in this sojourn.

Either some friends or perhaps some well meaning relatives passed on to Mom and Dad some particularly disparaging anti-Mormon tracts, which so shocked them that they summarily stopped all contact with representatives of the church.

At some point our neighbor, who turned out to be one Bishop Bergstrom stopped by our home and asked why we had severed contact. After some coaxing Mom & Dad finally revealed what they had read about the “secret orgies” etc in the temples. The Bishop started laughing and when he regained his composure explained the truth from the fiction.

Next week Mom and Dad packed up us kids in our Sunday best and we headed off to what Dad called the Stake House. Now, Dad and Mom had occasionally taken us to the Pancake House so I (Steve) figured this was a step up! I was frankly a bit disappointed that they only offered bread and water (Sacrament). I was also a bit surprised that I seemed to know more about the Old Testament Bible stories than the kids who were residents of this congregation. The music was very foreign as they sang about gold plates and the like and “Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam” next. I didn’t feel particularly welcome. I came to find out later that this meeting was a conference of multiple congregations and actually we were all strangers to each other that morning. The next week, we went to regular Sunday church services. Dad was very impressed as teenagers and Men took their turn standing up and publicly offering testimony. Dad felt touched by the spirit that day that bore record of what was said. In all his past experience, he had never seen such stalwart support from the rank and file; it had been like pulling teeth just to find another Sunday school substitute in his previous Methodist congregation. By this time Mom had already determined to join, but now Dad was swayed.

I (Steve) attended Sunday school for the 1^st time and gazed about at the other children. My eyes met a row of beautiful young girls including Lorie Prince, my young friend from school. I mused that the church must be true indeed!

A short time later Mom, Dad, Mike and Chris where baptized.

Dad and Scouting

50 kid troop

It wasn’t long after we joined the church when the bishop asked Dad to take over the Troop as Scoutmaster. Dad had to resign as cub master of the community scout group to take on this new challenge. This was poor timing for me (Steve) as I never really got the benefit of having Dad as my leader, but Mike and Chris did. But getting to come along on many of the activities, as Dads son was a real treat. At the time our troop fielded boys from the entire eastside of San Jose and comprised about 50 boys. I remember Dad running a tight ship with all the boys in uniforms and undergoing inspections by patrol. They also had a good time and often played British Bull Dog; a game I have passed on to many generations of Scouts.

See Steve’s History

Teaches Steve Morse code

When I was a new Scout of 11 years old, Dad began to take me on all the campouts with the exception of the 50 Milers. On camp, up at Mt Madonna, Dad & I shared a tent and for what seemed to be hours, Dad taught me Morse code for my 1^st class award. It took a lot of effort and I appreciated the time and effort Dad spent with me.

The next morning was quite cool and Dad assembled all the kids and we went running 1^st thing. He wanted to get us warmed up – a trick he used many times. (See Steve’s History)

The Snow trip

One particular time was a bitterly cold snow camp up in the Sierras. Mike Chris and myself (Steve) accompanied Dad who was Scoutmaster. In those days, we didn’t have all the fancy gear we have now. For snow pants, we would rub paraffin into our Levis to try and impart some waterproofing and our ‘Therma-rests” where several inches of cardboard laid under the whole tent. It seemed to work OK, but the next morning I got up and discovered I was about the last to rise. I tried to put my boots on but discovered that the leather was rock hard and the laces were like coat-hanger wire. I could not get my feet in the boot. There were a lot of things going on and a large fire that had burned itself 6’ into the deep snow. I was almost in tears and whined to my Dad of my troubles. He said he had some matters he had to deal with and I would have to just figure out how to make it work. I guess I stopped sniveling and got part of my toes into the boots and shuffled over to the fire. In not too much time, the leather softened and I was able to get my boots on proper, but I was still rather chilled and told Dad of my continuing plight. He pointed out a distant tree and told me to go and run to it. I didn’t understand why at the time, but I obeyed and the funny thing is I never came back and must have played the rest of the day with no more incidents. (See Steve’s History)

Beats troop 616? With 80 merit badges & 4 eagles

I can’t remember for sure but I think the rivals troop number was 616, Mike might know for sure, but I do remember much jostling for the high ranking honors at the Stake Court of Honors. They were real big affairs back then with some 500 folks and 10 troops in routine attendance. The year Mike and 3 other boys got their Eagle award, Dad had set up some kind of challenge – I believe it was for a pocketknife or some other like prizes for the boy with the most badges. I think Mike went into cahoots with his two best buddies Curt Shufelt and Randy Stringham such that they all ended up conveniently with the same large number of merit badges; thus a tie, so that they all ended up getting the prize. We looked real smart for the inspection and with all our merit badges and rank advancements they scored our troop the tops and we finally beat our rival. This meant 1^st ups at the ice-cream bar after the court and that was big time. (See Steve’s History)

Boys get into a tussle and lands into the privy

I think it was one of the Shufelt boys – probably Cary who was doing his business over a make shift latrine. Some rascal spotted him in a vulnerable position and gave a little push unsettling the hapless scout into the pit. If it was Cary, that sorry incident while good for the movies was likely why Cary parted company from the troops company.

Prepares for the 50 miler

Dad led his troop with the help of 1 brother, the father of Randy Casto. He was diligent in preparing the boys for the big 50-mile hikes. I recall being on a 10-mile hike on the beach that was killer on my feet. One hard hike was up one of the peaks surrounding the Bay area. The trail was strait up a rocky swath, and the day was hot. All the other boys had backpacks on, but since I was too young to go, my job was to carry a 2-quart canteen. I thought it was sooo heavy and I must confess to sneaking an extra share or two along the way. The view at the top though set the stage for much mountain climbing later in my life. (See Steve’s History)

Gets whole foot Blisters on the 50 Miler

Mike and maybe Chris went on this trip. I was only 11 at the time and was too young. I do remember the tale that Dad kept wearing these old marine boots on his Scout trips. Now that in itself would have been no particular problem except these really needed to be resoled and the nails had begun to poke through. So on one difficult decent, Dad developed the ultimate whopper blister that covered the better part of the whole ball of his foot. Mike said it was truly gross from the blood, but Dad did not complain but hiked on with impressive stoicism. (See Steve’s History)

Dad’s ‘boys’ life save on the lake

Dad was resting at camp when a couple of the older boys decided to swim across the lake to an island. A couple of younger scouts seeing the new adventure followed a short while thereafter, but about ½ way across began to flounder in the very cool high Sierra water. When they called for help, the two older scouts were already poised to respond and jumped into the lake. They used the tire swimmer assist and helped them to the island where they were able to recoup. At last they all swam together back with the older boys coaching them on rest strokes as needed. When the tale was told Dad, a very grateful scoutmaster praised God for his mercy. The boys received the Medal of Merit for their Heroism. (See Steve’s History)

Dad has Sabbath worship

2^nd Day on a 50 Miler was Sunday where we got a very needed rest. Saturday was always a huge day of hiking. Dad had arranged for church services. I can particularly remember the good spirit at that mountain meeting as the Sacrament was passed; dry biscuits passing for bread. Afterwards in the evening around a campfire, the boys share their feelings and testimonies of our Lord.

Dad carries the skillet!)

About half way into the Tuolumne Meadows 50 Miler, my Dad and I were to have pancakes. This was one of the 1^st times I really began to understand how Dads helped in ways unknown to our benefit. He pulled out a rather heavy steel pan from his backpack. Now I was carrying a 25 lbs backpack which was plenty for my <100 lb frame and I knew what stuff weighed. So when Dad pulled that out and a small amount of syrup, I was astonished that he would do that for me. That was the 1^st time we tried Tang on pancakes, as there was only a little syrup. Tang-cakes became a legendary staple for generations of scouts to come. (See Steve’s History)

Dad Passes off Steve swimming on the lake

On the Tuolumne Meadows 50 Miler, we came to a reservoir on the last day. I had been doing service projects along the way, and having loads of fun. Dad found me and coaxed me to try for my swimming requirement. I had not tried swimming the whole trip and really did not appreciate what this would entail. I suited up and jumped in while Dad coached me from the shore. At 1^st it was fine as the day was nice an warm, but soon as I departed the shallows I found the lake frigid. It was a real motivator to stay within that to six inches I tell you. (See Steve’s History)

Dad gets his diploma

After Dad returned from the war in Korea he went on to the UW where he graduated with a double degree in Electrical Engineering and industrial Engineering. He became a prominent figure; a Fellow in nuclear quality control. He got his MBA and a masters in software quality control. And taught at colleges in the San Jose area. Yet he still had no high school diploma and a mild grudge against his alma mater. Many years passed and in late 1992, Mt Si alumni held a 10-year re-union for the years 1945-1955. All three brothers attended and I (Steve) took photos of the event. Unbenounced to Dad or me, his brother, Judge Marquis from Yakima had written to the current principal and inquired if there might not be some toke remedy of this old injustice. The principal and district exec were intrigues about the case and dug in and discovered that by all rights based on 1947 standards as well as today’s standards dad should have properly received that diploma. Bless their hearts, they went to the expense of have a single diploma typeset and printed up, back dated to 1947 and after a flattering speech detailing a yet unnamed alumnae’s educational accomplishments, presented a to very surprised Leland Grant Marquis his formal diploma – humorously pointing out that he was probably the only man on the planet with a diploma signed by people who were not born yet!

1^st child; son - Michael Lee

2^nd child; son - Christopher Wayne

3^rd child; son - Steven Russel

History

Steve Learns to High Dive

The folks used to take us on occasion to the cool indoor pool at Alum Rock park. I got in line for the 10-foot dive. When my turn arrived I walked out to the end of the dive and hollered, “Mom, Dad…Mom, Dad – Watch!” After a bit of this finally the whole pool was watching and strangely silent. I was sure I had my intended audience now. I placed my hands together bent over and pushed off. I sailed perfectly – perfectly flat that is and I smacked the water in the most picture perfect belly flop imaginable. The shock to my system was so sever – almost a disembodying experiences. I clearly remember 40 years later as of this writing the experience of floating, no wafting down to the bottom of the deep end with no regard for air. Somewhere near the bottom, clear consciousness slowly returned and now I was so embarrassed that I swam under water - clear past the shallow buoy rope to pop up hopefully un-noticed amongst the crowd.

Steve’s Leap of Faith

Steve’s Life is Spared

(See Dad Takes the boys to Indian guides) Dad had enrolled along with us boys in the Indian guides. We had a weenie roast and swimming activity at one of the dad’s home. I (Steve) being a novice swimmer was supposed to stay in the shallow end, but the dray to the deeper end was just too strong. So I paddled into the deeper water. A rogue wave hit me in the face just as I drew in a breath. I chugged and sputtered and floundered and then I got panicky. I wanted to stretch to the edge, but I could only splash the water a bit, and not even enough to hold my head up. I felt myself slipping under when suddenly I was being pulled rapidly out of the water by my hair – yet I felt no pain. I was forthwith planed on terra firma by hands unknown. After a stern admonition to stay in the shallow end, I was returned somewhat wiser to my frivolities.

Steve joins the Mormon Church

See Dad Investigates the church for prologue.

I was only about 7 ½ years old when the folks joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons). One must be 8 years old to be baptized so I had to wait. When that day came we were in the middle of a major building effort and the construction had quite a ways to go yet, so the baptism was held at the Stake center. I remember being so surprised to see Lorie Prince and My 3^rd grade teacher Mrs. (Sister) Burton their. By now I had some idea as to the peculiar or uncommon nature of this religion so I was startled to find more and more of my world tied to this new faith.

The next day was Sunday and our congregation was to have our 1^st meeting in the unfinished building. Unfinished is an understatement as there was no roof and folding chairs sufficed for pews. The bishop called my name and my 1^st thought was – What did I do? Then my Mom whispered that I was to be given the Gift of the Holy Ghost – an then all was right.

Steve Becomes a Cub Scout

Steve Becomes a Boy Scout

Teaches Steve Morse code

The Snow trip

Beats troop 616? With 80 merit badges & 4 eagles

Prepares for the 50 miler

Dad has Sabbath worship

Dad carries the skillet!)

Dad Passes off Steve swimming on the lake

4^th child; son - James Covington

4^th child; son – David Mathew

Nugent

Roxanne Nugent

(Note; as of this writing Mom is still writing her history and when I have access to it, her extensive detail will be added here. For now, only my recollections of the stories are included.)

Nugent’s and the horse thieves

When asking Gramps Nugent about family history, it was hard to tell how serious he was but he said of our ancestry that “I want you to know that you have colored blood and your family was a bunch of horse thieve chased out of France.” Mom asked “ you me we have black in us???” and he replied “We all have colored blood - red” and then he laughed and laughed.

Mom gets chased by the goose.

Mom and the unlucky paint bucket

Mom gets a bucket of paint dumped on her

Mom raises her siblings

See Dad gets his girl:

Mom gets married

See Dad gets his girl:

Moms’ 1^st cooked meal for Dad

Her 1^st meal, they will never forget as Mom was so used to feeding a large crew, that it was only natural to rustle up a large kettle of soup. They ate soup for at least a week before having to throw out the remainder.

Dad in Korea & Mom tends bank in California

See Dad and the very short honeymoon

Living with Grandma Louse

For a few months while waiting for government sponsored housing to become available, the young couple stayed with Dad’s folks.

Living in government housing

We got an apartment in Yesler Terrace in Seattle. Dad worked as a part time postman. Mom & Dad hear ungodly screaming behind the barrack. Dad goes out to see what is the matter and sees a woman running out holding her throat. Dad got between her and a scoundrel who emerged carrying a radio and brandishing a knife. He challenged, pointing the large knife at Dad’s belly, “ you got something to say” Dad took a step back, and the villain ran off in the opposite direction only to be captured a few blocks later by the police. Dad helped the girl who had a slit throat. She did survive. (See Dad Rescues a girl)

Rickety ‘Quansa Hut’

The converted government barracks were barely livable. In fact, the apartments were so breezy, that the kids had to wear winter caps and gear indoors. The wind would even blow through so easily that the linoleum would lift when it gusted.

Mom has kids

On returning from War, Dan and Mom were stationed in Tennessee for a year where their 1^st son Michael Lee was born. There was another woman giving birth at the same time and they shared the room. A life long friendship was forged that winter night. They went on to have 5 boys and their friend – 5 girls. (Dad has a family)

Mom teaches her boys to sew

French Fries & Scout badges

Mom learns to cut hair:

To save money, Mom decided to cut the families hair. She started with a brave but naïve Lee. Unfortunately Mom had not noticed the manly feature of sideburns, as they were the 1^st to go. The de-mained Dad cut the session short and instructed Mom to practice on the kids. Dad wore a cap on his head for a while. Eventually Mom became an “in demand” hair stylist which skill she employed to put 4 of her sons on missions for the church and school books.

Mom goes to camp

1st year at camp, she was hiking with the girls to a swimming hole. All donned swimming suites but Mom sat pretty on a rock soaking up the sun. The girls finally had enough of the sun-bathing beauty with the fine hair do and threatened to drag her in. So Mom sashays to the pool and dunked herself coming up to the clapping and raves of the girls

Mom had one of those hair-duos that should get done once a week and then maintained every day. Well, mom went to girl’s camp and somehow managed to keep up her hair a good part of the week. The girls started getting envious how Mom managed to keep looking pretty so they started conspiring on how to mess her hair up. The conned her into trying to rescue a supposed trapped girl stuck in a cabin. At a vulnerable point with Mom ½ way in a window, Girls inside and out grabbed her – managed to lifter her up and hauled her to a cold creek where she was dumped. All laughed and the ‘doo’ died.

Jean was in camp a teenager herself and knew of Mom’s famous beautiful red hair.

One year Mom was camp chief cook and on one menu was Swedish meatballs over rice. Mom did not know how much girls ate being used to cooking for young men. So Mom fixed 4-5 man-sized meatballs for each of the girls. So as the plates were loaded up the girls would shrink saying “Oh I can only eat one or perhaps two” so Mom had a ton of meatballs left over. Mom pleaded with the girls up and down the table to eat more so we would not have to eat them for lunch. They ended up eating them for lunch anyway. The following night at campfire, for a skit, the girls made a basketball sized “queen of the meatballs” mom being the queen thereof.

Mom the primary president goes to work

Mom had started school for her cosmetology license, but need extra money to help with Mikes mission, so mom applied for work at Penny’s. She would rush home from school, finish her pressure cooked meal and then ran off for a few hours of work. When she was filling out here application, having not worked in so long she did not feel she had any skills to place. So she put on her résumé mother 5 boys managed home, husband and dogs. Past work as secretary and bank teller but real highlight was as Primary President of 168 children with 25 on my staff. During the interview, waiting in office the door swing open and the manager hollered out “Where is this Primary President, I want to meet her.”

Anybody who can raise 5 boys while running an organization like that can handle this job” He wanted her to join his staff in the office, but mom begged off saying she had so much going on at the time that she could really use a low pressure position like folding clothes. So she got the job and stayed there until she began her hairdressing career.

Mom and the sandbox throne

Dad had made us a large (to our young eyes) sandbox. It was the envy of the neighborhood. We had made a lot of volcanoes where a hose was buried in the sand. We boys thought we’d make a grand throne and the idea jelled to combine the two and invite Mom to sit on the throne. She had no idea or at least feigned so that we had buried a hose in the seat. At the proper time the water was applied and erupted soaking moms bum. We all including a very wet mom roared with laughter.

Mom and the rich duds and the un-cancelled check

While in Pismo Beach Mom got a letter from the DA threatening arrest and prosecution for writing a bad $12 check if she did not resolve the bad check. So mom dressed to the nines in diamonds and went to the grocery store with her checkbook in hand (loaded with money and demanded to speak with manager. I told the problem, why didn’t you call me with this problem. He admitted after seeing the evidence that they had lost a group of checks and apologized and tried his best to smooth it over which he did including offering to pay something for her troubles. Mom deflected that and said why don’t you take that and give it to the poor.