Lillian Rose Marsh & son Lloyd Neal Marsh

Lloyd Neal Marsh was born August 29, 1908 in Argyle, Minnesota. He is the son of Arthur Jerome Marsh and Lillian Rose Whitfield. He graduated from Vashon High School and San Luis Obispo College in California.

Lloyd had a promising career building airplanes in the 1920’s, however it faded with the death of his close friend and partner, the then-famous California Aviator, John Montijo, who had been Amelia Earhart’s flight instructor.

Illness in his family brought Lloyd Marsh back to “The Cove” on Vashon Island to operate the family grocery store. Later, he operated stores in Olympia, on McNeil Island and in Tacoma before he went into the cabinet-making business in the early 1960”s.

Lloyd. Marsh was an Army veteran and a member of the United Church of University Place. He died on Sunday, April 27, 1975. He was survivor by his wife Clara Hentzen. She was born in 1896 in Seward, Nebraska and died May 11, 1989 in Tacoma, Pierce, Washington. They had no children.

I was just getting into genealogy when I made a trip to Oregon to visit my Uncle and Aunt Ralph Rooper. While there, I drove up to Tacoma and had a real nice visit with Clara Marsh. She took me to her husband’s gravesite and we tried to find the gravesite for Arthur and Lillian Marsh, but we got lost. It was a very enjoyable visit and we exchanged a lot of information. The photo of Lillian and Lloyd is from around 1940.

My Sources are from my database, obituary, U.S. Census Records, birth, and death certificates.

Copyright © 2009 by Gus J. Marsh

Ethie Belle Marsh 1891 - 1920

Ethie Belle Marsh was born April 24, 1891 in Fairmount, Richland, North Dakota, the daughter of Arthur Jerome Marsh and Lillian Rose Whitfield.

Miss. Marsh was well known in community work, having been in charge of the welfare committee in Tacoma something over a year ago. She was a graduate of Fargo College, Fargo, North Dakota: had taken a special course in social service work at Chicago University, and was finishing her master’s degree at the University of Washington when she died. She taught in high schools in North Dakota, Idaho, and Washington, and was a delegate to the world convention of student volunteers held in Kansas City.

Ethie Belle Marsh died at her home in Burton, Vashon Island, Thursday, October 28, 1920 in the morning after an illness of some weeks. Following funeral services at Burton Friday, the body was sent to the Mausoleum in Tacoma on Saturday, October 30, 1920. She is buried with her mother at the Tacoma Mausoleum and Mortuary in Tacoma, Pierce, Washington. She died of Intestinal Tuberculosis.

My Sources are from my database, obituary, U.S. Census Records, birth, and death certificates.

Copyright © 2009 by Gus J. Marsh

Arthur Jerome Marsh & Lillian Rose Whitfield Family

This week we are going to explore the family of Arthur Jerome Marsh and Lillian Rose Whitfield. These are the parents of Vere Preston Marsh and four other children.

Arthur Jerome Marsh was born in Colesville, Broome, New York on April 9, 1866. When he was quite young the family moved to Buchanan, Michigan, where they resided until 1881. They then moved to Day County, South Dakota, where in March of 1888 the marriage of Arthur to Lillian Whitfield took place. Of this union there were born five children, four sons and a daughter. In 1896 Mr. and Mrs. Marsh established their home in Argyle, Minnesota, where Mr. Marsh conducted a meat business, buying and selling stock.

In 1916 they became residents of Washington. For a time they lived at Burton, later purchasing the portage store, and selling it to purchase the general store at Cove in 1922. Here Mr. Marsh was also appointed postmaster, a position he maintained until the time of his death.

For many years Mr. Marsh was affiliated with the Masonic Lodge. He served as ‘Worshipful Master’ in the lodge at Argyle, and later in the Mark P. Waterman lodge. Always just and fair in his dealings, Mr. Marsh enjoyed the confidence and respect of a wide circle of business friends both in Minnesota and in Tacoma, where his affiliation with the Red and White organization brought him in contact with other grocers from a wide territory. His jovial nature and his hearty laugh will long be remembered. Regardless of his personal feelings he was always ready with a bit of cheery philosophy, a word of encouragement for those whom he suspected of having a difficult time, as well as a word of praise for those whose efforts he was quick to recognize. The local paper received help and inspiration very often through timely clippings and words of approval when an article or editorial was to his liking.

Arthur Jerome Marsh passed away on Sunday, October 27, 1935 at his home following a long illness. Funeral services were held at 10:30 o’clock Wednesday morning from the Cove Methodist Church. He had been tenderly cared for by his wife, who was herself not at all strong, and their youngest son, Lloyd. Rev. Fretz, who conducted the services, paid a high tribute to the life and example of one who was a force for good on Vashon Island for many years, and also a kind and considerate husband and father. He addressed words of comfort to the members of the family, particularly the wife, who mourn the passing of their dear one.

Mrs. Lillian R. Marsh, 80, of Spanaway, died Saturday, November 24, 1945 at a local hospital. She was formerly a resident of Vashon Island where, in 1920 she served as matron of the Island Chapter, O.E.S. Funeral services were held Monday at 1 p.m. at the Lakewood Mortuary under direction of the Island chapter O.E.S followed by cremation. Lillian was buried at the Tacoma Mausoleum and Mortuary in Tacoma, Pierce, Washington.

My Sources are from my database, newspapers, U.S. Census Records, birth, marriage and death certificates.

Copyright © 2009 by Gus J. Marsh

Genevieve Ann Marsh with son John Preston Marsh 1917

This is the earliest photo of Genevieve Ann Marsh and her son John. He was born August 24, 1917 and this photo looks like it was taken on Labor Day 1917. Notice the 48 star flag that was probably hung by Vere Marsh. My guess is that this photo is by Vere marsh, but I have no proof.

My Sources are from my database, Marsh CD, birth, marriage and death certificates.

Copyright © 2009 by Gus J. Marsh

Marsh - Lange Christmas 1947

This photo was taken in front of Genevieve Marsh’s home at 208 First Street South, Virginia, St. Louis, Minnesota around Christmas 1947. Standing in the back is John Marsh, in front from left to right are Genevieve Marsh, Gus Marsh in the arms of my grandmother Ruth Finnerud and her husband Earl Lange. Earl and Ruth emigrated from Norway in 1913. The Lange’s lived in Grand Rapids, Itasca, Minnesota. In 1950 Genevieve moved to Oregon to be near her daughter Mary Jeanne Rooper.

Photographed by Dorothy M. Marsh in 1947.

My Sources are from my database, Marsh CD, Lange Book 2005, birth, marriage and death certificates.

Copyright © 2009 by Gus J. Marsh