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| The plastic donut days of yore: three generations |
After finishing that book, I happened to notice another,much shorter biography lying around. It was my only biography so far, which I wrote three years ago. It told of a man who was not great in the normal sense of word, who didn't conquer or name any cities, who was happy with one wife, and whose construction projects were of more modest proportions. In most ways, he was a simple, ordinary man. But having known him, I have no doubt that he was a better man than either headline Alpha Males. This is the little biography I wrote of Dad just after he passed away, and distributed a few copies to family and friends. But the font in the printed booklet is small, and reading it over this afternoon, I think some others who did not receive copies, might be interested.
Introduction
A fisherman named John once said of a friend in the construction industry, "I suppose that if everything he
did and said were recorded, the world itself would not be big enough to hold all the books." Indeed, two
thousand years later, visit a good university library or search that carpenter's name on Amazon and more
biographies, commentaries, social histories, and ghost-written autobiographies that tell about
that carpenter’s building projects, will appear, than you can read
in a dozen lifetimes. (Even if you learn the thousands of languages in which they have been written.)
thousand years later, visit a good university library or search that carpenter's name on Amazon and more
biographies, commentaries, social histories, and ghost-written autobiographies that tell about
that carpenter’s building projects, will appear, than you can read
in a dozen lifetimes. (Even if you learn the thousands of languages in which they have been written.)
The hero of this story is named John, like that author. He was also a carpenter, like the famous man he wrote of. He was not famous, a rock star (or a rock fan). But he made the teachings of that earlier carpenter the
cornerstone of his life, and proved that that works. He taught me not only how to hold a
hammer, but a lot about how to live a good life, lessons I have in some cases still hardly begun to learn.
Besides that, he was my Dad. I think his story deserves one little book.
cornerstone of his life, and proved that that works. He taught me not only how to hold a
hammer, but a lot about how to live a good life, lessons I have in some cases still hardly begun to learn.
Besides that, he was my Dad. I think his story deserves one little book.
It is amusing to think that “Grandpa and Grandma” met at Alki beach. The beach looks solitary in
Sleepless in Seattle, when Tom Hanks play with his son by their boat, as Meg Ryan admires the scene
from a distance, afraid to be forward in approaching the pair. But it has often been raucous in summer,
with girls in bikinis, beach volleyball, loud music, and parties late into the evening, which one could hear a
mile up the hill, as we would learn. It seems untenable that Edith Marshall was “picked up” by a strange man
at this Sodom on the Sound, Cocacabana without coconuts, geoduck-occupied Waikiki. And it was music
that drew Ralph and his buddy, and Edith and her friend (companions whose names are now lost): a concert
on the beach.
from a distance, afraid to be forward in approaching the pair. But it has often been raucous in summer,
with girls in bikinis, beach volleyball, loud music, and parties late into the evening, which one could hear a
mile up the hill, as we would learn. It seems untenable that Edith Marshall was “picked up” by a strange man
at this Sodom on the Sound, Cocacabana without coconuts, geoduck-occupied Waikiki. And it was music
that drew Ralph and his buddy, and Edith and her friend (companions whose names are now lost): a concert
on the beach.
We knew "Grandma Marshall" as a strong-minded Pentecostal matron, who opposed dancing and worried
about the depraved state of the world from watching televangelists with too much oil in their hair. Grandpa
was quieter, a bit bullied, his most energetic engagement a sedate game of checkers with a grandchild. One
wonders how that match between a World War I veteran who was a bit deaf from battle and may have had
trouble hearing if waves were breaking on the beach or the band were still playing, and a younger, willful Edith, played out. Did Ralph offer any of the standard
pickup lines that have whistled over that stretch of sand so often since? "Come here often?" "You missed
a spot on your shoulder!" "Nice view!" It’s hard and a little troubling to imagine.
about the depraved state of the world from watching televangelists with too much oil in their hair. Grandpa
was quieter, a bit bullied, his most energetic engagement a sedate game of checkers with a grandchild. One
wonders how that match between a World War I veteran who was a bit deaf from battle and may have had
trouble hearing if waves were breaking on the beach or the band were still playing, and a younger, willful Edith, played out. Did Ralph offer any of the standard
pickup lines that have whistled over that stretch of sand so often since? "Come here often?" "You missed
a spot on your shoulder!" "Nice view!" It’s hard and a little troubling to imagine.
The Johnson family had moved to Washington State by train from Arkansas in 1903 and settled above the river
in Mount Vernon. Edith moved to Seattle in the early 1920s, and worked in the telephone office. Her father
was apparently named William Quincey Johnson, which her daughter Gloria thinks was the source of her son John's middle
name. Ralph Marshall was descended in part from Levi Adams, second cousin to John Adams, the "north pole
of the revolution,” and from at least one passenger to America on the Mayflower.
in Mount Vernon. Edith moved to Seattle in the early 1920s, and worked in the telephone office. Her father
was apparently named William Quincey Johnson, which her daughter Gloria thinks was the source of her son John's middle
name. Ralph Marshall was descended in part from Levi Adams, second cousin to John Adams, the "north pole
of the revolution,” and from at least one passenger to America on the Mayflower.
Perhaps Ralph learned to be quiet from interactions with his father. My Uncle Stan recalls that his grandfather was good to people with whom he had business,
but not always to his own family. When Ralph and Edith visited their
parents’ farm in Toppenish, their first son, less than ten years old, was on the porch, when his grandparent's
English terrier attacked him. He jumped up on the railing to avoid the animal, and tried kicking at it. His
grandfather, who evidently had been inside watching his dog attack his grandson, and had not called the dog off,
now rushed out and yelled at Stan for kicking his dog. Frightened, the boy wet his pants.
but not always to his own family. When Ralph and Edith visited their
parents’ farm in Toppenish, their first son, less than ten years old, was on the porch, when his grandparent's
English terrier attacked him. He jumped up on the railing to avoid the animal, and tried kicking at it. His
grandfather, who evidently had been inside watching his dog attack his grandson, and had not called the dog off,
now rushed out and yelled at Stan for kicking his dog. Frightened, the boy wet his pants.
Apparently Ralph and his friend took Edith and her friend to eat at the Homestead, a log structure built as a wealthy family's retreat between 1903 and 1904. This seems fitting, since Edith would treat generations of little Marshalls to so many feasts, cookies and pies, and was hardly oblivious to their charms herself. Alki is the oldest part of Seattle, where Arthur Denny and his party landed in November, 1851, then were blasted by a winter's rain off Puget Soundn from the south, and cold northern winds from one of the longest stretches of open water in the inlet from the other direction. Tired of the weather, in April, 1852, they moved across Elliot Bay to the present Pioneer Square in what grew into downtown Seattle, their children no doubt throwing pinecones at one another on the land now occupied by Seahawks Stadium. But Alki, with its gentle surf and sand, and backdrop of the Olympic Mountains, can be a good place
for first impressions, as Seattle’s first settlers, Meg Ryan, and Ralph Marshall discovered independently.
Perhaps that is what the name Alki – Chinook jargon for "by and by," or "eventually" – refers to. From that
landing, eventually appeared a great city. From that flirtation, “by and by” came John Marshall, subject of the
present hagiography, and the subsequent tribe of Marshalls, many of whom enjoyed Alki beach all their lives,
without knowing its appointed role in their origination.
Ralph and Edith dated for just six weeks before getting married, in 1923. Ralph and Edith lived at first in Rainier
Valley, at about 39th Avenue South, near the Mount Baker district, then rented a series of houses in the Admiral
district of West Seattle, above Alki. The Marshalls lives on 42nd, then 3250 38th SW, then 3251 40th Avenue
SW (Stan was 12 years old then).
Valley, at about 39th Avenue South, near the Mount Baker district, then rented a series of houses in the Admiral
district of West Seattle, above Alki. The Marshalls lives on 42nd, then 3250 38th SW, then 3251 40th Avenue
SW (Stan was 12 years old then).
West Seattle is a gentle five mile long upland that rises between Puget Sound and Duwamish River and the
valley the river flows through. Most of the district is formed of two partly parallel north-south ridges created as glacial moraines at the end of the last Ice Age. One might speculate, given Edith’s
lifelong love of dramatic natural scenes, that the changing moods of the Olympic mountains over Puget Sound,
or the city from Ferry Avenue ablaze with the setting sun across Elliot Bay, with Mount Baker in the background,
helped inspire the move. These are view lots today, but they were not ostentatious at the time. "We were
very poor," Gloria noted. Ralph was out of work much of the time, sometimes working for the WPA, the
Depression-era federal project to improve America's roads. About 1940, Ralph was hired by
Bremerton Shipyard.
valley the river flows through. Most of the district is formed of two partly parallel north-south ridges created as glacial moraines at the end of the last Ice Age. One might speculate, given Edith’s
lifelong love of dramatic natural scenes, that the changing moods of the Olympic mountains over Puget Sound,
or the city from Ferry Avenue ablaze with the setting sun across Elliot Bay, with Mount Baker in the background,
helped inspire the move. These are view lots today, but they were not ostentatious at the time. "We were
very poor," Gloria noted. Ralph was out of work much of the time, sometimes working for the WPA, the
Depression-era federal project to improve America's roads. About 1940, Ralph was hired by
Bremerton Shipyard.
The family moved often because as the Depression began to wane, owners would sell the houses they were
renting out from under them to newly confident buyers, and they would need to look for a new rental, Stan
recalls. Neighborhood kids used to sneak into an abandoned hospital just north of the main crossroads of
Admiral Way. Rumor said the building was haunted. But when it became available, Ralph and Edith saw it
could accommodate their whole family (along with any spooks) and signed a lease for $12 a month. Here, on
42nd near Admiral Way, John spent much of his early childhood. Shirley remembers that it was a fun place to
play, with a tiny room upstairs which had "really pretty" colored glass. She remembers a police dog and a
"white cat that would scare the dogs away but was not a good mouser," playing with rather than dispatching
the mice. According to Stan, their white cat was a bit of a stalker, at least as regards neighborhood dogs. She
would jump on their backs and dig in her claws. The Marshall dog, a German Shepherd named Sally, was a
more benevolent creature. Seeing that the cat was taking poor care of her kittens, Sally preempted Child
Protective Services, "took the cat's kittens away" (Stan) and nursed them herself.
renting out from under them to newly confident buyers, and they would need to look for a new rental, Stan
recalls. Neighborhood kids used to sneak into an abandoned hospital just north of the main crossroads of
Admiral Way. Rumor said the building was haunted. But when it became available, Ralph and Edith saw it
could accommodate their whole family (along with any spooks) and signed a lease for $12 a month. Here, on
42nd near Admiral Way, John spent much of his early childhood. Shirley remembers that it was a fun place to
play, with a tiny room upstairs which had "really pretty" colored glass. She remembers a police dog and a
"white cat that would scare the dogs away but was not a good mouser," playing with rather than dispatching
the mice. According to Stan, their white cat was a bit of a stalker, at least as regards neighborhood dogs. She
would jump on their backs and dig in her claws. The Marshall dog, a German Shepherd named Sally, was a
more benevolent creature. Seeing that the cat was taking poor care of her kittens, Sally preempted Child
Protective Services, "took the cat's kittens away" (Stan) and nursed them herself.
For a time, they also owned a gray cat named Jo Jo White. This cat was named after a Seattle Rainiers
outfielder from Georgia, nicknamed Jo Jo for the way he pronounced the name of his state. The cat had a
trick of running and sliding, as if to steal a base, at which Jo Jo the baseball player was adept.
outfielder from Georgia, nicknamed Jo Jo for the way he pronounced the name of his state. The cat had a
trick of running and sliding, as if to steal a base, at which Jo Jo the baseball player was adept.
There were more woods in West Seattle in those days, which probably explains the mice. On the other side of
the road was a small park, where the kids buried a dead bird, picking dandelions to put on its grave.
the road was a small park, where the kids buried a dead bird, picking dandelions to put on its grave.
A vacant lot sat next to the house on 40th, and there the family grew a large garden, 50 times 100 feet. Edith
grew vegetables in what Gloria referred to as a "Victory Garden," though the family had also had gardens
before the war, when they lived in houses that could accommodate one. Shirley remembers cucumbers,
radishes, and green beans, but thinks there were a lot of other things in the garden, too. "Your Dad was very
active in helping her." Stan would weed one day, and water the next. He remembers growing cucumbers,
corn, Kentucky wonder beans (a favorite of John's all his life), peas, hubbard and marblehead squash, potatoes,
and tomatoes in the front of the garden.
grew vegetables in what Gloria referred to as a "Victory Garden," though the family had also had gardens
before the war, when they lived in houses that could accommodate one. Shirley remembers cucumbers,
radishes, and green beans, but thinks there were a lot of other things in the garden, too. "Your Dad was very
active in helping her." Stan would weed one day, and water the next. He remembers growing cucumbers,
corn, Kentucky wonder beans (a favorite of John's all his life), peas, hubbard and marblehead squash, potatoes,
and tomatoes in the front of the garden.
Their father Ralph was "always a quiet person." His hearing was bad due to gunfire during the First World
War. "Dad always felt like his Dad got the short end of the stick and his mother monopolized the conversation.
Dad kind of resented that." (Patricia M) “Grandma was always fussing, and Grandpa was—whatever the kids
want to do is fine,” Peter recalls. Once, he remembers, Peter put salt on the ground . . . “Oh, let the boy
help!” Ralph insisted, “In this case, Grandpa actually won.” (Peter)
War. "Dad always felt like his Dad got the short end of the stick and his mother monopolized the conversation.
Dad kind of resented that." (Patricia M) “Grandma was always fussing, and Grandpa was—whatever the kids
want to do is fine,” Peter recalls. Once, he remembers, Peter put salt on the ground . . . “Oh, let the boy
help!” Ralph insisted, “In this case, Grandpa actually won.” (Peter)
Shirley remembers her father taking her down to Puget Sound as a little girl. She held onto his neck and he j
umped into the water. "I just about froze," but it was a good memory. Their father would get up about five in
the morning and leave a few minutes later for the bus downtown, from where he would take the ferry to the
Bremerton ship yard. On Fridays he would stop at the Pike Place Market on the way home to buy groceries.
umped into the water. "I just about froze," but it was a good memory. Their father would get up about five in
the morning and leave a few minutes later for the bus downtown, from where he would take the ferry to the
Bremerton ship yard. On Fridays he would stop at the Pike Place Market on the way home to buy groceries.
Edith was a woman of strong views. She liked bushy-tailed squirrels, but saw chipmunks as nasty
little thieves. “Cheeeep!" She would call to toyees, and they would hop up to the
sliding glass door at the back of the retirement home in Kingston, that opened onto douglas firs and salal
bushes, and receive a ration of breadcrumbs. Blue jays or crows were unwelcome. And though she regretted
the accidental death of a baby robin that tried to steal her strawberries, they stood lower in the pecking order
of moral value, we were given to understand, than their cousins whose breasts were a dimmer shade of red.
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| Bad bird. |
sliding glass door at the back of the retirement home in Kingston, that opened onto douglas firs and salal
bushes, and receive a ration of breadcrumbs. Blue jays or crows were unwelcome. And though she regretted
the accidental death of a baby robin that tried to steal her strawberries, they stood lower in the pecking order
of moral value, we were given to understand, than their cousins whose breasts were a dimmer shade of red.
Edith also had strong views about human races as well, which her family no doubt brought with them from
Arkansas. But disparagement of other races mingled in her mind with a heartfelt Christian charity, that inclined
her to be practically kind towards people of whom, as a class, she might take a dim view.
Arkansas. But disparagement of other races mingled in her mind with a heartfelt Christian charity, that inclined
her to be practically kind towards people of whom, as a class, she might take a dim view.
This took some unpacking for her children. When John was a small boy, he met a black woman and said, "Hi,
there, Nigger lady!" To his astonishment, the woman became furious and chased him down the street. It
seems it was the generation that grew up in the 1940 and 50s, in the wake of the horrors of the Holocaust,
that did the most to outgrow racial prejudices: John kept his mother’s charity, but aside from complaining about
messy Vietnamese tenants (he would later work to help a Vietnamese congregation), he gave his children the
impression that racial generalizations were simply wrong.
there, Nigger lady!" To his astonishment, the woman became furious and chased him down the street. It
seems it was the generation that grew up in the 1940 and 50s, in the wake of the horrors of the Holocaust,
that did the most to outgrow racial prejudices: John kept his mother’s charity, but aside from complaining about
messy Vietnamese tenants (he would later work to help a Vietnamese congregation), he gave his children the
impression that racial generalizations were simply wrong.
Her grandchildren loved Edith Marshall, though. Just after she passed away, I tried to explain Edith, and what
I had seen of her both in her final days and in Kingston, to my wife while Mayumi and John were still in Japan.
I had flown into Los Angeles from Japan and tried to store my luggage at LAX, in order to spend a week
visiting the US Center for Missions Studies. Storage proved unavailable so I ended up flying to Seattle the next
day. I would have missed that final visit with Grandma Marshall, if I’d found a place to put my luggage.
I had seen of her both in her final days and in Kingston, to my wife while Mayumi and John were still in Japan.
I had flown into Los Angeles from Japan and tried to store my luggage at LAX, in order to spend a week
visiting the US Center for Missions Studies. Storage proved unavailable so I ended up flying to Seattle the next
day. I would have missed that final visit with Grandma Marshall, if I’d found a place to put my luggage.
I wish I'd recorded the things she said that day. I wrote Mayumi:
“Grandma Marshall died yesterday at 5:10 PM. I was the last family member to see her alive, I think, and after
I held her hand and prayed for her, she waved goodbye. (She couldn't talk except with a lot of effort . . .
I held her hand and prayed for her, she waved goodbye. (She couldn't talk except with a lot of effort . . .
“When I came back to Seattle ten days ago, I was afraid she might not recognize me. But we stopped at the
hospital on the way back from the airport, and she was very glad to see me . . . She seemed very alive
spiritually. She kept telling me how much she loved us, and how much she had prayed for us. I told her,
"God heard your prayers, Grandma." She said, "If only you could know how much I love you and pray for you,"
and something like, "Now I only want to say the things that are important." Actually the second or third day I
visited she was better, and talked very clearly. I showed her pictures of you and John, and she seemed to
enjoy them.
hospital on the way back from the airport, and she was very glad to see me . . . She seemed very alive
spiritually. She kept telling me how much she loved us, and how much she had prayed for us. I told her,
"God heard your prayers, Grandma." She said, "If only you could know how much I love you and pray for you,"
and something like, "Now I only want to say the things that are important." Actually the second or third day I
visited she was better, and talked very clearly. I showed her pictures of you and John, and she seemed to
enjoy them.
“I would have missed those times if I'd found a locker at LA International Airport and stayed there five days to
a week, like I'd planned. Thank God for his timing.
a week, like I'd planned. Thank God for his timing.
“A few days after I returned, my uncle Stan from Louisiana and Aunt Shirley from California flew in. So they
also got to see Grandma one last time.
also got to see Grandma one last time.
“They had moved Grandma to a nursing home. She grew steadily weaker. The doctor said she had sixteen
things wrong with her. She was thin, and had bruises on her arm from an injury. I don't think she was in
much pain, though . . . I was glad to find her spirit so alive that the slow death of her body didn't trouble me
too much . . . Mom said, ' Before, Grandma was mad at God. She'd ask, “Why doesn't He take me?” But now
she seems to have accepted God's will, however He wants to do it.' Mom felt Grandma had learned something
new in her final illness . . .
things wrong with her. She was thin, and had bruises on her arm from an injury. I don't think she was in
much pain, though . . . I was glad to find her spirit so alive that the slow death of her body didn't trouble me
too much . . . Mom said, ' Before, Grandma was mad at God. She'd ask, “Why doesn't He take me?” But now
she seems to have accepted God's will, however He wants to do it.' Mom felt Grandma had learned something
new in her final illness . . .
“Yesterday, I called Laurie to ask about typing something (a resume) on her computer. She told me Rachel was
saying to her, "I wanna see Great Grandma (she says 'Grandma Great') before she goes to heaven." So Laurie
and Rachel were going to the nursing home. I asked if I could pick them up and we could go together, so I
could show her the card.
saying to her, "I wanna see Great Grandma (she says 'Grandma Great') before she goes to heaven." So Laurie
and Rachel were going to the nursing home. I asked if I could pick them up and we could go together, so I
could show her the card.
“Grandma Great was sleeping when we first got there. Rachel was afraid, and spent most of the time in the
hall with Laurie. But when Grandma woke up, I spent a little time with her. At first I showed her (your) card
(from Japan). She looked at it, and seemed to appreciate it. But then she took it and started fanning herself.
So I fanned her with it, and a nurse opened a window . . . I came back in to say goodbye. That's when I
prayed and she waved Goodbye. I put the card with John on the TV stand (which is by the ceiling), next to a
balloon someone sent that said "I love you." Then I left.
hall with Laurie. But when Grandma woke up, I spent a little time with her. At first I showed her (your) card
(from Japan). She looked at it, and seemed to appreciate it. But then she took it and started fanning herself.
So I fanned her with it, and a nurse opened a window . . . I came back in to say goodbye. That's when I
prayed and she waved Goodbye. I put the card with John on the TV stand (which is by the ceiling), next to a
balloon someone sent that said "I love you." Then I left.
“A couple hours later, Grandma died.
“Dad said, Grandpa probably said to her, ‘What in the world took you so long? 22 years!’
“Grandma Marshall has been old ever since I remember. But when I was a boy, she wasn't too old to chase
Peter when he was naughty. (I didn't think even then it was a fair race, though.) Nor was she too old to walk
into Kingston, a mile round trip, with us for a hamburger at Bennie's restaurant, and then back with bags of
groceries. She also kept a good garden in the stony, loose soil in the extra lot they owned, just past the
Douglas firs and rough lawn that surrounded their house.
Peter when he was naughty. (I didn't think even then it was a fair race, though.) Nor was she too old to walk
into Kingston, a mile round trip, with us for a hamburger at Bennie's restaurant, and then back with bags of
groceries. She also kept a good garden in the stony, loose soil in the extra lot they owned, just past the
Douglas firs and rough lawn that surrounded their house.
“It was an exotic house, to me. A place of homely beauty, with a taste of wildness. Deer grazed in the forest
on a wall tapestry, one alert, looking out of the tapestry into the living room, as perhaps the real deer in the fir
forest around the house did from time to time. A flock of metal geese flew by over the fireplace. Bells in the
cupboard attracted me like they do John, but were more interesting since we only visited few times a year.
Plants grew and thrived, indoors as well as outside. Under one, on the far end of the little wall where the bells
lay, sat the Scrabble set. Out that window you could see the neighbor's fence -- where vicious St. Bernard dogs
lived -- and a wild or semi-domesticated apple tree, whose fruit I never saw anyone eat.
on a wall tapestry, one alert, looking out of the tapestry into the living room, as perhaps the real deer in the fir
forest around the house did from time to time. A flock of metal geese flew by over the fireplace. Bells in the
cupboard attracted me like they do John, but were more interesting since we only visited few times a year.
Plants grew and thrived, indoors as well as outside. Under one, on the far end of the little wall where the bells
lay, sat the Scrabble set. Out that window you could see the neighbor's fence -- where vicious St. Bernard dogs
lived -- and a wild or semi-domesticated apple tree, whose fruit I never saw anyone eat.
“The dining room and the table lay between the living room and the kitchen. Here was where family feasts
took place. At Thanksgiving, Uncle Ron and Aunt Phyllis and their kids, and our family, would eat while
Grandma brought in the dishes -- mashed potatoes and gravy, beans and onion rings, cranberry sauce, green
beans, carrots sauteed in brown sugar, turkey, stuffing. Desert was not always limited to pumpkin pie and
whipped cream, but always included it. "I hope you kids didn't eat on the ferry," Grandma would say.
took place. At Thanksgiving, Uncle Ron and Aunt Phyllis and their kids, and our family, would eat while
Grandma brought in the dishes -- mashed potatoes and gravy, beans and onion rings, cranberry sauce, green
beans, carrots sauteed in brown sugar, turkey, stuffing. Desert was not always limited to pumpkin pie and
whipped cream, but always included it. "I hope you kids didn't eat on the ferry," Grandma would say.
“Sometimes Peter and I would stay a week or two in the summer. Then we would watch Grandma feed the
birds and squirrels out the sliding door at the end of that table. "Sweet! Sweet!" She'd call in a high-pitched voice to her favorite birds . . . She'd scatter crumbs for them, and they'd come. She always told how
she once saved a toyee . . . It flew into her window, and she fed it until it got better. She also talked about
how ‘I got so mad at those robins eating my cherries I killed a baby robin. Then I felt really bad.’
birds and squirrels out the sliding door at the end of that table. "Sweet! Sweet!" She'd call in a high-pitched voice to her favorite birds . . . She'd scatter crumbs for them, and they'd come. She always told how
she once saved a toyee . . . It flew into her window, and she fed it until it got better. She also talked about
how ‘I got so mad at those robins eating my cherries I killed a baby robin. Then I felt really bad.’
“The house was unusual in several ways. For one thing, the heat came from little heating units on the walls
that you turned on individually when you got cold. Also, the water was from a well in the tool shed, which
Grandma was proud of. It seemed to have water even when there was a draught. She thought it tasted
sweeter than city water. But many other things about the house interested me, like the big sea shells and dried
star fish in the bathroom, and the wall where Grandma hung her grandchildren's works of art.
that you turned on individually when you got cold. Also, the water was from a well in the tool shed, which
Grandma was proud of. It seemed to have water even when there was a draught. She thought it tasted
sweeter than city water. But many other things about the house interested me, like the big sea shells and dried
star fish in the bathroom, and the wall where Grandma hung her grandchildren's works of art.
“The room we stayed in was not so interesting, except you could hear the rain on the roof real well. When we
stayed there, we liked to have pine cone fights in the woods, or Easter Egg hunts at Easter, and go down to the
beach, which smelled wilder and muddier than our own beach in Seattle.
stayed there, we liked to have pine cone fights in the woods, or Easter Egg hunts at Easter, and go down to the
beach, which smelled wilder and muddier than our own beach in Seattle.
“I think I learned a lot of my love of beauty at Grandma's house. I also learned to love fresh potatoes from the
garden.
garden.
“I think Grandma also taught me to love God. Her Bible was big-print, ancient-looking, and well-worn. She talked about God as if knowing Him were an exciting adventure for her -- of prayers answered, of
healings, of visions, as a natural part of life . . .
healings, of visions, as a natural part of life . . .
Such was the cast of characters who started the family into which John Marshall was born: simple working folk,
from farming backgrounds, who had lived through a war already and (in Edith’s case) recently survived the
Influenza epidemic that followed it.
from farming backgrounds, who had lived through a war already and (in Edith’s case) recently survived the
Influenza epidemic that followed it.
Shirley remembers playing school with her youngest brothers. Shirley would take on the role of teacher and
they would put dolls on chairs as students, or line them up as passengers on a train. When the rain beat
against the low ceiling of one of the houses they lived on in Admiral, "To this day I just love hearing the rain --
it would be just inches away from our head."
they would put dolls on chairs as students, or line them up as passengers on a train. When the rain beat
against the low ceiling of one of the houses they lived on in Admiral, "To this day I just love hearing the rain --
it would be just inches away from our head."
"We didn't play that close together,” admitted Stan. “He and Shirley and Ron were more of a group." Stan was
busy delivering papers (the Shopping News, West Seattle Herald, and Seattle Times on different days), and
cutting lawns with wooden push mowers. Stan remembers when John fell off the running boards of a car --
owned by a neighbor named Jerome Hanning -- since he was the one who shouted "Don't jump!"
busy delivering papers (the Shopping News, West Seattle Herald, and Seattle Times on different days), and
cutting lawns with wooden push mowers. Stan remembers when John fell off the running boards of a car --
owned by a neighbor named Jerome Hanning -- since he was the one who shouted "Don't jump!"
When the couple first met, Ralph installed long-distance telephone lines for AT&T. Then he worked
as a hod carrier, bringing mortar to brick-layers, until the Depression:
"The building industry was about the first to get hit," said Stan, as subsequent
generations of entrepreneurial Marshalls would relearn. "Every afternoon he would come home with his head
down, shake his head and say to Mom, 'Nothing today.' Mom didn't blame him because he wasn't able to get a
job, but she'd complain that she was worried that there wouldn't be enough to feed the kids."
as a hod carrier, bringing mortar to brick-layers, until the Depression:
"The building industry was about the first to get hit," said Stan, as subsequent
generations of entrepreneurial Marshalls would relearn. "Every afternoon he would come home with his head
down, shake his head and say to Mom, 'Nothing today.' Mom didn't blame him because he wasn't able to get a
job, but she'd complain that she was worried that there wouldn't be enough to feed the kids."
The family was so poor that the boys only had one pair of pants for school. Edith would have to wash their
clothes at night and iron them dry, so they could go to school the next day.
clothes at night and iron them dry, so they could go to school the next day.
John recalled how someone stole firewood from the Marshalls, and Ralph jumped out of bed (?) and ran down
the street in his underwear to try to catch him. (PM)
the street in his underwear to try to catch him. (PM)
Before the war, Ralph would stop at the Pike Place Market, and bargain with the Japanese merchants. (They
would be interned when the war began.) He would walk from one end of the market to the other and "haggle
with the Japanese" for the best prices. Then he might stop at Bartell Drug Store and buy three candy bars for
a dime. "Mom would cut them up for us kids -- that was a big day for us,” as Stan put it.
would be interned when the war began.) He would walk from one end of the market to the other and "haggle
with the Japanese" for the best prices. Then he might stop at Bartell Drug Store and buy three candy bars for
a dime. "Mom would cut them up for us kids -- that was a big day for us,” as Stan put it.
Ralph made a sort of flat-bottomed wheelbarrow by using lawnmower wheels and
axles, and boards he got from a carpenter, then went "rustling wood," as he called it -- scavenging, not stealing. He cut wood with a 6 foot saw, telling his oldest son
not to apply pressure, but just to hold the saw steady on the other side. "You don't need to worry about
pushing or pulling, I just want you to keep it straight." Ralph didn't go easy on himself, though, and was
operated on for a double hernia in 1936.
axles, and boards he got from a carpenter, then went "rustling wood," as he called it -- scavenging, not stealing. He cut wood with a 6 foot saw, telling his oldest son
not to apply pressure, but just to hold the saw steady on the other side. "You don't need to worry about
pushing or pulling, I just want you to keep it straight." Ralph didn't go easy on himself, though, and was
operated on for a double hernia in 1936.
Often Ralph would go to the West Seattle library (one built by Andrew Carnegie) and read "on different
subjects." Stan reflects, "He was one of the most intelligent men I've ever known." This love of learning
would rub off on his children, including his second son, through them on his grandchildren, and arguably on
great-grandchildren he never met. If reading be
a sin, this sin has now visited itself on the fourth generation, and a poem on the wall of the ancestral
Marshall home celebrates throwing away the television. (Though John was
never so rash as to put that advice into practice, and miss the news, police shows, and whatever tragic Seattle
sports saga happened to be in season. Pure consistency in small things was not the hobgoblin of the
moderately Calvinistic mind of the hero of this story.)
subjects." Stan reflects, "He was one of the most intelligent men I've ever known." This love of learning
would rub off on his children, including his second son, through them on his grandchildren, and arguably on
great-grandchildren he never met. If reading be
a sin, this sin has now visited itself on the fourth generation, and a poem on the wall of the ancestral
Marshall home celebrates throwing away the television. (Though John was
never so rash as to put that advice into practice, and miss the news, police shows, and whatever tragic Seattle
sports saga happened to be in season. Pure consistency in small things was not the hobgoblin of the
moderately Calvinistic mind of the hero of this story.)
Ralph worked for a year or two as an electrician at the Sand Point Naval Station. When the Second World War
began, he was hired by the Puget Sound shipyard in Bremerton as a sheet metal mechanic. He would get up
at 4:30 to take the bus (?) downtown, then transfer to the ferry for Bremerton. "He was tired all the time,”
his children recall. When he worked overtime, a couple times he fell asleep on the last ferry, and had to stay
overnight in Bremerton.
began, he was hired by the Puget Sound shipyard in Bremerton as a sheet metal mechanic. He would get up
at 4:30 to take the bus (?) downtown, then transfer to the ferry for Bremerton. "He was tired all the time,”
his children recall. When he worked overtime, a couple times he fell asleep on the last ferry, and had to stay
overnight in Bremerton.
Their Dad was either working, or looking for work, most of the time, so much of the disciplining was done by
Edith. The couple didn't punish severely or frequently. "We were very careful mostly not to overstep our
bounds. They were in control and we'd better do what they said." (Gloria)
Edith. The couple didn't punish severely or frequently. "We were very careful mostly not to overstep our
bounds. They were in control and we'd better do what they said." (Gloria)
"Your Dad was always a kind-hearted little guy,” Gloria further recalls. “Ron was the fighter and sometimes he would be fighting for Jack."
Not that John always avoided trouble. Once the two started a fire with cardboard boxes in the basement . . . "
Not that John always avoided trouble. Once the two started a fire with cardboard boxes in the basement . . . "
the 1949 earthquake.
During the Second World War, army tents were set up in Hiawatha Park between their home and the church.
(And next to West Seattle High School.) Shirley remembers a young soldier asking to borrow her tennis racket
to play with a pretty young lady.
(And next to West Seattle High School.) Shirley remembers a young soldier asking to borrow her tennis racket
to play with a pretty young lady.
At first, the family occasionally attended a Congregational, then an Episcopal church. They also listened to
Charles E Fuller's sermons on the radio. Then a lady they didn't know came by the house with an invitation to
Vacation Bible School wrapped in brightly colored cellophane -- Shirley remembers one being red, though she
thinks they were all different colors, no doubt part of their appeal to young eyes. Gloria remembers the
cellophane invitations, and that the lady who invited the Marshalls to Westside was the church secretary,
named Taylor. It was the "first time anyone invited us." Edith had been raised Baptist, but "for many years
neither of my parents went to church at all," too busying trying "to keep body and soul together," as Edith used
to put it.
Charles E Fuller's sermons on the radio. Then a lady they didn't know came by the house with an invitation to
Vacation Bible School wrapped in brightly colored cellophane -- Shirley remembers one being red, though she
thinks they were all different colors, no doubt part of their appeal to young eyes. Gloria remembers the
cellophane invitations, and that the lady who invited the Marshalls to Westside was the church secretary,
named Taylor. It was the "first time anyone invited us." Edith had been raised Baptist, but "for many years
neither of my parents went to church at all," too busying trying "to keep body and soul together," as Edith used
to put it.
And so the family began walking towards the Sound to West Side Presbyterian Church. (Though sometimes, Claudia Cheadle recalls, the boys in Sunday School, presumably including John, would climb out of the window
to escape the boring Mr. Carlton.) Here John and later some of his children (including me) would be married.
Here is where many of his deepest friendships would be formed, and where his memorial service would
eventually be held. West Side met, at first, in what Stan describes as a "long brown building" that, during an
earthquake, "was like a snake twisting and turning." This probably was not the 7.1 Olympia Earthquake which
occurred at 11:55 AM on April 13, 1949, and killed eight people.
By that time, in fact, the new West Side church has already been built half a mile south on California. While it
was being built, the congregation met in Lafayette School. The earthquake destroyed most of the school,
however – fortunately the kids were on spring break, or Ron Rice speculates, the large unreinforced concrete
entries that toppled during the earthquake would have killed many children.
was being built, the congregation met in Lafayette School. The earthquake destroyed most of the school,
however – fortunately the kids were on spring break, or Ron Rice speculates, the large unreinforced concrete
entries that toppled during the earthquake would have killed many children.
Claudia Cheadle was in junior high school by this time, but watched the school she and John (he was a year
older) had attended, crumble into dust. “We watched it come down from our step. Sally (later Porter) ran to
get her sister. Margaret (Macklevein) panicked. I held onto her till she calmed down.”
older) had attended, crumble into dust. “We watched it come down from our step. Sally (later Porter) ran to
get her sister. Margaret (Macklevein) panicked. I held onto her till she calmed down.”
Claudia’s own reaction was delayed: for a year after, “Every time I went downtown I could see the buildings
swaying.”
swaying.”
In wake of the earthquake, the West Side congregation was able to provide rooms for the school to meet in, in
return for the accommodation the school had previously given them.
return for the accommodation the school had previously given them.
But even with earthquakes, Presbyterians proved too tame for Edith. She went to the meetings of a Brother
Ralph, in a revival tent downtown, then joined the Assembly of God church in West Seattle. This appears to be
the same church, across from West Seattle Bowl, in which her son John, and grandsons David and Peter,
would install a baptistery many years later. (I think it may also be the church that played a role in the
conversion of a Marxist with mobster connections, later missions scholar Bill Prevette, which he relates in my
book Faith Seeking Understanding.)
Ralph, in a revival tent downtown, then joined the Assembly of God church in West Seattle. This appears to be
the same church, across from West Seattle Bowl, in which her son John, and grandsons David and Peter,
would install a baptistery many years later. (I think it may also be the church that played a role in the
conversion of a Marxist with mobster connections, later missions scholar Bill Prevette, which he relates in my
book Faith Seeking Understanding.)
The “Frozen Chosen” didn't have enough of the Holy Spirit, Edith seemed to feel. Gloria recalls her mother a
sking to pray with her on one occasion, and biting her tongue to keep herself from sarcastically asking, "Do you
think God will hear my prayers?"
sking to pray with her on one occasion, and biting her tongue to keep herself from sarcastically asking, "Do you
think God will hear my prayers?"
After Shirley married John Strong, her husband began serving in a Christian Church in Kingston, a small town
on the opposite shore of Puget Sound, in what Edith would call the “Banana Belt” of Western Washington,
because the Olympics blocked some of the rain. "Mother and Dad would visit there and they just fell in love
with the place."
on the opposite shore of Puget Sound, in what Edith would call the “Banana Belt” of Western Washington,
because the Olympics blocked some of the rain. "Mother and Dad would visit there and they just fell in love
with the place."
John built a garage for his parent’s family on 40th Street when he was still in his teens. He would build a two-story garage with me more than fifty years later, climbing on the roof and placing lam beams onto posts with
more strength and sure-footedness than I could manage. 55 years of garage-building – a career only two Chinese emperors exceeded for length, if not for privilege and particularities of
responsibility.
more strength and sure-footedness than I could manage. 55 years of garage-building – a career only two Chinese emperors exceeded for length, if not for privilege and particularities of
responsibility.
As John matured into a young man, it became clear to Shirley that "he liked the girls, and the girls liked him.”
She adds: “And he got the very best." Claudia recalls that he also dated her cousin who was visiting from California
for a while. What did young people do on dates? They drove to the new Bow Lake Airport (formally known as
Seattle Tacoma International) to watch planes come in and take off.
She adds: “And he got the very best." Claudia recalls that he also dated her cousin who was visiting from California
for a while. What did young people do on dates? They drove to the new Bow Lake Airport (formally known as
Seattle Tacoma International) to watch planes come in and take off.
But then John took off in one of those planes: he joined the Army and flew to Germany and Ethiopia.
Thank you for writing this.
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