FIFTH GENERATION

54. Susan Katherine Marquis was born on Mar 11 1893 in Flannigan Township, Hamilton County, Illinois. She was born on a Saturday. Delayed Record of Birth, Hamilton County, Illinois, Dated 14-April-1959. Affidavit dated 16-Jan-1959 by a sister, Della Marquis Gruthoff. Susan was called Cassie, Katherine and Kate. We knew her as Aunt Kate. She was educated in 1900 in Hamilton County, Illinois. Susan Katherine attended school at Moorman School through the 8th grade. She was a cook in 1918 in Elgin, Kane County, Illinois. When Aunt Kate first came to Elgin, she worked at Elgin State Hospital as a cook for the doctors. In addition, she worked briefly during World War II doing war related work, and she worked in the laundry at the Old People's home in Elgin until she was 80. This is according to a Family Group Record completed by Helen Huffstutler Ferreira. She was baptized about 1921 in Flannigan Township, Hamilton County, Illinois. According to a Family Group Record completed by her daughter Helen Huffstutler Ferreira. She was Baptist in 1980 in Elgin, Kane County, Illinois. Aunt Kate was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church, Elgin Bible Church, and a charter member of Grace Evangelical Church.

The following is from a letter dated February 02, 1979 written to Helen Huffstutler Ferreira by Mrs. Elmer (Dorothy) Petersen who with her husband had been missionaries to China (mainland) up to the time of WW II , then to Taiwan, and upon retirement to the States, they had a ministry among the Chinese students in an Ohio university... Mother (Kate Marquis) at this writing was at a nursing home.

"Dear Helen,

Your dear sweet Mom has been one of the most influential people in our missionary lives -- influencing us to trust God no matter what our lot, to be joyful in Him and thankful for His grace and provisions. I have several of her wonderful letters, kept for re-reading and they remind me of crucial times when she has encouraged us onward to victory in Christ. I could only hope that all missionaries have someone like her co-laboring with them. But there aren't too many like her, I'm aware of that! May God raise up others like her to carry on where she leaves off.

How is Aunt Della doing? She's another of God's special saints and our whole family has been enriched by her life too. You, grandparents must have had the right formula for bringing up children to have produced such as Kate and Della, and they were your examples which makes you fortunate, too. How many years has Della lived in Katie's home? Ever since I've known them...

How is Dean? We surely appreciated staying with him during conference He is a true host, making us very comfortable and at ease. His little Colleen is a doll and so sweet. Surely Ernestine would be mighty proud of Dean and the girls, were she to come back. Maybe she sees and knows? Let us know how Katie is doing. Love to all your fine family too."

She died on Oct 16 1980 in Elgin, Kane County, Illinois. She died on a Thursday. Susan Katherine lived 87 years, 7 months, and 5 days. McLeansboro, Illinois Times-Leader, 06-Aug-1980.

The following is from a Huffstutler family memorial card:

A Little Step Away...

To close the eye, to fall asleep,
To draw a labored breath,
To find release from daily cares
In what we know as death...

Is this the crowning of a life,
The aim or end thereof?
The totaled sum of consciousness,
The ripened fruit of love?

It cannot be, for works of God
Are wrought for nobler ends,
And those away continue on
In the hearts of kin and friends.

It cannot be, for they live on
A little step away.
The soul, the everlasting life,
Has found a better day...

Aunt Kate had 12 Grandchildren as of November 1, 1980. She was buried on Oct 18 1980 in Bluff City Cemetery, Elgin, Kane County, Illinois. Written by Helen Huffstutler Ferreira in the book of Remembrance of Mother, Katherine Marquis Huffstutler who went Home on October 16, 1980:

"Mother's complete trust in her Living, Loving Lord brought her through many hard trials Bob's accidental death in 1949; Dad's long, hard illness in the early 70's and her own struggle with the ravages of illness and old age from the time she entered the nursing home on August 15, 1978 until her call ‘Home’ on the morning of October 16, 1980. And, even before the trusted Christ for salvation, when Baby Burt Eugene died, she wrote: ‘Today our baby died, May 21, 1921 at 6 a.m. Having done everything in our power to keep the little one, we now find that God's will is stronger than man's love and that we must submit to It.’

Through the Word ministered by many fine preachers such as A. B. Brown, Billy McCarrell, John R. Rice, Raymond Ludwigson -- God burdened his heart for a world lost in sin God used her to awaken others to a vision of what He will do through willing hearts and hands. She never apologized for asking Believers to give towards the work of Christian Missions, because she really believed one could never out give the Lord. Mother often quoted Luke 6:38-: "Give, and it shall be given unto you, good measure pressed down, and shaken together, and running over shall men give unto your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete, withall it shall shall be measured to you again." We have seen it "measured to her again" and again, in the love demonstrated to her by so many whose lives she has touched.

It seemed God's "special timing" was evidenced in even the last weeks of her life when Alex and Theresia Fellows, Elmer and Dorothy Peterson, and Bud and Alice Schaeffer came for a Missions Conference at Grace Evangelical Church, and stopped in to visit and encourage her through their love and prayers and singing. It was a bit of Heaven for her, even in the old and fragile body. Then, on THE day of Mother's memorial service her loved "Aunt Hattie" (a black lady) of Cedine Bible Mission, Spring City, Tennessee Came to Elgin, Illinois on a visit and learned of Mother's Homegoing. She was so happy God knew ahead of time and planned for her to be in Elgin just in time to share that sweet fellowship with us in remembering one of God's faithful servants.

"The Gift of Giving" was Mother's spiritual gift the ability to sense the needs of others and with boundless joy and generosity allow God to use her for the supply of those needs. As Pastor said, it is not a benediction, but the work which Mother began with live on, and count, for all Eternity. And like dear old Malla Moe (a missionary from Sweden to Africa) Mother would say, "All Praise To GOD!"

I REMEMBER KATIE - More of Sister Della's recollection of Kate Marquis as a young woman or a teenager, in this case:

"This is just thoughts that come to me of things she (Kate) did as a young girl. I don't know how old she was probably in her teens, about 18, when Herbert Willis's mother died. Herbert's mother was at Aunt Alice Moorman's when she died, and as was customary, the family washed and dressed the body for burying. So Aunt Alice asked Cassie (as she was called then) to heat the water and help her.

Kate said, "I'd never touched a dead person before and was scared stiff but I got the hot water and pan for her," and she said that dear soul talked to Amy as she washed and dressed her, telling her how she loved her and would be good to her babies. She had three -- Luther, Frankie (a girl) and Herbert. We lived on the Logan Hungate place then.

Kate did housework for Mrs. Knight. She had a daughter, Ruby and they were such sweet pals. Ruby played the piano and they both had lovely voices. They spent hours just singing hymns and popular music, too. Ruby dated Henry Johnson and he had a good voice. There was a married man, Charles Cox, that also had a beautiful voice and the four of them spent lots of Sunday afternoons just singing their hearts out for the pure fun of it. One day Cassie said, "Ruby I think we should stop this...you know people might think it wasn't just singing that Charles is coming here for, and would gossip about it. Let's tell them this week is the last time?" Cassie said that he was very understanding and said it had been fun, but he didn't want their reputations damaged or for them to be talked about."

She was married to Ira Huffstutler (son of William Riley Huffstutler and Mary Alice Bennett) on Apr 24 1919 in Hamilton County, Illinois. Ira and Susan Katherine were married on a Thursday by T.B. Hunt, Minister of the Gospel. Witnesses were Susan Katherine's dear friend Ruby Knight and Susan Katherine's sister, Myrtle Marquis. Ira was 24 and Susan Katherine was 26 years old. This is recorded on Marriage License, Hamilton County, Illinois, Dated 23-April-1919 and Hamilton County, Illinois Marriage Records, Book 3-11964.

From the Elgin Daily Courier News in April of 1969:

The golden wedding anniversary open house honoring Mr. and Mrs. Ira Huffstutler will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday In their home at 153 Oak St. Elgin residents since 1923, Katherine Marquis and Ira Huffstutler were married April 24, 1919 by the Rev. T. B. Hunt in the parsonage of New Salem Church at McLeansboro, Illinois.

Attendants were her sister, Mrs. Frank Jordan, and the late Mrs. Ruby Knight Moorman. Mr. Huffstutler is a retired employee of Illinois Tool Works. Both are part-time employee at Oak Crest Residence. They are charter members of Grace Evangelical Church.

Hosts for the reception will be sons, Dean M, and William H., with their wives and daughter, Mrs. A. MacDonald Ferreira, and her husband. Eleven grandchildren will pin in the festivities. The couple's first child died in infancy.

Ira Huffstutler was born on Jun 7 1894 in Hamilton County, Illinois. He was born on a Thursday. Delayed Record of Birth, filed August 27, 1958. He was educated in 1900 in Hamilton County, Illinois. Ira's education lasted perhaps through the Third Grade. He served in the military in 1917 in France. Ira served as a Corporal during World War I for the 333rd Infantry Regiment. He served overseas during the war in France. He was a farmer in 1924 in Hamilton County, Illinois. Ira was a farmer until 1924 when he and Kate and son Dean, moved to Elgin, Illinois. There he was a custodian for the Old People's Home in Elgin. After World War II he was a laborer at W.R. Meadows Co in Elgin and then later at Illinois Tool Works. He was baptized in 1930 in Elgin, Kane County, Illinois. Ira was baptized at Immanuel Baptist Church. He was Baptist in 1930 in Elgin, Kane County, Illinois. Ira was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church, Elgin Bible Church, and a charter member of Grace Evangelical Church.

He died on Aug 7 1973 in Elgin, Kane County, Illinois. Ira died on a Tuesday. He lived 79 years and 2 months. Obituary from the McLeansboro, Illinois Times-Leader, 23-Aug-1973. Also, Ira's published obituary from the Elgin Daily Courier-News states:

"Ira Huffstutler, 79, of 153 Oak St., Elgin, died Tuesday in Americana Nursing Center, Elgin. He was born June 7, 1894, in McLeansboro, the son of William R. and Alice Bennett Huffstutler. He and Susan Katherine Marquis were married April 24, 1919.

He was a resident of Elgin since 1924; was employed as custodian for Oak Crest Residence since 1924, with the exception of 10 years 1944-54, working in the Shakeproof Division of Illinois Tool Works., He was a member of the Grace Evangelical Church, Elgin; a World War I U.S. Army veteran, serving in the 33rd Infantry Division, and a member of Watch City Post 1307, VFW.

Surviving are the widow; one daughter, Mrs. A. MacDonald (Helen) Ferreira of Elgin two sons, Dean M. and William H., both of Elgin; 11 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sons, Burt Eugene in infancy and Robert Ira in 1949."


He was buried on Aug 10 1973 in Bluff City Cemetery, Elgin, Kane County, Illinois. According to a Family Group Record completed by Helen Huffstutler Ferreira, Ira was orphaned at age 3, when both his parents died of TB. Ira made his home with the Terry Sneed family, from age 12, until he joined the Army in 1917. Ira was a first-cousin of Claude Huffstutler of McLeansboro, Illinois (03-Oct-1891 - 26-December-1980). Ira was a resident of Elgin, Illinois from 1924 until his going home in 1973.

Helen Huffstutler Ferreira states: "Ira knew almost nothing about his family and he lived with anyone who would take him in, until he hired to Terry Sneed & Julia Knight Sneed. He met Katherine Marquis there...she worked for Julia."

Recollections of Kate & Ira Huffstutler
By - Susie Lee Sneed, March 28, 1984,
Written to Della Marquis Gruthoff:

"...My mother and all of us loved Kate and Ira dearly. Such wonderful Christians. We always looked forward to their visits. I can remember as a kid I could hardly wait for Dean and the other children to wake when they'd take their naps.

And of The Marquises...

I didn't know all your family. Mother never quit singing their praises up to the very last. She talked so much about Alec and Hannah Marquis. She said your, Dad would sing in the evening while sitting out in the yard. She said he had a beautiful voice, and they could hear him all of the way to their place."

Susie Lee Sneed also wrote on June 3, 1979 to Kate Marquis Huffstutler and Della Marquis Gruthoff:

"Dear Kate and Della,

Mother has talked about your family, and how Minnie Lockwood said your father used to sing the Yellow Rose of Texas and just make those bottoms ring! Mother said he was a good singer and Kate was too.

She has told me so many things as I sit and talk with her. You know, Kate, we had a wonderful family and Mother said the Marquises were as fine as you'd ever want to find. Good neighbors.

Of course, there was only one Ira, us kids all loved him. I've wished so many times you folks had been closer to us so we could have visited more.

It used to be a treat when you and Ira would come to visit us. I could hardly wait to get to hold the little ones."

Note: Susie Lee Sneed's mother was Julia Knight of the Knight Family where Kate visited often with her close friend, Ruby Knight. Before coming to Elgin, Kate worked for Julia Sneed at the same time that Ira worked for Terry Sneed.

Susan Katherine Marquis and Ira Huffstutler had the following children:

67 i. Burt Eugene Huffstutler was born on Dec 17 1920 in Hamilton County, Illinois. Born the first son of Ira and Kate Huffstutler. Information is from Burt Eugene's grave stone inscription at Cartwright Chapel Cemetery in Hamilton County, Illinois and also from Helen Huffstutler Ferreira, Burt's younger sister. He died on May 27 1921 in Hamilton County, Illinois. He died on a Friday. Burt Eugene's death date comes from his Certificate of his grave stone inscription, Cartwright Chapel Cemetery, Hamilton County, Illinois and Helen Huffstutler Ferreira, Burt's younger sister. His Certificate of Death stated that Burt was unable to retain and assimilate his food since birth. Only the Lord knows why, but the Godly couple of Kate and Ira exhausted all efforts to save there precious little one. Burt's sister Helen Huffstutler Ferreira comments: "I never heard either my mother (Kate) or father (Ira) question God about the deaths of either Baby Burt or our beloved Bob." Helen has in her possession Burt's baby book in which his mother Kate wrote: "Today our baby died. May 27, 1921 at 6 a.m." He was buried on May 28 1921 in Cartwright Chapel Cemetery, Hamilton County, Illinois. Funeral Services were conducted by Rev. Harrison Knight at Cartwright Chapel where we laid our little Darling away; having done everything in our power to keep the little one, we now find that God's will is stronger than man's Love and that we must submit to it." Baby Burt is buried right of and next to Marquis children Ella May and Lester Hassett.
+68 ii. Dean Marquis Huffstutler.
+69 iii. Helen Katherine Huffstutler.
+70 iv. William Harold Huffstutler.
71 v. Robert Ira Huffstutler was born on May 10 1930 in Elgin, Kane County, Illinois. Robert was born on a Saturday at home at 510 Wellington Avenue according to a Family Group Record completed by Helen Huffstutler Ferreira. He was baptized about 1940 in Elgin, Kane County, Illinois. Robert was baptized at Elgin Bible Church. He was educated in 1949 in Elgin, Kane County, Illinois. Bob was due to graduate from Elgin High School in June of 1949, just a few days after his life on earth ended. He was Baptist in 1949 in Elgin, Kane County, Illinois.

He died on May 27 1949 in Elgin, Kane County, Illinois. Ira and Kate's dear son Bob died from injuries received in a hit-and-run car accident on a Friday night with a drunk driver. He died almost instantly. The Elgin Daily Courier-News reported the incident as front page news on the Friday, May 27th issue. A portion of that article is: "Robert I. Huffstutler, 19, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Ira Huffstutler, 153 Oak St., a member of the Elgin High school 1949 graduating class and a varsity football player, was killed shortly after 2 A.M. today on route 25, just north of Wayne road intersection, when he was struck by a hit and run automobile. Huffstutler and two companions ran out of gasoline while returning to Elgin and the three boys were pushing Huffstutler's car when the accident happened." He was buried on May 31 1949 in Bluff City Cemetery, Elgin, Kane County, Illinois.

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