May's School Report

Adelaide Marquand Hanscom Leeson

 Home     Chronology     Biography    Art      Publications and Articles

Father

Adelaide's sister May wrote this description of her father for a school report.

My Father

    My father was fair complexioned with sandy hair almost red. His eyebrows were heavy, the eyes deep set and a deep blue.

    He was mild-tempered except occasionally when his temper would flare up, but not for long, it easily died down.

    He was a graduate of Harvard and expected to be admitted to the bar, where he met my Mother. In two months they were married.

    His father was a well known ship builder in Maine, where my father was born. He was a fine judge of lumber having been brought up as a boy in my grandfather’s ship yard.

    My mother and father came to this coast in 1868 crossing the Isthmus of Panama. They arrived in San Francisco just after the big earthquake. They stayed in San Francisco three years where I was born. My father then decided to move to Oregon—Coos Co. where he bought a half interest in a saw mill. He owned a tug and he used to tow the lumber loaded schooners out over the bar. My father often took us along, my two brothers and myself. We loved the water and the dip of the tug as we passed over the Bandon Bar. It was on that tug that I really first remember my father. He was devoted to us, kindly and gently, and always thoughtful of our wants.

    My mother was far from well and many of the home duties fell upon my father when it was impossible to get help. He often made the bread. On leaving for the mill he would say—”Now daughter when the bread rises so high (indicating in the pans) you must take it out and knead it. Make it into three loaves and put each one into a pan.” He cleared the kitchen table put the kneading board in  place, placed a chair near it so that I could stand on the chair and knead to a better advantage. I was six years old and felt my responsibility. The bread turned out allright each time.

    I was a willful child and often caused trouble. I ran away from home once and spent the day with a kindly German lady. Toward evening my brothers came for me. They said “Father is waiting for you at home. He has his slipper ready.” Well I took my punishment it was justified and my father and I had a complete understanding before bed-time.

   We moved to Berkeley Calif. when I was seven so that we might receive a good education in the College town.

   There were a number (30) of children on our street. My father took a keen interest in all of them. On the 4th of July he was always around to help us celebrate. In the evening he was the one that put on the fire works much to the joy of both young and old.

   He was fond of dancing and brought the young people to our house. He taught us the polka shottish and waltz while my mother played the piano.

   In the summer we went camping. He made camp and always tried to relieve my mother as much as possible. Early morning he made pan cakes or biscuits for us all.