Person:Willard Newquist (1)

Listed incorrectly in the 1910 Census as Raymond A.

His sister, Dorothy, stated he was married but had no children.

My dad Roy had an interesting story about Willard. Herb and Willard were apparently strong and good fighters. Dorothy said the family had it hard after their father died. The family moved out of their house to a smaller one, in a rough neighborhood where the stock yards were behind them.

Because of the move, Willard had to transfer to a new school, Lindbloom High School. Since Willard was a new kid on the block, the other kids gave him a hard time. Willard got tired of it and told the kids, "Bring me your toughest kid and I'll fight him." So they did, and Willard beat the daylights out of him. After that, Willard was well accepted with the guys. (Marilyn Beets 6/05)

On numerous occasions the grandsons of John had contact and limited association with Willard. James Newquist relates meeting him, and identifying Willard's interest in sailing, and building his own sailboats.

Dorothy has many fond memories of sailing on Willard's 40-ft sailboat. Another story recalls Willard stopped by the state police in Chicago Heights, and released when it became known he was related to Elmer Newquist.

His sister thought the sawdust from the business caused cancer in both of her brothers and led to there deaths.

On 5/25/05 Marilyn Beets said she thought Willard died on Jan 8, 1970.

While home dad and I looked through some old pictures, many of which I have never seen before. Although my dad doesn't have any pictures of Herb or Willard, he did find a picture of Willard's boat that he use to ride across Lake Michigan. He let me have the picture, as well as many others, but today when I went through my pictures, I couldn't find it. Either I accidently left it behind, or it's mixed up with my papers, etc., that I haven't gone through. 7/9/05