Gordon came from Vermont, a graduate of Middlesbury College. Audrey had her public school teaching credential from Iowa State Normal School. In Twin Falls they met, fell in love and decided to settle on The North Side. When Dad was building their home in Wendell, he drove a horse and buggy over the Clear Lakes Grade and ferried across the Snake River to court Mother in Twin Falls.
After a few years in Burditt Men's Clothing Store, and MacQuivey Brother's Grocery Store, Dad made a good living selling Real Estate and Insurance. He and his brother, Arthur constructed the MacQuivey Buildings at the corner of Main and Idaho Streets, which burned in a terrible fire in 1981. Dad was an enthusiastic member of the Chamber of Commerce, a Mason and Lion, and an active Republican in politics.
Mother taught public school music and gave piano lessons. I remember when she earned enough to buy the beautiful baby grand piano that always stood in the bay window of our living room. She played violin in the school orchestra and was active in PTA, Civic Club, PEO, Eastern Star, and Literary Clubs. She was instrumental in getting tax support guaranteeing care for the Wendell Cemetery. In 1971 she was Gooding County Mother of the Year.
We children are proud that we grew up in Wendell. Mother boarded school teachers, and Dad rebuilt small houses to rent so that all three could graduate from Stanford University. Donald was first. In 1939 Bonnie and I drove to Stanford in Grandma Mae's 1924 Baby Overland trailering two horses with bicycles on the side. Mother and Dad followed.
Don specialized in Radio Communications. He and Edith have two children. He is retired in Palo Alto, California. Bonnie married Wes Trounson of Jerome. They raised their seven children in Wendell. Bonnie died at the age of 51 after a severe case of rheumatoid arthritis. I married John Ritchie, a surgeon M.D. of Hagerman. We have three boys, and are retired in Claremont, California.
I remember the large vegetable garden which we tilled with a horse and hand corrugator. An outdoor fireplace between us and Grandpa and Grandma Mae MacQuivey's holds memories of summer picnics. We swam in the canals, and camped in the Sawtooths. We had horses to ride, and knew by name every dog in town. There were chickens, ducks and honey bees. The family cow gave more milk than we could use. Bonnie and I delivered milk in glass bottles to neighbors for 5 cents a quart. The hookey-bob sled that Dad built and pulled behind the car, gave all the kids rides. Our horse pulled the little sleds. All winter there were mittens and socks drying around our front room furnace.
Christianity, Education and Public Service were very important in the MacQuivey family. The Presbyterian Church had precedence over all other events and activities. Mother was Sunday School teacher and pianist. The choir practiced in our home every Thursday evening. Visiting ministers stayed with us. Dad taught junior high boys, and was Sunday School Superintendent. He was first to bring each new Wendell family to church. Family prayer was a regular part of our lives each morning before Dad walked to his office to work.
Gordon and Audrey MacQuivey's love and loyalty for Wendell, for Idaho, and for the West, and their Christian commitment have been an important part of their children's lives. We are proud to have a place in the Gooding Roots and Branches!
Written by Marian MacQuviey Ritchie
Copied from "Gooding County Roots and Branches 1989" by Gooding County Idaho History
Book Committee Gooding, Idaho, 1989