Marquez Family Collection
Dublin Core
Title
Marquez Family Collection
Description
Leon Custudio Ventura was born in the municipality of Piddig, in the province of Ilocos Norte, in the Philippines on May 5, 1909. He immigrated to San Francisco in 1929, where he worked as a maintenance worker at the University of San Francisco and lived with his brother, Carmelo Ventura. In 1939, Leon moved to the Pajaro Valley, where he stayed for a few years before enlisting in the U.S. military.
After World War II, Leon visited the Philippines and was married (Leon’s wife’s name is unknown) in Leyte, Philippines on August 14, 1945. Leon and his wife had three children: Eva (b. 1946), Leon Jr. (b. 1947), and Hermenia (b. 1949). Because of his military service, Leon was able to receive U.S. citizenship, and in 1955 his family immigrated from the Philippines to Watsonville.
In Watsonville, Leon worked for Jenson & Son Company harvesting strawberries and apples. His wife also worked for Jenson & Son Company and in the local canneries. Leon and his wife were well-known for helping other Filipino migrants navigate life in the United States, including applying for Social Security and learning financial skills.
Their oldest daughter, Evelyn Marquez, has one son named John (b. 1969). Growing up, John worked with his grandparents in the agricultural fields. Today, John and Evelyn live in La Selva Beach.
Leon passed away in 2008, and his wife passed away in 2013.
The Marquez Collection was donated to Watsonville is in the Heart in 2022. It contains one oral history interview with John Marquez.
After World War II, Leon visited the Philippines and was married (Leon’s wife’s name is unknown) in Leyte, Philippines on August 14, 1945. Leon and his wife had three children: Eva (b. 1946), Leon Jr. (b. 1947), and Hermenia (b. 1949). Because of his military service, Leon was able to receive U.S. citizenship, and in 1955 his family immigrated from the Philippines to Watsonville.
In Watsonville, Leon worked for Jenson & Son Company harvesting strawberries and apples. His wife also worked for Jenson & Son Company and in the local canneries. Leon and his wife were well-known for helping other Filipino migrants navigate life in the United States, including applying for Social Security and learning financial skills.
Their oldest daughter, Evelyn Marquez, has one son named John (b. 1969). Growing up, John worked with his grandparents in the agricultural fields. Today, John and Evelyn live in La Selva Beach.
Leon passed away in 2008, and his wife passed away in 2013.
The Marquez Collection was donated to Watsonville is in the Heart in 2022. It contains one oral history interview with John Marquez.
Contributor
John Marquez
Collection Items
John Marquez interviewed by Katrina Pagaduan
In this interview, originally recorded in person, John Marquez and his mother, Evelyn Marquez talk with Watsonville is in the Heart team member Katrina Pagaduan. John primarily speaks about his grandfather, Leon Custodio Ventura, who served in the…
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