Melvin Jacques, Auto Mechanic 1930 For three years Melvin and Pearl Combe Jaques lived in Mountain Green where he operated his own automobile repair shop just south of Cottonwood Creek bridge. Moving into the Valley from South Weber, they built what Pearl called the 'shack' next to the shop. The property had been rented from Hyrum Stoddard. Pearl remembers, with a shiver, the bitter cold winters there. She said their iron bedstead posts would be covered with frost each morning. The cold split cottonwood trees with a noise that sounded like a rifle shot. The neighbors were wonderful, she said, always ready to help in an emergency. Young James, their first born, was a tiny baby when they moved to the Valley. The child died at the age of 12 while the Jaques were living in Layton. Melvin James Jaques was born, 23 April 1906, in Layton, a son of John F. and Isabelle Brace Jaques. When he was a tiny chap he was stricken with polio which left him handicapped. That didn't slow him down any, according to Pearl. He att¬ended Layton school and learned to be a top automobile mechanic, despite his handi¬cap. As a tot, he had learned to walk by hanging onto a little red wagon. Pearl was born, 31 October 1910, in Uintah, a daughter of Benjamin and Bessie Hartwell Combe. Her schooling was acquired in Uintah. The family left Layton to try their luck in San Francisco where Melvin had a good job. Many weekends were spent on the seashore, Pearl remembers. Family ties were too strong and the Jaques moved back to Utah, settling in Mountain Green. It was the time of the great depression and after three years in the Valley the family moved to Park City for a year, then back to Layton where they establish¬ed a permanent home on Hill Field Road. Two more sons and a daughter were welcomed into the family circle. Melvin followed his mechanic trade and fanned on the side. He loved good horses and also raised them as a hobby. He loved hunting and spent vacations in the hills. Pearl loved to do 'hand work', which included crocheting, quilting and painting. Melvin died at the family home, 23 April 1978, and was buried in the Kaysville Cemetery. Pearl continues to live in her home on Hill Field Road. —Pearl Jaques, Layton 350