Slater Family (Cont'd) December 4, 2003 Slater family content in rural community J Attractions: Ancestral ties, quiet living BY KAYE J. VOLK Standard-Examiner correspondent MARRIOTT-SLATERVILLE When Stephen Slater's great-grandfather, Richard, came to settle in the North Ogden area in 1856, the area now known as Marriott-Slaterville was essentially unnamed. That was remedied sometime after his arrival. One possible reason the area was named after the elder Slater centers on his personal history of duty and sacrifice. As one of the members of the Mormon Battalion, Richard was called into service during the U.S.-Mexican War in 1846 and sent to march 2,000 miles and back in the hopes of securing California for the United States. In the process, the battalion earned the desperately needed funds that later assisted the Mormon pioneers in their impoverished trek to the Salt Lake Valley. Fast forward about 150 years. Stephen Slater, 59, still lives in the area named after his ancestor, along with his wife, the former Marilyn Holley, 57. The two grew up acquainted with each other as their parents were good friends during the couple's formative years. In fact, friendship and community In your ties echo back to the 1800s, as some of Marilyn's ancestors were also some of Slaterville's first settlers. Stephen and Marilyn raised their four children on the acre of land allotted them as part of the family lands. Life in the now-joint cities of Marriott-Slaterville has been a good one, both say, and the Slaters speak fondly of their hometown. "It's a good place to live," said Stephen, who grew up on the family dairy farm. He has been a ninth-grade geogra-phy teacher at Ben Lomond High School for 34 years. "I grew to dislike cows and just knew there would always be a need for educators," he said. Still, he appreciates living in a rural surrounding where "neighbors aren't breathing down your neck," he said. Enjoying hikes along the nearby Weber River where he can still see deer and other wildlife, Stephen holds out a hope that the area can stay as rural as possible, yet with the realization that growth is inevitable. Still, both husband and wife agree it has been a great place to live and raise their family and are now involved in the lives of their grandchildren, as Marilyn tends some of them several times a week. In addition, the Slaters have a variety of interests, which for both include gardening. "Marilyn has a green thumb," Stephen said, referring to the blossoms that can be seen in their gardens from early spring to late fall. Additionally, Stephen has for the past few years been experimenting with cross-breeding iris which offer a bountiful supply of color around their home and through their gardens. Travel is another interest the couple share and trips have included much of the United States and England. One trip last year to China was canceled due to the SARS epidemic. "But we're going to try again," Marilyn said. Active in their church, the Slaters involvement has included scouting for Stephen and music for Marilyn, who plays the piano. Knowing that change to their quiet community and growth are unstoppable, as the area evolves more and more into a bedroom community, the Slaters said they hope Marriott-Slaterville retains the down-home, rural atmosphere they have enjoyed throughout their lives.