Cedar Creek Retirement Community “Where Madera’s History Lives”
Article Submitted by Rae Gomes

Rae Marie Gross
Maiden Name Rae Marie Adams
Born October 25, 1922 – Madera California

Family History

Frederick J. Quant

(Maternal) Great Grandfather: In 1862 Fredrick J. Quant enlisted in San Francisco and became a member of the “California Hundred” he joined one hundred other “rangers” and three officers. They traveled from San Francisco to New York then traveled to Boston, Massachusetts where he became a Corporal for the Union. They would not return until the fall of 1865. He kept a diary of the Civil War, which was passed down to his family and finally to his granddaughter Lena Adams, mother of Rae Marie.

He was married to Libby, his diary contained many letters written to his dear Libby. They lived in Brentwood near Vallejo. Many years later, in 1888 Frederick Quant loaded his family on a wagon and made way to their new home near Madera. Fredrick J. Quant passed away in 1916. One of their daughters Hattie Bell was Rae Marie’s grandmother.

Greyhound Bus Depot c.1930

(Maternal) Grandparents: Hattie Bell Quant married Ray Northern who migrated with the John Brown Colony from Virginia. They moved to Sanger for a short time where their daughter Lena was born September 20, 1898. They moved back to Madera where Ray became one of Madera’s first Fire Chiefs and Chief of Police. Later they operated the Greyhound bus depot, and lunch counter and soda fountain. Hattie did all the cooking and folks would come from miles around for her milkshakes and burgers, and frozen chocolate bananas. Ray operated the bus station.

Lena (Northern) Adams and David Preston

Parents: Lena (Northern) Adams married David Preston Adams; he was born in Missouri, his father passed away when Preston was five years and the family moved to Fresno with his mother and five sisters, he was the youngest, spoiled rotten no doubt. He was a very dear person and loved by all. He was very proud of his three daughters, Charlotte, Beverly and Rae Marie the youngest. Press as he was called, and Lena were co-owner and operators of Madera Hardware a business co-owned with Loren and Helen Rigby.

Lena, Raisin Day Queen

In 1914 Lena represented Madera County as the Raisin Day Queen. Lena married Preston she was a homemaker, she lived in Madera until she passed away, she was 96. She loved to play bridge, and work the crossword puzzles; she also read the San Francisco Chronicle and the Madera Tribune every day, cover to cover. She enjoyed passing time with many friends and family.

The Adams Sisters

Sisters: Charlotte Elizabeth Adams born August 3, 1918 married Will A. Young, they had two children Leslie (Young) Tilley lives in Arroyo Grande, she has three daughters, Diane, Teri and Tracy. Her husband Don passed away in 1996. Rae (Young) Gomes lives in Madera with her husband Richard, they have two children Jonathan and Audrey. Charlotte is 88, she lives in Arroyo Grande, California, Will passed away in 2000.

Beverly Adams born February 9, 1921, married Murray Ward, they had two children Valorie (Ward) Marshall lives in Templeton, California with her husband Pat, they have two children Bart and Brett Marshall. Hal married Cindy Marshall, they have four children, Tammy, Ginger, Jason and David. Beverly later married Jack Gordon they have both passed away.

Rae Marie (Adams) Gross married Richard L. Gross, they had two children Lynn (Gross) Ketelsen lives in Los Altos with her husband Gary, they had two children Jeff and Julie. Cathy (Gross) Anderson lives in Bakersfield with her husband David, they have three children, Jennifer, Katie and Shelly.

Rae Marie and Richard moved many times due to Richard’s job with the Bank of America. Earlier during his days in the Army they were stationed in Germany, he was in the Reserves. The children were three and five. Rae and Richard came back to the Central Valley in 1971, they lived in Fresno until Richard passed away in 1977. Rae moved back to Madera to be with her mother Lena and her many friends and family.

Rae moved to Glenwood Gardens in Bakersfield to be near her daughter Cathy and her husband David and their daughters.

While visiting in Madera Rae fell and broke her leg, she went to Madera Community Hospital where her niece Rae Ann Gomes works. She later was transferred to Madera Rehabilitation Center for physical therapy and decided she wanted to stay in Madera, her hometown where she could be near friends and family.

Rae Ann Gomes and Rae Marie Gross

She moved to Cedar Creek in June of 2006, she enjoys seeing lots of old friends and making new acquaintances. Both daughters Lynn and Cathy visit often and Rae Ann who lives in Madera enjoys spending time with her aunt and namesake Rae Marie, both Rae’s were named after their grandfather Ray Northern. Her five grandchildren and two great grand children (soon to be three) also come to visit.

Rae Marie enjoys all the activities at Cedar Creek, she plays bridge, and a card game, Skipbo with other residents and she really likes the cookies!

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