M. W. Brother Marquis was born in the city of Mansfield, Ohio, June 5, 1868. He was the son of Joseph S. and Mary S. Marquis, pioneer residents of Mansfield. He attended Mansfield Public Schools and Ohio Business College. In 1887, he accepted the position as messenger boy with the Mansfield Savings Bank, which later became the Mansfield Savings Trust National Bank. Ever the symbol of integrity, he arose through his rare ability to the duties of teller, cashier, trust officer, and his loyalty was rewarded by his election as vice-president and chairman of the Board of Directors. He was also president of the National Mutual Fire Insurance Company. Always interested in Mansfield, he contributed much to its civic life and development, and promoted its moral and spiritual welfare.
On September 14, 1892, he married Miss Mary Belle Adrian. This beautiful companionship ended in 1942 when she passed on. To this marriage one son and two daughters were born.
M. W. Brother Marquis was initiated an Entered Apprentice in Mansfield Lodge No. 35, June 5, 1889; passed to the degree of Fellow Craft, July 3, 1889, and was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason, August 7, 1889. He served his Lodge as Senior Warden in 1900, and as Worshipful Master in 1901 and 1903.
Brother Marquis received the Capitular Degrees in Mansfield Chapter No. 28, in 1891. He was elected its High Priest and served in 1913. He was a member of the Order of High Priesthood of Ohio.
He passed the Circle of Perfection in Ancient Craft Masonry in 1903, 1 receiving all the degrees in Cryptic Masonry in Marion Council No. 22, R. & S. M., Marion, Ohio. He was a charter member of Mansfield Council No. 94, in 1905, and served as its Thrice Illustrious Master in 1905-06-07-08. He served the Grand Council as its R. Ill. Grand Treasurer from February 3, 1908, until the time of his death.
He received the orders in Chivalric Masonry in Mansfield Commandery No. 21, Knights Templar, at Mansfield, Ohio, on May 6, 1892. He was elected and served as its Eminent Commander in 1898.
In the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, he received the Lodge, Council, and Chapter degrees in the Valley of Dayton, in 1906, and the Consistory degrees in the Valley of Cincinnati in 1907. He was crowned Inspector General, 33°, and made an Honorary Member of the Supreme Council Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction at Detroit, Michigan, September 10, 1910.
In the Grand Lodge of Ohio, Brother Marquis served as District Lecturer, 1905-10. He was appointed Junior Grand Deacon, October 1908; Senior Grand Deacon, 1910; Grand Orator, 1911; elected Junior Grand Warden, 1912; Senior Grand Warden, 1913; Deputy Grand Master, 1914; and M. W. Grand Master, October 21, 1915. In his capacity as Past Grand Master he has been rendering valuable service in the Grand Lodge since that time.
In 1925, Frank H. Marquis Lodge No. 690 F. & A. M. was organized and named in his honor and honorary membership bestowed upon him by that Lodge.
Brother Marquis was an eminent Masonic scholar. He assisted in developing the present Ritual for the Super-excellent Degree of the Council.
He had a most valuable Masonic Library. He was a member of Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076, Merseyside Association for Masonic Research, and Leicester Lodge of Research of England. He was active in the management of the Mansfield Masonic Temple, one of the most complete and adequately equipped buildings of the State.
Brother Marquis passed to his abundant reward on February 19, 1945. His funeral service was held in the First Presbyterian Church of Mansfield, and his body laid to rest in Mansfield Cemetery beside the body of his devoted wife, Section 4, Lot 45, Mansfield, Ohio.