1930-1949

The lengthy write-up at the time of their 62nd anniversary went into detail about Mr. Haines & has been posted in it's entirety as a biography. Click here to read the entire article, which includes photos of the couple.

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Debner

Waukon, Ia., Nov. 22 - Mr. and Mrs. Fred Debner recently celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at the home of their daughter, Mrs. John Fiet. The exact date is in March, 1931. They were married in Germany and came to the United States in September, 1885, and have resided in Allamakee county for 35 years. This union was blessed with six daughters, namely: Mrs. J. Kueneman of Waukon, Mrs. D.M. Miller, Mrs. John Fiet, Mrs. Albert Nagel, Mrs. John Nagel, Mrs. Fred Nager, all of Ludlow township. They first settled in Clayton county near Garnavillo, and later in Winneshiek county. They also have sixteen grandchildren. They are in very good health and bid fair to celebrate many more anniversaries. The actual date is in March, but owing to the fact that roads and weather are more uncertain at that time of the year, the celebration was carried out ahead of time. ~Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, Nov. 23, 1930 - contributed by S. Ferrall

Waukon, Ia., Nov. 22 - Sunday, Nov. 23, Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Raymond will celebrate their fifty-second wedding anniversary. Mr. and Mrs. James E. Raymond were married Nov. 23, 1878, in Waukon, and have resided here most of the time since. Mr. Raymond was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, and came to Allamakee county in the spring of 1878. Mrs. Raymond, whose maiden name was Clara Raymond, was born in Allamakee county near Waukon on a farm now owned by A.C. Johnson on Oct. 22, 1858. Her parents were numbered among the oldest settlers. After their marriage they remained on a farm west of town for a month or two and then departed for the east where they resided for six years in Ohio. Mr. Raymond became a member of the Waukon lodge of Odd Fellows 38 years ago and continued his membership to the present time. Mr. Raymond for years worked in the machinery business for James Holohan. He operated a dray line in Waukon for 15 years. Mrs. Raymond was president of the W.R.C. and M.B.A. orders for a number of years. This union was blessed with nine children of whom four are living. Their son, Richard, died in the World war from a machine gun wound. Another son, Wilbur, a barber in Waukon for years, died since reaching manhood. Orrin died in his youth and two other children died in infancy or childhood. The living children are Mrs. Alice Brink of Waukon, Mrs. Bertha Arnold of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Mrs. Joseph Roshek, also of that place, and Ernest Raymond of Silvis, Ill., who is a member of the "Sunny Four" male quartet and radio entertainers. Mr. and Mrs. Raymond are in the best of health. ~Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, Nov. 23, 1930 - contributed by S. Ferrall

Mr. Topel was born November 7, 1868 in Pomerania, Germany, and in 1885, at the age of 16 years, he came to Chicago and the following year to Iowa, workng as a farm hand in the vicinity of Postville. Mrs. Topel was likewise born in Pomerania, Germany, as Tillie Kamin, on September 13, 1869, and came with her parents to Chicago when one year old. Later they came to Iowa and settled on a farm in Post township, which after her marriage to Mr. Topel became the couple's home and on which they have lived all of their married life, with the exception of two years spent in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. The Topels have one of the best improved and most modern farms in the community, earned by honesty, industry and thrift and the opportunities at hand in this free country of ours. Telling of his early life in this country Mr. Topel says, "I came to America with practically empty pockets, but with the determination and fired with the ambitions to succeed." (Cut courtesty Decorah Journal) ~Postville Herald, January 24, 1940 ~contributed by S. Ferrall

FIFTY YEARS AGO It doesn't seem so long a time, That we came here to stay; It doesn't seem like fifty years, But just as yesterday. The day was very beautiful, And spring was right in line; The grass was green, the flowers were out, The birds they sang so fine. Twas here we worked together, With the little that we had; We faced the hardships smoothly, Even tho at times were bad. In memory, the pleasant times, We'll always want to know; As perfect as they were that time Just fifty years ago. —By Leon Bechtel

~newspaper clippings April 1945 ~contributed by Jim Fowler

Mr. and Mrs. Carl O. Colbornson celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary Tuesday, June 12th at their home in Lansing. In honor of the occasion cards, flowers and gifts had been coming in to them for several days, and on the week-end previous, their daughter, Mrs. E. I. Lawton and husband James came up from Victor , and their only son, Leslie, wife and daughter Doris, of Marengo motored here to spend Saturday and Sunday, enjoying a family reunion on this day. Both son and daughter their only children, are engaged in newspaper work, the son being an operator and printer on the Pioneer Republican in Marengo, and Mrs. Lawton, an operator who with her husband publish the Victor Record. Mr. Colbornson was born in 1870 at Elon, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Colbornson. He has one sister, one brother, three half sisters and two half brothers living. Mrs. Colbornson was born in Village Creek in 1873, a daughter (Anne Elizabeth) of Mr. and Mrs. James Aldrich. She has four sisters and one brother living. They were married June 12, 1895 at the home of the bride's parents in Village Creek by Rev. Hall, pastor of the Lansing Methodist church at that time. The first eight years of their married life was spent at Elon, after which they moved to Lansing, where Mr.Colbornson purchased the Charles Aird blacksmith shop and as he was expert tradesman he has continued the business ever since, and can be there every day at his shop on South Third Street. On Tuesday evening another family dinner was held at their home, his sister, Mrs. Joe Johnson and two daughters of West Paint Creek vicinity coming over to extend congratulations to this estimable couple. Many other neighbors and friends called during the day and evening to express best wishes to them on the happy occasion, which so few married people are privileged to enjoy. Both Mr. and Mrs. Colbornson are enjoying fairly good health, and it is the sincere wish of their many acquaintances that they live to enjoy many more anniversaries. ~newspaper clipping June 1945 ~contributed by Jim Fowler

Mr. and Mrs. D. A. Holmes, lifelong residents of this community, celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary Sunday, Nov, 11. The formal ceremony preceded High Mass at Immaculate Conception Church, Lansing, with blessings and renewal of their wedding vows before Father Henry Scharphoff. They were attended by the first bridesmaid, Mrs, Nina Regan Boyer, of Rapid City, S. D., and Mr. Oliver Holmes, Dubuque, a sister and brother of Mr. Holmes. The first groomsman was the late James Regan of Lycurgus. Following the bridal party down the aisle, to pews reserved for them at the, front of the church, were their family and close relatives. In a few remarks Fr. Scharphoff congratulated this worthy couple, advocating prayers of thanksgiving for their many blessings, and exhorting them to prayers and patience in whatever trials and tribulations they might encounter in years to come. At communion time during the Mass their niece, Mrs. Alice Hand of Rapid City, S. D., beautifully sang "Ave Maria." Miss Mary Regan and Devillo A. Holmes were married at Mt. Mary's church, Lycurgus, Nov. 12th, 1895, by Father Norton. With the exception of a few months spent on a farm in Village Creek, the rest of their married life has been passed in Lansing, where he operated a harness shop and store until a couple of years ago, altho he still maintains a workshop for repair business. They are the parents of four children, Cornelius, St. Paul, Minn.; Daniel, Sioux Falls, S. D.; Mary (Mrs. Ray Gantenbein) and Joseph of Lansing. Both sons and their wives were here for the occasion, coming by car Saturday and leaving again yesterday. Mr. and Mrs. Holmes are among Lansing's most estimable residents, and until recently were active in its social and civic affairs. To honor them and extend congratulations a large crowd called at their home Sunday afternoon and evening when "open house'' was held for several hour. Messages and gifts were received from far and near. Following the Mass on Sunday a fine turkey dinner, with all the trimmings was enjoyed in the Parish hall for the family, relatives and friends. About fifty in number were invited to hear an impromptu program, which was enhanced by the music of Mrs. Boyer and her daughter, Mrs. Alice Hand, an accomplished pianist as well as singer. The meal was prepared and served by Mrs. Katherine Asay, assisted by Mrs. Frank Plagge, Mrs. Elsie Teff, Miss Leona Aschom and a corps of capable waitresses. Tables and hall decorations were yellow and white traditional, with this occasion. Father Lawrence Craney capably filled the role of toastmaster. Father Schafphoff read a letter of congratulations to the jubilarians from His Grace Archbishop Rohlman, coadjutor bishop of Dubuque, a message so few are privileged to receive. Short talks were given by Mr. and Mrs. Fred Schafer, Peter Whalen, Charles E. Regan, Mrs. W. H. Guider, Mrs. Nina Boyer. Mr. and Mrs. Devillo Holmes, and Cornelius and Dan Holmes. Songs and piano music were given by Dan Holmes, Mrs. Gantenbein, Devillo Holmes, Mrs. Boyer and daughter, Mrs. Hand. In expressive words, Mr. Holmes appeared deeply touched on this memorable occasion, and we hope and trust this most deserving couple may enjoy many years of health and comfort, the material reward for their long and exemplary life. Among other relatives from a distance present were Peter Regan and daughter Margaret, Great Falls, Mont.; Mary Kathleen Regan, Sturgis, S. D. ~newspaper clipping November 1945 ~contributed by Jim Fowler