McMillan - Haswell 60th Wedding Anniversary 1880

MCMILLAN, HASWELL, RUCKER, FERRIS, BARNES

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 2/24/2014 at 10:15:19

Iowa Plain Dealer September 2, 1880, P3 C3

A Wedding Anniversary.

James E. McMillam{sp} was born in Washington county in the state of New York in January 1796. Betsey Haswell was born in Bennington Vermont in May, 1796. Hence each are past 84 years of age from January and May respectively to the present date. On the 28, day of August 1820 they entered the holy bonds of matrimony at Fort Covington, Franklin county New York, the marriage ceremony having been performed by Sevus Foreman, Justice of the Peace. Last Saturday completed the 60th anniversary of their married life, and was made the happy occasion of a pleasant assembling of children, grand-children and friends at the residence of a son-in-law, Mr. Thaddeus Rucker’s in New Oregon. Both were in the full enjoyment of health and buoyant in spirits.

There were present at this re-union his son A. C. McMillan of Cresco, his wife and 4 children; Mrs. Ferris, daughter, and 6 children, Mr. and Mrs. Rucker and 5 children, also a large number of invited guests and friends.

At about 3 o’clock the table was spread and a more generous New England anniversary dinner we never saw spread out to tempt the appetite. Much of it was prepared specially under the supervision and direction of Mrs. McMillan, now past 84 years of age.

James E. McMillan was of the New York militia in the war of 1812 and since 1873 has been on the pension rolls of the United States. Forty years ago he moved to near Elgin Illinois, removing from there to Minnesota, some 26 years ago, and for the past few years they have resided in and about Cresco with their children. In the course of a few days the old and venerable couple will go to reside in the family of a daughter, Mrs. Barnes, near Butler Center for the remnant of their alloted days. In the days of the war of 1812 Mr. McMillan was employed to visit the camp of the enemy ascertain its position strength, and the salient point of attack. The complete success of his undertaking, was confirmed by the British commander offering a reward of $400 for him dead or alive. Anthony Haswell the father of Mrs. McMillan, was the publisher of the Green Mountain Farmer, the first paper published in Vermont, the paper being still conducted at Bennington where first started in the family succession, the name changed to the Vermont Gazette. Anthony Haswell the original founder of the paper incurred the displeasure of John Adams administration and was arrested under its odious sedition law for criticizing the officers of his administration.

The Cresco cornet band was present during the evening discoursing its best music. The old couple were also cheered by a letter received that afternoon from their son Alexander residing in Kansas, breathing just words of filial love as come from the true son or daughter. Their grandchildren present read them a letter which we are permitted to publish, Miss Ida M. Ferris being deputed by the grandchildren to do the reading.

CRESCO Aug. 28, 1880.

And shall Grandpa and Grandma receive no diamonds on this their sixtieth wedding day? Yes, indeed they shall, and this, shall we their grandchildren, present to them. Though poor in this worlds goods, we are rich in love, and this do we present to our much loved and honored Grandparents. Diamonds of love, pure love, from hearts overflowing with love, to our dear Grandparents who have been the source of so much comfort to us children ever since we first learned to lisp their names. And not only gratitude and love to them but to our Heavenly Father for giving us without exception the dearest and best Grandfather and Grandmother in all this whole wide world, whose memory will ever be the choicest boon, and the highest prized, when they whose lives has been a blessing to all who knew them, shall have passed like all that is mortal, far out of our sight. When their happy spirits shall have joined the happy throng of pure and shining ones at God’s right hand, we shall look back to the days that were cheered by their presence as the brightest and purest of all.

Many precious diamonds have they given us, precious diamonds of tenderest love, and care and tears, we have passed by them thoughtlessly in our younger days; but now we look back, and with the vivid eyes of memory they are traced in burning letters upon our hearts, and such are the diamonds we offer to them to day. And may God’s love and tender mercy and the deepest love, honor and respect of their children and grandchildren, be as we know they are, diamonds of greater value, than those of the richest and greatest mines. With respect for all our dear friends and relatives, and more especially our dearly beloved grandparents we are to-day and ever will remain, your loving grandchildren.

IDA M. FERRIS.
CHESTER FERRIS.
J. H. MCMILLAN.
LIBBIE MCMILLAN.
JENNIE RUCKER.
ARTHUR RUCKER.
ANDREW MCMILLAN.