Byrnes, 50th Wedding Anniversary – 1908

BYRNES

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 6/6/2019 at 16:47:16

Source: Twice-A-Week Plain Dealer Dec. 1, 1908, LP, C5

Golden Wedding Anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Byrnes.
The feast of Thanksgiving was celebrated in a most appropriate manner at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Byrnes, it being the 50th anniversary of their marriage. The event was indeed a most enjoyable occasion as all of the eight children ware{sic} present and all of the grand children with the exception of four who do not reside in the city. The out of town guests were Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Conway of Elma, Miss Julia Byrnes of New Hampton, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. E. Byrnes and Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Healy of Cedar Rapids. Miss Elizabeth Byrnes returned home the evening before from LeMars, Ia., where she had been engaged in the millinary business for the past three months. Members of the family residing in Cresco are Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Milz, Mr. and Mrs. John Byrnes and Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Woods, Mr. and Mrs. Richard McCarville.
A bounteous Thanksgiving dinner was served at 3:00 p. m. The table decorations were yellow and white chrysanthemums with yellow the predominating color. At the conclusion of the dinner, Mr. J. W. Conway in a few brief but appropriate remarks which were highly complimentary to the bride and groom of fifty years, spoke in behalf of the children and grandchildren, paying a high tribute to the exemplary Christian lives of Mr. and Mrs. Byrnes. A glowing tribute was also paid to the Very Reverend M. A. McCarty, who for more than 38 years has administered to the spiritual wants of this family as pastor of the Church of the Assumption. At the conclusion of his remarks, Mr. Conway in behalf of the immediate members of the family presented Mr. and Mrs. Byrnes with some beautifully substantial expressions of the love and esteem in which the father and mother are held. Mrs. Byrnes was the recipient of a beautiful gold watch and chain, and Mr. Byrnes was presented with a watch fob of solid gold and a very fine umbrella with gold trimmings. Other numerous and beautiful gifts were presented by intimate friends of the family.
Mr. and Mrs. Byrnes came to Iowa from Fox Lake, Wis., in 1867, their first place of residence being at Independence. After remaining there for two years they removed to Howard County, purchasing a farm on Crane Creek in the vicinity of Lourdes. Their residence in that, part of the county was brief however and their next place of residence was the old homestead one mile west of Vernon Springs where they lived for more than 20 years. Since leaving the farm eleven years ago, Mr. Byrnes has practically retired from active life although he is still a strong and vigorous man.