Enjoy Golden Wedding

PARK, BEATON, CARPENTER

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 4/22/2012 at 10:20:12

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; Jan. 24, 1928

ENJOY GOLDEN WEDDING
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Mr. and Mrs. Oliver W. Park Hold Anniversary on Thursday Jan. 19.
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MANY FRIENDS CALLED TO OFFER CONGRATULATIONS.
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Mr. and Mrs. Park have Lived Many Useful Years in This Community.
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On Thursday January 19th, Mr. and Mrs. Oliver W. Park spent a very happy Golden Wedding Day welcoming guests and receiving tokens of love and respect from their many friends, also congratulatory telegrams from absent friends.

At 8:30 in the morning the celebration began with the song "I Love You Truly" broadcasted over the radio from Ames.

The marriage of this worthy couple took place at Kearney, Nebraska, Janaury 19, 1878. Mr. Park came to Grinnell in 1872 from Searsport, Maine. He was one of a group of Maine people who made an early settlement in Grinnell and who for many years formed an important part of the life of this place. Like many others Mr. Park was a seaman and at one time was shipwrecked on the Mediterranean sea and was saved by clinging to a part of the wreck with some others for about twenty-four hours until they were picked up by another boat.

After coming to Grinnell in 1872 Mr. Park lived here a short time and then went to Kearney where to took up a claim. While here he met Carrie Ruth Beaton. William Beaton, her father, was one of the earliest settlers in this place, having come here in 1855 from Cleveland. He had attended college at Western Reserve. Mrs. Park was born in Grinnell. The Beatons were a family of musicians and before her marriage Mrs. Park was a teacher of music at this place, where she attended both school and college.

Mrs. Park went to Kearney to join her future husband and the marriage ceremony was performed by Rev. Mr. Fifield. After living at Kearney, five years they returned to Grinnell.

They bought and improved the farm 1/2 mile west off the Chester road where they lived forty years, moving to Grinnell in 1922.

At the noon hour they were delightfully surprised by seven families who had been their old neighbors while in the country who brought with them well-filled baskets. They also brought with them as special guests Rev. E.M. Vittum and Miss Vittum. Among the gifts received was a gold coin from these friends who had requested that Mr. Vittum present their gift.

During the afternoon several neighbors in the block along with other friends called to extend congratulations to the worthy couple.

At the noon hour Mrs. Park wore the dress in which she was married fifty years ago, which she also donned in the evening at special request.

During the evening when the grandchildren who had been in school at Malcom were present with a few invited guests at supper, the bride and groom were preceded to the table by their only little granddaughter, Ruth Carpenter, carrying a basket of rose petals.

Mr. Park has been a resident of Grinnell and vicinity nearly all the time since 1872 and Mrs. Park longer. They have been among our best and most appreciated citizens. Their lives have been an open book and here in Grinnell and Chester they have been respected by all who knew them. The affliction which has come to Mr. Park he has borne with heroic fortitude and has maintained the same calm happy cheerful manner which characterized this family during their entire life. Two children were born to them, both of whom have been of comfort and cheer to their parents and the large circle of Grinnell and Chester friends hope for them comfortable and happy years during the rest of their time they are among us.