Treat – 50th Wedding Anniversary 1901

TREAT, DUNN

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 3/8/2020 at 14:06:20

Source: Decorah Republican Feb. 7, 1901 P 4 C 1

It was on the 2d of February, l851, that a small party of young people assembled at the home of the prospective bride In Quincy, Ill., to witness the ceremony that united Eliza Dunn and Sylvester C. Treat In a life-journey that has lasted through the intervening fifty years.
Last Saturday evening—it being just fifty years later,—a party of elderly people met at the house of Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Treat in Decorah to commemorate the event above mentioned. There were thirty in the latter party, and four of these were present at the wedding thus celebrated. These were the bride and groom, and Mary and Ann Treat, now Mrs. Ann Archer, and Mrs. John Ammon. The latter served as bridesmaid and Judge George M. Dean, of Waukon, served Mr. Treat as "best man." In old time parlance these stood up with them. It was expected, until the last minute, that Judge D. would be present, and thus there would be a reunion of all the original parties save the officiating clergyman. But the illness and unexpected death of a grandson on Saturday last prevented his participation. Judge D‘s presence would have made perfect the pleasure the occasion afforded. It was the opportunity for a family reunion also, in which, another sister, (Mrs. George Merrill,) participated. Two other sisters of Mr. Treat, and one brother, (Frank of Northern Minnesota,) still live, but could not be here because of the infirmities of age, and the distance intervening. One sister (Mrs. Johnson) resides in Massachusetts, and the other (Mrs. Horton) is residing in California.
The friends and neighbors who gathered were those who had known the hosts for from thirty-five to forty-five years, and enjoyed intimate relations. It was an elderly party, and needed no “entertaining.” After the “wedding supper” was over, they were just content to drop into groups and talk over old times. That was enjoyment enough. The congratulations of each and all were hearty. It was a matter of sincere rejoicing that so many—of guests as well as hosts—had reached the period of serene old age, with reasonable prospects of more to follow.”
The statistician was about, and he reports that the combined ages of those present reached to 1975 years, and the average was a little more than 65 years. The youngest admitted to 54 years and the oldest acknowledged 80 had been the years of her pilgrimage. Separated into groups there were six who had not yet attained 60; thirteen who would not admit 70, ten who did admit that figure; and one who had passed the four-score limit. This does not include the daughters of the household or the friends who assisted them in the Martha business of the occasion. All in all it was good to be there. Those participating were:
Mr. and Mrs. Treat.
Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Merrill, of Saratoga, Howard county
Mr. and Mrs. John Ammon, of Estherville.
Mrs. Ann Archer, of Esthcrville.
Mrs. Prutheroe, of Decorah.
Mr. and Mrs. A. Bradlsh.
Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Stringer.
Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Marsh
Mr. and Mrs. C. N Goddard.
Mr. and Mrs. A. K. Bailey.
My. and Mrs. Peter Morton.
John Greer.
M. H. Merrill
Mrs. Levi Bullis.
Mrs. E. I Weiser.
Mrs. S. W. Matteson.
Mrs. J. M. Greene,
Mrs. Emma B Haskell.
Mrs. Geo. Q. Gardner.
Miss Martha Simpson.