McMasters, 50th Wedding Anniversary 1908

MCMASTERS, LEACH

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 7/23/2022 at 15:15:39

Source: Decorah Republican Feb. 6, 1908, P2 C3

GOLDEN WEDDING CELEBRATION
Mr. and Mrs. Chas. McMasters of This City Reach that Eventful Period. Friends Unite in Observing It.
One of the interesting events—perhaps the most so of this week--was a gathering at the beautiful home of Mr. and Mrs. L. O. Reed on east Broadway last Monday evening. It was an assemblage of guests invited to meet and congratulate Mr. and Mrs. Chas. McMasters upon their golden wedding anniversary. It was at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. A. P. Leach at Freeport on the 3d of February, 1858, that Mr. McMasters was united in marriage with Miss Antoinette M. Leach, and though the vicissitudes of life have been many, they have happily arrived at a golden mile post and into a serene old age. The children, relatives and friends in this vicinity deemed it too interesting an event to pass in a common, every-day manner, and with Mrs. Roy Stewart to lead they united in a conspiracy which gave the guests of honor no opportunity to veto any efforts that might be made to celebrate in a charming manner so important an occasion. It was fortunate that they had most kind and appreciative neighbors. Mr. and Mrs. Reed tendered them the use of their home and this was accepted, and it gave opportunity for ample arrangement for a social function that was almost a banquet in its richness. Mr. and Mrs. McMasters were invited to take supper with Mr. and Mrs. Reed, and not until they had arrived in the house and noticed the more than usual preparation for an ordinary tea or supper, did they realize that, so to speak, they were in for an occasion second only to the one that took place in 1858.
Tables were spread and plates were laid for twenty-four guests, while nearly half as many more who had joined in the preparation waited for a second chance at a most bountiful supper. Rev. H. Grant said grace and then the guests attacked the first of a genuine course dinner, that began with turkey and chicken and through a succession of courses that ended in ice cream. It fell to the lot of the writer to present to the victims of this “surprise party” that which, it is hoped, will be pleasant reminders of a very happy occasion. To Mr. McMasters was given as a joint contribution of the relatives and friends present an elegant ebony cane, with a heavy gold head on which was engraved the initials of Mr. McM., and to Mrs. McMasters a beautiful star-patterned breast pin. Attorney C. N. Houck, who is an across the street neighbor, made the speech of congratulations, and so satisfactory was it that it was frequently punctuated with hearty applause. After that the company broke into groups. The smokers were accorded the dining room and the non-smokers were assigned to the parlors. All enjoyed an unusual opportunity for talking old times, as most of those present are wont to do when occasions permit.
A list of the guests and participants in the festivities gives the following as attending: Mr. and Mrs. McMasters, Mr. and Mrs. E. Blakeman, David H. Leach who were present at the wedding fifty years ago. Others were Mr. and Mrs. C. N. Goddard, Mrs. S. M. Beard, Rev. Henry Grant, A. K. Bailey, C. H. Valder, Mrs. Frank L. Paine and daughters, Mrs. Louise D. Matteson, Mrs. Hattie E. Pike, Mrs. E. R. Morss, Mr. and Mrs. C. N. Houck, Mrs. Estelle Lennon, Mr. and Mrs. F. S. Landers, Miss Maude Leach, Mr. and Mrs. L. O. Reed, Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Knoke, Mrs. E. U. Simmons, Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Stewart, Miss Ruth and Earl Stewart.