Decatur County Journal

May 4, l899

On Wednesday evening of last week MR. and MRS. W.E. GAMMON had the pleasure of entertaining all their children and grandchildren at their home in Eden Township, in honor of the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage.

The farm which MR. GAMMON now owns has been their home for forty-eight years. Here there six children were born and reared; all of whom are married and living elsewhere except the only son, LEROY. The daughters are:
MRS. C.B. BASSETT, Farnhamville, Iowa.
MRS. J.W. LONG, Center Township.
MRS. W.A. ALBAUGH, Leon.
MRS. J.L. MITCHELL, Leon.
MRS. H.E. DAVISSON, New York, N.Y.

On the evening of April 26, l849, MR. WILLIAM E. GAMMON and MISS CAROLINE JENKINS were married in Putnam County, Indiana, by a neighbor friend, SQUIRE WM. JONES. Two years later they removed to Iowa where by industry, economy and perseverance, they developed from wild unbroken land their present comfortable home. Few families have the pleasure of meeting at the golden anniversary, with the circle unbroken, so it was indeed a happy occasion when all of the children, grandchildren and sons-in-law, with the exception of H.E. DAVISSON, who was detained in New York, met at the family table. One of the few relatives present was WM. H. JENKINS, a brother of MRS. GAMMON, who was also present at the wedding fifty years ago. Other guests at the anniversary were: MRS. W.H. JENKINS, MRS. MARY THOMPSON, MISS ANNA GAMMON, WAYNE GAMMON, JOHN ALBAUGH, Mr. and MRS. H.D. SANDERS, Parker, Kas.

A number of choice presents were received. The children and grandchildren decided to leave to MR. and MRS. GAMMON the selection of an appropriate gift, so a small bag of gold was placed at their disposal. They were not to be outdone in the matter of giving presents, however for after a few thoughtful and well spoken words by MR. GAMMON, he gave to each of his children and sons-in-law, a present of gold, and to each of his ten grandchildren a present of silver, and then turning to his wife he completed the surprise by placing in her hand a beautiful gold watch.

Hosts of friends besides those who were present, join in extending congratulations to MR. and MRS. GAMMON and in wishing that many more years with health and plenty may be added to their lives.

Although they are among the oldest residents of the county, not an acre of their large farm has ever been mortgaged. One tract of forty acres was patented to MR. GAMMON by the government and three other tracts of forty acres each, were never conveyed except by MR. GAMMON's father, who received the patent and then gave deed to his son.

Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert

(I apologize if I have posted any of the names/initials incorrectly;

this was very difficult to read from the microfilm.)