From: "Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert" <iggy29@scican.net>

To: <IADECATU-L@rootsweb.com>

Subject: A GOLDEN WEDDING - MR. & MRS. W.E. GAMMON.

Date: Thursday, May 31, 2001 5:20 PM

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.)