~ Adams, John & Laura Paulson ~

Mr. And Mrs. John W. Adams Observe Golden Wedding With Open House
Married: September 12, 1911

Mr. Mrs. John W. Adams of 507 E. 5th St. N., were honored at open house Sunday in observance of their golden wedding anniversary.

Three granddaughters, Beverly and Marilyn Adams and Joyce Bollhoefer Koppin served the 180 guest who called. Karen, Janice, and Diane Adams cared for the gifts.

The table was laid with lace over yellow with gold candlesticks on either side of the cake. Daughters-in-law assisted in serving.

Mr. and Mrs. Adams [John Adams and Laura Paulson] were married at Kellogg Sept. 12, 1911. Their six children are Russell D., Florence Irene Koppin, Hollis D., Virgil D., B.Clyde and Robert L. Adams. All the grandchildren were present except Gary Adams who is in the Navy at Los Alamitos, Calif.

Mrs. Adams wore a blue figured Bemberg dress with yellow rosebud corsage. Mr. Adams wore a yellow carnation in the lapel of his dark suit.

Friends and relatives came from Malcom, Ames, Melbourne, Laurel, Harvey, Oskaloosa, Des Moines, Grinnell, Kellogg, Gilman, Baxter, Marshalltown, Newton and Boulder, Colorado.

~ Adamson, Mr. & Mrs. Evan ~

Mr. & Mrs. Evan Adamson (60th)
Married: August 4, 1835

The many friends of Mr. and Mrs. Evan Adamson gathered at the residence of that worthy couple, in Adamson Grove, Saturday, Aug. 3, 1895, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of their marriage, which was solemnized near Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana, Aug. 4, 1835. Mr. Adamson is 84 years old and his good wife 79. There is something singularly touching in the thought of the couple who have together journeyed along the rugged pathway of life for three score years, and are now walking in the twilight of life's day. ~ The Newton Record, Friday, August 9, 1895, Page 5,Column 3

~ Mr. & Mrs. David Allen ~

Reminder of their 7th Anniversary
Married: November 23, 1889

Last Monday was the seventh wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. David Allen - the rounding up of seven years of perfect happiness and domestic joy and contentment. After the day's duties were over, and Mr. and Mrs. Allen were enjoying the quiet evening comforts of their own fireside, a ring at the doorbell was the unexpected signal for the 'in pouring" of a whole hosts of lady neighbors, coming to extend to the worthy couple congratulations on their happy anniversary. One of the incidental features of the evening was a delicious lunch, which had been spirited into the house via baskets, bundles etc. It was an evening of rare enjoyment to Mr. and Mrs. Allen as well as their genial guests. Mrs. Allen was the recipient of some handsome souvenirs, which will be highly prized by her. ~ The Newton Record, Friday, November 27, 1896, Page 1 Column 4

~ John Wesley & Maria Phillips Allfree

Golden Years Are Passing By
Married: November 5, 1860

November 5, 1860, the wedding and the golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Allfree, - the former solemnized at Mt. Vernon, Ohio, and the later even celebrated at their home here Saturday afternoon and evening. The fifty years between these dates have slipped away, leaving but the memory of the joys and sorrows and cares that make up the sum of human life.

In 1865 this young couple joined the exodus from the east and came to make their home on a farm five miles west of Newton. Here they lived for twenty years, and then moved to town where with their family they have always been part of the bone and sinew of the commonwealth.

Mr. Allfree has, from the beginning of his residence here been a factor in the political and business affairs of the community, while Mrs. Allfree with her Puritanical ideals and her old fashioned devotion to her home and family, has lived a beautiful life of love and service. Wherever there was need of help, in sickness and in sorrow, she answered the call, and has won for herself the loyalty of a great circle of friends and neighbors. She believes home making is a woman's mission, and that large families are especial privileges and sources of happiness.

Of their six children, one the eldest son, died in his young manhood. The others are Mrs. Nettie Vanatta, Geo Allfree, Mrs. Frank Baldwin, Harry Allfree and Mrs. S.H. Newell.

In response to the reception invitation guests to the number of one hundred poured into the Allfree home Saturday afternoon and evening and enjoyed the charming hospitality of the bride and groom of fifty years ago.

The house was a floral bower, great golden chrysanthemums, pink carnations and whit roses filling the rooms with beauty and fragrance. In the dining room, on a quaint old mahogany table that has been in the family almost a century, rested a mound of the larges chrysanthemums.

In this room the dainty buffet luncheon was served by the grand-children, Mrs. Ethel Rayburn, Misses Irene and Dorothy Vanatta and Maurine Baldwin, and the niece, Miss Cecil Yost. The souvenirs pinned on the guests by Francis and Dorothy Allfree, were little golden emblems represent tow hearts interwoven.

The day was the crowning event in the social life of these two people whose faces are turned toward the sunset, and Mrs. Allfree joyously exclaimed when speaking of the event, "I did not know that there was such a delightful day in store for me." When showing the quantities of flowers she said, modestly, but with the spirit that has characterized her life, "there were more of these but they have gone out to bring happiness to someone else."

Besides their five children, the Allfrees have eleven grandchildren, Mrs. Ethel Rayburn, Misses Irene and Dorothy Vanatta, Royal, Ruth and Kenneth Allfree, Maurine Baldwin, Francis, Harriett and Grace Allfree and Katharine Newell.

There were many, many handsome remembrance gifts, among them a tray of gold coins whose sum aggregated one dollar for each of the golden years of wedded life, and for every token of the day Mr. and Mrs. Allfree are deeply grateful and appreciative.

It was a precious day,-- a golden jewel in the chain of life, -- and a memory to be long cherished, and although Mrs. Allfree has for years been in poor health, she is so far recovered as to be almost here old self, and asserts that though slightly weary, the glorious day did her a world of good. ~ The Newton Journal, Newton, Iowa, November 9, 1910

~ Henry B. Ammons & Rachel Crago ~

Wedding Forty Years Ago
Married: September 17, 1858

Away back in Green County, Pennsylvania, on the 17th day of September, 1858, a pretty wedding was solemnized, in which a young man by the name of Henry B. Ammons and his sweetheart, Miss Rachel Crago, plighted their marriage vows and mutually agreed to "love, honor and obey" until death should sever the knot that bound them. How faithfully and sacredly those vows have been kept, can be attested by hosts of friends who have intimately known the "bride and groom" for these many years, and especially by about forty friends who assembled at the happy home of Mr. and Mrs. Ammons in Buena Vista last Saturday, to celebrate that marriage of forty years ago. The guest were made up mostly of neighbors and old true and tried friends, and included the children that had blessed the union of the lovers of two score years ago, viz: Will with his wife, Eli and his wife, and Amy and husband, Dr. W. H. Austin, with little Mabel the only grandchild.

The entire afternoon was just as full of social enjoyment as it could be crowded, and about 5 o'clock the climax was reached in a magnificent dinner, which was served under the supervision of the daughter and daughters-in-law. The time for farewells came all too soon, and the guests before departing left as souvenirs of the beautiful "Linen Anniversary" a large number of appropriate gifts, and devoutly hoped to be present with father and mother Ammons to celebrate their happy "golden wedding." ~ The Newton Record, Thursday, September 22, 1898, Page 1, Column 2.

~ Charles Axtell & Addie Miller ~

24th Wedding Anniversary
Married: October 16, 1872

One the evening of October 16, 1872, Mr. C. P. Axtell, then a young dry goods clerk in "Skiff Store" and Miss Addie Miller, a handsome and popular young lady of Newton, were happily wedded at the home of the bride's brother, with Rev. C. B. Clark of the M. E. Church, as officiating clergyman. Twenty-four years, frightened with their stores of both joys and sorrows, have come and gone since the occurrence of the happy event - the joys greatly predominating.

Last Friday evening, after a day spent in looking after his mercantile interests at Colfax, Charlie returned home and unexpectedly found there assembled about sixty of his friends and neighbors - a surprise planned and carried out by his bride of twenty-four years ago, in honor of the happy anniversary. Charlie is never at a loss what to do, not matter what the situation, and he was fully equal to this occasion - extending a cordial invitation to all. Supper was served and a most delightful evening enjoyed. Providence has dealt kindly with Mr. and Mrs. Axtell, crowing their lives with a full share of this world's happiness and prosperity - which they have eminently deserved. That they may live to celebrate not only their silver, but a glorious golden wedding anniversary is the wish or their hosts of friends. ~ The Newton Record, Friday, October 23, 1896, Page 1 Column 4

~ C. W. Aillaud & Addie Helphrey ~

C. W. Aillauds Are Feted On 50th Anniversary
Married: February 7, 1875

In Celebration of their golden wedding anniversary, Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Aillaud were honored at an open house Sunday afternoon and evening at the home of their son, W. L. Aillaud, near Laurel.

Relatives and friends called during the day to offer congratulations and many sent flowers, gifts, and cards in remembrance of the occasion. During the afternoon, music was furnished by the W. L. Aillaud family stringed quartet.

A gold and white color scheme featured in the appointments for the refreshments, served by Mrs. W. L. Aillaud and her two daughters, Lenore and Dorothy. Sweetheart roses were used in the floral decorations.

Mrs. Aillaud was Addie Helphrey before her marriage 50 years ago to C. W. Aillaud at the old Helphrey farm southwest of Newton. The couple lived their entire married life on a farm southwest of town, until a year ago when they moved to the home of their son, W. L. Aillaud.

They have two sons, Dr. H. C. Aillaud of Des Moines and W. L. Aillaud, and two granddaughters, Dorothy and Lenore Aillaud. ~ The Newton Daily News, September 23, 1934 - from the scrapbook of Lenore Aillaud Skow.

~ Henry Aillaud & Hannah Whittaker ~

Celebrated 25th Anniversary on Last Evening
Married: February 10, 1886

Last evening a crowd of about a hundred were guests at the Henry Aillaud home southwest of Newton, the occasion being the twenty-fifth wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Aillaud. The guests were all relatives, neighbors and friends. The evening was spent very informally and was a very joyous occasion for all.

The dainty two course lunch was one of the special features of the evening. It was served on trays by Misses Katharine Aillaud, Hazel Whittaker, Marie McMurray, Irene Hise, and Mesdames John Whittaker and Ike Singer.

The home had been prettily decorated for the occasion, the color scheme of silver and white being used in the parlor and pink in the dining room. A profusion of hearts and festoons in these colors were in evidence throughout the rooms.

Mr. and Mrs. Aillaud were married in Newton twenty-five years ago yesterday. Mrs. Aillaud's maiden name having been Miss Hannah Whittaker. The ceremony uniting these two popular young people in marriage was performed by Rev. David Brown.

Guests from a distance present were: Mesdames C.S. Simpson, of Davenport, and Nelson Smith of LeClaire, Iowa, and Mrs. Della Singer and her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Ike Singer, both of New Mexico. ~ The Newton Daily News, February 11, 1911, page 1.

~ Louis Aillaud & Mima Butler ~

Newton Couple Observes 50th Wedding Date
Married: February 21, 1893

Mr. and Mrs. Louie Aillaud were guests of honor at a dinner in the W. L. Aillaud home Sunday evening in celebration of their Golden Wedding anniversary.

A three tier-wedding cake, decorated in yellow and white, centered the table with yellow candles tied with white satin at either end, aupointed [sic] the table at which the guests were served.

Covers were placed for Mr. and Mrs. Louie Aillaud, C. W. Aillaud, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Skow, Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Young of State Center, Ia., Mr. and Mrs. James Dodge, Mrs. Fred Snook and the hosts.

Wedding Gift
During the evening Mr. and Mrs. Aillaud were presented a yellow and white bedspread in honor of the occasion. Mrs. Aillaud, the former Mima Butler, daughter of the late Mrs. Eliza Davidson, was born May 2, 1869, near Baxter.

A native of Scott county, Mr. Aillaud is the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Aillaud, and was born July 14, 1866. He came to Jasper county in early manhood where he has continued to live.

Married at the bride's home the couple started housekeeping on the farm near Newton owned by the Aillaud family in the house which was recently destroyed by fire. They later purchased the Ed Donahey farm located one mile west of Newton where they lived until they retired in 1911.

Built Home Here
After spending a year in California, Mr. and Mrs. Aillaud returned to Newton and built their present home at 309 West Fourth street South.

Mrs. Aillaud has one brother, D. C. Butler, and one step-brother, R. P. Davidson, both of Baxter, and two sisters, Mrs. Mattie Marshall, and Mrs. Carrie Caulfield, both of California.

Mrs. Aillaud is a member of the Order of Eastern Star and Mr. Aillaud is a member of the Newton B. P. O. Elks and Masonic lodges. ~ The Newton Daily News, February 21, 1943.