Clipping: Edward and Martha Godfrey 50th Anniversary 1917

GODFREY, HOUSER, MCGUIRE, BEASLEY, THRAPP, THRAP, STOVER, HILL, BROWN

Posted By: Linda H Meyers (email)
Date: 11/14/2008 at 17:08:28

GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

Mr. and Mrs. Edward Godfrey celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding on Saturday, November 3, 1917.
There were present at the celebration nine of their children, six of their sons and daughters-in-law and fourteen of their grandchildren.
The children present were Mrs. Mary McGuire af Ashland, Nebr., Stella Beasley of Boone, Ia., John Godfrey of Grafton, Ia., Servigna Godfrey of Madrid, Ia., Albert Godfrey of Rembrandt, La., Mrs. Carrie Thrapp of Madrid, Ia., Mrs. Lillie Stover of Lake Mills, Ia., Chad Godfrey, late of Grafton, Ia., but now of Madrid, Zylph Godfrey of Boone, Ia.,
The children unable to be present, were J. W. Godfrey of Northwood, Ia. and Mrs. Amos Hill of Montrose, Colo. There were fifteen grandchildren absent. Other relatives present were Mr. Godfrey's brother, John Godfrey of Selden, Kans., and sister, Mrs. Stephen Brown of Ashland, Neb. A few old friends and neighbors were also invited to attend the celebration.
The guests were all assembled at about twelve o'clock and after a few toasts the gifts were presented. These consisted of some sterling silverware from the friends and a beautiful eletric reading lamp from the relatives.
A splendid three course dinner was served to which all did ample justice. The rest of the afternoon was spent in a social way. Toward evening Mr. Peelstrom appeared, with his camera and arranged the family group for a picture, while several kodak pictures were taken of the grandchildren.
Mr. Edward Godfrey was born in Wapello county, Ia., in 1848 and his wife, Martha Houser, was born in Boone county in 1852. They were married November 3, 1867 and began housekeeping in a log cabin west of Madrid, near the present home of Andrew Anderson. After various changes, in 1883 they located on a farm of their own across the river. They made their home on this farm until the fall of 1904, when they sold it and bought another a mile north of Madrid. From there they moved to Madrid, about three years ago and their present home is at this place.
Mr. and Mrs. Godfrey were young at a time when our country was recovering from the effects of the terrible Civil war, and have met, endured and conquered many hardships and have done a large share in making this state the rich and prosperous one it is today.
There were born to them twelve children, seven girls and five boys. Eleven of these are living. One, a daughter, died in 1888.
The eleven living children are all honored and respected citizens and are a living testimony to the integrety and worth of their parents. May they live to celebrate many more anniversaries of Nov. 3, 1867, is the sincere wish of their many friends and neighbors.

May time pass gently o'er each silvering head,
May they have honor now - not when they're dead;
For all who know them well can truly say
"They have been friends in need,
Kind neighbors, every way."

-=--from the Madrid Register-News November 15, 1917. Photo of the couple was published with the article.