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Gleaning the Past.........Part 8 Burr Oak Township St Joseph County, Michigan |
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papers of Geneva Smith
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New York, October 28, 1911 ~ Theodore Roosevelt celebrated his fifty ~ third birthday. He was the recipient of many congratulations, but passed the day very much according to the routine which marks his everyday life.
note: In gleaning over the years I've noticed the one reoccurring thing
that seems to have taken place with everyone who saved newspaper clippings.
In the papers of two of my several greats grandmothers, as well as my grandmother,
I found newspaper articles about famous people, society people and world
leaders. These grandmothers were all on separate branches of my tree so
it wasn't something passed down. Now I see the same thing in the papers
of Geneva and Harry Smith. It's like they were giving us a perspective
on history we could better relate too. jrg
papers of Geneva Smith
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Burr Oak Acorn
Mr and Mrs Levi Wagner and Mr and Mrs Herman Bell and
son Roy spent Sunday with Mr and Mrs Elzy Shuck, in honor of Mrs
Shuck's and Mr and Mrs Wagner's birthday.
date in pen is 18 October 1911
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October 5, 1911
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Burr Oak Acorn
The scribe in reporting Prof. Herman's birthday
party last week, failed to report one of the most pleasing things connected
with it, and that is the gift of two beautifully bound books.
papers of Geneva Smith
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Probably the Colon Express
Edwin R Hill celebrated his tenth birthday Saturday,
October 7th, 1911, by entertaining thirty of his boy friends at a party.
The afternoon was spent in playing games, after which the boys were invited
to the dining room where the birthday cake, containing ten candles, ornamented
the center of the table. Edwin was well remembered with gifts, among which
was a bicycle from his father.
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Burr Oak Acorn
Vern Keeslar was home from South Bend from Friday
until Sunday. Saturday he partook of birthday dinner wit his parents. A
year hence he will be accorded the privilege of casting his first ballot.
dated in pen 24 February 1912
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Burr Oak Acorn
Alfred Jupp, wife and infant son came down
from Adrain, Saturday, for a visit with his parents, on Eagle street. Mr
Jupp, who holds a good job in a wholesale bakery, has returned home,
but his family will remain here for some days.
dated 25 August 1912 in ink.
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Burr Oak Acorn
A very pleasant party was given to Mr and Mrs John Taggart by their children, Mr and Mrs Albert Burns, at the home of the latter in Burr Oak, Tuesday, 23 January 1912, when about twenty guests responded to invitations, the occasion being a rememberance of the birthdays of Mr and Mrs Taggart, one occurring on the 20th and the other on the 24th of January.
Mrs Burns served a fine four course dinner which was partaken of with much relish. The gifts were presented by Rev. D.W. Herman, in his usually happy style, to which Mr Taggart responded in a few well chosen words. A birthday poem was read by Mrs B.P. Taggart, which was very appropriate and enjoyed by all.
The guests, in departing, wished Mr and Mrs Taggart many happy returns of their birthdays and voted Mr and Mrs Burns royal entertainers.
papers of Geneva Smith
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Burr Oak Acorn
Micheal Whitmer of our village, the pioneer citizen of the township and possibly of the county, is 98 years old today. He is remarkably strong and vigorous, mentally and physically, is on the streets frequently and at church regularly, and we all hope it may be thus for many years.
date in pen is 18 January 1912
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Burr Oak Acorn
Ten of the boy and girl friends of Charles Upham, gathered at his home on 5th street and a merry birthday party was enjoyed. It was Charles' 8th anniversary ~ November 6th, 1912.
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Burr Oak Acorn
A surprise party invaded the home of Myron Sager and wife, at Burr Oak, Saturday evening to remind him that it was his 33rd birthday. The evening was very pleasantly spent in visiting; ice cream and cake were served, and after presenting him with a nice rocker the guests returned to their respective homes, wishing him many returns of the day.
dated 20 July 1912 in ink
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Burr Oak Acorn
Saturday afternoon twenty or more members of the Ladies
Guild met at the home of Mrs E.E. Holcomb in honor of her 75th birthday.
Mrs Holcomb was unspeakably moved when presented
with a dress by Mrs Chandler in behalf of the society. After the
presentation speech all joined in singing "Blest be the Tie that Binds."
Luncheon followed, which, as usual, did honor to the Ladies'
Guild; and according to an eye witness was enjoyed immensely.
The pleasant and beautifully touching gathering was closed
by singing "God be with you till we meet again."
May her birthdays be many.
dated 11 May 1912 in ink.
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Burr Oak Acorn
On 17th April 1912 Mrs A.M. Graham reached the age of 70 years and it was the occasion of numerous of her friends spending the evening with her at the pleasant home. A really good time~couldn't be otherwise. And presents~sure, several, all of which will ever be held in grateful remembrance. May 'Gusta' and her ever cheerful disposition be with us for many, many years. Verily, she is younger now than many persons half her age.
papers of Geneva Smith
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Burr Oak Acorn
Hastily yours,
Norm G Cooper
papers of Geneva Smith
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Burr Oak Acorn
Martin Maystead of Burr Oak and Mrs Lyter of Colon, twins, celebrated the 60th anniversary of their birth, last Sunday, at the fam home of the former, northeast of town. A large number of the relatives were present and a joyous day resulted. Here is hoping their future birthdays may be many.
dated in pen 28 April 1912
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Burr Oak Acorn
It was a merry social time that was had last Thursday at the home of Mr and Mrs Fred Moore in Sturgis. The occasion was the 39th birthday anniversary of Mrs Moore. As previously planned, about twenty lady friends of Mrs M. took possession of the home while she was at the depot to meet her sister, Mrs Frank E Lee and son Frank, of this place. The surprise was complete and a joyous afternoon followed.
dated in ink 16 January 1913
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Burr Oak Acorn
H.C. Whitmer and family, of this village, attended the birthday gathering of the former's father, Michael Whitmer, at the home of his son, W.W Whitmer, in Burr Oak, last Saturday. Mr Whitmer is perhaps the oldest person in the county, being past 99 years of age and enjoys reasonable good health, reads without glasses, and has always done this. It is not a second signt. He walks up town once or twice a week, about half a mile, attends church every Sunday when the weather is good.
dated 18 January 1913 in ink.
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Burr Oak Acorn
Last Sunday was the birthday anniversary of three of the Himebaugh brothers, Coye, Roy and Ray, and the latter's son Richard. And in honor of the event a large company of the relatives passed the day very pleasantly on the lawn at the former's home..
dated in ink 20 June 1913
papers of Geneva Smith
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Burr Oak Acorn
Mr T.J. Hill was unable to be with us Sunday, but he remembered the birthday box, as he was 73 years old 5 October 1913. Edwin R Hill, who had a birthday 7th October, contributed 12 cents.
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Burr Oak Acorn
dated 28 July 1908 in ink.
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Burr Oak Acorn
A happy family gathered at the home of Mr and Mrs W.C. Davis, Wednesday, in honor of his eightieth birthday. Those present were Mr and Mrs Charles H McKinster, Mr and Mrs F.W. Godfrey and son of Colon, Mr and Mrs Clarence Doolittle and son of Kalamazoo, and Mrs Fred McKinster and son of Detroit. May he live to celebrate many more birthdays.
dated in ink 2 July 1913
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Burr Oak Acorn
We acknowledge an enjoyable visit from our friend and former townsman, William Arnold. His daughter, Mrs Nettie May Leiter, who was born "in the Weaver brick house" 47 years ago, was here with him. They live in Lorain, Ohio. He will remain at Colon for some time, having come to visit his sister, Mrs Jane Decker (widow of Asa Cross) who for a few weeks has been confined to the bed with a severe injury to her hip, at the home of her daughter, Mrs Dr. Hartman.
ink dated 31 July 1913
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Burr Oak Acorn
Little Miss Dorris Himebaugh entertained a large number of her friends Friday afternoon, the occasion being her sixth birthday. The little folks report a fine time.
5 February 1909.
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Burr Oak Acorn
Mr and Mrs S. H. Hogle found a complete and very pleasant surprise awaiting them on their return home from business Monday evening, January 19th, 1914. In honor of the sixteenth anniversary of their marriage, and of Mr Hogle's sixty ninth birthday, their daughter Marjorie had invited a number of friends to a dainty but very beautiful six o'clock dinner, to which every one did ample justice. A delightful evening followed, closing with good words from all the guests, and wishes for "many happy returns."
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Burr Oak Acorn
Last Saturday Miss Nina Graves arrived here, her old home town, from far away Victoria, British Columbia, coming at this time especially to be present at the 90th birthday anniversary of her Grandmother Graves, at Quincy, yesterday. Miss Graves will visit in various sections of Michigan for several weeks...
dated 8 October 1913
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Burr Oak Acorn
Mr and Mrs John Sprowl entertained thirty friends and neighbors sunday, in honor of Mrs Sprowl's father, George Moore's 77th birthday. Mr Moore has been a resident of Colon 55 years, is hale and hearty. He has six children, all living, 29 grand children and 16 great grandchildren. All did justice to the fine dinner, and ice cream and cake were served later in the day. The party left late in the day all declaring Mr and Mrs Sprowl royal entertainers and wishing Mr Moore many more happy birthdays. One who was there.
printed date: 16 June 1914
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Burr Oak Acorn
It was a real surprise that was given John B Keeslar, last Sunday, his 76th birthday anniversary, at the Jay B Keeslar home. The unannounced coming of his sister Mrs Jennie Immel of Eugene, Oregon, and the presence of his sister Mrs Mate Morrill of Greenfield Mills, his son A.D., wife and son of South Bend, and Mrs Whipple and Mrs Bisbee of Bronson, was very pleasing and then some. A fine six ~ course dinner was served and a right merry time was had. May his birthdays be many and all as joyous as this.
dated 19 May 1914
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Burr Oak Acorn
The celebration of the one hundredth birthday anniversary
of Mr Michael Whitmer of this place, who became a centenarien on
Sunday, January 18, 1914, was a complete success in every way.
The reception held Saturday afternoon, the 17th at the
M.E. church, was attended by nearly four hundred people, some of them coming
from a distance. The sons and daughters of our venerable citizen were all
present except one, a son, residing in New York state. Most of the grandchildren
were also in attendance.
A register was provided and most of those who attended the reception
recorded their name and address.
The ladies served light refreshments free to everyone,
which proved an excellent feature of the important event.
At 2:30 o'clock Vern Keeslar was introduced and after
brief and very appropriate remarks presented to Mr Whitmer a handsome
royal push button Morris chair, which was a gift from a large number of
the aged gentleman's host of friends. Mr Whitmer responded in neat
to-the-point remarks.
Saturday evening several of the relatives and intimate
friends gathered at the home of William W Whitmer, where Father
Whitmer has made his home for a number of years, and enjoyed the
evening with him, during which time he quoted one of his favorite hymn
and at the close of the social and friendly evening he offered a brief
and timely paryer.
Those of the immediate family from out of town coming
to celebrate this remarkable event were his son, Knox, and his daughters
Mrs Hathaway and Mrs F.A. Bacon, from Grand Rapids, and his
sons John of Sturgis and Henry of Colon. Also the grandchildren and a long
time friend from Fort Wayne.
On Sunday, the 18th, being Father Whitmer's birthday,
a Memorial Service was held in the M.E. church. It was the largest gathering
of people there in a long time, more than three hundred people being present.
Rev. W.D. Robinson, the present pastor, presided, and
Rev. A.F. Waechter of the Presbyterian church acquitted himself
admirably in a splendid address on the longevity of life, after which Rev
Martin L Fox, D.D., of St Joseph, Michigan, and Supt of the Niles
District of the Michigan Conference of the M.E. church, gave the main address,
in which he brot forth some interesting vital statistics in support of
the facts connected with the speaker's statements. Special music by the
choir, some of the hymns being especial favorites with Mr Whitmer,
was much appreciated by the large audience. Mr Whitmer was not present
at the first part of the services and there was very general regret, it
being surmised that he was not usually well, but later he came strolling
down the center aisle and took his seat on the platform, meantime the audience
cheering heartily.
One of the very interesting features of the program were the
remarks by Attorney A.M. Graham, long time friend and neighbor of
Mr Whitmer, in which he paid splendid tribute to the honor and integrity
of our venerable citizen.
Mr Whitmer has been a member of the M.E. church
for about seventy-five years and has always been a constant atendant. His
presence is always a real inspiration.
Michael Whitmer was born 18 January 1814, in Snyder county,
Pennsylvania, where he spent his boyhood days. In 1838 himself and wife
came westward by way of Pittsburg and settled in Indiana, where the beautiful
city of Bluffton is now situated, where he lived a number of years. He
was a blacksmith by trade, which volcation he followed, meanwhile purchasing
and clearing up a farm.
In 1865 he sold his farm and came to Burr Oak, locating in the
west part of this township on a farm which he purchased and upon which
he resided until about twelve years ago, when he moved with his son William
W. to Burr Oak village, his present home.
Mr Whitmer is in full possession of all his faculties.
He reads and writes without glasses and occasionally goes fishing ~ and
catches them, too ~ in the nearby streams. He reads much and converses
readily and intelligently on current events of the present day, and his
clear recollection of events occurring in the days of long ago is truly
wonderful.
The whole community joins in congratulation to Mr Whitmer
on having attained this remarkable age and sincerely hopes he may live
in our midst for many years to come.
note: misspelled words were those missed in the original Acorn edition
not caught by their proof-reader. I've not marked them so as not
to interrupt the style of prose and content. jrg
papers of Geneva Smith
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