Martin John Sanders (1840-1914)

50th Anniversary Invitation

WEDDED FIFTY YEARS

Had we the files of the TRIBUNE of fifty years ago at hand we would find an item that would read about like this:
Married: November 12, 1863. Martin J. Sanders, of Lowell, to Miss Almira E. Hopkins, of Starke county, Indiana.

On Wednesday, November 12, 1913, occurred the fiftieth anniversary of this marriage, and by the grace of Providence the bride and groom of fifty years ago are both living and enjoying good health. Not wishing to be alone on this occasion they invited their two sons, C.M. and M.L., and families and other relatives and friends to their beautiful home on Union avenue to assist them in celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage.

The house was very beautifully decorated in orange and white and autumn leaves. The guests began arriving in the forenoon, and at noon a fine dinner was spread, which was greatly enjoyed by the guests present.

The afternoon was very pleasantly spent in visiting and renewing old acquaintances. Elder John Bruce gave a short talk, which was greatly enjoyed by all.

The oldest guest present was Elder John Bruce, who is nearly 90 years old, and the youngest was Zelphia Arleen Mitchell, of Eaton, Ind., who is only [a] few months old.

The bride and groom were the recipients of many useful and valuable presents, among them being several pieces of gold money.

Those present at the anniversary were: James Pinkerton and wife, of Shelby; Cass Pinkerton and wife and baby, Mrs. Amma Nichols and daughter, Beulah, William Sisson, wife and two daughters, Mrs. Arvilla Greisel, Harry Sanger and wife, Melvin Greisel and wife, Mrs. Abigail Sanders, Walter Sanders, Edwin Sanders, wife and daughter, Ruth, W.W. Ackerman and wife, Mrs. D.C. Driscoll and baby; O.D. Mitchell, wife and two children, of Eaton, Ind.; William Graves, Elder John Bruce, Mrs. Mortimer Castle and little grand-son; Loyal Lamphier and wife, of Oelwein, Iowa; S.C. Simpson, wife and daughter, Marguerite, Mrs. Hiram Storrs, of Fairfield, Nebr.; James F. Harris and wife, George Wooldridge, wife and two children, Mrs. Emma J. King, Clyde King, wife and two daughters, C.M. Sanders and wife; N. L. Sanders, wife and daughter, of Monon, Ind.; Walter Cleaver and wife, Miss Cora Harrison; Mrs. Clark Williams, Dayton, Ind.

The day was thoroughly enjoyed by all present, but none of the guests enjoyed the day any more than did the bride and groom, whose thoughts went back to the happy day fifty years ago, when they were made man and wife. Much has happened in that fifty years, but time has dealt kindly with them and while they are old in years they do not believe in getting old, but believe in getting out of life all there is in it. At a late hour the guests departed for their homes, wishing Mr. and Mrs. Sanders many more happy anniversaries.