Solomon "Sol" Spry

Observe 50th Wedding Anniversary

A half century of wedded happiness was marked by Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Spry on March 4th, and honoring them on the golden event, their sons, Neil and Ralph and families arranged an open house Sunday, March 9th. More than 150 relatives and friends called at their farm home in West Creek to extend congratulations and best wishes.

As the bride of fifty years ago greeted their guests, she was attractive in a pretty dress of navy crepe complimented by a corsage of yellow roses, a gift of the Ladies' Circle of the Lake Prairie Presbyterian church, as was the boutonniere which Mr. Spry wore on his 50-year-old wedding coat.

Solomon Spry, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Spry, who came from Kentucky to West Creek when "Sol" was just three years old, claimed Myra, daughter of Joseph and Mary Little, prominent pioneers of West Creek township, as his bride in a ceremony performed by Rev. J.C. Wilson in the home of the bride's sister, Mrs. Wilson, who resided in Clay City, Ind.

Except for one winter spent at Mt. Dora, Florida, the couple has never lived outside the Lowell community. Forced to rest, Mr. and Mrs. Spry retired from the farm and lived in Lowell for nine years. However, they missed their farm home and returned to it in 1923.

Their son, Ralph, operates the home place, which Mr. and Mrs. Spry purchased in 1903, and son Neil operates the 180-acre Spry farm located one mile across the Indiana-Illinois state line. Mr. Spry, of course, retains the position of chief assistant, taking an active interest in the work and management of the farms.

Besides their farm work, both Mr. and Mrs. Spry are hobby enthusiasts. Mrs. Spry adorns her home with the lovely hooked rugs she makes and Mr. Spry proudly displays his hand-carved canes. The Sprys have a large and interesting collection of Indian relics. Guests last Sunday also enjoyed a group of interesting family pictures collected by the couple's son, Neil.

Delicious refreshments were served from a table covered with a lovely linen cloth, a wedding gift of 50 years ago. A gift arrangement of yellow sweetheart roses and jonquils centered the table appointed with beautiful antique silver coffee service. Wedding cake, ice cream and wedding bell cookies were served by the celebrants' granddaughters and nieces, assisted by friends.

One of the couple's nine grandchildren, 10-year-old Judy, pleased her grandparents with this recitation:

When Grandma was a little girl, a girl like me, she didn't know my Grandpa, she didn't -- no sir-ee!
When she grew up and met him, I don't know when, or how, but I'm so very glad she did -- they're my grandparents now!
My Grandpa and Grandma have been married 50 years; they have had many happy times, and also had some tears.
But both thro' joy and sorrow, God has guided day by day, and we all know that all the future, He will bless in every way.
The grandchildren and their parents all rejoice with you today, as we celebrate with so much joy, your Golden Wedding Day."

Among the guests who came from Lowell, Crown Point, Gary, Hobart, Hammond, Columbus, Ohio; Kankakee, Bonfield and Grant Park, Ill., was Miss Bertha Wilson, librarian at Waukegan, Ill., niece of the bride who was also present for the marriage ceremony performed in the home of her parents, when she was only three years old.

Grateful thanks are expressed by Mr. and Mrs. Spry to all who made the observance of the event a day of cherished memories.

They wish to thank friends and relatives for the beautiful flowers, cards and gifts, which included an electric vacumn cleaner.