James L. Gerrish
1866 -- Silver Wedding -- 1891
When Feb. 14th, 1866 dawned, Mr. J.L. Gerrish and Miss Lena Dyer realized the truth of the words: "The best laid plans of mice and men often gang agley." For a storm of unusual severity compelled them to defer their proposed marriage until the following day. As the twenty-fifth anniversary of the event approached, numbers of neighbors, as well as friends living elsewhere, together with a goodly number of relatives, resolved to surprise them with a silver wedding. Several ladies who were deeply interested in the matter, impressed with the truth of the saying quoted above, wisely resolved that this time neither mice nor men should have charge of the affair. By them therefore plans were laid and invitations sent in different directions. The day came. Dame Nature, as if regretting her previous conduct, or recognizing the wisdom of the present arrangement, smiled benignly. Not a whisper of the proceedings had reached the family. Suddenly their house was filled with a laughing, quizzing, exultant company, who came laden with good will, good words, and abundant provisions for the feast that followed. The gifts were chiefly in the form of silver coin, and reached the sum of sixty-eight dollars. Pleasant recollections of the happy day will linger long in the memory of all who were there, while good wishes follow the couple in the years that lie between their silver and their golden wedding.The following persons were present -- Mr. Edwin Michael, Mr. A.A. Winslow and wife, Mr. J.A. Little and wife, Mrs. D.A. Root, Mrs. Sarah Dyer, Mrs. Emma Dyer, Mr. J.P. Stroud, Mrs. A.E. Brush, Mrs. B. Peach, Mrs. M. Baughman, Mr. J.A. Little and wife, Mr. T.A. Wason and wife, Mr. J. Baughman and wife, Rev. J.F. Smith and wife, Rev. Hiram Wason and wife, Mr. Lester Hayden and wife, Mr. Joshua Spaulding and wife, Mr. Cyrus Pettie [Pattee?] and wife, Mr. J.B. Bailey and wife, Mr. Chas. H. Sanders and wife; Mrs. J.R. Maxwell, Mrs. G. Barhite, Misses Maggie, Ida, Julia, and Edna Michael, Misses Ellen, Myra, and Emma Little, Misses Nellie and Sadie Morey, Misses Abbie and Bertha Maxwell, Miss Maggie Sunderman, Miss Salma Peterson, Miss Helen Putman, Miss Fannie Dyer, Miss Ollie Gragg, Messrs. J.H. Little, J. Black, W.O. Sanders. E. Sanders, H. Baughman, A.H. Maxwell, F. Sunderman, L. Michael. -- Lowell Tribune
A copy of this obituary, dated 1930, from the Spalding Scrapbook was found in the Local History Files at Lowell Public Library (LH--Vital Statistics, vol. 4, page 93):
- As mentioned briefly last week, James Gerrish, a former resident of West Creek township, passed away in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 8. His last sickness was of about seven weeks duration but his decline was rapid during that time. In writing us, his son, Henry D. Gerrish, says that he is the only surviving member of this family. Mr. Gerrish is survived by a sister, Mrs. Anna Wason, and several neices and nephews residing west of Lowell.
- We take the following from the Fort Worth paper:
- "Funeral services of James L. Gerrish, 94, Civil War veteran, and resident of Fort Worth for 28 years who died at his home 1505 Fifth Ave., Saturday night, were held on Monday afternoon. Burial was made in Greenwood cemetery.
- "Mr. Gerrish, a former meat inspector for the United States government, was retired 10 years ago. He was transferred here from Omaha, Nebraska, in 1902. He was born in Boscawen, N.H., and received his education at Merrimac Normal Institute and at Wabash College. Mr. Gerrish moved to Indiana in 1856 and enlisted with the 99th Indiana Infantry in 1862 and served until the close of the war."
Go to James L. Gerrish, "Pioneer History Index," for further information.
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