Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1870-07-06
Golden Wedding in KIusman.


EDITOR CHRoNICLE.-On Wednesday
, June 10Th, a large company of relatives
, old neighbors and friends, were as
r sembled by invitation, at the house o
sRiverius Bidwell, Esq, to celebrate tn
| slXtieth anniversary of their wedding
day. The afternoon was spent in happy
greetings, congratulations, and pleasan
conversation, till the entertainment pro.
yided for the occasion was announced il
order. After thanks to the Giver of al
good, for past mercies, and the asking o.
blessings upon all, by the aged bride,
groom, the company, seated around
tables in the house, and out of doors un.
der the shade of trees, were beautifully
helped to such refreshments as they, and
the family of Wayne Bidwell their only
surviving child) know well how to pre-
pare. A portable soda-fountain, with its
grateful beverage presided over by some
OF the younger members of the family
contributed not a little to the comfort OF
the guests. Esq. Bidwell, with his
young wife, came into this county fifty
eight years ago, to make them a home in
this, then, wilderness country, and how
well, by their great perseverance and
industry, they have battled with the
h~ardships of a new country, gaining a
competence for their support in old age,
many, in this part of the county, who
have been recipients of their bounty in
past years, can testify. At their age,
eighty and seventy-six, you will rarely
witness so much activity and endurance
as they o exhibit. He insist on hav-
ing his wood drawn to the door in the
rough, so that he can prepare it for the
stove himself-has his piece of corn and
potatoes to till with his own hands-and
she as active in overseeing the work in
doors, and if occasion requires puts her
own hands to the performance of her
domestic labors.
Soon after their arrival here in 1872, he
was called out with gun and knapSack
to help defend the northern border from
an attack by the British, but was soon
allowed to return, without engaging in
actual service, and to devote himself to
the clearing of land and labors on the
farm. For years he made it a rule, to
expend two weeks labor on the roads,
over what the law required and took jobs
of turnpiking at the small sum of ten
cents per rod. Thus their labors have
been active, and their early habits of in
dustry arenotnow easily laid aside. May
they live to enjoy many anniversaries
of their wedding day! These old inhabi-
tants seem to be a harder race than are
raised up in these days. Some of the
older guests 1 will mention: Ezra Hyde,
Esq, and wife, of Vernon, the father of
Wayne BidwelPs wife; he in his ninety
first year, as active as most at the age of
seventy. 1t is a remarkable fact that of
six in his family now living, an average
of their united age is ninety-fiYe.
Dea. Jedadiah Burnham, a brother-in-
law ofEsq. Bidwell-in his eighty-fourth
year. He went out in 1872 as captain,
but was Don promoted to the import
antpostof Dep. Quarter Master General,
CAAANAChS aAu loAS VIZ III
the office-at times his life in imminent
peril from encounters with the Indians.
So unusual was his promotion, that it
was a subject of inquiry what the d. Q.
NJ. G.. affixed to his name stood for.
Some ignorant or waggish soldier, inter
preting, On Quick Made Gentleman.
When peace was proclaimed he resigned
the Office with its titles.
Other near relatives present were Buel
Barnes. Esq, and wife, S. p. Robens
and wife, and Russell Hotchkiss and
wife. The older ones not connected with
the family, were Capt. ]. r. S~tanhope,
in his eightieth year; Jacob H. Baldwin,
.seventy-seven, David Brackin, seventy
and E. st. John and wife. Of the
ladies' present, Mrs. Moore was the old
est, aged eishty-two.- I mention thai
names of these old people, as many of
readers will recognize them as old
in the county, and will be glad to
that they are living.
CHRoNoTYPE.
KINsMAN, July l, 1870.