Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1873-08-28
THE ANKENEY GOLDEN WEDDING.
A Notable and Delightful Reunion.

THE ANKENEY GOLDEN WEDDING.
A Notable and Delightful Reunion.
Comparatively few there be who
i've to celebrate the fiftieth anniyer-
sary of their wedding. And of that
few small indeed is the number who
the event under cir
embracing so much of
happiness and so little of sadness as
was the lot of General Joseph Ank-
eny and his estimable wife, on the
29th of July, 1873. This couple
were joined in marriage, at Berlin,
Summerset county, Pa, on the 29th
of July, 1923. Mrs Ankeney's maid
en- name was Harriet S. Geisey, and
she was born in 1901, her husband
Icing one year her junior. The we'd
ding of 1928 was no ordinary affair.
Nearly hundred guests were pres
ent and nearly all of those made the
"Wedding trip" on horseback to
Summerset, the entire party stop
ping on the way to dine with q sis
ter of the groom. The second day
after the marriage the couple settled
down On their farm. The event of
the next day was an old-fashioned
hax-palling, at which Mr.. and Mrs.
Ankeny occupied the position of
honor; and the third day was the
first wash day in the new home, Mrs.
Ankeny herself constituting the en-
tire working force. This early per-
formance of the labors incident to
the times rested lightly on her, she
having, down to the present time ,en-
joyed uninterrupted good health, and
as she herself expresses it, never
having known what it was to be
downright tired" The family re-
mained in Pennsylvania eight years,
and in 1881 removed to Millersburg,
Ohio, where they continued to re
side until they removed to Iowa in
1867. 81 1Ht
As the fruits of this marriage there
were born eight children, all but one
of whom are now living, and were
present at this reunion. One
daughter, Rose, died when a few
years old. There are four sons,
three of whom reside in Polk county
and are all well known as intelligent
gentlemen and good citizens. These
are DR.. John F., Hon. Peter D. and
Col. RoIlin ", Capt. Henry G. is q
resident of Adams county, this State
and is man of sterling qualities.
The three living daughters are Su-
san F., now Mrs. John r. Bancroft,
of this city; Mary E., now Mrs. H. H
Clark, of Akron, Ohio, and. Harriet
Louise, the only unmarried member
of the family, and a young lady
greatly admired by her many friends
here and elsewhere. The six mar.
ried children have each four living
children, except Mrs. Clark, who has
five, making % grand children in
all. sa ;sl.sfr 60 -..'.l i--- -sfas ia
Gen. Ankeny has lived success
full and honorable life. He has oc
cupied many positions of public
trust,in all of which he acquitted
himself with credit. He served as
a member of the Ohio Legislature
and postmaster of his town. He
was always identified with the Dem
ocratic party, up to the formation ol
the Republican party, since when
he has been a Jealous and unwaver-
ing Republican. He was once oil
twice prominently named as candi-
date for nomination for Congress by
the Democrats of his district, and
was a leading mind in that political
organization in its palmy days. In
1860 he was 0 Lincoln Elector, and
was chosen as messenger to carry
the vote of Ohio to Washington
which he delivered to Vice President
Breckenridge, and on which occa.
sion he had an animated discussion
with that gentlemen on the political
outlook, South Carolina having
passed the ordinance Of secession or
the previous day. ~
The party last evening was com
posed of the relations of the family
and few old-time Ohio acquain,
tances. Rarely has it been oul
pleasure to attend more delight
full reunion. All seemed to be in 6
happy mood. Mrs. Ankeny, the
bride of the evening, wore an ele
giant black silk, present for the oc
casion, from her husband. She was
the center of attraction, and deserv
ed compliments and congr atulation!
showered upon her. The General
was as happy apparently as thu
merest youth present, and under the
inspiration Of the delightful music
joined in the merry dance as actively
and gracefully as the half score o
nd-children, who were on thu
floor with him. In fact there seem
ed to be something peculiarly inspirt
ing in this occasion and its music
so much so that Governor Carpantel
for the first time in his life, Joined
in the joyous quadrille, and his fai
young partner assured us that h,
did splendidly, not making a singh
mistake; as we believe he will mo-
doin Els gubernatorial career.
4 The presents were quite numer
Gus, costly, and handsome. And oil
the table with them we noticed SOM
rare mementoes of the early year;
of this couple. A lace ruffie worr
by Mrs. Ankeny at her 1923 wed
ding attracted much notice, as did
two or three pieces of a tea set
which she had before her marriage
The lace was the work of one of tn,
bridesmaids, who has recently pass
ed over the river. Among the ap
propriate presents we noticed yer,
hands ome coffee urn, presented b,
twenty-five grand children; a pair o
gold lined goblets from Gov. Car
penter; china tea set ornamentet
with gold bands; set of knives ant
forks; berry spoon and butte
kni fa. q poir Of niaae vasac will