The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1874-05-28
Communicated,
communicated,
Golden Wedding of Mr.. and Mrs. j. B
Stratton.

Golden Wedding of MIR. and Mrs. j. Il
Stratton.
But comparatively few of all who
begin life's journey with bright pros
poets and fond anticipations, are per-
mitted to celebrate the fiftieth ami
Yersary of their marriage. To look
ahead, half century seems almost
endless !; to look back, it seems more
like dream than reality. When a
husband and wife have lived together
for fifty years, it seems eminently ap-
propriate that they should pause, call
their family together, survey the past
and mediate upon the future. Thus
thought Mr.. and Mrs. Stratton. For
a considerable time they have been
anticipating happy occasion. Their
house had been enlarged SO as to ac-
commodate their large family. The
anniversary day came, clear and warm
1t seemed that God was smiling upon
the venerable couple, and the occasion
that was calling so many from far and
near, to rejoice with them.
At the appointed time there were
assembled ten of the eleven children,
and their partners, sixteen grand-chil-
dren, one great-graRd-child, three
! brothers and one sister of Mrs. STRAIT
ton, three nieces and one nephew of
Mr.. Stratton, from Vermont. and 9TH
er relations and friends to the number
of ninety-one. The exercises were in
troduced by a voluntary by the choir,
/ composed of DR.. A. NJ. Sherman, Mr..
/ p. B. Mead, Mrs. Helen A. Nj. Mead,
and Miss Hattie Jones. Rev. Andrew
/ Wilson then read the 10th Psalm.
After a suitable hymn by the choir,
! Mr.. Wilson delivered an appropriate
address. He said, in substance, that
in the Hebrew language names have
meaning. Joseph signifies, He
shall add" Ruth signifies ''beauty."
So that fifty years ago Joseph was ad-
! ded to beauty. The half century that
has elapsed since the happy couple
| Joined hands aud hearts, has witnessed
| many changes. History has been
made at rapid rate.
To-day we can only briefly refer to
| the history of this one family. In
period when people rush thoughtless-
| ly into the marriage relation, and di-
vorces are SO frequent, it is refreshing
/ to find those who haye set a worthy
/ example by living together in synpa-
/ thy and love.
| AS we celebrate this golden anniver-
sary, it is fitting that a brief state
ment of the parentage and life of this
venerable pair should be presented
Joseph Beman Stratton was born in
| the town of Bennington, Vermont,
March 14th, 1900. His parents were
natives of Connecticut. He was the
! seventh child in a family of eight chill
dren, all of whom reached years of
maturity, and all but one lived to mar
ry and settle in life. One half the
number yet survive. All have been
temperate in their habits, honest and
| industrious, and have been prospered
in their business interests and blest, in
their homes. 5s.9H ~ i50I
May 18th, 1924, Mr.. Stratton was
married to Ruth OIin, one of family
of fourteen children, all of whom IiY-
! ed to marry and have homes of their
kown. Eight are still living, af
| With but little of this woald's goods,
| but with cheerful, earnest hearts aud
willing hands, Mr.. Stratton and his
faithful companion began the work of
the new life that opened before them.
! They lived in Bennington, Vermont,
| till October 1926. They then sold their
small farm, and after settling accounts
had only span of horses, harness and
wagon, and one hundred and twenty
Eve dollars. They moved to Perry,
then Genessee County, N. Y, and pur-
chased a farm of eighty-one acres,
There they remained till May 1886, |
when they moved to Ohio, and on the |
farm now owned yJacksonPritchard |
They have since changed places num- !
Der of times, but have never moved |
beyond the limits of Franklin Town
ship.
They have had twelve children One |
died in infancy. Eleven are living, /
married and in homes of their own.
They have had thirty-five grand
children. OF these, seven are dead |
and three married. Two great-grand-
children are numbered among their
descendants.
In their early life they struggled
with poverty and many difficulties.
But by patient industry and economy
they have succeeded in obtaining the
comforts and blessings of material
things, and by the grace OF God,
Christian faith and hope minister to
their souls highest needs. 1t is graft
flying to them to know that their chill
dren are bIest with average health, and
striving to be worthy men and wo-
men; and that their grandchildren
and great-grand-childre are full of
bright promise. They can look back
over their past lives with large
measure of satisfaction, and many
pleasant memories will add to the en-
joyment of the closing period of their
earthly existence.
The parties then arose and Joined
hands, when a fervent prayer was of.
fered by their friend and Pastor.
The choir then sang to the tune of
'Auld Lang Syne," the following
verses, extemporized for the occasion
by DR.. A. NJ. Sherman: @
Just fifty years ago to-day
1t can be said with truth,
There lived happy anxious pair,
Their names were 10 and Ruth.
Said Jo to Ruth, or Ruth to 10,
care not which to know,
Let us be one; agreed, twas done. .,
And they twain were made one.
Said 10 to Ruth, now let us go
Out west to Ohio, 1of
And there we'll work, weave and toll, 1e
Where we own the soil. a. -
Out west they came as we well know,
To Northern Ohio; +t3 F-i- --i
They found home, pleasant home,
One they could call their own. 1o
They toiled on for many years,
They Iabored not in vain,
They toiled thro' doubts and fears f7t
In hope of getting gain. f-sf.t Gns
They worked right on with coura ge brave,
Each learning how to save; tstI aa-c
Till now we see them rich indeed, 1a9
Beyond the need of aid. SSH. Sd
For Uncle 10 is happy now,
As happy as he can ba; +
And Ruth, his bride, is happy, too, :.
As you can plainly see. t'-f'' +
.
For how happy they must be, g.;
Ilhnin chi ldre1n an To soc