The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-06-29

telegraph instruments, and the inventor
of the great ware electrical apparatus,
died Of paralysis yesterday.
The Van Rensseilear Golden Wedding.
On the 18th instant, there occurred in
the village Of California, o., the grand
est social event the town ever Witnessed.
refer to the celebration of the golden
wedding Of Mr.. and Mrs. X. II. Van
Rensselaer,, In connection with the cele-
brati0n OF Mr.. Van Renssellears half
century of welded life to the A. A. 3.
Rite. The village just mentioned is
beautifully situated on the north bank Of
the Ohio river, about ten miles above
quiet and unostentatious people, and
surrounded by natural scenery of unsur-
passed beauty, the distinguished per-
sonages to which l am about to allude
have been enjoying the quiet shades Of
private life tor five years past, Up
wards of three hundred distinguished
Masons from the city We're in attend
ance, besides a large number of friends
in the village.
The elegant side-wheel steamer Cham
pion No. 8, which was chartered for the
occasion, started from the Cincinnati
wharf at p. Nj. and reached California
at p. NJ. The guests were received at
the landing by Mr.. E. b. Van Renssel-
lear, after which procession was
formed, the Knights Templar forming an
escort to Grand Commander Sir. E. T.
Carson, the Scottish Rite and other Or
about one hundred, also gracefully fell
into fine. Thc procession moved up
Eldotadoy to Fifth street, out Fifth to
Miller, the whole distance about one.
half a mile. just before the procession
reached the mansion OF Mr.. V. the brass
band began to play s.Hail to the Chief"
which produced deep Impression on
the entire assemblage.
Mr.. V. took his position at the gate,
received his guests in a very cordial
manner, and then passed them on to his
accomplished wife, who stood In the
door to again tender them the hospitali-
ties Of their home.
The party rambled through the yard
for some time, enjoying the romantic
scenery and partaking Of the refresh.
ments, which had been bountifully pro
yided for them, when Mr.. Carson called
them to order, preparatory to commenc
| ing the ceremonies of the occasion.
The assemblage were then seated il
the shade In front ofthe grand old man
sion. Rt. Sir e. 7. Carson opened
the ceremonies with brief and appro
pirate address, in which he congratu
lated the venerable couple on their cele
bration of the fiftieth anniversary o
their married life. He also congratu
lated Mr.. Van Rensselaer, in being 81
fortunate in his choice of companion
He expressed wish that they might
live to enjoy many years of married life
and that these, last days might be al
happy and honorable as the fifty years
that had passed.
| Mr.. q. spoke feelingly of Mr.. V.'s con
necti0n with the Masonic Fraternity O.
his half century, and more Of labor il
and devotion to the various Masonic Or
ders, their growth and prosperity undel
his supervision. he also paid glowing
tribute to MIR. V. as just and honora
BILE citizen.
At the conclusion Of Mr.. CPS speech
| Mr.. Van Rensselaer, arose to reply. He
alluded with much feeling to the promi
nent events Of the past half century
with voice trembling with emotion; ht
spoke of the unalloyed happiness ht
| passed with the now aged matron by hii
side. His only regret was that he coult
not be permitted to live his life oyel
again.
| Mr.. v. then spoke-of his admission ant
labors in the various Masonic bodies
HE gave some important facts in oonnec
tion with the rise, progress and fall o
Anti-masonry. He was listened 70 will
great interest by the audience. The en-
| tire speech was exceedingly interesting
| At the conclusion Of Mr.. V.'s speech
Mr.. q. was presented with a basket full
of letters, some OF which were c0ngratu
latory, and some that had accompanied
some princely gifts.that had been sent Y
Mr.. by distinguished Mas0ns in vari
GUS parts OF the United States. Mr.. c
said 1t was impossible to read them all
and that he would select some that Woult
be most appropriate for the occasion.
| The following were the gifts presented
by individuals:
500, ten gold eagles, from Cleveland
Ohio: By Chas. A. Woodward, 33d de
gree; Geo. II. Burd, S3d; B. D. Babcock
33d; Peter Thatcher, 32d; Richard
Creigton, S2d; Lucian Hills, 32d; A. @
McNairy, 82d; G. H. Adams, 32d; Sam
uel Briggs, SD, and Theo. A. Moore, 32d
Also, 500 from Chicago, ILL.,: BY Z. B
Stevens, 33d; II. G. Bunney, 33d: Vile,
NJ. Egan, 33d; j. j. Quincy, 33d; J.J. H
Miles, 32d; Il. H. Foss, S3d; E. b. Mey
ers, 33d; G. R. Smith, 33d; r. Biddl,
Roberts, 82d, and V. L. Hurlbert, 33d
Also, beautiful photograph OF, and let
ter Of congratulation from the well
known veteran in Masonry, Sir X. s
Jarvis, of Massillon, Ohio. Also, a richly
embossed Tablet of Congratulation from
Boston, Mass. BY VIM. D.-Stratton, SD
W. HI. Chessman, 33d; Otis Everett
1 Wells, 32d; Samuel H. Gregory, 83d
BENJAMIN y. Brown, 32d; w. II. Guild
! 82d; w. J. Stevens, 82d; Thoss Water
Imam, 32d; Chas. L. lyesen, S2d, aud =. G
Lawrence, 3Sd. Also, q double eagl
lfrom Norwich, Conn.,, by .Chas. w. Gar
Ter. ssd; Henry I. Psrkef, sSd; Charlie