Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1877-07-06
Family Reunion.

its several branches. is a somewhat huiiie
ous one All the living members oil
the family-niue in number-Were present
except George, who resides IN wisconsin
Oastb had removed one Of the sisters be-
fore the removal from the State of New
Work in the year 1890. The names of the
children are-boys, Henry, Peter. George,
William J. Palmer, and Sidney; and the
girls. Sarah, Ann Eliza, and Delilah; with
the exception already made, all the second
generation settled within a half dozen
miles Of each other, and therefore easily
accessible to one another at pleasure. They
are all farmers, snd all in comfortable cir
cumstances-wholesom citizens, enjoying
the respect of the community in which
they live, and nearly, if not quite all,
members of the church militant. No one
Of them has ever been addicted to the'nse
of the intoxicating cup, and but one is
known to have any habits of indulgence in
the use of the weed. Few families are freer
from bad habits, aud live more CORRECT or
proper lives. Living in rural neighbor-
hoods, they have cultivated-or perhaps
more eorrectly-exercised the innate and
spontaneous graces and simple virtues oI
rural life. The third generation-grand-
children-number %, while the fourth
gt. nd-children-number h-three-
score lacking one. With an exception or
two. all were present, and with the invited
guests-Elder Wakefield of Gustavus, Ed
der King of Orwell, Elder Drake of New
Lyme and Elder johnson of Green, with
torlorn and demented editor, and other
gentlemen and ladies, together with the
band, the number present was run up to
but little. if any short Of one hundred.
The company began to arrive early in
the forenoon, and having disposed of their
teams, the intermingling and social inter-
course was carried on in the pleasant and
tasteful cottage Of the host and hostess. or
about the beautiful and picturesque
grounds, and amid the grateful shade of
numerous trees, that stud these grounds
which had been set and nurtured with so
much thoughtful care and taste, and which
in their growth and increase have paid
back such a reward of pleasure for all that
they have cost in watchfulness and care.
The time until dinner was announced, Of
course, did not hang very heavily. Every
new arrival added new interest, and the in
Productions that followed only brought It's
cheerful greeting and afforded a pleasant
occasion for gentle humor and repartee.
At the hour of noon we were invited to
seats at two hospitable tables, lavishly
supplied with good things, the quail
ties of which were fully sttested by the ap-
parent relish and purpose with which all
fell TO, and refreshed themselves. The di-
vine blessing was asked by Elder johnson.
As all could not be seated at once. the ta-
bles were succeSsively filled until all were
served and satisfied. In due time, the
company gathered in the parlors, were call
ed to order. and VIM. Dodge, Esq, took
the chair, and the afternoon was spent in
the alienation of music and addresses
the music was furnished in part by the
band. which, though young in practice.
did itself much credit, and gave evidence
of promise and proficiency. There being
numerous singers in the company, good
choir was improvised by Mr.. ]. L. Fill
more, and song became component part
of the interesting exercises. Prayer was
offered by Elder Drake, and the opening
address-the address Of welcome and con-
gratulation-was made by Mr.. William
Stults, the host. For such an effort he is
particularly adapted in the possession of a
great, generous and feeling heart, which
qualities were thrown pretty freely into it.
Elder Wakefield followed with one of his
pertinent and happy efforts.
A selection from the Bliss collection pre-
pared the way for another address by Ell
der johnson.
Then came another song, and few
cheerful remarks from the chairman, who
called upou Elder King. The addresses OF
both these gentlemen were very pleasant
in tenor and tone. Then came few briei
remarks from the editor, which being sand.
wiched between those of the Reverends,
were no doubt very plain and common.
place affair. Music again followed, when
Elder Drake, who has ready thought and
eloquent tongue, took the floor, and as
usual, he was followed with close attention
and evident interest.
Mr.. Peter Stults-the elder brother-in.
troduced some family "reminiscences, and
melted both himself and his listeners with
his feryor and deep feeling, and reeited-
from memory-as an evidence of the beau
ties of the diction of Revelation, one o1
the psalms, which has been, no doubt, 6
consolation and comfort in much of hi:
journeyings in the ways of life.
Other addresses were made by Mr.. Solo
mon Bunker and others, among them sew
eral of the ladies-the Rev. Mrs. King
Mrs. Palmer Stults-and closed by song
and chorus by Mr.. Gee. Mrs. Gee render
ed important help at the organ, and Mis-!
Bedell of Orwell, with her fine voice and
musical execution.
Before separating, several gentlemen anC
ladies-present as guests, among them the
editor-were voted in as honorary o
adopted members of the family, whicl
carries welcome for all future annua
gatherings. The old committee of arrange
ments were reelected.
Leave was now taken-frst by thos
who had some distance to travel, and tn
happiness and kindliness that seemed t
take possession Of every heart, will no
soon be forgotten.
Perhaps it should be said, that since tn
last meeting, the numbers of the famil
had not broken by death.
Caught at Last.