Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1877-10-03
BIRTHDAY PARTY.

Ed. REPUBLICAN TT was my privilege to par
ticpate in a very pleasant social reunion Of the
family and relatives OF Mr.. VIM. Read Of = er-
guson township, on Monday, Sept. 2ith, II being
the seventy-third anniversary Of his birth.
The proceedings on this occasion deserve more
than a casual notice, and tho following account
may bo Of inorestto the many relatives Of the sub
ject Of this social gathering The projectors
were Mrs. Alex. Ferguson, +. b. McCraeken and
l. G. Hamilton, and by early and well sustained
efforts on the part of the connections of tho Read
and Ferguson families the project proved a com
pleie success. Early on Monday morning vehicles
conveying relations aud friends from various parts
Of the county began TO assemble at Jos. Moores,
near Lumber City. At 10 o'clock A. N. the pro-
ccsson consisting Of twenty eight vchicles, carry
ing about two hundred persons, headed by tho
Lumber City Cornet Band, proceeded to the resi-
dence Of Mr.. Read, where, alter an hour spent In
hand shaking and social chat, sumptuous di D ner
was prepared from the contents Of the we'll filed
baskets which accompanied the party, and which
are always an essential appendagc TO the picnic
party. IL was asceriained upon careful esti-
mate that 22s persons, besides large number Of
children, partOok OF the dinner, which reflected
much ercdit upon the ladies on account Of tue ex-
cellcnt manner IN which every detail va. gotten
up and managed
After dinner IN Organization was effected with
hNNN htal IL Iftslltnit nuu. JOun D. Hrnf.
koss Read, Martin Watts and james Wiley as
Vice PreSidcni, and Joseph Moore aud Nicholas
MeCracken as Secretaries. Dr. lloyt addressed
the audience dwelling at length upon the early
history Of the county aud the Read and Ferguson
families, whose ancestors were among the first TO
explore the then uninhabilcd country, and mar
raiing many incidents connected with its early
settlement. The venerable doctor, from personal
recollection for peried Of htty-six years, was en-
abled relate accurately many facts In our coun.
ty's history, which were appreciated by the young
cr portion Of the audience. His adventures whilst
professionally engaged, aud bis experience among
the back woodsmtn, afforded considerable amuse-
meet. Al the close Of bis speech, he paid a CON
plimes.ary tribute 10 his aged ncighbor, whose
festive board he had graccd, concluding with the
recitation Of m appropriate poem, entitled " The
Dowu-hill Of Life"
J. y. McKcnriek, Of Cleariold, was the next
speak or, and entertained his hearers with we'll
aimed addressed upon the motives which aciuaie
the young and middle-agcd in doing honor to
their ancestors commended the custom prevalent
In Clearaeld county conlrastcd the condition Of
ou. county when the old men present were boys.
their surroundings and modes of life with that Of
the present. His description Of the hemo Of the
backwooisman recalled memories now almost
obiteralcd by the contact with modern splcndor
and extrayagance.
A, Ross Read followed with an appropriate and
fitting tribute TO the venerable persons composing
the greater portion Of the audience, attributing
our present advantages and the improved condi
tion Of our country TO the enterprise, industry and
integrity Of the old men who have encountered
every hardship and priyation 10 secure such re-
suits lie referred TO their patriotism In the
hour Of danger, and self saerihce In the hour Of
need.
Mr.. james Wiley, being called upon, responded
by describing some Of the hardships which our
early settlers endured, the Disadvantages in edu-
cation and focieiy, which seem almost incredible
to those not acquainted With the few and rude
means at hand, bat which every old man eau attest.
Professor MeCfary, OF Lumber City, responded
to call for q speech by few timed remarks,
after which tho audience began to prepare for 60
ing home, and separated with many wishes Of
happiness In the future years which may be allot-
ted 10 the agcd members Of the company.
Among the numerous gray heads, which crowned
lie voiarics Of old age the following were dsiin-
euisLablc Mfs, John Ferguson, aged SO ycars
Mra. Henry, y Mrs. Stras, 70 DR.. Hcyt 50
Amos Read, ~ Ross Read, II John J. Read, 6s
Jos. ph Moore, os; D. T. Dunlap, 81 John
Dunlap, o..
The subject Of the above sketch is a hale and
hearty old farmer, still residing and working upon
his farm, about two miles south Of Lumber City.
Like many Of his neighbofs, he afpred 20 moth
ing higher than that Of ifst-elsss iarner totally
discarding political favorf, aud always consist
ent citizen and an upright Christian.
scnn,.