The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1877-02-01
For the Democrat.
a Pleasant Surprise.
WEST ALEXANDRIA,
Jan. 25th, 1877,

yam" @oSh .
Among the oldest citizens of Preble
county,-those who here established
their homes while u magnifice Dads
were as yet but blazed ways through
the forest, and the sites of our towns
were marked only by acollection of log
huts, is Mr.. ABRAHAM HoLDERMAN, of
Lanier township, who came to the coun-
ty in 1906, and for seventy years has
been not only in the county, but a part
of it, and closely identified throughout
that time with its growth and best IN
t~erests.
On the goth of January, 1926, Mr.. II.
was married to EliZsbeth Fisher, and
they, though far down the western
slope of life, still live in tine enjoyment
of excellent general health in their old
home, two mil, S south of West AleXan7
dria. Some weeks ago it as determin-
ed by their children to give them a
pleasant surprise on the 51st iversa-
ry of their wedding. Accordingly a
turkey or two were put on full allow
ance, and invitations sent to all the
brothers, sisters, sons, daughters and
grandchildren TO be on hand at the'ap-
pointed time. That the surprise might
be the more complete, places were ap-
pointed at which to assemble and atime
to start that would enable all to arrive
at the same time. In accordance with
this arrangement a general advance on
the old home was ordered at 10 o'clock,
on the goth inst. The surprise WAS
complete. The old folks surrendered
Internationally, and were for some
time utterly unable to comprehend the
situation. We overheard the old lady
remark with tears in her eyes, as she
shook hands with about the twentieth
one, that she couldn't understand why
they should have put off coming so long
and then all come just wher she had
nothing fixed for them all to eat. She
was assured there was no cause for I'M
easiness On that score, and was kindly
constrained to be seated in a new arm
chair, Gust then presented to herr and
to be Il guest in her own house. Tubs
of dishes and baskets of provisions now
began to make their appearance, and
under the direction of Mrs. Gale they
soon loaded a many-spliced table. By
3 o'clock all had been most bounti;ully
served with the best that Twin Valley
affords. There were some forty persons
present, and among them we noticed
the familiar faces of Mr.. james Banta,
Mr.. and Ms. Jack Holderman and Mr..
and Mrs. Jonathan Switzer, all of Ea-
ton and vicinity; Mr.. and Mrs. David
Fisher, Mr.. Stotler and Mrs. Kate Gale,
OF West Alexandria, and many others
with whom we are not so well acsuaint-
ed. After q day well and pleasantly
spent in discussing "long ago." and in
renewing long neglected acquaintances
and friendships came the bundling,
muff1ing and good-byeing. Soon all
were gone, the old home was quiet and
a family again scattered over The world.
Mr.. Holderman, as we have already
said, is one of the oldest and most sub
stantial citizens of our county, and 1t is
a pleasure to hear him trace its wonder
full development through all its steps
and changes, and to hear him contrast
the rudeness of carly times with the re-
finement of the present. He was in
early and middle life a self-taught prac-
teal surveyor, and we find him still as
familiar with his trigonomitrical pro-
portions and formulas as any junior.
Mrs. II. is one of those coed old-fash-
toned mothers who have nearly all
passed away with the blue check and
homespun WOODEN of a palmer but pur-
er time. Here and there one remains
truly accomplished in heart and life for
the sphere of home, and surely such a
one is Mrs. II. Y.