Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1879-08-28
Golden Wedding.

Mr.. EDIToR-In these days of empty
form and meaningless ceremony, is it
not really refreshing to ones soul to
come across that which is full of mean
ing, and has for its inspiration real
worth. Such was the gathering held
August Goth at the house of Christopher
Hinkle, of this county, to celebrate the
50th anniversary of his married life. The
happiness of the OccaSiOn-though hearts
were there who had recently been made
to mourn-could only be symbolized by
the glad sunshine that all day long gild-
ed the neighboring hilltops, and made
the passing cloud thing of beauty. 1t
was a golden wedding, indeed.
All the living members of the family,
including children, grandchildren and
t-grandchildren-25 in all-were
present, and congratulated the aged
couple on the completion of their half
century of married bliss, on their sue
cess in life, and on their hearty good
looks. AS is usual on such occasions,
one of the first things to be enjoyed was
a good meal-and it was meal that
did honor to the latter half of the 18Th
century, and nothing could be pleasant
er than to see the different branches of
the family seated in order around the
great dining-table, with grandfather
and grandmother at their head, and all
making inquiry as to how grandmother
was dressed the first time she 1CGS mar
ried, and how long Squire Wise kept
them on the floor ?-(No one thought to
ask how much they paid)-and what
they had for dinner, &C., &C.? And
when it was suggested by some one that
marriage was presumed only to last fifty
years, and that new ceremony was ne
cessary, grandfather replied, "0h, but
we had it so fixed that it was to last
for life" His bride he thought had ia
ded some, but none the less good" And
a fact it is that if she looked really
handsomer fifty years ago than she did
as she sat at that table, she must have
been comely bride indeed.
Among the post prandial matters,
were the wedding presents. These were
neither very numerous nor extremely
costly, but they were appropriate, and
came from loving hearts. Among other
gifts they each received a handsome pair
of gold spectacles-not to remind them
of their growing frailty, nor yet that
they might the better scan each others
faults-(for some sage has given the ad-
vice that young married people should
be blind to each others faults)-but to
make life's pathway palmer and duty
pleasanter, and to help them in perusing
the pages of that Book they so much
love.
Your readers need not be told that
Christopher Hinkle is one of the oldest
settlers in Belmont county. Born in
Jefferson county, he came with his pa
rents to this county while yet an infant,
and here ever since has been his home
In his 26th year, on August 20, 1929, he
was joined in marriage to Margaret AL
len, and in 1888 settled on the farm he
now occupies, while it was as yet an al
most unbroken forest. He has thus been
identified in development and in interest
with this county, and perhaps few men
living know more of its history. But
what a change has taken place in this
timel The unbroken forest has become
fruitful field, and the youthful pair
that began life alone in their cabin
home, can now gather about them a
family of three generations.
While naturally diffident and of an
humble mind, Christopher Hinkle has
nevertheless been influential both as a
citizen and in the Church. He has for
long years been an Elder, first in the r.
?. and afterwards in the U. P. Church.
He has two sons in the same Office, and
a granddaughter the wife of Presby-
terian minister
May the life of this much-loved couple be
greatly prolonged. May the heart retain
as now, its freshness and vigor, and faith
become stronger and more constant till
that day when the Master calls them
home to walk the streets of the Golden
City. NJ.