The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1883-10-24

went to see her father on his death-bed.
Mr.. Hayes parents and sister had joined
him in Ohio and lived five years in the
house of VIM. Andrews, still standing a
half mile east of Penheld Center. These
young people all boarded there; Mr.. An
drews, then unmarried, was also member
of the household, and the families of DIR.
Hall, Lewis and Peter Penfield and Calvin
Spencer living within the radius of a mile,
with the Merwins and other Eastern peo-
pie little farther away, furnished pleasant
society; and in those days, when riding on
horse back was the fashionable way of get
ting about, Elyria and Grafton were not
considered too distant for the exchange of
social courtesies.
In August, 1884, Mr.. and Mrs. Hayes
moved into their own new frame house, the
original forming portion of the present
residence. The doors and windows were
not all in, and the wolves gave nightly re-
hearsals in unmelodiQus chorus in the clear
| ing opposite, but the new housekeepers
had some young lady friends as guests and
did not mind the wildness of their sur
i
and two log ones within a half mile, and
neighborly intercourse was kind and cor
dial in proportion to their mutual depend
ence as pioneers.
In 1929 Mr.. and Mrs Raymond Starr had
invited Rev. Russell Bigelow, an eloquent
and distinguished Methodist itinerant, to
come to Penfield and preach IN their house,
and from that time regular preaching has
been continued in the township by that de-
nominations; but the first Society was
formed in 1884, Mr.. and Mrs. Hayes, his
mother and sister, being four of the seven
original members, all OF these named join
ing by letter.
In all public enterprises-religious. edu-
cational and characterization the building
up of those influences that make town
desirable as home, Mr.. and Mrs. Hayes
gladly and generously, and not unequally,
bore their part, the former often triumph
ing over great difficulties in accomplishing
undertakings adding to public convenience
and progress; and few country towns have
furnished more intelligent, cultivated, and
good citizens, both men and women, than
has been represented among the families of
the earlier settlers of Penfield.
On this golden wedding anniversary
three-fourths of an hour was spent in de-
votional and literary exercises connected
with the presentation of numerous gifts.
After joining in singing, the Rev. ]. L.
Sanford read selection from the Psalms.
Rev. M. l.. Starr, whose wife is the only
living sister of Mr.. Hayes, and he an own
cousin of the latter's wife, and both present
at their wedding, led in prayer with his
accustomed ability, most touchingly refer
ring to the marks of Divine goodness and
imploring blessing upon and guidance for
all.
DR.. Houghton, the eldest son-in-law, pre-
sented the tokens commemorating the day,
reviewing the causes for congratulation and
gratitude. Two deaths had occurred among
the children, a brother dying in 1s47 and
sister ten years later, and three grand
children had died.
"The parents deserved every mark of ap-
probation their children could bestow.
The mothers patience, gentleness, and
womanly graces of mind and heart, had
been a benediction to them all; and the
fathers perpendicularity on all social and |
moral questions, having no tolerance for
easy going, slip-shod, indolent and impro-
waste the substance and sap the physical |
energies and undermine moral character, |
makes It no question how greatly indebted |
to him are the sons and daughters for their |
wellrounded and clearly-definedc characters, |
and the energy that has given them busi-
ness success. In this home was taught |
and practiced reverence for sacred things, |
respect for those in authority, honor to age, |
and to helplessness was rendered the ten |
derness which is its due; and the children |
are all men and women of integrity and |
virtue. They have inherited many of the |
graces and sterling virtues of their pa
rents; clean in their tastes and habits, gen.
erous and manly in their instincts, loving |
and serving the God of their fathers.
Grateful that we have all been permitted |
to meet together in celebration of this |
eyentful day, and to gladden. your hearts |
by assurances of our sympathy and love, in |
token of our kindly regards and as a re-
minder of the love we bear you we present |
you, Father, on behalf of your children, |
with this cane. May it represent to you |
the support which loving hearts would ex-
tend you in the evening of life, and. be a
symbol of Gods care of his faithful follow.
ers as expressed by the scripture which |
says THY rod and thy staff they comfort |
me-" And to you, Mother, among other
tokens we present this easy chair Your
life has been one of almost unremitting
care. The demands upon your time and
strength have left you little opportunity to
consult your ease, but now that your duties
are less exacting We trust that its presence
may be suggestive ofquiet and repose, and
these be a daily experience as you contin-
ue the journey of life. This occasion has
also features Of sadness to which we will
not allude. Trusting that one day gather
ed upon the evergreen hills of Paradise we
may all meet and greet each other in
blessed reunion We again congratulate you,
and hope that you may live to enjoy many
more anniversaries of your wedding day"
The youngest son, Rev. A. W. Hayes re-
sponded in behalf Of his father and mother
in most happy address, replete with
family experiences, ,comparedwith and illus
trated by historical incident and anecdote.
His remarks combined tender filial ana
fraternal sentiment with earnestness and
solemnity, frequently touching some ten
der chord and occasionally convulsing his