The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-08-26
Sanford and Atwater Family Re-
union.

sanford and AtSater Family Re-
union.
The Family Reunion with Its hal
lowed associations dates not back into
the remote ages, but is decidedly an
institution of today. tits true the old
time Thanksgiving, with its savoring
of turkey, plum pudding aud mlnce
pie. has been observed from time i'm
memorial. But the Family Reunion
is not confined to one or two genera
tions, but has no limitation. In its
wide spread liberality, its portals are
open to all in whose veins flow the
ancestral blood. What can be more
beautiful than an assemblage of per-
sons, as of one family, numbering per-
haps even into the hundreds, in whose
veins flow the same life blood current.
And as the limpid stream flows thro'
wood and dale in its winding course,
gradually descending from one decliv-
ity to another, and ever flowing on,
increasing in volume in its course by
the addition of wayside streamlets, it
forms the mighty river, which in turn
rolls majestioally on, until its waters
mingle with and become part of the
great ocean. Thus it is with humanl-
| ty, in whose veins and arteries the life
blood Gibbs and flows, from one gener-
alton to another, and like the stream
let, increasing in its power and volume
az il descends the stream of life, bear
ing ever on it's precious freight and
forming the great sea of humanity.
An assemblage of persons number
| ing three score and ten, and descend
ants of Samuel Sanford, Sen, and
Judge Amzi Atwater, two of Mantua's s
| earliest pioneers, assembled at the
beautiful residence of Samuel Sanford,
Jr.. August 18th, 1885, to celebrate the
3rd anniversary of Sanford and Atwa-
ter reunion. The day was auspicious.
The sun rising resplendent i'll the
heavens, and with its all pervading
presence illuminating the face of fail
nature as with q smile. The distant
| forests were beginning to assume more
| of sombre hue. and as the morning
air came stealing DER us so delightfully."-
cool and clear, we could but feel it to
be a privilege to enjoy the mere luxu
ry of existence. A cordial welcome
was extended to all as they were re
ceived into the beautiful home of Oul
host and hostess, Mr.. and Mrs. San
ford (by the way, a model home, ac
quired by the industry and enterprise
of its owners). Kindly greetings were
exchanged and the meeting of friend'
whom it had not been our pleasure Il
meet for a decade of years. The in
terehange of kindly thought and feel
ing seemed to be the order of the day
and all seeming to vie with one anoth
er in the sociabiliLy of the occasion
The contents of overh0wiDg basket
of choice refreshments were in tn
meantime artistically arranged upol
long stretches of table, denoting NOR
than ordinary skill and care of tn
thrifty yhousewife and bespeaking higl
praise for her generous heart as wei
. as skillful hand. And as we seate
. ourselves at the well filled board, W
, could not help realizing the benificenc
of the great Giver in so bOuntifulI
bestowing upon lis his blessings. Th
t benedictlon being pronounced by h
B. COe, We proceeded TO partake of tn
/ repast before US. After another seaso
> of social enjoyment we repaired to tn
f parlors and were treated to a fine mU
sical entertainment by the Hone Gil
Gle Quartet, both serious and comic
the rendering of which elected hig
enconiums of praise. Remarks of il
terest from the President and Secrets
ry and others was next in order, afte
, which came the election of officers fC
the ensuing year, viz 81: Martin Goode
!. President; Samuel Sanford, Sec.; an
Mrs, w. II. Bowen, Treas. An inv
tation was then given by our Sec,, f
> B. COe, to make his home our ne1
. meeting place, the time appointed b.
ing the last Thursday in August.
Among the visitors from abroad wei
: Mrs. Mary Granger, Phillipsburgl
Kansas, Mrs. Sarah Peck, McGrego
!, Iowa, and Mr.. Seth Peck, of the san
place. AMELIA GooDELL.