Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1890-02-28
Golden Wedding.


The children, grandchildren, great grand
children, friends and neighbors of Mr.. and
Mrs. Matthias Rasely, of Connoquenessing
Twp, assembled at the home, Feb. ODD, to
commemorate the fftieth anniversary Of
their marriage. Matthias Raselv was born
in Northumberland Co., Pa, Jan u. 1917:
Priscilla Fairchilds, in Luzerne Co. Aug.
81, 1921 They were married Feb. 80.
1S4O, by Rev. John Dorrance; resided in
Luzerne Co. till June, 1s47, when they
came to Butler Co., Pa, and located on
the farm adjoining the W. O. S church in
Connoquenessing Twp, where their son
George now resides In 1873 they remov-
ed to the farm where they now reside, and
where they cApcet III ti--=- ~
have by diligence and care amassed COM
petent portion of the good things of this
life, so that with Gods blessing attending
them they may pass the evening OF life
with contentment Nine children were
given them. Four have gone before them;
Pressly r. and Solomon F. passed away IN
June. 1855; John r. in JAN, 1864; and
William H., June 60, 1865. The surviving
five are filing the stations God has assign
cd them Anna A., now Mrs. j. W. Stew
art, of Penn Twp; Margaret b, now Mrs
Alfred Sarver, of Butler Twp George j.,
now residing on the home-farm in Como
quenessing Twp. and Harvey Rasely st
home; Laura J., now Mrs. Henry J. Der
sheimer. of Beaver Falls, Pa These, with
their life partners, their children. number
ing seventeen, and their grand children.
numbering four, were all in the kind proyi-
dence of God permitted to return to their
venerable ancestors, to celebrate their "gol-
den" wedding.
A rich and plenteous repast was spread
before the guests, numbering over sixty;
and the writer wishes to record that of all
those who sat down to the feast none seem
ed to enjoy it more than did Mr.. and Mrs.
Matthias Rasely. Young married couples
usually lose their appetites on the wedding
day, but not so with this venerable couple
the fifty years journey seemed bat to
whet their appetites for this occasion.
In the absence of Rev. D. A. Harnish,
their pastor, the Rev. ]. B. Borland called
the house to order and effected an organiza-
ton with Harrison Dyke in the chair and
Alfred Sarver and Willie J. Rasely secreta-
ries. Miss Della Sarver then read paper
expressive of "why we are here" song
was then sung, which lad been prepared
for the occasion by Mrs. Lizzie Sarver, Mrs
Dora Dillan and Misses Sylvia Stewart
Lille and Willie j. Rasely rendering it
with much feeling; prayer was then offered
by Rev. Borland. An address suitable to
the occasion was then made by him, after
which the gifts brought by the loYed ones
were then presented to the venerable couple
with fitting and touching words, the
gifts were as follows: Two easy chairs
with painted motto with each, 'Sit down
and rest") one to grandfather and one to
grandmother, presented by Mrs. Laura J.
Dershimer and husband, Dora Dillon and
husband, and Leonard U lie, friend; ex-
tension table, by Mrs. A. A. Stewart, hus-
band and daughter, Sylvia; hanging
lamp, by Mrs. Margaret e. Sar-
yer and husband gilt-framed motto,
Gath, lifes anchor, by George Rasely
and wife; silver castor; by Harry Rasely;
silver butter dish, by Mrs. Carrie Rasely;
knit shoulder cape, by Miss Willie j. Rase-
ly; worked apron, by Miss Tillie Rasely;
china cups and saucers Zone for each) by
the Misses Lottie and Pearl and Masters
John and Frank Rasely; china milk and
mush set, by Miss Sarver. Many suitable
gifts were brought by neighbors, among
whom we mention Harrison Dyke and
wife, Henry Brenneman and wife, and
| Robert McGowan. Addresses were also
made by Harrison Dyke, Henry Brenne-
man, James Nblock and others. Daniel
| Rasely, a brother of Matthias, and his
| wife were present to cheer them on this
the scenes Of bygone days it seemed to
| cheer and brighten the occasion. Surely
| goodness and mercy have followed them
for all these years, Matthias Rasely and
wife for fifty years, and Daniel Rasely and
| lis wife for forty-four years. a married
| sister, Mrs Hawk of Franklin twp, was
not able to be present on account Of sick
ness The day seemed to be all that heart
| could wish. The cheerful light and brac-
ing air without harmonized with the joy
| and cheer within. The company after
wishing this venerable couple longer days
| and yet greater blessing concluded with
devotional exercises led by Rev. Borland.
They sang the Twenty y-third psalm, when
the benediction was pronounced and the
company departed to their homes feeling
| that the day was tittingly spent.
The writer before closing this account
| can not forbear recording a very happy in
cident that took place just before Rev.
| Borland pronounced the benediction. Al
| fred Sarver arose and in few fitting
| words handed the reverend gentleman a
little paper in which was contained a token
Of the regard in which they held him in
| the work OF the day. 1t was highly ap-
| preciated, may we all enjoy many such
occasions is the wish of the