Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1890-11-21
Extraordinary Wedding Ami
verSarY.

EXTRAORDINARY w oOQluB AuAi
versary.
As previously announced the Goth anni-
yersary Of the wedding day OF Jonn ID.
Graham and Sarah Graham was celebrated
at the home Of their daughter, Louisa
stoddard. No. go East Clay street, Butler,
Tuesday, Nov. Is, 1890.
All of their living childreniwere there
Walter L., Samuel, Robert and Louisa
and many Of their grandchildren, but none
of the great grandchildren, although there
are FIVE of them.
The blood relations were there in large
numbers, coming from far and near, and
among those may be mentioned sister Of
John B. Graham, Mrs. Mary Heiner from
Kittanning, and brother, Ebenezer, from
Butler Rev. Loyal Y. Graham, d. D., a
SON of another brother was here from Phil
adelphis with his SON. Wilson Graham and
wife, SON of Robert Graham was here,
in fact it would be impossible to name all
who were present in this short article, but
suffice to say, it was.the largest gathering
of the Graham tribe ever known here.
Among the friends and neighbors pres
ent were VIM. Campbell, Sr., Gen. George
W. Reed, John Fl. Negley, Esq, Col. John
N. Sullivan, Hon. John NJ. Thompson, Rev.
W. E. Oller and wife, Rev. Prugh and
wife. H. C. Heineman and wife, Mrs. n
Walker, Mrs. Best of Meadville, Mrs. Kate
McCandless, Miss Mary Miller, Mr.. Adison
Miller and wife, and others.
After an excellent dinner prepared by
Mrs. Stoddard, the following program was
announced by Rev. W. E. OlIer:
l. Singing and music by Prof. Davis
choir.
2. Family history by Walter l.. Gra-
ham.
3. Speech by Hon. J. NJ. Thompson
IA. Recitation by Mrs. John Heiner
S. Speech by Rev. L. Y. Graham, d. d.
6. Speech by Col. J. N. Sullivan
z. Speech by John II. Negley, Esq.
8. Speech by Gen. Geo. W. Reed.
o. Closing remarks by Rev. W. E. Oller.
10. Prayer by Rev. Hall Young.
The presents were numerous and valu-
able, quite a large sum of money being
among them.
Letters of regret were read from Rev. J.
r. Coulter, Hon VIM. G. Thompson, OF
Iowa, and Thos. Robinson, Esq, after
which all retired well pleased with the
entertainment.
The remarks of the different speakers
were in substance as follows:
The family history as recited by Walter
l.. Graham traced the line nof ancestry
back several hundred years to Scotland.
He gave the name of the grandfather and
his children, also the father ard his chill
dren, of John B. Graham who is now 50
years old, the names of all the children,
also the number Of grandchildren and
great grandchildren. The children living
are 4, grandchildren IL, grest-grandchil-
dren 5.
Hon. John N. Thompson spoke very feel
ingly of the kind treatment he had re
ceiyed at the hands of John B. Graham and
Sarah Graham when he became an inmate
of their home almost forty years ago; how
they took him in, green country boy and
showed him all the kindness of father
and mother, a. he had never been from his
mothers roof until he came to their home;
how, when the boys would almost bring
the house down with their noise and fun,
Mrs. Graham would only say, "Boys. don't
bring the house down on our heads, we
can't get another one up before Spring
showing the even temperament of the
hostess, and concluded by remarking that
as they had lived happily together for sixty
years that they might live together the few
remaining days of their life in the same
peace and happiness and 60 to their graves
honored and blessed.
Rev. Loyal Y. Graham, ID. D., spoke
very feelingly of the time when he, an or
phan boy was kindly taken by Mrs. Gra-
ham, treated an her son, he having lost
his mother when but six months old, ad
vised with him, consoled him, and was in
a great measure the instrument in Gods
hands Of making him the man be was, and
referred to the blessing Of the Psalmist
David as surely his.
Mrs. Helen Heiner, wife Of John Heiner,
recited "John Brown got his hair cut
with decided effect.
OUl. JOIN n. CulliFhu bhlu HID cniiicrl
called to mind his acquaint
ance with John b. Graham and wife and
they had always been warm friends 0
their family, sympathizing with them in
their af1iction and rejoicing with them in
their prosperity; that they were without
doubt the Oldest living couple in Butler,
and probably in Butler county.
Hon. John II. Negley said Robert Gra-
ham, the father Of John b. Graham, with
his father, were among the earliest set
tiers Of Butler, and his earliest recollec
tion was associated with that Of John b.
Graham. He always recognized him as
an honest man and good citizen.
Gen. Geo. w. Reed spoke with great
deal Of feeling of their early acquaintance
when he came to Butler in 1927, and it
had always been of the most friendly
and conclu ded by saying,
"John, our days on earth will soon be over,
but may we meet each other on the other
side Of the river and enjoy each Others
society az we have here on earth, only as
the blessed can"
Rev. w. Z. Oller said among his first
when he came to Butler
were John b. Graham and wife, and they
to him q helping hand and have
cheered and encouraged him ever since.