The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1893-12-01
A GOLDEN COUPLE.
Mr. and Mrs Clarke Whelan Celebrate
Their Fiftieth Anniversary.
Happy are we,
Happy are we,
Happy well may we be,
That they with US
May celebrate
This onniNyarao

Seldom does the Glver of all good things
bless a man and woman as he has Mr.. and
Mrs. Clarke Whelan, of Shiawassee town
ship. Seventy-three years have passed over
the head of Mr.. Whelan, leaving him hale
and hearty. SiXty-eight years have sweet
ened the life Of Mrs. Whelan. making her a
sanity and loved mother. Fifty years COM
paniOns they are still a loving couple, and
their home life shows the thoughtful care
with which each looks out for the happiness
of the other.
On Saturday evening was held golden
wedding anniversary, attended by one hun
dred, including children, grand children,
relatives and friends. Although unable to
move about much without the aid of canes,
Mr.. Whelan received the guests and grasped
each by the hand, giving the greeting of an
honest man and friend. The oldest and
best families of Shiawassee county were
represented and it was an old time reunion
and party, such as can occur only in homes
of this kind, and lacked the stiffness and
formality of many of the more modern
gatherings.
Nearly two hours were spent i'm social
chatting, renewing old acquaintances and
meeting the younger people and the visitors
from out of the county which included +. G.
Foster and wife, O. K. Foster and daughter,
w. Ii. Aiken and wife, w. M. Hilton and
wife and f. M. Barber, of North Amherst,
Ohio, and Miss Mary Brainard, of Cleve-
land, Ohio.
A literary and musical program for the
evenings entertainment had been printed
on which was the verse written by Mr..
Whelan which is at the head of this article
and the other numbers.
An orchestra composed of Henry and
Minnie Moore, John and Edith Whelan and
Louie Moore, playing piano, cOrnet and
violin, rendered beautiful prelude and was
followed by cantata by the family. Mr..
and Mrs. Whelan taking their place i'm the
center were surrounded by Mr.. and Mrs. G..
A. Whelan, Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Whelan,
Mr.. and Mrs. John Whelan and the Misses
Edith and May Whelan. Mr.. Whelan sang
in clear voice and with remarkable ex-
preston and beautiful tone, song written
by himself, the music for the same being
composed by John and Edith Whelan. The
entire family sang in the chOruses. The
hearts of all present were touched by the
song and Mr.. Whelan was compelled to re-
spond to the enthusiastic encore.
A duet by John and Edith Whelan and
written by them, entitled 80, That We Two
Were Maylng" was exceedingly beautiful.
brother-in-law of Mrs. Whelan, gave
retrospect of the lives of Mr.. and Mrs.
Whelan, which is given in full:
''In 1887 man with his family moved
into the town of Amherst, LOrain county,
Ohio, and there came with him boy six
teen or seventeen years of age. The boy
had no parents, but lived with and worked
for the man. There was some kind of an
agreement by which this man was to do and
pay this boy certain amounts when he be-
came of age. But the man being unfortu-
nate, losing his property, could not fulfill
his part OF the contract, so the boy was
penniless when he became of age. But he
did not go on tramp as Is the custom with
many now. but with stout heart and will
ing hands he went out into the world to
work out his own destiny. His first ven
ture, as / remember, was to work for man
who owned farm and saw mill. After
years work he was yoke of cattle ahead.
Then he contracted to chop, clear and fence
ten acres OF heavy timbered land for the
sum OF $40 an acre. When he got this job
done and received his pay for it. he did not
spend 1t for horse and buggy nor for fine
clothes, but bought fifty acres of land and
paid the 500 as part payment. Then he
rented the land he had cleared and sown to
WhS". AhOh uc tOOk u IdTIu On ondicS duu |
sold his part of the products to make an
other payment on his land | remember of |
his selling sheled corn for 90 cents bushel |
and chopping four foot wood for 25 cents a |
cord to make payment on his land.
This boy l have been telling you about |
was Mr.. Clarke Whean.
In the year 1886 remember another
family came into our neighborhood, and
among others OF that family was a tall, slim
girl about Twelve or thirteen years of age
who was quick and active, never idle, could
always fnd something to do. Many day |
the writer of this has been at school with
this glri. She was always pleasant and
agreeaoie, ever ready TO help the weaker
ones In their lessons and comfort the little
ones in their troubles.
In those days 1t was customary to manu-
facture all the clothing at home. The wool
was carded into rolls the mother and
daughters spinning the same into yarn and
weaving INTO cloth and making the clothing
CONTINUED on page sepen.)