The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-11-07
AETER 60 YEARS
OF MARRIED LIFE, HALE, HAPPY
AND HEARTY,
Mr.. and Mrs. Joseph Stevenson Cele
.brate. Their Doth Anniversary.

l. 1t was a happy occasion-the celebrs
Elton of the Goth wedding anniversar
of Mr.. and Mrs. Joseph Stevenson, a
their home north of our city, last Sal
urday. Living together for sixty year
as man and wife, is happiness tha
but few mortals experience. But thu
celebration of this anniversary wa
made more than ordinarily unusual b!
several attending circumstances. The
''happy couple" were both in gooo
health, and both vigorous in mind anc
body, for their years; they celebrated
their anniversary in the home, where
the happy groom brought his handsome
bride, from the altar; the home where
they have spent all their married life,
where all their children were born,
and all with one exception grew to
manhood, where the parents of the
groom lived in their happy old age and
thence passed to blessed reward. Sc
the anniversary was celebrated among
hallowed scenes. And so too, it was
observed among associations that hal
low this life. The father of the groom,
Rev. Joseph Stevenson, was the first
pastor of the First Presbyterian Church
of our city. He passed away during
the pastorate of DR.. Kalb, who for 35
years was the spiritual father of the
bride and groom. DR.. Kalb and Rev.
Geo. E. Davies, the present pastor OF
the church, were present, Saturday.
Nearer and dearer to them, than all,
were their own children, who, with
the exception of one son, were all pres
sent, and their grand children, but lit
tie less dear to them than their own, and
their brothers and sisters, T. L Kerr,
George Kerr, Joseph. w. Kerr, David
Kerr, r. S. Kerr and Miss Jennie Kerr,
were all present, to make the occasion
joyful.
Then there were many old associates
and friends who came to congratulate
them, and many friends of later days
who came with good wishes and good
words to add to their happiness.
All, together, made it an occasion OF
rare interest and enjoyment.
Joseph Stevenson snd Margaret Ann
Kerr came with their parents from
Washington county, Pennsylvania,
when in their youth, and their parents
settled on adjoining farms. At the old
brick church that stood on South Main
street, until few years ago, they first
saw each other on a bright Sabbath
when Young Joe stood up in
front of the pulpit as "Clerk, /" and led
the singing. Music hath charms for
you ng people, and ''singings" furnish
rare occasions for them to get close
en- ough together to sing off 1.-The same
book, to say nothing of squeezing each
others hands. And that is the way
these two singing pilgrims got started
on their long happy journey.
Omitting details of their mating, it
is sufficient to tell that the path thro'
the woods between the two houses soon
became we'll beaten, and on the 4th of
November, 1889, Joseph Stevenson and
Margaret Ann Kerr were married by
Rev. George Poage, Presbyterian
minister, for whom the first child of
the happy couple was named. The
marriage took place at the old Kerr
home on the Lazy Hollow road, now
owned by Mr.. Morrison Kerr, brother
of the bride. There was no tour to
Niagara or any city, but they started
through the woods on long and happy
journey, with the blessings of warm
friends, amid the singing of birds, the
frisking of squirrels, and the humping
of two happy hearts, resolving to be
happy with each other, 'let the wide
world uag as it will" A trip to friends
in Harrison county was made in G.
buggy and the young couple then
settled in the home where they still
live.
OF their children and grandchildren,
the following were present: George
Poage Stevenson, wife, three sons and
four, daughters: Mrs. and Mrs. G. M.
Stevenson; Mr.. James K. Stevenson,
wife and children; Mr.. Charles Steven
son, wife and children; and Mr.. and
Mrs. Ed. Stevenson and children. One
son, Rev. r. S. Stevenson, was not able
to be present.
Mr.. Joseph Stevenson is the only
survivor of his family, but in addition
to the brothers and sister of the bride
present, Mr.. Morrison Kerr, of Buffalo,
and Mr.. p. r. Kerr, of Lima, are living,
but were unable to attend.
From abroad, in addition to the
brothers, were the following invited
guests: Mrs. N. J. Stevenson, of Boise,
Idaho; DR.. John Kerr and wife, Adrian
Ohio; John B. Kerr and wife, Lima
DR.. Ed. Stevenson, of Liberty, Indiana
Mrs. Sprague Kerr, of Buffalo; and DR.
Simpson, of Dayton.
About $50 persons were welcomed
including "A Stevensons and 20 Kerrs
Mrs. Margaret J. Pollock, of Spring
field, who was the bridesmaid at tn
wedding, expected to be present. bu
was detained by sickness.
Mr.. and Mr.. Stevenson, Mr.. and Mrs
G.. P. Stevenson, Mrs. N. j. Stevenso
and Miss Jennie Kerr stood in line to re
ceive, and many were the hearty con
gratulations extended.
The old Fogies sang "Just Sixty Year
Ago." as revised by George Rife, an
their part in the exercises was hearth