The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1902-09-10
LARGELY ATTENDED REUNION.
Descendants Of John Deemer and Friends
Spend Pleasant Day Together.


Spend Pleasant Day Together.
A reunion Of the descendants Of John
Deemer, deceased, an old settler OF
Paradise Settlement, was held In the
grove at McCreight school house, on
the line Of the old Deemer homestead,
last Thursday, September 4, 1902. The
rain early In the morning and the heavy
clouds for several hours, no doubt, kept
quite a number OF people at home who
had intended attending the reunion, but
Notwithstanding this fact, about three
hundred people attended the reunion
and all seemed to have very pleasant
time. The day turned out to be pleas
ant but little cool in the shade. There
were ninety-three Deemers, and at least
that many half Deemers, at the reunion
Everybody carried we'll filled baskets
to reunion and at dinner time the tables
that had been built specially for the
occasion fairly groaned with an abun-
dance of good things. Some OF the
people did the groaning after dinner.
The editor of THE STAR had the pleas
ure Of assisting Amos Deemer and his
good wife dispose OF some of the good
things that had been carried in their
baskets.
Lewis Ludwick, who was acquainted
with John Deemer, and was chum Of
his sons, who is accustomed TO making
public speeches, made an address In the
forenoon, giving short history Of John
Deemer and his family In his remarks
Mr.. Ludwick said: '"The Deemers were
useful neighbors, always ready to help
anybody that needed help. Old Mr..
Deemer was quite genius and was a
very useful man in the neighborhood.
He started the first blacksmith shop
and carpenter shop In the community,
and he could make and repair anything
In the line of farming implements. He
made cradles, rakes, shovel plows aud
harrows, and could make sugar augurs,
something some OF the skilled black
smiths OF to-day cannot do. He was also
a shoemaker"
During the afterooon, Rev. w. Selner,
Lutheran preacher OF Luthersburg, who
Is good talker, delivered an address,
Rudolph brothers, OF Wishaw, with
guitar and mandolin, furnished some
music A small platform had been
built under the tall trees and an organ
placed on 1t and some Of the young
people sung number OF selections.
John Deemer moved from Westmore-
land county, Pa, to Paradise in 1881,
II years ago. His wife died in 1868 and
he departed this life in 1874. This couple
we're the parents OF four sons and two
daughters, the sons and one daughter
are still living and are as follows: Mrs.
Julianna Best, 10 years old, of near
Hopkins Zacariah Deemer, OF Deemer's
Cross Roads, and Josiah Deemer, Of
Sykesville, twins, 10 years old ; Jono-
than Deemer, of Sykesville, 10 years
old, who is supposed to be the oldest
man living that was born in Winslow
township. John j. Deemer, GO years
old lives on the old homestead.
Mr.. Deemer was staunch Democrat,
and the first hickory pole raised In this
section was raised near his shop in 1852,
when Franklin Pierce was elected pres
ident of the United States. The feeling
was so bitter between the political
parties at that time that the Democrats
were afraid the pole would be cut down
and to prevent this they drove the pole
full Of horse shoe stubs from ground up
up as high as they could reach.
When Mr.. Deemer moved into Para
disc Settlement roads were unknown In
that section, only paths through the
| wilderness. Wild animals we're common
those days. Every night wolves were
heard bowling around. A bear came
near the house one day and caught q
pig and before the bear was driven
away by the dog it crippled the pig 80
badly that it had to be killed.
The four brothers, whose hair be-
tokens the frosts OF many winters, were
at the reunion and had their pictures
taken. Mrs. Best was not able to attend
the reunion.
When "Old Sol" was going down
towards the western hills the Deemers
and their friends departed to their re-
spective homes feeling that they had