The Oskaloosa herald., 1902-09-18
The Third Annual Reunion Held
Near Fremont.

The third annual reunion of the
Picken family was held at the home
OF M. H. Picken, who resides near Ere
mont, at which 210 were present, max
ing it one of the biggest events Of the
kind ever held in this part of the
country. The descendants of Mat
thew Picken and Susanna McFadden
Picken number TIC and are as fol-
lows: Nine children, 16 grand chill
dren, 244 great grand children, 316
great great grand children and 81
great great great grand children. OF
tnis great number of relatives of this
FAMILY 512 are known to be living and
210 attended the recent reunion.
Meeting held in Tent.
Most of the people had assembled by
IL o'clock. "A large tent had been
erected under the shade of those
grand old elm trees to be used for a
dining room and was provided with
three long tables, which were soon
laden with the edibles. While the
ladies were preparing the dinner the
rest employed the time in cordial
handshakings and greetings and when
dinner was announced all had renew
ed the pleasant mountaineering of
a year ago. "
Program Given.
After dinner the chairs were taken
to shady spot, a temporary platform
provided and President M. H. Picken
called the assemblage to order, intro
ducing DR.. h. o. Conoway, of Deep
River. The doctor made a thirty
minutes eXtemporaneous talk during
which time he related many funny an
ecdotes of the early days, and eulog-
lied the Picken family. Told of the
overland trip from Ohio back in the
forties, of the first log house built at
Binis Point, where Kirkville now
stands, and of the trials, hardships
and sufferings of these pioneer set
tiers. He gave the history of the first
Picken children, where they were
born, when they came to Iowa and
when they died.
J. w. Millisack, of Agency, sent
greetings, which were read by the
secretary.
Address of A. c. Barlow.
Following the greetings by Mr.. Mil
lisack, DIR. A. G. Barlow, of Martins
burg, was introduced and gave short
address in which he urged the con-
tinuance of these annual gatherings
and suggested the getting together of
all the facts and figures possible and
having the genealogy printed in book
form.
Matthew Donahey Introduced.
Matthew Donahey of Washington,
was next introduced and he also gave
some Picken history that was new to
most of those present. He said he
could talk until next morning about
this glorious family, and urged the
younger members to follow in the
footsteps of their forefathers-to be
always honest, courageous and right
eous-and to do nothing that would
bring dishonor upon the reverend
name. He said he came from Wash
ington county, the best county seat in
the state of Iowa, which provoked
loud and continuous groans, but he
Immediately squared himself by say
ing that Mahaska county had the best
looking ladies of any county in the
state.
Dan Shaver, of Wellman, had con-
tributed an article on the trials of the
early settlers, which was read by the
secretary.
Officers Elected.
Following the program business
meeting was held and the following
officers were elected:
Presidential. NJ. Picken, Cedar.
Vice President-John Funk Kirk
vile.
Secretary and 1reasurer-Mrs. G..
w. Arganbright, Fremont.
Meet at Cedar Next Year.
The meeting was brought to a close
by the selection of Cedar as the place
for holding the next reunion, which
will be held at the home of L. V. Pick
en-, who resides southwest of that
place. The meeting will be held on
the first Tuesday in September.