The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1903-01-01
Members OF the Grannis Family, Which
Settled in Chicago in 1886,
Hold Annual Dinner.
Mr.. AND MRS. F. W. BOWEN HOSTS
Sixty-Two of the One Hundred Members
of the Family Gather Round the Fes-
tai Board at the Bowen Home

The home of Mr.. and Mrs. Fred w
Bowen on Park Place was the scene of
a unique gathering on Christmas day,
when the members of the Grannis
family from all sections of the country
came to Kenosha to attend the seven
tieth annual Christmas reunion Of the
survivors of the family. There are a
hundred aud ten members of the fam
lily, and sixty-two of this number ac-
cepted the Invitation, and were the
guests Of Mr.. and Mrs. Bowen during
the day.
This annual reunion of the family
carries out the desires of one of the
early ancestors Of the family, who at
the time of his death asked that as
long as two or three OF the family
could get together that these reunions
be held at the Christmas time.
The invitations we're sent out some
time ago. but Thursday morning down
at the Northwestern Station in Chicago
hand-bills were scattered about telling
all about the reunion, and some fifty
members of the family met at the
station and took a special car which
sha. They arrived in the city just be-
fore l O'Clock, and were given a hearty
welcome by the mem bers from other
cities who had already reached the
home of the host and hostess.
Tn honor of the noteworthy event
the home of Mr.. and Mrs. Bowen was
beautifully decorated with flowers and
Christmas greens, while the arms of
the old family occupied conspicuous
place among the decorations. At the
large tables which filled the commodi
Gus rooms of the house, covers were
laid for sixty-two, and it was a jolly
company having one great tie to bind
them together.
Mr.. and Mrs. Bowen were assisted in
entertaining by MRS. A. M. Lane, of
Chicago, one of the original members
IF the family; Mrs. Samuel Gone, OF
Waukegan, another of the pioneer
members; Mr.. and Mrs. Albert G.
Lane, of Chicago; aud by Mr.. and Mrs.
B. A Lawrence, of Milwaukee.
During the afternoon hours the
members Of the family gathered about
the FIRE place al the Bowen home anc
the his DRY of the family was re told
from the time the first members lett
New York 10 become settlers at old
Fort Dearborn, up to the present
There were incidents related that
brought both smiles and tears, and the
afternoon will never be forgotten by
those who were privileged to attend.
Supper was served at six o'clock,
after which the guests from other
cities joined in the Au1d Lang Syne OF
farewell, aud departed for their homes
10 await the coming of the next re-
union.
Among the large number of out of
town guests at the reunion were: Mrs.
A. M. Lane, of Chicago, Mrs. Samuel
Cone, of Waukegan, Mr.. and Mrs. B.
A. Lawrence and Mr.. and Mrs. J.
Glass, of Milwaukee, Mr.. and Mrs. C.
Smith, Mrs. Sarah Churchei and fam
lily, of Aurora, ILL.,, Mr.. and Mrs. Byron
Hutchinson, of Indianapolis, Ind, Mr..
and Mrs. Harry Grannis, Mr.. and Mrs.
Geo. H. Mendsen and family, Mr.. and
Mrs. A. G. Lane, Mr.. and Mrs. Chas.
Murray and family, Mr.. and Mrs. Geo.
Noble, Mrs. Jane Grannis and family,
Mr.. and Mrs. Chas. Randall, Mrs. E.
r. Alvord, Eugene Grannis and Miss
Matilda Grannis. all of Chicago, MIR.
and Mrs. H A. Lyon, of Lake Bluff,
Mr.. and Mrs. N. H. Bates, of Evans
ton and DR.. and Mrs. Albrig ut, of
Waukegan.