The Oskaloosa herald., 1903-04-23
GOLDEN WEDDING DAY
Mr.. and Mrs. 7. C. Beach Cele-
brate Fiftieth Anniversary.

II
Third street Friday afternoon. The old
folks were surrounded by their chil-
dron and grand children, and num-
Der of their intimate friends dropped
in upon them and the occasion was
celebrated in substantial way that
viii be remembered pleasantly by
every one who was present during the
afternon and evening. llfty years of
married life, congenial and happy,
blessed with things Of the world that
are good, is a condition that does not
enter into the fortunes of all. Hence
the celebration of an occasion of the
kind is more noteworthy in this work
a-day world of ours.
Fifty years ago on the 18th day
of April, Thos. G. Beach and Miss
Martha Campbell we're married at
the home of their parents in Scott
county, Illinois. They had been living
together as boy and girl since the day
that I. G. was ten years of age. He
was married when he was twenty-one,
and hence Mr. and Mrs. Beach have
been associated together in the same
home for slxtyone years. 1t all came
about in this way Joseph Campbell
was married to widow named Beach,
and her son, ten years of age at
that time was brought into the
Campbell home. Now Mr.. Campbell
had daughter eight years of age
She was a happy, pretty little
girl and the companionship with
the young son ripened into closer re-
lationship as the years passed and the
marriage Of the young folks upon ar
riying at their majority was sanction
ed by the parents as most happy
event.
A couple of days after the marriage
Mr.. and Mrs. Beach came to Iowa and
to Mahaska county and settled on a
farm in Richland township. Here
they lived and prospered for thirteen
years. There was hard work and
plenty of IL for the young couple, but
they had youth, strength and energy,
stimulated by love and regard for
each other, and together they walked
down the pathway of the passing
years. There was nothing beyond the
ordinary in their life but thrift and in.
oustry, coupled with patience, self-de-
nial and perseverance won the way
and gave the means with which to pro-
cure better and a larger home. Mr..
Beach secured the magnificent farm
four miles northwest of the city of Os-
kaloosa on the Pella road that came
to be known as the Tom Beach place
and will be known as such for years
to come. Last spring Mr.. Beach de-
cided to leave the farm and come to
the city to spend the remaining days
of his allotted years. He and his
most excellent wife had earned COM
petence richly merited and they de-
cided that rest from the harder toll
was their privilege. With that idea
they have come to the city and are en-
| joying the richness and fullness re-
sultant of earlier days we'll spent.
On Friday they gathered about them
selves the children that were given
them during their union, all born in
the log cabin that they had built on
their place in Richland township The
company was made up of Mark, the
| eldest son, his wife and four children.
| Luke, the second son, passed to the
| other side four years ago. His fam
! lily consisting of a wife and three chill
dren were present. Thomas CorWin
Beach and daughter, Joseph Campbell
Beach, wife and two children anG
| Mary Eliza Beach, the youngest child
and only daughter of the couple, were
| the other members of the family. The
anniversary celebration had originated
in the mind of the daughter as she
planned the details, after consulting
with members of the family and car
ried them to successful issue in a
manner that gave abundant pleasure
to the parents and to all who Joined
in celebrating the day.
Others in the company were a few
| friends who had known them intimate
ly and who had come in to congratu-
late the elders upon the occasion. A
great feast had been prepared and the
dinner that was spread was partaken
of by the family and friends. 1t was
a feast Of all good things, refreshing
for body and soul, and the fulness of
the occasion was enjoyed by all pres
ent.
In speaking of the day and its sue
cesses, IIr. Beach, ever mindful of his
wife, his helpmate and companion,
said: Il thank the good Lord from
the bottom of my heart that he sent
us together to Mahaska county and
among those with whom we have la
bored and lived. Our lot has certainly
been cast in pleasant places. / also
have nothing to regret of the fact that
I have been a republican, of the. re-
publican breed and stripe all my days
and am specially proud of the record
in the light of the developments of the
| past several years. Yes we have beer
abundantly blessed and we are today
heart and soul full Of the richness the
years have poured out to us. | be
| lieve 1t was about 1854 when we sub
scribed for the Herald and we have