Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1904-12-01
MORE THAN 100
AT THE GATHERING.

Probably one of the most remarkable
family reunions on Thanksgiving day
in this State, was that Of three genera
tions of the late Hiram and Sarah
Shoemaker, who gathered at the home
| OF Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas H. Bowen,
297 East Commerce street, Thursday.
1t was truly Thanksgiving reunion,
as out of 10 surviving children, (1S
being the entire family there were
| ten present, besides other near rela-
tives; then, too, one of the number,
Mrs. Rachel w. Snitcher, who has
just completed a five years tour of
the world. was present.
All day Thursday the Bowen home
| stead presented an animated scene,
guests from far and near arriving and
| being welcomed as only this hospitable
and congenial "clan" knows how.
The meeting OF brothers, sisters,
parents, children and cousins being at
once beautiful and impressive sight
to witness.
Six years ago there was reunion of
the Shoemakers at the home of Mr..
and Mrs. Clement w. Shoemaker, at
226 North Laurel street, this city, on
the occasion Of the fiftieth birthday of
Mr.. O. W. Shoemaker, over so being
present upon that occasion, and one
year later his sister, Mrs. Snitcher,
started on tour of the globe, which
she just completed last Monday, her
brother, Mr.. G. w. Shoemaker, ac-
companying her through Palestine.
Syria, Egypt, Germany, Bavaria,
Switzerland, Italy, France.and Eng
land. During the time she has been
gone Mrs. Snitcher went north beyond
the Arctic Circle, and as far south as
the tropics to the equator at Java,
Europe, Asia, Africa and North
America. From ocean to ocean was
the eastern and western boundaries of
the trip, encircling the globe. She
visited thlrty-nine different countries,
meeting as many different nationali-
ties and tribes, some hostile and
friendly, speaking about thirty-three
different languages.
| In all her long trip Mrs. Snitcher
never once had serious mishap nor
illness, never missed train or
steamer, never lost nor had mislaid
any Ct her baggage, nor ever was
| trootod with ipoiv;1i+xy All Ior ~; ~.
were planned by herself, and at no
time did she use the services OF paid
guide unIess it was an absolute ne
cessity. The fact that she was an
American was a passport for her in
every country visited, so far as courte-
Gus treatment went.
At yesterdays reunion Mrs. Snitcher
received in the drawing room, and as
brother, sister or other relative ar.
rived, an affecting scene took place.
Each one had warm greeting for the
returned traveller, who has probably
made record for travel, nearly 100, :
600 miles, unparalleled in this coun-
try.
At the Thanksgiving dinner there
were nearly one hundred present, in
eluding Clement w. Shoemaker and
wife, Joseph, Isaac and Mary Shoe
maker; Charles H. Shoemaker and
wife, Lolita, Ethel, Homer and Arthur
| Shoemaker; Elmer Shoemaker and
| wife, Ralph, Mark, Esther, Allen and
Harold Shoemaker, of Bridgeton /;
! William HI. Shoemaker and wife,
George and Mary Elizabeth Shoe
maker, Mr.. and Mrs. W. w. Shoe
maker, OF Camden; Mr.. and Mrs. w.
Fl. Moore, Of Atlantic City Mr.. and
Mrs. Munroe Coulter, of Camden !;
| Mr.. and Mrs. John Davidson, Reba,
Anna, Irwin and Ralph Davidson, of
Bridgeton; Mrs. John Miller, Mr..
and Mrs. Warren Miller, Winifred
| Miller, Mr.. and Mrs. Hiram Miller,
Eta, Carrie and Rhodella Miller,
Mrs, Mary Layton, Ella and Rebecca
| Layton, Mrs. Velma Hustled, Miss
velma Hulings, all of Bridgeton; Mr..
and Mrs. VIM. Harrison, of Moore,
Pa; Mr.. and Mrs. Owen Proud, of
Philadelphia Mr.. and Mrs. Norman
Proud, Ruth Proud, of Wenonah; Mr..
and Mrs. Sherman Hoefich, Robert,
Elsie and Edward Hoeflch, of Phila-
delphia; MI. and Mrs. Jacob Harris,
Cora, Rachel, Marian and Helen Har-
ris, of Cinnaminson, N. J. {; Mr.. and
| Mrs. William Dillinger, Harris, Grace
and Lenore Dillinger, of Philadelphia !;
Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas III. Bowen,
Lillian and Mary Bowen, of Bridge
| ton; Mr.. and Mrs. A. ID. Ambruster,
Edith, Karl, Frederick, Thomas and
Mary Ambrnster, of Merchantville !;
Mr.. and Mrs. Horace Foster, Salem,
N. j.. Mr.. Mark Shimp, of Bridgeton !;
Mrs. Mary Gibbons, Mrs. Belle Lip
pincott, Philadelphia Mr.. and Mrs.
Andrew Cook, of Penn Neck, N. j. !:
Mrs. Sarah Jones, Frank Jones, PhiIa-