Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-09-09

attendance from New York and Ore
gon, South Dakota and Texas, Indian
Territory, Ohio, Missouri, Kansas, Ne
braska and Iowa
Tents have been erected and the
party is enjoying the week camping
on the pretty lawn surrounding the
Pepper home Meals for the company
are served in large dining tent
Mr.. ana Mrs. Pepper are each 20
years of age and have been residents
of Iowa nearly fifty years. John Pep
per was born in Ross county, Ohio,
in 1885, of German parents. His father,
John Pepper, ST.. brought his wife and
twelve children to Iowa in 1850, the
journey being made overland with OK
carts on account of the lack of railroad
facilities. Iowa was then largely a
wild and unsettled country and all the
hardshjps Of a frontier life were en-
dured by the family. The father en-
tered large tract of land near Union
vile. Iowa.
Married Miss Prettyman.
At the age of 20 John Pepper, Jr., re-
turned to Pel6in, ILL.,, where he was
married to Miss Mary Prettyman Sep
TENDER 7. 1855. Miss Prettyman was
the daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. Lewis
Prettyman, who were among the early
settlers of Illinois. having moved to
that state from Delaware in 1881. Mrs.
Pepper was born in Illinois in 1885 and
the family records show that her an
cesters came to America in 1864 from
England.
| Locate In Davis County.
Mr.. and Mrs. Pepper came to Iowa
in 1858 and located on farm in Davis
county, later purchasing more desir-
able place near Drakeville in the same
county. On these two farms most of
their married life has been passed.
They reared a true Rooseveltian FAM
living. A few years ago after all the
children were grown and left
the parental roof, they moved to their
present modest but beautiful home
close to Ottumwa Following are the
names Of the children, all of whom
are in attendance at the reunion:
Mrs. Myra Weller, South Dakota;
Ben S. Pepper, travelling salesman
Ottumwa; Mrs. Hattie Minthorn
Woodville, Ore; Mrs. Alice Harbaugh
Kansas City, Mo-; Ed. L. Pepper, farm
er and stock raiser, Harper county
Kansas; Mrs. Nell Liden, Roosevelt, N
Y; DR.. ]. L. Pepper, Goldfield, Iowa
Mrs. Bertha Pratt, Kansas City, Mo-;
irwin S. Pepper, the youngest son, has
been in Washington, D. c., where he
served as private secretary to Hon. M
j. Wade, former congressman from the
second district of Iowa While there
he took a law course and expects tt
open law Office in Muscatine in the
near future.
(. Father and Sons Masons.
Mr.. Pepper Joined the Masonic lodge
when young man and has always beer
an enthusiastic member of the order
His four sons are also members. Ir
politics Mr. Pepper has been a lifelong
democrat. His father and grandfather
belonged to the Jeffersonian school o.
j politics. The four sons are likewise
firm in the democratic faith
When considering plans for the OBJ
servance Of the golden wedding 1t was
thought that it would be much more
enjoyable to have che family togethe
for an entire week and the unique pla1
of camping on the lawn was decided
upon. The scene at the Pepper HON,
today was most attractive one. Ii
gilt lettering just above the door ii
the motto, Welcome Home" TIL,
lawn is dotted with tents and a thron,
of happy children united with the old
er people in having delightful tim.
and making the occasion a memorabl.
one. sumptuous repast was served
at noon in the dining tent, the mem
bers of the family only being present
Later a number of friends will be en-
tertained. The celebration closes Sun
day.
1 Relatives Present.
Following are the names of thos,
present and their places of residence
i John Pepper, Mrs. Mary E. Pepper
j Ottumwa; Frank Weller, Mrs. Myr;
y Ii -. - x