Daily Kennebec journal., 1906-03-29
SKOWHEGAN.
60thANN|VERSARY
Of Mr.. and Mrs. A|onzo
Richardson, Skowhegan.
Relatives Join Them for a Fam.
lily Dinner and Reunion.
Couple Enjoy Distinction Of Being Oldest
Married Couple In Skowkegan.

h'A-NsS SSii VI ilupPy NeUuGu llIe.
That is what Mr.. and Mrs. Alonzo
Richardson rounded out last Monday.
TO few married couples is given the
privilege of observing their Goth we'd
ding anniversary in this age of in
creasing divorces and untimely deaths
and thus the event which was fittingly
celebrated on Monday by Mr. and Mrs.
richardson is all the more noteworthy.
There was not exactly a formal OBJ
servance of this auspicious occasion.
family dinner was served in the old
homestead at noon to which only rela-
tives We're bidGen. In the afternoon
old friends and neighbors dropped in
to extend congratulations and to ex-
press the wish that the Venera Bile
couple might live to celebrate their
diamond anniversary. A feature of the
dinner was the wedding cake which
was made by their daughter, Mrs
Bray. 1t was a handsome piece of con-
fection, frosted and ornamented in a
most beWildering manner. 1t bore the
date, 1Si6-190G, and in the center was a
miniature bridal couple. no doubt a
true likeness Of Mr.. Richardson and his
blushing bride of over half century
ago.
AlOnZo Richardson was born in Bel
grade, i'll Kennebec county, on July 80,
1920. He came from sturdy old New
England stock and he bears his Sc
years lightly as does many a man his
60. He was a son of Silas and Fannie
(MerchanD Richardson. his mother be-
ing Il native of Cape Cod. His parents
rnl 70
father and his sons clearing the farm
where the merrymaking occurred on
Monday, it then being a wilderness and
covered with rocks.
Mr.. and Mrs. Richardson were mar
ried March %, 1876. Her maiden name
was Prudence F.. Ames and she was
born on what is called Patterns Hill
in this town, August &c, 1915. They
were married at the home of her
parents, about a mile from where they
now live.
After marriage they lived in Clinton
for is years and . months and in Pitts
field for years and 8 months For q
few years they We're in Canaan and
then they moved to Skowhegan. They
have lived in the home they now oc-
cupy, built by his father in 1886, for
30 years. While in West Pittsfield Mr.
richardson was postmaster. holding
that Office at the time of the assas assina-
ton of President Abraham Lincoln.
IN" winter after Mr.. Richardson was
II h" went in the woods He received
S11 a month and saw the stars at
both ends of the day. one winter in
the woods was enough for him and h.
then turned his attention to teaching.
He taught % Winers in succession. q
otal of 40 terms His first school was
in TN" front room of q dwelling house.
His salary ranged from $11 month and
board round to $50 q month and board
himself. He taught the school at Nor
rISon s corner one winter a a salary of
So month and had 50 pupils He also
served on the experimenting school
committee while a resident of Clinton.
Six children were born to Mr.. and
Mrs. Richardson. two sons and four
daughters. as follows: Mrs Ella F.
Laverty of Auburn Mrs Fannie J..
Cannon of Lewiston. Mrs. Lydia f.
Pooler Of Skowhegan Mrs. Pauline r.
Bray Of Fitchcurg. Mass. Elvin b. of
this toNn ana Theodore A.. who died
N 1891. There are eight grandchildren
and four great grandchildren.
The house iii which Mr.. and Mrs.
Richardson live was built by his father
in 1896 On the pdrlor is wall paper
placed there that year and it is still in
good state Of preservation. There
were no paper hangers then here and a
man from Augusta did the job. The
fireplace is the same as it was 20 years
ago. The elder Richardson bought the
farm of EliShus Rowe and it has been
IN the hands Of the family for II years
Up to 1853 Mr.. Richardson was
Democrat. Then he experienced q
change of heart and since then has been
republican. He made the change
when Arson =. Morrill, run for Govern
or and was elected. His religious pre-
ference is for the Free Will Baptist
church.
Mr.. aud Mrs. Richardson are the
Oldest married couple in SkOwhe
Mr.. Richardson enjoys the best of
health. takes a great interest in all
town affairs and has always had a
voice in the town meeting His wife is
also in good health. but is little hard
of hearing. He ascribes his own condi-
ton to the fact that he was never hurt
by hard work or play. For many years
he has acted as correspondent for sew
era' of the weekly papers of the county
and his contributions are eagerly read.