Rock Island Argus., 1906-07-04
Welded so YEARS.
Mr.. and Mrs. A. p. Graves CeIe.
brating Memorable Occa-
sion at Home of Son.
SOME UNIQUE FEATURES
Still Have Articles of Furniture With
Which They Began House
keeping.

Mf. and Mrs Alison p. Graves today
are celebrating their golden wedding
anniversary, and an informal reception
in their honor is being held this after
noon and evening at the home of Mr.
and Mrs Frank A. Graves. 1000 Elev
enth avenue. Mr.. and Mrs. Graves
have been residents of this city since
May 1. 1869, Mr.. Graves coming here
frcm Port Byron when the st. Paul
first extended its line to this city. The
couple came to this county and made
their home at Port Byron Jan. 2, 1866,
thus having been residents here for
over forty years.
Alison p. Graves was born at Balm
bridge, Ohio. Sept. ;. 1898. being now
nearly IL years of age His wife, who
was Miss Sylvia c. Dudley. was born
at Aust.nburg. Ohio. Dec. Is. 1886.
Their marriage took place at Paines-
VILE. Ohio, July 4. 1856.
Four children blessed the union, two
sons and two daughters. The two
daughters. Cola Belle and Ada May,
both died in fancy. The two sons are
Frank A. Graves of this city and Burt
F. Graves of st. Paul. There are eight
grandchildren and one great-grandch.ld,
and with the exception of Burt T..
Graves and two children from st. Paul.
all of the members of the family were
present today at the celebration of
Mr.. and Mrs. Graves 50th wedding an
niyersary
Long Career Railroad Man.
Mr.. Graves was for years the bag
gage master of the Rock Island at its
local depot. and later for the st. Paul
He began his railroad career in 1868
at Beloit, Wis. with the Racine Il
Mississippi railroad. now the Racine &
Southwestern division of the st. Paul
He worked continuously for the St
Paul and the Rock Island until Feb.
IS, 1904, when he retired. owing to
failing sight In his railway career he
saw the ST Paul built up from various
short lines of road to one of the larg
est and best systems OF the northwest,
and he has seen the passenger service
of the Rock Island grow from four
passenger trains in and out of this city
six days in the week to nearly fifty
daily trains. many of them operated
seven days each week.
Mr.. Graves has a unique record az
a citizen, he having voted for 35 years
in one precinct. now the first of the
Sixth ward. and never in that time
falling to register his ballot. The last
time he voted in that precinct he came
home from St. Paul, where he was Wis
iting at the time. for the express pur-
pose of voting at the election.
He is a member of Noble lodge. No.
/. a. o. u. W., and Mclean legion.
No. &c, Select Knights of America.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Graves are mem
bers of the First Methodist church.
While at St Paul some time ago
Mrs. Grave suffered an unfortunate ac-
cident that resulted in severe injuries,
from which she has not yet recovered.
Have Original Furniture.
Today at the reception in honor of
the occasion. the table used. and part
of the chairs. are those with which the
venerable couple began housekeeping
80 years ago. A part of the table lin
en- used was present to the bride at
her marriage. from cousin who wove
it herself over so years ago.
Mr.. and Mrs. Graves received con-
gratulatiOns and many suitable remem-
brances during the day from their