Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-01-07
Marshalltown's First Thanksgiving

The following history OF the first
town, written several years ago by M
meeting of the Entire Nous club by M
reader may have an opportunity of KIN
spent the T.-R. reproduces the histor
l. 1.-THE first Thanksgiving Day of which
our history speaks was appointed for
Thursday. November rs, 1889, by proc
lamation of George Washington, dated
October, 8. The people were asked to
give thanks for protection previous to
becoming a nation, and the course and
conclusion Of the war, tranquility. union
and plenty, the constitution OF govern
ment particularly the national one, CIV
il and religious liberty, the means of
acquiring and diffusing useful knowl-
edge and for all the great and various
favors vouchsafed.'
with the New England people an
annual Thanksgiving was common, and
the custom was carried with them
wherever they made new homes in the
west.
at was not till 1852 that the custom
was again made a national one by
proclamation of President Lincoln.
Since then it has been continued regu-
larly and the day is made, legal holi-
day in many states.
Some Of us were In Marshalltown
when President Lincoln Issued his
proclamation in 1861 appointing day
Of thanksgiving and prayer. There
were many homes here from where
anxious thoughts were going out and
earnest prayers for the welfare OF abb
sent sons and brothers and husbands
and fathers. 1t was war time then.
Many and some great battles had been
fought. Fort Donelson, Shiloh, the
Wilderness, Manassas, and the most
bloody battle Of the war, stntietam, had
bloody battle of the war, slntietam, had
our boys, and more great battles were
soon to follow. 1t was serious time
with our people. The cay was OBJ
|served with more than usual solemnity.
The Presbyterian minister, Rev. Lewis
H. Deloss, conducted services In the
old (then the new court room.
after his opening prayer he gave
way to the reading Of the latest tele-
grams from the fields of war, at that
moment brought in by Charles. W.
Fracker, then cashier Of the First Ma
tional bank. Mr. Deloss was no ordin-
airy minister The soldiers at the front
and their families at home always re-
ceived attention in his prayers and the
hot shot Of his sermons were poured
out on the copper-heads at home.
civilian East had a little melodeon
he carried regularly to church under
his arm. from which he played the
organ music and ]. H. Bradley and
wife. Miss Ramsey, Mrs. j. L. Will
liams, C. II. Shaw and others sang In
the choir.
"sylvanus Rice then lived in the
house still standing at the northwest
corner of. Main and Second streets,
John Kelly and wife, Mrs. Wells S. Rice
and family and Thomas Ceilings and
wife were feasted.
Mr.. and Mrs. j. L. Williams had
John Turner and wife, Mr.. and Mrs.
Abel, Mr.. and Mrs. H. e. ]. Boardnan
and Mr.. and Mrs. Fracker to-yhelp eat
their turkey at their home where the
fremont house now stands. Mr.. and
Mrs. Hamilton and MIR. Herman dined
with Mr.. and Mrs. A. G. Abbott, West
State street. The Delos Arnold home
was thrown open to Mr.. and Mrs.
johnson, Thomas Mercer and wife and
Joseph Holmes and wife The John
Fisher family had for their guest Rev.
L. II. Deloss and wife, Novillo Gillespie
and wife, DR.. Bunce and wife, y. B.
johnson and wife and Professor Par
ker and wife. Mr.. and Mrs. George
Click had father and mother Click, Mr..
and Mrs e. Willigrod, Mr.. and Mrs.
H A. Gerhart, Mrs, Densel and r.
Datesman to dine with them. At the
Bremner house were entertained Mrs.
Hepburn, Mr.. and Mrs. William Brem-
ner. H. C. Henderson and wife haf
with them to dinner Rev. 8. Dunton
and wife, Mr.. and Mrs. o, Blaney and
Mrs. j. Banbury and her sister. Mr..
and Mrs. schoefeld anyl Mr.. and Mrs.
Ben Frederick dined with Mr.. and Mrs.
Lockwood at their home.
Glider Paul Chaplin and wife had
with them their daughter, Mrs. John
Harris, and family. Hank Arson and
sister gave a sumptuous dinner at his
home to a number OF soldiers wives,
and others We're remembered by him
in substantial way at their homes.
The Forney families dined together
that day. The Mrs Page sisters and
Mr.. and Mrs. Teagarden dined with
the parents of the Mrs. Page, Mr.. and
Mrs. Ewing. The Woodburys were
Toasted at the Woodbury. home now
standing so close to the Pilgrim hotel.
The Hambel relations were together At
Lutte Woodlands. T. Brown and. vito
dined with Gid Wheeler at Albion. Mr..
and Mrs, II D. Ranney. Mr. and Mrs.
William East and Mr.. and Mrs. ]. ii.
Bradley were the company at dinner
ut the Ranney home.
Il. D. Anson, at his hotel whore the