The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1907-10-18
Birthday Party Is rendered
Peter MertsdOrf.
WELL-KNOWN IN THE COUNTY
He Has Resided on His Farm i'm YER
non Center Township for the
Past Fifty Years.

A notable event on the 18th inst,
was a surprise birthday party at the
pleasant home of Mr.. Peter Mertsdorf,
one of Vernon Center's most prosper
Gus farmers, and esteemed citizens, to
celebrate his eightieth birthday, when
relatives, friends and neighbors gath
cred to the number of about one
hundred each, bearing a mysterious
something which was whisked away
to the culinary department, to reap.
pear later i'm the form of a sumptuous
banquet, a conspicuous feature of
which was the birthday cake, sur
rounded and glistening in the glow of
eighty wax candles, one for each year.
After dinner an interesting program
was given, beginning with a song by
a male quartet consisting of Messrs.
Rev. Russell, Carlos Warren, Lee
Champlin and Carl Halverson, then a
numerous selection in response to a
hearty encore. A granddaughter, lit
tie Ruth Eberhart, gave a greeting to
grandpa which was recited very nicely,
then a solo by Rev. Russell, after
which a large leather covered Morris
chair was brought in and presented
by the senior son-in- law, Mr. Schultz
in bo nf -,
children, all of whom were present,
with the exception of one son-in-l law,
living on the coast.
After Mr. Mertsdorf was comfort
ably installed in his new chair, Mr.
j. H. Robinson made a short address
in which he informed him that the
company We're assembled not so much
to celebrate birthday as to honor
'the noblest work of God, an honest
man." and adding that he had been
instructed to cane him thoroughly,
which he proceeded to do by presenting
to Mr.. Mertsdorf a massaye gold
headed cane bearing the inscription:
Presented to p. Mertsdorf by his
friends and neighbors on his eightieth
birthday, Oct. IL, 1907. Again in a
voice trembling with emotion Mr.
MertsdOrf returned his thanks, when
some one remarked that now "all he
needed was an Office" He retorted
with ready wit as he grasped his
cane: Nothing will do me nov but
the chief of police
The quartet then sang 'Home,
Sweet, Home,' in very impressive
manner and the exercises were at an
end. We nearly forgot to mention
the wedding march rendered by F..
S. Hemingway OH the tinpanium in
honor of the eldest son Fred and his
wife who were recently married. Mr..
Hemingway kept good time, and caused
much merriment.
After quiet was restored George, an
other son, gave some very appropriate
selections on the graphaphone, and the
company talked over old times when
the country was new and they had not
acquired the 'crown of glory" with
which most of those present = were
adorned, and have arrived at the high
prominence of being 'old Settlers
Mr.. Mertsdorf came to Minnesota
from Wisconsin in 1862 and has lived
on his present farm just forty years.
He has been honored by his fellow
townsmen with number of offices
and positions of trust. He is man
of sterling integrity and staunch
republican and if our chief magistrate
could have looked upon the six charm
ing daughters and their families all
comfortably settled in life and the
four stalwart sons, three of whom
still abide under the paternal roof, he
would have smiled his broadcast smile
at the prospect of the preparation
of our republican institutions. One
daughter, Mrs. Charles Jacobs of Sum
ner, Wash, and her little son repre-
sented her family but Mankato, Lake
Crystal, Good Thunder, Garden City,
Ceresco and Vernon Center were all
represented. We understand that Mr..
Lee Champlin and wife of Mankato
were the instigators of the affair and
are entitled to the thanks of those
participating in a royal good time.