Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-10-27

WI D bcoi &c y. flcRett, EOLtulnWa.
G. Donald,
Still hale and hearty, with the
SHOWS Of eighty-one winters whitening
her head but leaving her spirit in
domitable as of old; still active after
four score years of contact with the
varying fortunes of the world, sixty
three Years of that period being spent
in aiding actively to make com
mercial community out Of primeval
Wisconsin wilderness, Mrs. Permelia
A. Willard Of GAINESVILLE Wis, grand
mother of Mrs. George j. Pickett, 229
North Weller street, has just enjoyed
the unique distinction of being the
patriarchal head Of family reunion
of four generations.
The gathering was held at the
Pickett residence. Mrs. Willard, her
daughter Mrs. A. C. Mcdonald of near
Floris, granddaughter Mrs. Pickett
and great-grandson G. Donald Pickett,
constituted the notable lineage.
The occasion was one of great signi-
flcance and filled with keen pleasure.
1t is an eminent distin ction-this be-
ing allowed the privilege of mingling
fourth generation. Such a meeting is
accompanied by a variety Of contend
ing emotions. Tingling pleasures and
pride in the present order of things
war with tender glimpses and scenes
of the past.
Past Is Recalled.
AS the evening shadows lengthen
a button is turned and an electric
light floods the gloom picture Of
the old tallow dip and candlestick
rears itself before the vision An cleo
trio car shoots by in well ordered
street and accompanying it closely
scenes OF. snaiLpaced ox-teams draw
ing cumbersome freight wagons alb
ruptly occupy prominent place on
memory's screen.
The evening grows cold, and the
heat is turned on in radiator; the
ornamental mantel and stilted fire.
place becomes an old-fashioned
hearth, fitted with sprawling andirons
bearing huge burning logs, casting a
Pickering radiancy out over the fall
ing twilight. The eyes grow dim The
heart mutely yearns as the tender
scenes are recalled. A gay hearted
laugh rings out and an innocent
youngster, real live, and bubbling
over with the enthusiasm of youth
and innocence precipitates himself
into the picture.
The dreamer starts The vision is
broken by the presence of a great
grandchild A just pride in the pres
ent overshadows the faded visions of
tho nf
forgotten as the heart swells with
peace and satisfaction in the joys Of
living today.
Takes Pride In Family.
OF a family of nine children. Mrs.
Millard still has the pleasure of being
a welcome visitor in the homes of
eight still living. Hers is family to
be proud of. Her Oldest son, William
Willard, is Rock Island engineer and
resides in Eldon. The second child,
Mrs. A. c. Mcdonald, mother OF Mrs.
Pickett of this city, resides on a farm
three miles north OF Floris. She Is a
frequent visitor in Ottumwa.
Miss Anna Willard, the second
daughter, resides in GAINESVILLE. Wis.
Charles Millard is resident of Han
over, Wis. Frank Willard is a farmer
living near GAINESVILLE, Wis, in Rock
county The last two daughters. Mrs.
Abbie Kay and Mrs. Clara Holloway.
live in Oakland, Cal, and Janesville.
respectively. Like his father before
him, the youngest son, James o. Mil
lard, Is also tiller Of the soil. With
him Mrs Willard makes her home on
the old farm near Hanover.
The mother of three generations is
still remarkably active, in spite of her
years. She takes keen interest in
public affairs and reads constantly
without even the use of glasses. It
has only been Of late years that she
has entrusted the management of her
farm to her youngest son, having Civ
en- the work her personal supervision
since her husbands death, which oc-
Cured November IS, 1877. The only
deceased member of the family of
children is the late Jacob MillIard,
who died at the age of A years, in
1895.