Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-07-02
CELEBRATED HIS
89TH BIRTHD AY
Rainbow Chapter o. E. S. Gather
at Masonic Lodge in Honor
OF Ira PurdY.

Of Ira Purdy.
About seyenty-five members of
Rainbow Chapter order of the
Eastern Star were present June oath
at the Masonic lodge rooms to
join together in celebrating the seth
birthday of Brother Purdy who was a
charter member of the local order.
A short program was carried out as
follows:
Mrs. Geo. r. Gardner presented the
brother with gold coin in the follow
ing words:
Brother Purdy-I feel highly
honored in being the one selected to
present this token of remembrance
to you on this your seth birthday.
In behalf of the members of Rainbow
Chapter give to you this little piece
of Gold--earth's most choice mineral.
We feel it most fitting symbol of
your long life of charity, love, kind
ness and good will to all mankind. In
behalf of the Grand Chapter of the
state of Wisconsin l extend greetings
to you that 10 all these years you have
lived true to yourself, to your fellow
man and to your God. In behalf of
myself, your face has always been an
inspiration. Coming to the Chapter
meetings regularly with your kindly
smile and cordial hand clasp it acted al
ways as reflection of the light from
that star that rose over Bethlehem's
plain 1900 years ago, whose undi-
minished rays will lead US all to that
new Jerusalem not made with hands.
Brother Purdy responded as follows:
Sister Gardner-I thank you. l
don't knew as l am worthy the honor
you bestow upon me. l hardly think
| am worthy of the comparison with
this gold coin. Its purity and worth
is hard to equal. However 1 appreci-
ate this token, not on account of its
intrinsic worth, but because it repre-
sents the good will of the members of
this chapter, and l accept it in the
spirit in which it is given. Again /
thank you.
A song by Mrs. j. III. Linderman
was so favorably received that she
was obliged to respond to the encore.
An instrumental selection on the
piano by Miss Helen Gilkey was ap-
preciated and pleasing.
A song by L. Reichel was one of the
pleasing numbers that brought re-
sponse to the hearty encore.
After the initiation service was
over dainty refreshments were served.
On the center table in the middle of
the room was large birthday cake
surrounded by SO candles-all lighted.
When Brother Purdy saw those
candles he said: "Can it be possible
that have lived as many years as
represented by each one of these
candles"
On motion it was decided that
Messrs. Ira Purdy and 'R. A. Nc
Farland be sent to visit the Masonic
Home near Waukesha provided by
the Masonic and Eastern Star lodges
of the state of Wisconsin, and report
upon the same. The expenses to be
born by both local orders. 1t is ex-
pected they will make the trip in the
near future.
Ira Purdy was born in Palmyra
township, Wayne County, Penn, May
6, 1919 and is son of Charity Carey
Purdy. He received but a limited
education in the district schools of his
native town, and then began learning
the trade of sash and blind making at
which he worked for about three
years. He then learned mill wright
ing, and after removing from Wayne
county to Luzerne County, Penn, he
followed the latter occupation four
years. His next place of residence
was in northampton, Conn, and
thence he emigrated westward,
settling in Whiteside County, Ill
where he worked at his trade of mill
wright from September 1915, until
January. 1876. In this year he came
to Grand Rapids and his first mill
wright work after his arrival was on
the old Clinton saw mill and used to
stand where the Pioneer Pulp mill is
now located. He followed his trade
four years and in 1850 he removed to
Marathon County, Wis, now Wausau,
and lived there but one year when he
moved to Plover. He resided in
Plover two years when he moved back
to Grand Rapids. In 1881 he moved
to North Dakota. where for six years
he devoted his time and energies to
agricultural pursuits. Since 1888 he
has been identified with this city and
continued to reside here ever since.