The Washington herald., 1909-04-05
RELATIVES HONOR
AN AGED CITIZEN
Moses COlman Celebrates His
Seventy-ffth Birthday.
PIONEER RESIDENT OF CAPITAL
Surrounded by Five Children, Thir-
teen Grandchildren, Nephews,
Nieees, and Friends, Venerable
Man Is Given Surprise Party and
Presented with Umbrella and Cane.


Surrounded by his five children, thir-
teen grandchildren, a host OF nephews
and nieces, many neighbOrs and friends
from the Columbia Fishing Club and
other organizations 10 which he belonged.
Noses Colman. one Of the oldest resi-
dents OF Washington. celebrated his sew
enty-hfth birthday last night. A sur
prise party was arranged by his children
at his home, 1871 Seventh street north
west
Seldom has Washington witnessed
more happy or larger family reunion.
and the aged man, who was always the
center of the merry throng was as bright
and active as his youngest grandchild'
who romped About the reception room.
Entirely unknown 10 Mr.. Colman. his
sons and daughters had arranged the
birthday party. In the early evening II
was chiefly a family reunion. The first
guests to arrive were the thirteen grand
children, Cora, Rosie, Nellie, Clara, and
Ethel Colman. Alma Nachman, and
Louis Wilbur. Harold. Aaron, Sydney.
and Clarence Colman. and Leonard
Nachman.
GrandchiId Makes Speech.
After all the grandchildren were as
sembled about Mr. Colman, Miss Cora,
who had been selected as spokesman,
stepped forward and said.
Dear grandpa. we. your grandchildren.
have assembled together on this day 20
celebrate with you your seventy-ffth
birthday We thank God. who has bless
ed you with such vigor and health, 70
reach this ripe age, and We pray that
you may be with us for many more years.
as young in spirit and in love as you
are now. I have been asked by the other
grandchildren TO speak for them and 10
extend their congratula tions. Each has
something good % say, but not wishing
10 tax your patience with thirteen speech
es we have picked out this little present
TO speak for us all. IL is fun Of all the
prayers We offer to God for your future
health. Take il, dear grandpa, as a token
Of our affection. and may we have the
privilege 10 live and celebrate many more
birthdays together
She then presented her grandfather with
a handsome umbrella.
In taking the gift Mr.. COlman was
much affected. and instead of making
"a speech in reply. ne kissed and thanked
each Of the thirteen grandchildren VINO
gathered about him His sons and
daughters. William, Henry, Aaron. and
Miss Cora Colman and Mrs. Philip
Nachman then presented him with a
large Morris chair
Banquet Arranged.
AS his friends began to arrive in large
numbers 70 ocer their congratulations.
Mr.. Coleman realized that A regular sur
prise party had been arranged for him.
Each one IN turn congratulated hin on
his good health and activity at sucn a
ripe old age. and expressed the hope rcat
they would live 10 attend many more
birthday anniversaries.
Seeing that his family had arranged m
elaborate banquet for the occasion, he
asked his oldest son. with a touch Of
disappointment IN his voice, why they
had not invited his friends from the
Columbia Fishing Club TO share in the
nerriment. The question was skillfully
avoided, while several Of the grandchil-
dren waited at the door. watching for the
expected arrival OF the fishermen, who
were to form the last surprise Of the
evening.
Promptly at $50 O'Clock. the hour ap-
pointed. a large delegation from the
Columbia Fishing Club arrived in
body, and filing into the reception-room,
surrounded Mr.. Colman- George A
Mccarthy, president Of the club, acted
as spokesman
He said that the members Of the club
were delighted AT the opportunity OF
paying visit 10 their oldest member.
who had been with them for more than
twenty-eighJ years. on the occasion OF
his seventy-fifth birthday, and hoped
that they would visit him on similar Oc-
casions many times in the future As a
mark 81 their friendship and esteem, he
presented Mr.. Colman with a gold
headed cane. bearing the inscription:
Presented to Moses ColmRn by the
c. F. c., on his seventy-ffth birthday.
April 4. 1909"
Columbia Fishing Club.
The Columbia Fishing Club was or
ganized in 1850. and Its membership Is
limited to thirty. The clubhouse is at
Lewisetta. Va The members who accom-
panied the president on their visit to
Mr.. Colman were J. H. Bradley. John
T. Foy. B. T. Davis. r W. Coleman.
A. H. Coleman, z. W. Stockett. E. NJ.
Cropley. J. J. Mccarthy. Oscar Hichew.
7. J. Coleman. ". T. Tappan. Edgar
vanhorn, Philip Ryan. and Dr. f. S.
LothrOp.
Among others who called TO offer their
CONGRATULATIONS were John D. Mccarthy.
of the Oldest Inhabitants Association
OF which Mr.. COlman is a member; Mr..
and Mrs. y. Colman. Mr.. and Mrs H
SohlOsberg, J. HerzOg and Louis p
Shoemaker