Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-03-09
West Paris.

| West Paris.
/ A very pleasant occasion was the OBJ
servance OF the sixtieth Anniversary OF
the marriage Of Mr.. and Mrs. Samuel w.
Durham Of this place, on Monday,
March LIST. Ten years ago they observ-
ed their fiftieth anniversary, when part
of their children were at home and each
of them received gold watch as the
united gift of their children. This year
their five SONS were all at home for two
or three days, being all the family now
living except Mrs. Henry E. Hamilton OF
Greenfield, Mass, who was unable to be
present, but who composed poem OF
appropriate sentiment which was read
on the occasion.
On Sunday preceding the anniversary
Mr.. and Mrs. Durham were accom-.
panied to church by their Eve sons and
one grandson. On Monday the day was
informally spent by social gathering OF
the immediate family. Mr.. Durham,
now in his SD year, and Mrs. Durham.
now in her SOth, were the recipients Of
congratulations from wide circle OF
friends. At 3 o'clock a fine chicken din
ner was served, to which your cor
respondent had the honor to be an in
vited guest.
Mr.. and Mrs. Durham were presented
by their children with handsome rock
ing chair in leather, and large wedding
cake which arrived from Springfield,
Mass, on the morning of the anniver-
sary, and was given place of honor in
the parlor. 1t was delicately inscribed
on the top with the marriage dates, and
was further decorated with designs
which included doves and cupids, rose
buds and candles. There were also two
other wedding cakes, suitably inscribed,
made by Mrs. Carlton P. Durham OF
this place, wife of grandson.
Mr.. Samuel W. Durham was born in
Woodstock, Feb. 8, 1928, son Of Sylvanus
and Esther (Benson) Durham. he was
one of eleven children, five of whom be-
sides himself are still living: Laura Dun
ham Reed, aged "a, Joseph H., aged 10,
Emily Durham Chandler of Sumner,
aged 10, Wellington w., aged 81, and
Anna D. Rowell, aged 65. Two uncles,
for many years residents of North Paris,
Cyprian Benson, aged 81, and Abner
Benson, aged 80. are still living.
March /, 1S49, Mr.. Durham was mar
ried to Rachel Ellen Andrews, who was
a daughter of Rev. Ziba and Thankful
Andrews of Woodstock. She was also
of lopglived family and has one broth
or and three sisters living.
Mr.. and Mrs. Durham spent the early
years of their married life at North
Paris, where their ten children were
born. At first Mr. Durham was a gen.
eral farmer, later becoming the principal
village merchant and for sixteen years
was postmaster. In 1884 he came to
West Paris, where he owned consider
able real estate but has been retired
from active business.
Of their ten children, four are deceas-
ed: Cynthia Durham Curtis. who died
in 1885, aged nearly 33 years; Linneus
NJ. died in 1864, aged 8 years; Lizzie A.
died in 1867, aged nearly 8 years; and
Lilly A. died in 1866 in infancy.
Those remaining are as follows:
Hiram w., born 1850, who followed in
his fathers footsteps as merchant, post,
master, aud farmer at North Paris
Charles W., born 1857; George L., born
1859; Lyndon L., born 1858. These
three sons are doing a big wholesale
boot and shoe business in Brattleboro
Vt, which is reckoned as among the
largest houses of the kind in the United
States. Horatio R., born 1861, is resi-
dent of Waterville, and runs large re-
tail clothing store in that city. The last
child, the daughter, Fannie Francis, wal
born In 1872 and has been previously
mentioned as living in Greenfield, Mass
The three sons, Horatio. George anc
Lyndon, are graduates Of Colby Colleg,
at waterville. The direct living descend
ants of the Durham family number
children, Is grandchildren and great
grandchildren, making 2s in all.
An entertainment and supper will b
held Sc. Patrick's Day, March II, by th,
Ladies' Aid Of the NJ. Z. church at Cen
tennial Hal
Agnes Bieknell, whose relatives live II
this vicinity, was quietly married Feb
Esd 10 Mr.. Charles b. Pratt. They viii
make their home In Portland.
II Mr.. Lyman Herrick and Miss Lena NJ
Sewall were married here Feb. u b,
Rev. Seth Benson. Mr.. and Mrs. Her
rick will for the present make thei
home at West Bethel.
Il DIR. Y. II. Packard, who has beer
quite seriously III from the effects Of th'
grippe followed by other complications
at this writing is decidedly improved
Miss Nellie Marshall has been trained
nurse.
| Mr.. Writ S. Mckinney is in Boston al
guest of his aunt and uncle, Mr.. anC
Mrs. G.. W. Watson, and he intends Il
remain and enter Burdett Business Col
lege.
| Mrs. Emma W. Mann is making two
weeks trip to Boston and New York.
Mrs. L. II. Emery has been quit,
severely Ill with bronchitis.
Ii is reported that the aged mother o.
X. L. Cummings is very feeble and fail
ing.
| Mrs. Jerry ii. Cole has returned home
from the Central Maine General Hospita
at Lewiston, and although very tired
from her journey is doing as we'll as
could be expected.
Onward Rebekah Lodge Is prospecting
and is constantly adding to its member
ship.
| Mr.. Joseph II. Durham has bargained
his farm to Mr.. Dana Grover of Port
land, an apple packer who has been In
this vicinity several seasons. When the
writings are done he will purchase Of
his brother, W. w. Durham, of this
place, the stand known as the Bryant
place, and expects to move some time
this month.
Mr.. Benjamin S. Davis, the aged father
of Elroy R. Davis of this place, died sud
denly Saturday night of heart failure
He has been in quite feeble health fol
several years, but had been about as
usual. The attack evidently was brought
on by eating quite heartily at supper,
causing Indigestion. Mr.. Davis was
formerly q we'll known resident of Wood
stock but for many years has made his