Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-03-17
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION.
siXtieth Anniversary of Former
Resident of This County Cele-
brated at Clear Lake.

Many citizens of Winneshieli
county will remember Mr.. and Mrs.
Z. Il. Christian. He formerly con-
Quoted store at Freeport, and is
a brother to Mr.. A. G. Christian of
Pleasant township, Mrs. E. G..
Opdahl and Mrs. B. o. Johnson of
DEBORAH. The celebration of his
sixtieth birthday is thus described
in recent issue of the Clear Lake
Iowa, Mirror:
over fifty old friends and neigh
bors were the guests of Mr.. and
Mrs. c. B. Christian at their pleas
ant and comfortable home last Fri
day night. The invitations did not
say so, but it became whispered
about that it was the Goth ami
versary of Mr.. Christians birthday
and on this account the occasion
was looked forward to with unus-
ual interest.
The guests assembled about $50
and soon afterwards dinner was
served. There were so many good
things to eat, and it was such a
tempting display of the culinary
art, that over an hour and a half
was consumed in this part of the
program. A piano solo from Or
vile Maynard and vocal selections
from Paul Palmeter were nicely
rendered. District Superintendent
Maynard then took charge and cal
led on DR.. Clack to give some re-
miniscences of Mr.. Christians life
In Clear Lake. AS a friend and
neighbor, and associate for thirty
years, DR.. Clack is well qualified
for such a task and he did his sub
ject justice. He told of the high
esteem in which Mr.. Christian had
always been held by the commun-
ity, of his clean life and high Ideals.
He told some stories of the old
days and was careful to dwell on
Mr.. Christians love of a good horse.
Mr. Maynard then called on an
other old friend and neighbor, J.
II. Woodstock, and he had the same
story to tell OF Mr.. Christians ex-
emplary life and of the high regard
in which he was held by all who had
been associated with him. Capt.
Hunting also Joined in the eulog-
les to Mr.. Christian and by special
request told one of his sea stories
A letter of congratulation from D.
w. Hurn of Spokane, Wash, was
read. This letter breathed pathos
and humor and was characteristic
of Mr.. Hurn. 1t paid a fine tribute
to Mr.. Christian and there were
some humorous references to a
lonely widow which pleased the
assembled company. Mr.. Maynard
made a fine address appreciatory
OF Mr.. Christian and in concluding
ordered brought in from the hall
a fine leather rocker which was pre-
sented to Mr.. Christian as a token
of regard from the old friends pres
ent.
Mr.. Christians was wislbly en-
Darrassed and much affected by all
that had been said. He thanked
his friends for their great kindness
and hoped he was worthy in some
degree at least of all the good
things said of him. The evening
was a delightful one. with every
body at ease, and having a good
time.
Mr.. Christian came to Clear Lake
in the spring of 1878 so that fully |
half or his life has been spent here. |
FOR twenty years he was engaged
in the general merchandise business
nearly all the time in the corner
store now occupied by Olson, Ern-
ston & White. About ten years |
ago he retired from active business
life. No one stands higher in this |
or ever stood higher.
han G. B. Christian. His life has
been an open book. The speakers
Friday evening referred often to
Christian Christian There is some
hing in name after all and If a |
q name is more precious than
Jewels then indeed is there richness
% this man of high ideals, of clean
ife' OF strict business integrity, of