Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-04-07
HALF CENTURY
OF welded LIFE
PROF. AND MRS. J. n. RHEEM
CELEBRATE GOLDEN ANNl-
vERsARY OF MARRIAGE.
DAY QUIETLY OBSERVED
Surrounded by Family Of Three Gener
ations the Remarkable Couple
Pass Peaceful Day-Mar-
ried In Pennsylvania.

| Quietly observed by gathering of
the family, which includes three
daughters, two grandchildren and one
great grandchild, Prof. John Henry
hheem and Fannie Ridder Rheem to-
day are celebrating their half century
Of happy welded life and both look
anniversaries. Those who know the
estimable couple are hopeful that
their ambition to pass together other
milestones of their welded journey
through life since the day when they
plighted their troth will be realized.
| Few Ottumwa residents are better
known and none are more highly es-
teemed than Prof. and Mrs. ]. H.
Rheem, and few if any deserve more
esteem and consideration. Thirty
seven years of their welded life have
been spent in Ottumwa, and Prof.
Rheem has ever been an activS and
loyal citizen and in his chosen profess
sion-music, leader.
Receive Congratulations.
AS the happy couple, surrounded
by their children and the latter's Off
spring down the family tree to the
little great, great granddaughter, are
receiving the happy Fluctuations of
very dear friends who have called in
during the day to extend their con-
gratulations, happiness radiated from
the faces of each and for the time be-
ing nothing but joy has been permit.
ted to enter. Relating anecdotes and
experiences along life's voyage over
the fifty years of welded existence,
both were wont to recall events that
lent to the cheer of the occasion. Liv-
ing once more the happy days OF
early youth when as lovers .1ohn
Rheem and Fannie Ridder decided to
embary on the sea of hymenal wat
ers, the reminiscent mood stole over
Mr.. Rheem and he let slip the story
of the romance of which todays cele-
bration is but a milestone in it's per-
petuation.
Duet Proved Romance.
Fannie and were singing duet
in a musical entertainment said the
professor, as he lived again In the
olden days, "and I shall ever recall
the song and occasion when sung, oh
Boatman, Row Me Der the Stream
was the title Of the song, and when
Fannie Ridder of fifty years ago look
ed into my face and asked me to row
her DER the stream, just could not
rest and l have been rowing her ever
since"
introduced Music.
Both were born in Carlisle, Pa, and
spent their early days in the Pennsyl-
vania city. John Henry Rheem saw
the light of day for the first time
April IL, 1885, and his bride seven
years later, in March. 1912, FOUND her
self a native Of Carlisle. She gradu-
ated In the public school of that city.
where she was one of the pupils of
the man who later led her to the altar.
After finishing school, Mr.. Rheem,
having musical talents, studied dur
ing 1856 and 1856 in the music
schools Of Boston for voice culture.
He returned from Boston and then in
troduced teaching of music in the
Carlisle public schools. where he
taught that branch for six years. In
the meantime he became leader in
music circles and conducted many
choruses. For year he taught music
at Reading, Pa, and became proml-
nent throughout the state as a music
teacher and director. He returned to
Carlisle, where he married Miss Fan
ME Ridder, April 5, 1860.
ottumwa in 1873.
In 1871 the couple left Carlisle for
the west and came to Charlton Iowa,
where Prof Rheem introduced teach
ing Of music in the public schools.
| Coming to Ottumwa two years later,
he again took up his chosen work in
the following March and introduced
! the study in Ottumwa's public
schools. He resigned the Office after
eleven and half years in the posi-
ton. He then entered the music bust,
ness, in which he has been engaged
most of the time since.
A Pioneer Director.
No other director has had charge
OF as many choruses in Ottumwa as
Prof. Rheem. His career in this par
ticular has been remarkable, and thir
tv.four productions of "Pinafore" at
/ various IlIuSS WStC dSSOiHk'iioi@So W
him with the same soloists and but
few minor changes In the cast
throughout. He produced this opera
| in the Coal Palace exposition twenty
years ago and among the productions
that he directed in which Ottumwans
were the participants, we're: The
Doctor OF Alcantara," Bells of Cor
neville" "Haymakers" and numerous
others. He has been directing Choir
uses and choirs in different churches
ever since coming to Ottumwa thirty
seven years ago.
| Three children blessed the union
of the couple and these are Mrs. R. s
Field, Miss Mary R. Rheem and Mrs
W. G. Field. all Of whom we're with
their parents at the home, 100 NORTH
Washington street, today
Attend Old Home Celebration.
The couple attended the Old Home
week celebration in their native Car
llisle last August and received no lit
i tie mention among the older childre,
of that city who had returned to the
childhood scenes. Mrs. Rheem wa!
me out OF six of her graduation class
4 Of 1859 who number in all ten per