The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-04-08
GOLDEN WEDDING
CONTINUED from First Page)

Richmond TO Harrison's Landing on
the James River the second Bull Run
and the Battle of Antietam. where but
sixty-fiye men of his regiment were
left after the fight. the rest being
either killed wounded or missing
The remainder were sent home to re-
cruit and Private Withee was made a
Sergeant for meritorious conduct on
the field. But four men out of his
company had escaped the horrible
slaughter. The regiment having been
recruited. Sergeant Withee rejoined
in February 1863 and subsequently
fought in the Army of the Potomac
then under Grant. in the battles of
the Wilderness, Spottsylyania, Cold
Harbor and at the Seige of Peters
burg After these praiseworthy
deeds for his country he was honor
ably discharged from service and re-
turned to his native town
Vesta A. Rowe was born in Madi-
son Center seventy years ago. Her
parents were Amos and Cordelia
| (HalD Rowe and were of English
descent. She grew up in her home
town. together with her one brother,
Dexter w. Rowe, now a resident of
Skowhegan. She became a school
teacher early in life and though she
knew young Xanthus Withee before
he went to the war no engagement
existed between the couple. 1t was
after his return from the eattlef1eld,
fresh with the honors of faithful
record, that the friendship ripened
into love and in April after the SOL
diers' return in August. he became
benedict and fair Vesta Rowe was the
bride. The marriage ceremony was
performed in Madison by a neighbor,
Elder John Dennis, minister of the
Gospel at his home.
Mr.. and Mrs. Withee began house
keeping on the farm settled by Mr..
Withee's parents who were then liv-
ing. and cared for these aged people
In their declining years They built
commodious homestead to replace
the settlers earlier dwelling, improved
the lands and worked in the dawn
ing hours" Thrift and progress
proved to be their motto and the
young husbandman found in the wife
of his choice true help mate They
continued to reside on the farm which
is now the home of Walter c. Wes-
ton and family until about four years
ago. when they decided that vacation
time had come for them and conse-
quently they removed to town and
purchased here their present home,
modern and roomy structure on Maple
Street
They have now retired from active
labors and in doing so have found
more time to devote to social activ-
ties than in the days gone by, al
though they were then often among
their friends in the village and held
offices of respect and trust in local
organizations
Mr.. Withee has long been a faithful
member of Russell Post G. A. r. and
has served as it's Post commander. His
wife has been CORRESPONDENCE active
in the work of the Woman's Relief
Corps and has twice served as the
president of Russell Corps. She has
also been member of the staff of
the department and National presi-
dents. The couple are both seventh
degree Changers and Mr.. Withee has
served as Master of Skowhegan
Grange. while Mrs Withee has served
in various Offices in the same organi-
zation. Long an Odd Fellow, Mr..
Withee has been identified with Car
rabassett Lodge, while his wife is
loyal Rebekah and a helpful member
of Priscilla Lodge.
This worthy couples family con-
sists of three sons. OF these the cid
er Is Horace, who resides in the town
of NorridgewOck, but is mail carrier
on one of the rural routes from the
Skowhegan postoffice. The second
son Is Milford, who is a farmer In
Canaan, and Is now serving his third
term as Master of Canaan Grange
while Perley. the youngest, lives at
East Madison and is also engaged in
agricultural pursuits. These sons
have been by no means, the extent of
the children, which Mr.. and Mrs
Withee have cared for as two of their
elder grandchildren, Vesta. who is
now Mrs. George L. Smith of Med
ford, Mass. and Hattie. who Is now
Mrs. Fitzgerald Of Canaan, spent much
of their early life with their grand
parents. In fact, Mrs. Withee has
mothered all of the Ave grandchildren
more or less There are also five
great who come In for
a liberal share OF the wise training OF
their maternal grandmother.
Highly esteemed among the resi-
dents of the town. this couple are en-
joying the fruits of their labors In
the peace and comfort of each others
with cheering memories
of having performed faithfully the
duties OF life according to the measure
OF their opportunity