Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1917-12-04
OoIdea WedIlns.

That rare event, the celebration Of
their hftieth anniversary BY man and
Wife occurred on the evening OF Thanks.
giving day, when Mr.. and Mn. John n.
Hurch OF South Paris observed the com.
pletion OF atty years Of married life.
The AFFAIR Wa In the form Of an informal
reception, and was held In Grand Army
Hall. the guests being relatives and {
few neighbors, and the members OF the
Grand Army and Ladies' Of the G. A. B.
A short musical program was given,
In charge OF Miss Grace Dean. It opened
with march BY the orchestra composed
Of Miss Grace Dean violin, Allie Cots
oornet, Clarence OeCoster bass viol, Mrs..
Agnes L. Morton piano. There were
two solos BY Mrs. b. E. Wilson. Origi-
nal poems were read BY Mrs. Agnes L.
Morton and Ars. Alice Ripley Maxim.
L. 8. Sessions sang "Silver Threads
Among the Gold" and Miss Grace Dean
BY request played violin solo, "Listen
to the Aocking Bird" The Star Span
gled Banner was sung, and the program
closed with an orchestra selection.
| Henry Maxim in behalf of VIM. K.
Kimball Post presented Mr.. Murch FIVE
dollars In gold, and Mrs. Florence Hicks
In behalf Of the Ladies' of the G. A. r.
presented Mrs. Murch five dollars In
gold. At Mr.. Murch's request W. 8.
Starbird responded for them, and did II
gracefully.
Ice cream, cake and crackers were
served BY the young ladies.
Guests from out Of town for the GO.
casion were Everett W. Libby and daugh-
tiers, Miss Eva Libby and Miss Ethelle
Libby, of Augusta, who were near neigh
bors of the Murch family when they
lived In Augusta.
Mr.. Murch was the son of the late
Joseph and Hannah Murch, and was
born in Paris in 1915, and attended the
| schools Of the town. An inclination to
mechanical pursuits took him into an
architects Office, but be shortly began
work as contractor and builder. For
more than twenty.three years he was
engaged In this work along the Kennebec
River from Moosehead Lake to Rich
mond, where he constructed many SUBJ
stantial buildings, including public
buildings In Lewiston, Wsterville, Gardi-
ner and Augusta. In this last city he
was successful contractor for eighteen
years. He built the new Edwards cot
ton mill and their pulp mill, being en-
gagged by this corporation for four years
continuously in charge of their building.
He also built the 6sbway at the Ken
nebec dam, job declared impracticabls
By other contractors.
About twelve years ago, on account of
impaired health, he moved bis family to
South Paris, where he has been engaged
somewhat In building In rather less
strenuous manner than before.
Mrs. Murch was Lupira, daughter of
Samuel B. and Almira ParliD) Field,
and was born In Sumner In 184S. Mr..
and Mrs. Mnrch were married Nov. 20,
1857, and lived at West Sumner for about
year before removing to the scene OF
Mr.. Murch's larger work.
Mr.. Murch Is q veteran OF the civil
war, and is quartermaster OF William Z.
Kimball Post, G. A. r. Mrs. Murch Is
an officer of VIM. z. Kimball Circle,
Ladies of the G. A. R. Both are much
interested In the work of these patriotic
organizations.
Seven children have been born to Mr..
and Mrs. Murch. Two daughters have
died. The FIVE who survive are E. d.
Murch, who 10 in the West, Ernest G.
Murch of Norway, foreman in the Nor
way Advertiser Office, Percy K. Murch Of
South Paris, Mrs. Grace E., wife of A.
r. Stevens, druggist at Bethel, and
Arthur q. Murch of South Paris. There
ara aix grandchildren