Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1919-05-22
Golden Wedding.
(The Jefferson Democrat.)


The celebration of the fiftieth ami
versary of the marriage Of DR.. and
Mrs. George Steel, which took place
at their home in Hillsboro Saturday,
May 10th, was one of the most pleas
ant social events which has occurred
here for some time. This was due in
part to the fact that the principals in
the celebration are we'll known, Mrs.
Steel being a native of Jefferson
County, as her mother was before
her, and Brother Steel having beenin
public life as teacher, minister and
citizen for more than half century.
He was born in the village of Wyke-
ham, in Yorkshire, England, in 1845,
the fourth son in a large family, eight
of whose members emigrated to
escape the social and economic con-
ditions which prevailed in English
village life at that time. They had,
however, excellent schools in which
the foundation for good education
was thoroughly laid. Four of the
family went to Australia and four
came to America. They are all living,
one retired Missouri farm er, at Mo-
bile, Alabama; one business man, at
Middlesboro, Kentucky, and one sis
ter in Rhode Island. Seven Steels
have served or are serving, either in
active or auxiliary service, in the
great war.
Mrs. Steel was the Oldest daughter
of Lewis Harrison Lee and Mrs. Mar
garet J. Lee, who passed away within
few months of each other in 1890.
DR.. and Mrs. Mrs. Steel were mar
ried at the residence of her parents
near Bethlehem church, in Big River
township, May ii, 1869, by Rev. VIM.
Mckay, who at that time resided on
the adjoining farm. They made their
home in different places in Big River
and Meramec townships for twelve
years. In 1881 Mr.. Steel entered the
ministry and sold his farm. In the
spring of 1882 he moved with his FAM
lily to Upper Alton, Illinois, and enter
ed Shurtleff College, graduating from
that institution in June, 1884. During
the So years that have elapsed since
his graduation he has held successful
pastorates at De Soto, Ironton, St.
Louis, O'Fallon, Ills, Flat River, Fes-
tus and Grubville, and is now in active
service in the ministry as pastor of
four churches in the Jefferson County
Association, Hillsboro, Morse Mill,
Victoria and Blackwell. In Decem-
ber, 1917, he purchased his present
home from Judge Jos. ]. Williams,
and moved here in February, 1918.
Nine children have been born to
them, two of whom passed away in
infancy. Their second son, Adrian
Steel, an attorney, died October 23d,
1918, sadly missed and greatly mourn
cd as noble Christian man and pub
lie spirited citizen. His widow and
her three children now make their
home with Grandpa and Grsndma.
The Oldest son, Hugh, one of the best
known men in Southeast Missouri, is
in the hardware and lumber business
| at Bismarck, being at present Mayor
of that city. Paul, the third son, q
graduate of the University of Mis-
souri,, is Educational Secretary of the
Y. M. O, A. at Honolulu, where he
: has been four years. The next, Roy
F., enlisted In the Marines in Novem-
ber, 1917, and has just reached home
with an honorable discharge, having
been stationed at Fort Lafayette
Brooklyn, doing guard duty. The
youngest, John Oliver, enlisted the
week after his brother, served in al
aviation squadron until last August
when he was commissioned Secont
; Lieutenant, rising to First Lieutenant
in October. He is now stationed a
! Washington, d. o., and Is in the con
I struction division of the army. Al
r the time Of his enlistment he was ,
student at the State University ant
5 also taught the commercial branchel
I in the University High School.
: The two daughters, Misses Lillial
and Mary, both Normal graduates
] teach in the st. Louis and suburban
schools. Miss Mary was for thre
!. years Preceptress at the Cape Normal
i but bad to resign on account of he
r health. She served several month
. as Hostess Of the Y. M. O. A. hut q
D Jefferson Barracks, closing her wor
8 there December 81, 1918.
ell One marked feature of the life ,