The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-10-25
Frienas and Relatives Gather at Their
Home to Help M. and Mira.
John N. French observe
the Day.
MARRIED IN KEoKUK
They Have Lived Forty-fhree Years
in Their Present Home and Al
most Entire Time in Same
Block.

AT their home, 1901 Biondeau
street, occurred Saturday, October
., the golden wedding anniversary
OF John n French and Alvaretta
Culbertson French. Il was in the
nature Of an lat home" to all
friends. no formal invitations being
extended just notice through the
press. Many called TO do them honor
throughout the afternoon and even
ing. and children and grandchildren
united IN an effort to make memor-
able the occasion 1t was happy
gathering Of relatives. friends and
business associates of the past years.
Great homage was paid Mrs. Nancy
Collier Wilson, Mr.. French's aunt,
the oldest surviving member of the
family, who, as Aunt Man." is loved
and revered by all.
A number OF schoolgirl friends OF
Mrs French met for the first time
il years, which caused much happy
notwithstanding Those from out OF
town included Mrs. Eleanor Fox Cam
non, Of Chicago; Mrs. Agnes Fletcher
Jenkins, of Washington, Iowa, and
Mrs. Mary Mcintyre Jenkins, OF
Aledo, Ill Those present at the
wedding fifty years ago were Mrs.
Julia CuIbertson Roberts and Mrs
A. J. Hardin The three others still
living, but not able to be present, are
Mrs. Helen French Henderson, OF
Santa Ana, Calf; Mrs. SADIE French
Munsy, OF Los Angeles. and Charles
Fl. Leas, OF Decatur, Ill.
Guests were made welcome by
Miss French and Edwin A. French,
their daughter and son, and Edwin
A, Jr., and John Camp, grandsons.
Miss Mildred A. French, their grand
daughter, student in the University
Of Illinois, was unable to be present
The house was artistically deco
rated in autumn leaves, bittersweet
and chrysanthemums. Friends were
invited to the dining room by Mrs.
e. A. French, Miss Alice Vermillion,
the Misses Jessie and Rebecca VIII
son, Mrs. William Collier Wilson,
Mrs Mary Collier Delaplaine, Miss
Elizabeth Collier and Mrs George
Collier. There autumn suggestions
were carried out. the mantle being
massed with stalks Of corn and
pumpkins, festocned with grapes and
autumn leaves. The sideboard was
banked with California oranges and
Grimes Golden apples, and flowers
were in profusion. On the dining
table. covered with lace cloth made
by Mrs. French, we're huge basket
of yellow chrysanthemums and a
beautiful wedding cake in white and
gold, bearing the dates 1870-1920. Re
neshments consisting Of ices, cake
and minis in the same colors were
served By bevy Of schoolgirl friends
of Miss Mildred French-Adelaide
Anschutz, Daisy Renaud. Eugenia
Maxwell, Elizabeth Loeffler, Eliza
beth Maxwell and Sue Marsh.
Married at 1918 Blondeau.
John NJ French was born at Biz
mingham, Iowa, May 30, 1876, and
came to Keokuk in 1862. In 1871 he
became associated with the Huis-
kamp Brothers Shoe company and
was in their employ for over thirty
three years. Since that time he has
retired and lived quietly in his old
home He has ever been man OF
great integrity and Of intense loyalty
to his friends.
AIvaretta Culbertson was born fp
Hanover, Pa, and same to Keokuk
in 1856. They were married October
~, 1870, at the Cuibertson home, 1918
Blondeau street
Mr. and Mrs French have resided
forty-three years in their present
home and almost the entire fifty
years in the same block. 1t is re-
markable that both of their parents
lived to celebrate their golden wed
dings, Mr. and Mrs. William French
at Wildomar, Calf, October 30, 1893,
and Mr.. and Mrs. John CuTbertson in
Keokuk, March /, 1899, while Mr..
F'rench's parents had their sixtieth.
They have host of friends, who are
happy with them in that they have
lived together so many years, and |
all united in wishing them many
more years of health and prosperity.
Flowers and Gifts.
A bewildering array of beautiful
flowers were sent to the worthy
Couple, and a substantial pot of
gold
A UNIQUE and interesting gift was
reminiscent book prepared by their
daughter A mimeographed letter
was sent out to many old friends,
asking them TO contribute, and many
graciousIy responded The book
therefore contains a quite remark
able collection OF poems, quotations,
biographies, anecdotes, tributes and
Imericks, which will give lifelong