Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 278, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 November 1910 — Many Visit Mrs. Thompson on Occasion of Her 80th Birthday. [ARTICLE]

Many Visit Mrs. Thompson on Occasion of Her 80th Birthday.

The informal reception given by Mrs. Mary E. Thompson at her commodious home on River street test Saturday afternoon was attended by about one hundred and fifty people. The occasion was her eightieth birthday. The guests were largely among the older people, and a number of old soldiers were among the number. The afternoon was very pleasantly spent and a group of the older people had their photographs taken. Preceding the informal reception Mrs. Thompson gave a luncheon to twenty of her elderly lady friends, members of the ladies’ literary society and of the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic, to each of which societies Mrs. Thompson belongs. Acting for both of these societies Mrs. Julia Healey presented Mrs. Thompson with a beautiful silver candelabrum, saying: “Early in the world’s history, at least early in old Testament times, to live to an old age was looked upon as a mark of Divine favor. David is mentioned as being old and full of years, Moses and Methuselah lived for a Divine purpose. In the new Testament the first promise of long life is preceded by the command, ‘Honor they father and thy mother that thy days may be long in the land that the Lord hath given thee.’ Mrs. Thompson has been blessed with long life, permitted to reach four score years, and those who know her best can attest that her years have been spent in trying to attain to those things beyond the ordinary. This y ear she has achieved things not very often accomplished by one of her years. Many persons thought the work too much for her to undertake, but calmly and with rare wisdom and patience she pursued her purpose to see erected a monument to General Milroy and all the Jasper county volunteers for the Civil War. The monument is and ought to be a memorial to her as well. And so, Mrs. Thompson, the ladies of the literary society, of which you are a member, and the ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic, of which you are also a beloved member, have felt that they could not let this great day pass without leaving with you a token of our appreciation of your life’s work and example, and so we leave with you this small memento, wishing you many more years as bright as any flame that may shine forth from our offering.” Mrs. Thompson received a number at beautiful flowers and other remembrances and the afternoon was very pleasant, alike to her and to the gues.s at her home.