Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 150, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 July 1918 — CELEBRATE GOLDEN WEDDING [ARTICLE]

CELEBRATE GOLDEN WEDDING

Mr. and Mrs. John R. VanAtta celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary Sunday at their home on Cullen street by keeping open house from 2 to 9 p. <mu, when a large number of their relatives and friends called to pay their respects and wish them many more years of happiness. Mr. and Mrs. VanAtta were the recipients of a number of gifts and gold coins. Among the out-of-town guests were their son, Robert. M. VanAtta of Marion; Mrs. ROhlfing and Misses Jessie and Latha Coen of Attica; Mr. and Mrs. Ray Hershman and two children of Brook, and Mrs. Ira Yeoman of Remington. Mr. and‘Mrs. VanAtta were married on Tuesday morning, June 30, 1868, at 6 o’clock At the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Coen, on Division street, Who resided at that time in what was recently known as the Brenner property in the presence of the immediate relatives and a few friends.

The ceremony was performed by Rev. James Patten, pastor of the Presbyterian church at Remington. After the ceremony a fine wedding breakfast was served, when the. happy couple left for Francesville, being driven over by James Hemphill in a light spring wagon, wher. they took the train for Chicago for a few days’ visit. There was no railroad through Rensselaer at that time and to get to Chicago one had to go to Francesville to take the train, going by way of Michigan City. On their return from the city Mr. and Mrs. VanAtta went to housekeeping in the old Hammond property across from the Comer house on Cullen- street, the groom being engaged in the harness business with his father, which trade he followed for many years. They resided in Rensselaer un|til 1871, when they moved to Valparaiso, where they lived for ten years, then moved back to this city where they have since resided.

Among those present at the wedding fifty years ago were Mrs. Robert Yoman of this city and Mrs. Ira jYeoman of Remington, cousins of tlhe bride, and both were present at the anniversary Sunday; Mrs. John Sayler of Washington and Mrs. Hattie Ferguson of Chicago, sisters of Mrs. VanAtta, were also present at the wedding but were unable to attend the anniversary. To this union was born two children, Grace VanAtta Large, who died some twelve years ago, and Robert M. VanAtta of Marion, superior court judge of Grant and Delaware coumities. Mr. and Mrs. John Coen, parents of Mrs. VanAtta, celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary in the same house where the VanAttas now reside twenty-two years ago.