Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 August 1894 — A Birthday Party. [ARTICLE]

A Birthday Party.

All was joy and mirth in the village of Surrey, Indiana, on last Friday, July 27th. The occasion of this great enjoyment being the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the birth of the venerable Jessie Wilcox, who has been a resident of th ; s county for a great many years. His health is fairly good and he is a well preserved man. He was seen stepping around among the visitors with the elasticity of a youth, and his face was mingled not only with age but with pleasant smiles which gladdened the hearts of his children who Bad gathered there for the purpose of making him glad. A very few people live to reach the four score point who are as well and jovial as father Wilcox. There were 57 present and it was truly an enjoyable occasion for his children as well as for others for it is not often that so large a family of children live to shake hands with a father on his 80th birthday . A most excellent dinner was served of which the writer got his share and enjoyed it to a finish. Below we give a list of the names of the children and their husbands and wives who were present. Josiah, Rachel, J. R , Mattie, Abner, Jennie, William, Alice, Geo. W., and J. I. Wilcox, Jasper Kenton, Mary Kenton, AV m. Webb, Martha Webb, J. L. Bruner, and Mahala J. Bruner. The “One Horse Photographer” was out in due time and after filling his natural trunk from the variety of eatables from off the top of the still groaning table, he proceeded to take three negatives. It was very plain to see that Joe was still lame. We wish for the venerable father and his children the return of many such pleasant occasions before he goes hence to return no more.

PRESENT.