Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 99, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 August 1899 — The Yeoman Reunion. [ARTICLE]

The Yeoman Reunion.

•The relatives of Mr. James Yeon>an and family, to the number of over one hundred, large and small, old and young, met at the country | residence of Mr. and Mrs. Yeoman, for a family reunion and to talk over good times, old and new. : The occasion was the anniversary of the coming of the Yeoman i'family to Jasper County. The ancestors of James Yeoman located on the farm now owned by theif Bon James fifty-five years ago this August 18, 1899. First was the log cabin which is still Standing, but not occupied now as a dwelling. This building was improved from time to time as opportunity offered and occasion returned. Here the parents of James Yeoman reared their family and from this home their children started out from parental roof to to seek new homes elsewhere. James Yeoman becoming the owner of the old homestead continued to occupy the same, adding acres to the orignal investment until he ranks among our most independent and wealthy citizens. Here he and his estimable wife reside and have resided all their married life and from this home ! have gone forth their children, as did the children of their gandparents to seek and do for themselves. As we stated the old home still stands but it is not occupied as a dwelling. The thrift and industry of Mr. Yeoman and family has enabled him to build near the site of the old home a new, beautiful and commodious building where the occupants live at their ease and entertain their relatives and friends generously and delightfully. About one o’clock the guests sat down to a table spread in the open air, laden with all the richness and delacies of a country meal, chicken in boundless quantities, white bread and golden butter, apple pies, cake, pickles, jelly and perserves and all other good things, tempting to the sight and gratifying to the taste; and when the meal was eaten and all ■ satisfied the scene reminded one of the scene in the bible where it required twelve baskets to hold the fragments after the multitudes were filled. After dinner the time was passed by the old people talking over their reminisences of the past and contrasting the hardships of pioneer life with the easy fast going pace of the present age. The young people, both boys and girls, played ball, while occasionally they would wander aside in couples to talk over the beautiful scenery and the rich pleasures of farm life. Many enjoyed themselves with music, vocal and instrumental. A very young crowd seemed to enjoy themselves highly with a donkey and wagon. Altogether the day was pleasent an enjoyable and the crowd wished our host an hostress many returns of such happy days and all agreed to be on hand one year hence.