Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 56, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 March 1909 — Wedding Anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Burns. [ARTICLE]

Wedding Anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Burns.

There were quite a number of friends gathered at the home of Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Burns, near Alx, Sunday, March 21, it being their fortieth anniversary. They had a fine spring day for the occasion; also an elegant dinner was served and everybody hack: a fine time. Mr. Burns is an old soldier of the Civil War. When was was at hand he and his two brothers bid their aged mother farewell and fought . for the Union. When the war was over he and one brother returned to their old homestead in Michigan, one brother having been killed during the War, and there a kind mother and three sisters were waiting them. His father passed away many years before. Since the war Mr. Burns has always been a cripple, having been injured in battle. He then went to Whitley county, where he united in marriage to Nancy Emily Keener in the year 1868. Mrs. Burns was a school teacher before marriage. The young couple at once took their departure for Jasper county, where they have ever since remained. Wissn Mr. and Mrs. Burns came here there was such a dense forest that there was not even room enough on his farm for a house till he made way with* the ax. This he quickly did, and built a little hut for himself and wife to live in and in that they still remain, but the little hut has turned out to be a large farm house. Through the troubles and cares of life they have cleared- up their farm which is now a very fine country home. To their union was born thirteen children, namely Della Belle, James Gurney, who died in infancy, Wlma Loellen, Dora Grace, William Albert, Ora May, who also passed away at the age of about four years; Leota Myrtle, little Charles; he and the little one spoken of above met death at about the- same hour, their little lives being taken by fire, which accident has grieved the aged couple very much, Next Raymond Guy, Lilly Fern, Flossie Marie, Wesley Glenn and Mary Irene, their baby girl now ten years of age. Their children all live close to the old home where they were born and raised except three, Mrs. Della Belcher, now of. South Bend; Mrs. Grace Sherrill of Tangier, Ind., and William Burns of Chicago. They were all present at the anniversary except the two last named, whose occupation prevented them from being there. They have twelve living grandchildren. There were forty-fdqr present at the anniversary and everybody showed their love by coming with well-filled baskets. Besides the relatives there were Mr. and Mrs. Charley Harrington and daughter Gladys; Mr 4 and Mrs. George Cazy, only sister of Mrs. Burns, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lakin, Mr. and Mrs. William Wilcox and son, Mr. and Mrs. Walter* Harrington and daughter Flossie, Mr. and Mrs. John McClannahan and daughter, Stephen Comer, Mrs. Isabelle Price, Mr. and Mrs. James McClanahan and son, Albert Keener, also a brother of Mrs. Burns; and Roy Weston. The presents they received were not so numerous but were very nice. Together they got a gold watch, an all linen table cloth and twelve napkins, an elegant berry set, silk handkerchief, silk muffler, silver cake basket, and a large fine china bread and cake plate. But best of all Mr. Burns presented to his wife a wedding ring after so many long years of happiness. It is to be hoped we will all get to go back and celebrate their golden wedding.