Mr. & Mrs. Robert Hemingray attend Meeks golden wedding party

GOLDEN WEDDING.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Meeks

Celebrating the Event Today.

The Festivities of This Important

Occasion Begun Last Evening.

Interesting History

Fifty years ago today Robert Meeks, aged 21, and Miss Sarah Jones, aged 18, were married. The ceremony was performed at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Jones, parents of the bride, resid­ing three miles north of Parker, in Randolph county. Rev. Corey of the Granville Methodist Episcopal circuit per­formed the ceremony. Mr. Jones had in­vited every one to come who had helped him roll logs or build his cabin, and to bring their families and over 100 persons attended the wedding and infair.

The groom was one of the 16 children, eight boys and eight girls, of Amos Meeks, and the bride one of 12 children composed of seven boys and five girls. The parents of the bride and groom had been intimate friends in the same county in Virginia, Mr. Jones hav­ing emigrated to Indiana in 1838 and Mr. Meeks one year later in 1839. They both settled in the same locality and resided there until death. Before the death of Mr. and Mrs. Jones they cele­brated their 57th wedding anniversary.

Robert Meeks before his marriage came to Muncietown in 1844 and entered the cabinet shop or furniture factory owned by James Nottingham and Job Swain. The factory was located on East Main street on the site now occupied by the Boyce block. A short time afterwards and before his marriage he pur­chased the interest in the business from Mr. Nottingham. In a short time Robert was an expert at the business and he induced his brother Isaac to buy the interest from Mr. Swain.

At this the boys' father objected, saying that in a short time they would have all the people supplied and then there would be no business.

When Robert was married he brought his bride to Muncietown and they lived happily together in one part of the shop for years. Previous to this they occupied a house on the southwest corner of Washington and Jefferson streets. Their first child, James Meeks, was born there. The other children, three sons, Martin L., William A. and J. A. Meeks, were born under the same roof that covered the old shop. These were the only children.

Later a brick factory was built at the corner of Washington and Elm streets, opposite that a block of ground was se­cured for residence purposes and it is now occupied by the father, mother and the four sons and their families.

The elegant new retail store No. 115 East Main street was built about 1870 and just after the removal of the goods into it the old building was destroyed by fire. The firm of Meeks Bros., continu­ed until the death of Isaac Meeks with three of the sons of Robert, namely William, Martin and James, and Oscar son of Isaac, engaged. Since the death of Isaac, the firm of R. Meeks & Sons have conducted the business, Oscar having retired. Robert Meeks has been quite feeble for three years past and pays but little attention to the vast business his industrious and fair dealings with the people has established and these gentlemen are well caring for it.

The reputation their father made is one to feel proud of and is possessed by very few. Several weeks ago prepara­tions were begun for the formal observ­ance of the golden wedding anniversary today and it was begun with a reception last night at their home 410 East Wash­ington street.

The parlors and dining apartments were beautifully decorated with yellow roses, smilax and palms. In the front parlor was a monogram in large gold fig­ures, "1846-1896" About 60 guests were invited. The bride and groom of 50 years ago, with the bride’s sister, Mrs. Elvina George, of Castalia, Ia., who was present at the wedding, received the guests in a happy manner. At 6 o’clock a sumptuous 3 course dinner was served and the evening was spent in social in­tercourse. Dr. Kemper caused many happy recollections to the company by reading a description of pioneer school days.

The guests present outside of the four children and their families of nine children were Messrs. and Mesdames James Maddy, John Dungan, David Haines, P. W. Franklin, Joseph Hummel, William Huffman, R. H. Clarke, G. H. Hill, Oscar Meeks, Arthur Shideler, C. M. Kim­brough, W. H. Shirk, C L. Bender, J. F. Wildman. Rev. Starr, G. W. H. Kemper, G. M. Bard, James Love, P. T. King; and Mesdames J. A. Goddard, Robert Clarke, Robert Hemingray, Mary Nickey and Sarah J. Williams.

At noon today a big dinner will be served to the brothers and sisters of the bride and groom and their families. It it expected that there will be 60 present. Last night numerous beautiful floral offering were made, and today a large number of appropriate presents will be received

Mr. Meeks is aged 73, and his most amiable wife 68, but last evening and to­day both feel much younger. Several persons were present last night who assisted the happy couple celebrate the silver wedding 25 years ago.