November 16, 1899 Newspaper Announcement of Luke & Sarah Keith’s Golden Wedding Anniversary

From the November 16, 1899 Galesburg (Michigan) Weekly Argus

Wedding Anniversary

Fifty years since, on the 14th day of November, 1849, in a house upon the site where now stands the fine residence of Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Burroughs, in Galesburg, the ceremony was performed which united Sarah C. Crawford and Charles L. Keith.

Since that date, the twain have lived honored lives near this village, and on the evening of Tuesday, Nov. 14th, 1899, their children, their grandchildren and their great grandchildren assembled at the old homestead in Comstock township to celebrate their Golden wedding.

It was not a large assemblage, it being the intent to make the occasion one upon which those nearest them could unite in congratulating the old people upon having reached the anniversary which rarely comes to any.

Mr. Keith had been previously married[1], two children of that earlier union surviving, as follows: Mrs. A. R. Skinner[2], of Galesburg and H. L. Keith[3], of Oakland, Cal.

The five surviving children of the later marriage are, Ethan B. and Mrs. C. D. Towne[4], of Comstock township, Mrs. H. A. Brown[5] and James C. of Chicago, and Mrs. D. D. Harris[6], of Shelbyville. All the above were present excepting the sons in Chicago and California, who were unavoidably detained.

In addition to the above, a grandson C. I. Clark[7], his wife, with their three children[8], of Jackson, also was present, constituting a family party representing four generations.

The elder Keith is now 86 years of age while his wife is 78. The former is a native of New York and the latter was born in Canada. Mr. Keith has lived in the vicinity of Galesburg since 1837 and shares with the venerable J. Ripley Comings and Mrs. Catherine Whitcomb, the honor of being the oldest residents.

The occasion was a genuine family re-union, and will be long remembered by those participating.

Many evidences of regard were left, by the visitors, among which twenty two dollars in gold had a very appropriate significance.

All who know “uncle Luke” and his worthy wife, will join those present in the sincere wish that this Golden Wedding may be the prelude to their Diamond anniversary.

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[1] Luke married Minerva Payson on April 23, 1839; she died August 29, 1843. He then married Jerusha Crittenden on July 25, 1847; she died September 23, 1848

[2] Lois (Keith) Clark Skinner

[3] Henry Keith

[4] Hannah (Keith) Towne

[5] Nancy (Keith) Brown

[6] Louese (Keith) Harris

[7] Charles Ira Clark, Lois’ son by her first husband, Byron Clark

[8] Clara (Youngs) Clark and Edna, Ethan and Charles Clark