I thought I would share this story written about the (Wisconsin German) Schreiner's and my GG-uncle John Edward Connell and his wife Mary (Lord) who celebrated their golden wedding anniversaries together. John was a well-known and decorated Civil War officer (Union). He was the brother of my GG-grandmother Elizabeth Connell Harrison. John's daughter Roah married Albert Henry Schreiner, son of Jacob Schreiner. Jacob Schreiner was born in Dexbach, Grand Duchy Hessen Darmstardt, Germany December 01, 1838 and died February 23, 1923 in Grant Co., WI. Memorable Event in West Grant's History When Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Schreiner and Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Connell of Bloomington Jointly Observe Anniversary. Taken from Fennimore Times (Grant County, Wisconsin), April 4, 1917. The circumstance of two couples getting married less than a week apart, living as good friends and neighbors for fifty years, and still being more closely connected by the marriage of a daughter of one couple to a son of the other, and then celebrating their fiftieth anniversary together is certainly so rare as to occasion special mention. Such is the history of Messrs. and Mms. Jacob Schreiner and J. E. Connell of Bloomington. Mr. and Mrs. Schreiner's anniversary is March 26th, and Mr. and Mrs. Connell's a few days later--March 31st. The two dates being so close together, they resolved to observe the occasion with a union celebrated. March 28th was the day celebrated and as a result, about one hundred relatives and friends gathered at the Jacob Schreiner home to help the worthy couples make merry and turn the hands of time back over the busy short years. The Jacob Schreiner house was fully decorated and a profusion of yellow and white cut flowers delighted the eye and gave out a pleasant fragrance, even unto the remote corners. The days events started with a reception at the Schreiner home, after which the entire party repaired to Congregational church dining room where the feast was ready. This was the largest and most conspicuous number on the program and under the direction of the two ladies entertaining could not fail to be a success. After "full" time was given to the delicacies prepared for the occasion, the following program of toasts was rendered, with J. B. Ludden as toastmaster. M. F. Woodhouse --" Auld Lang Syne" or "Memories of Fifty Years Ago." S. E. Pearson - "Congratulations." Rev. Geo. C. Safford--" Our Hosts." Rev. J. W. Taylor of Campbellsport, Wisconsin--"Our Hostesses." Mrs. Ina Ketner-- Reading of poem, "The Golden Wedding," written by Ernest Brooks. Rev. A. T. Lacey of Endeavor, Wisconsin--" Men and Husbands." Mrs. Lillie G. Bartley--" Wives and Sweethearts." During this program several splendid vocal selections were rendered by a choir composed of S. E. Pearson, Mr. and Mrs. M. F. Woodhouse and Mrs. Bartley. To be present on this happy occasion and felicitate with the worthy celebrants of the rare and momentous event, the following guests came from their homes in distant cities: Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Brodtkorb and four children of Edgeley, N. D.; Mrs. Henry Edwards of Alma Center, Wis.; Mrs. Dr. McCallister of Avoca, Wis.; Rev. and Mrs. J. W. Taylor and daughter of Campbellsport, Wis.; Rev. and Mrs. A. T. Lacey of Endeavor, Wis.; Mr. and Mrs. David Schreiner, Mrs. H. E. Schreiner and Mrs. Ernest Alt of Lancaster, Wis. The extended acquaintance of the persons connected with this happy occasion and the esteem in which they are held by the entire community, renders a brief sketch of their lives necessary to round out a complete report. The data procured only after a promise had been given to refrain from wholesome praise or undue prominence, the subjects modestly protesting that nothing connected with their lives would warrant public attention. The community is the best judge of the life and services of individuals, and so these people whose lives are briefly reviewed must permit their friends of a lifetime to place them where they know they belong-- well toward the top of the list of those whose services have made the community better for their having lived and labored with us for so many years. See the Biographies index on my HARRISON ROOTS & BRANCHES web site for more on these couples. http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~irishrose/index.html Always digging for my roots, Kathie Harrison Lancaster Co. Coordinator, NEGenWeb Project http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~irishrose/lancindex.html To understand the living you must commune with the dead.