This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: farwellwalter Surnames: McElroy, Coy, Williams, Binnie, Ettleman, Wise, Brindle, Stiles, Forrester, Strong, Stiles, Waterman, Mullen Classification: marriage Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.iowa.counties.fremont/7451/mb.ashx Message Board Post: THE FREMONT COUNTY HERALD. April 3, 1919. "Golden Wedding Anniversary Celebrated by Uncle Matt and Aunt Mary McElroy".-- Once only in a lifetime, and often but once in the life of a community, is such a rare privilege enjoyed as was celebrated here last Sunday, March 30, in the golden wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Mathew McElroy. Fifty years is a long time to travel life's pathway together, and to be in one community all that time is more unusual yet. In honor of this event Mr. and Mrs. McElroy gave a reception in their home from 2 until 6 o:clock, during which time over a hundred guests were present. Rev. H. M. Strong of Thurman pronounced the marriage ceremony, the bride and groom again renewing their promises to sustain each other through life. A very interesting feature of the ceremony was the fact the bridesmaid and best man of the day were the third son and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Ed. McElroy, who is acting as attendants were also celebrating their own 15th wedding anniversary. The bride was handsomely gowned in pearl gray satin trimmed with cut steel heads and wore orange blossoms in her hair. The bridesmaid also wore orange blossoms. Both groom and bestman were clad in conventional black. Many and pleasingly joyous were the congratulations showered upon them by all the guests. M. H. McElroy was born August 1, 1837 in Millersburg, Ohio. At the age of 7 years he came to Missouri with his parents. A relative has stated it took just 11 years for Uncle Matt to be shown how much better the state of Iowa is than Missouri, so when convinced of it he came to his present homestead location on the banks of the Missouri river and has resided here continuously, save the interim of a few years spent in the Civil War. He has lived on this one place 63 years and in this one house 59 years. Mary Coy was born August 4, 1848 at Anderson, Indiana, at an early age coming with her parents to Iowa, where she has since resided. March 30, 1869 Matthew McElroy and Mary Coy were united in marriage at the bride's home near Thurman, soon coming to their present home. The new home thus established has been noted for its wide-open doors of generous hospitality, everyone receiving always a welcome from Uncle Matt and Aunt Mary; its strong christianity, too, always having been felt as a factor for good in the community. The influence of this generous christian home cannot be measured, can only be told in the eons to come. It is always a noticeable fact that in the return of a former resident here no visit is complete until they have been out to "Uncle Matt's" for a little time, however brief their stay here. To the union so happily formed 50 years ago five sons and three daughters were born. One wee daughter died in infancy. The remaining sons and wives and daughters and husbands were all present on this happy reunion occasion. They are Mr. and Mrs. Will McElroy of Bingham, Nebraska Mr. and Mrs. Roscoe Williams of Oktacha, Oklahoma Mr. and Mrs. Clair Binnie of Chester, Iowa Mr. and Mrs. Amos McElroy of Percival Mr. and Mrs. Ed. McElroy of Percival Mr. and Mrs. Clyde McElroy of Percival Mr. and Mrs. James McElroy of Percival. One most surprising feature of this grand reception, too, was the fact five of the guests who were present at the first marriage ceremony were also present at the second one. These five are Mrs. Hannah Ettleman of Sidney, Mrs. Wise of Thurman and Colton Brindle, Charles and Eugene Stiles. For the reception the house was a mass of beautiful flower decorations mainly in the pure gold of the yellow jonquils. Refreshments of silver and gold cake with the color scheme of gold predominating in the ice cream were daintily served by the daughters of the hostess. Many and most beautiful indeed were the tokens of esteem presented to the bridal couple, the main ones being a fine victrola and records presented by the children; a beautiful pin to Aunt Mary and gold-bow glasses to Uncle Matt, presented to them by their grandchildren. Boxes of luscious golden oranges accompanied by bouquets of real orange blossoms were sent to the bridal pair by Miss Clara Williams and her brother Richard of Upland, California. These orange blossoms were the ones honored by the happy matronly bride on this day. Among the guests from away aside from the daughters and their husbands, the son and their wives, were Aunt Lizzie Forrester of Tabor, Rev. and Mrs. Strong of Thurman, Mrs. Ettleman, Eugene Stiles and wife, G. M Waterman and wife of Sidney, and Mrs. Ada Mullen of Madelia, Minnesota. At 6 o'clock the guests all departed conceding this to be the one grandest, most wonderful occasion ever experienced here, and hoping this grand christian couple may be spared to us many more years. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.