This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: GURNETT, RAGEN, RAGAN, TWOHY, Classification: Marriage Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/4NB.2ACI/81.2 Message Board Post: NOTE: For some reason, there are 2 articles in the same issue of "The Helena Daily Independent," published at Helena, Montana on Tuesday, November 34, 1936, describing the 50th wedding celebration. MR. AND MRS. EDWARD RAGEN CELEBRATE GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY AT TOWNSEND Townsend, Nov. 23. --- Mr. and Mrs. Edward Ragen celebrated the second most important event in their married lives here today. The first was their wedding 50 years ago. The golden wedding anniversary celebration opened this morning with a nuptial high mass in Holy Cross church. Father S.J. Sullivan was the celebrant and members of the wedding party and the immediate family attended. A breakfast at the Commercial hotel was then served and the party went to the Ragen ranch near where the Ragens were at home to their many friends during the day. Mr. and Mrs. Ragen were married in Helena on Nov. 23, 1886. All of the wedding party, with the exception of Mrs. Ragen's father, the late Patrick Gurnett of Townsend, are alive today and were present at the celebration. The bridesmaid was Miss Sarah Brady of Helena, now Mrs. Sarah Touhy of Spokane, and the best man was Mike Gurnett, brother of the bride, now of Lewistown. The organist was Miss Lizzie O'Neil, now Mrs. Fred Ashall of Helena. The late Father Aloisious Ragaru performed the ceremony. Children of the Ragen union are W.G. Ragen, Eddie Ragen, Walter Ragen, Paul Ragen, all of Townsend, Mrs. William Gaab of Canton and Harry Ragen of Duluth. The latter was the only child not present, but his mother has just returned from a visit to him, and he could not attend today's festifities. All of the children are married but Eddie. Mr. and Mrs. Ragen are two of Broadwater county's most prominent citizens. They have lived here flr all but five of the 50 years and have taken part in all affairs for the county's welfare. The first five years of the marriage were spent in Fergus county and the couple then removed to Broadwter where they settled down to raise their large and well known family. Mr. Ragen has always been a cattleman of importance and at one time was associated with the late Charles Russell, artist. He came to the west from Illinois, where he was born, and remained in Montana to become one of the state's most honored citizens. Mrs. Ragen was born and reared in Broadwater county. She is the daughter fo Pat Gurnett, and was christened Mary Ellen. -------------------------------------- MR. AND MRS. EDWARD RAGEN OF TOWNSEND CELEBRATE THEIR GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY In fitting surroundings, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Ragen of Townsend yesterday celebrated their golden wedding anniversary and, in the Holy Cross church in Townsend, pledged the vows made 50 years ago at a high mass celebrated by the Rev. Stephen J. Sullivan, it was announced here by those who attended and participated in the ceremony. The two were married in Helena on Nov. 23, 1886, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Hearts by the Rev. Aloysius Ragaru, S.J. At the celebration yesterday in Townsend in the sanctuary were the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Victor Day, vicar general of the Helena diocese and the Very Rev. Emmet Riley, Ph.D., president of Carroll college. SAME WITNESSES. The married couple was attended by the same witnesses present at the ceremony 50 years ago. They are Michael Gurnett, brother of Mrs. Ragen, and Mrs. Sarah Brady Twohy of Spokane, Wash. Mr. Ragen was born in southern Illinois and came to Montana when a young man. At the time of his marriage he was residing at Lewistown. Mrs. Ragen, nee Mary Ellen Gurnett, was born in Canton, Missouri valley, Territory of Montana. They are the parents of six living children and all were present at the celebration with the exception of Harry, who lives in Duluth, Minn. The other five children and their families live at Townsend. There are 10 grandchildren. WEDDING SERVICES. After the church service a wedding breakfast was served at the Commercial hotel in Townsent to the members of the family and close friends. At the table were seated Mr. and Mrs. Edward Ragan, Mrs. and Mrs. D.J. Ragan, brother of Mr. Ragan, Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Gaab, Joe Gabb, Charles, Margaret Ann, Genevieve, Nan, Paul, Viola, John, Mary Agnes, Walter D., William, William, Jr., Susan, Pat, Mary Jane and James Ragan. Mrs. Sarah Twohy, William Twohy, Walter Ogle, Mrs. Irene Spurling, Mr. and Mrs. M. Gurnett, Miss Josie Sullivan and the Rev Fathers Day, Sullivan and Riley. At the banquet toasts were responded to by Monsignor Day and Doctor Riley, Mrs. Twohy, William Twohy, Mr. Gurnett. Mr. Ragan made a speech of appreciation and gratitude. Dr. Sullivan acted as toastmaster. Telegrams were read from the Rev. F.X. O'Farrell of Kalispell, a former pastor of Townsend, from Father Henry Aarts, who was also a former pastor, and from their son, Harry.