Underberg, Silver Wedding Anniversary, 1893

UNDERBERG, KRIES, REIDER, REIF, ABEL

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 7/7/2005 at 23:39:39

I translated the following article from Der Carroll Demokrat, a German-language newspaper published in Carroll, Iowa, between about 1874 and 1920. It was originally published on 9 June 1893. Any information in brackets or notes at the end are my own explanations. It reads as follows:

Silver Anniversary

Eight days ago yesterday, on 1 June, there was a good time at John Underberg’s in Sheridan Township, because he and his wife were celebrating the beautiful occasion of their 25th wedding anniversary. All their children and grandchildren, other relatives, and friends were present to extend their best wishes to the silver-anniversary couple. Twenty-five years ago in Browns Station, Clinton County, Iowa, the universally respected anniversary husband married Maria Kries, who, during this happy time, has bestowed 13 children on him, 10 sons and 3 daughters, all of whom took part in this celebration, and those of them who married were present with their own children. Mr. Underberg’s house is quite spacious, but on this day it was still too small. The company enjoyed itself throughout the day, and everything that the kitchen, cellar, and culinary skill of dear “Mutter Underberg” was able to offer was served up in great quantities, and the happy guests did not depart until 12 o’clock at night. Naturally, the Demokrat also wishes to add its heartiest best wishes. May the anniversary couple yet be blessed with long, happy years living together, so that they may enjoy the well-earned fruits of their untiring hard work and during their later years bind their golden wreath [of their 50th anniversary]. The Underberg family has many acquaintances throughout the county, so we will only briefly mention here how rich the silver-anniversary couple’s gifts were.

From Grandfather Kries, an engraved gold coin; from grandmother Kries, a silver fruit bowl; from Mr. and Mrs. John Kries, a silver cucumber container; from Mr. and Mrs. Nic. Kries, a silver tray; from Sus. [possibly should be Gus.] and Maria Kries, a silver cake platter; from Val. Underberg, a chair cover; from Mr. and Mrs. Frank Reider, a fine tablecloth; from Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Reif, a parlor lamp; from Mr. and Mrs. Frank Abel, a silver cake [the rest of the article is missing].