You're kidding, right?

Well it is time to renew my driver's license.  Oregon has changed their requirements.  I have to prove that I am a US citizen.  The old hospital certificate of birth no longer proves anything.  Plus - I have to prove my name change from my birth, such as my wedding certificate.  Both items must be certified by the state.  Interesting, when I got my original license way back in the 70's  don't remember what I used.  Probably the nice certificate that has my little infant footprints on it with the seal from the hospital.

So.......guess what I get to do?  I get to order my own birth certificate from Iowa of all things! And - I get to order my own Marriage Certificate from Oregon as I only have a copy.  When we got married - also in the 70's - my husband and I lived on 10 acres in a little cabin/shack sort of place.  We had a burn pile.  I went to town and burned everything I could think of.  Wrapping papers & ribbons from the wedding - this and that - and of all things my original Marriage Certificate.  Not meaning to of course.  Back then I ordered a copy, so a copy is what I got.  Not certified.  Not good enough!

I suppose it will be nice to have a certified copy of each.  Don't worry - I live in the city and do not have burn piles anymore. It's a good thing.

Golden Wedding Anniversary - 1913

MARRIED FIFTY YEARS 

      _____________________

MR. AND MRS. W. J. BRICKLEY CELEBRATED THEIR GOLDEN WEDDING

LAST FRIDAY.

__________________________

ABOUT SEVENTY-FIVE GUESTS WERE PRESENT

__________________________

    Friday, July 11, 1913, seventy-five relatives and friends assisted Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Brickley, of this place celebrate their Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary.  About 11 o'clock, a.m. the relatives and few invited guests assembled at the Brickley home where they were graciously received by the bride and groom of fifty years.

    A lively social time followed consisting of funny witticisms and numerous comments upon the youthfulness of the bride, who was dressed in white for the occasion, and the unusual nervousness of the groom elect.

    At high noon the announcement was made that the feast was spread, and it was in readiness at the M. T. church basement, where previous plans had been well carried out to serve all comfortably.  The officiating minister, the Rev. J.J. Kidder, and wife led the procession.  Immediately following them were the bride and groom, the children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and lastly the guests.  As the procession arrived at the church doors the strains of a brilliant wedding march played by a granddaughter, Lela Purcell, fell upon the listening ears.  After all were comfortably seated in the church parlor, Rev. Kidder proceeded to read the beautiful impressive ceremony as follows: "Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the presence of these friends and dear ones to celebrate the Golden Wedding of John W. and May Melissa House Brickley.  To Almighty God, our creator, and preserver, we render devout and sincere thanks, given for his benignant providences that has generously blessed and kept this husband and this wife, in the holy astute of matrimony for half a century.  For the benediction of this manly and these womanly daughters and their families, the children give to cheer and comfort our hearts, we thank our heavenly Father."

  "For as much as you did, fifty years ago, consent together in hold wedlock, and did witness the same before God and a goodly company, and did there pledge your faith either to other, and did declare the same by joining hands, do you, John W. and Mary Melissa, now renew these solemn vows and covenants before God, and in the presence of these witnesses, and in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost?"

    The response of such was "I do." after which the little granddaughter, Virginia Purcell, brought forth the wedding ring to grandpa, which the bridegroom of fifty years placed on the bride's finger with the words: "And with this ring we renew our plighted faith."

    The invocation was then pronounced.  Congratulations were then showered upon the couple.  To brighten up the seriousness of the occasion, Dr. J. A. White was called upon to make a new remark which he did ably and sufficiently to bring forth smiles from old and young.

     Dr. Port congratulated himself that he was counted a guest on this occasion, and Dr. Guernecy counted silence truly golden in keeping for this time.

    Chansey Houstman responded with an appropriate reading dedicated to "My Aunt Mary's in the country."

    The following verses were composed and recited by the bride:

    We've traveled down life's pathway.  Through its joys and through its pains, we have learned to trust in Jesus, hoping you all may do the same.

When your life's work is ended and time on earth with us shall be no more, we hope to greet you one and all with the loved ones gone before.

    Then the groom added words of good cheer to his relatives living testimony of a life filled blessings that he might grow and live in the service of the Lord.

    Mrs. C.J. Price directed the company to their places in the dining room which was tastefully decorated in white and yellow, the latter color being in honor of the Golden Wedding.

    The bride's table in the center of the room was profuse with yellow on the white linen.  In the center of the table was a huge bride's cake baked by Mrs. T.D. Crain, an old neighbor of the bride.  At this table set the bride and groom and their children.  All the tables were laden with cut flowers and all the good and dainty things known to the culinary art.  The dinner had been prepared by the children and was served in courses by Mrs. W.J. Miller and Mrs. Packer, who were ably assisted by the Misses Esther and Faith Kidder, Inz and Ethel Cruise, Ruth Cole and Blanche Walstin.

    John W. Brickley and Mary Melissa House were married at the home of the bride's father, Jeremiah house in July 1863, by Tomothy Stivers, Justice of the Peace.  There are living to-day three of the witnesses to this ceremony - Mr. and Mrs. James Carter and Mrs. J.M. Price.  On account of their feeble condition, Mrs. and Mrs. James Carter were not able to be present, but Mrs. J.M. Price, a sister of the groom was present at this time.

    To this union has been born ten children.  The one still living are Mrs. Fannie Lyon, J.H. Brickley, Lulu Purcell, Frances Taylor and Jennie Purcell, all of who live near Olin and all were present except the daughter who lives at Cass Center.

    There are 24 grandchildren, 22 of whom were present; 7 great-grandchildren, of whom 5 were present.  The out of town friends present were Mr. and Mrs. Martin Hayes, of Anamosa, friends of long standing; Mrs. Mary Turbox, of Clayton, Illinois, a sister to Mr. Brickley.

    Regrets were received from absent close friends, and many beautiful tokens were left by the children and friends in the form of gold coin, jewelry, useful articles for the table and house.  These so filled the hearts of the hospitable couple with appreciation that it is needless to say they really acted surprised with joy.

    Everyone in this vicinity knows Mr. and Mrs. Brickley, and can attest to the high esteem in which they are held.  Always having lived on their farm near Olin until seventeen years ago, when they moved to Olin, they have seen the country pass through many changes.

     Converted at an early age they have always been consistent members of the Methodist church, active in all its services, so that they are rightly classed among the most spiritual pillars of the church.

    O.A. Dayton was invited to take a picture of the company, after which friends began to say goodbye.

    Thus the golden links of friendship were strengthened, and lives made happier by the celebration of this Golden Wedding.

Transcribed by Mary Lyon Hellman 10/18/2011

90th Birthday Celebration - 1931

I was so excited to come across this poem about my gr gr grandfather, John W. Brickley.  It was written in honor of his 90th birthday celebration by his niece.  It also tells about his father as well.  Just had to share this with you all.

Poem Tells Life Story of J.W. Brickley, Former Olin Resident

_____________

The following poem is a life story of J.W. Brickley, formerly of Olin.  It was read at his ninetieth birthday celebration at Anamosa at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Purcell.  It was received last week, but too late for publication.  Mrs. Elizabeth Austin, a niece of Mr. Brickley wrote it.

_____________

My grandfather and grandmother lived long ago

In Guernsey county in Ohio.

Grandfather, he was a cooper by trade,

His wife was mother, cook and nursemaid.

Now the work that they had wasn't easy to do,

For their children in number were more than a few,

They came one by one as gifts from Heaven

"Till there in all were just eleven.”

James came first and was number one,

Johekim was second, also a son.

The next was a daughter, Katherine by name,

Then another girl came and they called her Jane.

Mary was the next one to arrive;

Another sister, her number was five.

Then came Amelia, a sweet little dear

And she was the very first girl to appear.

On the thirteenth of March in forty-one

Behold here comes another young son.

Now this one they thought was the best they had

So they named him John after his Dad.

Then when Thompson came next, a dear little boy

Every one there was thrilled with joy.

And when he grew up and wanted a home

He met my mother and made her his own.

Martin was the next, so darling and sweet.

Then Henry and last Andrew made the

Brickley family complete.

When the older boys to men had grown,

They started West to find a new home. 

They found the land they loved the best,

The fairest land in all the West.

So here these boys decided to stay

Twas the beautiful state of I-O-way.

Now grand-father got the fever too

To go out West where the land was new.

So one of the boys said he would go back

And get the folks ready and help them pack.

With their plans complete they all worked good

To get ready to leave as soon as they could.

In forty-six was the year they say

When they left here and went to stay.

As the mother and one little son were frail

Grand-father with them made the trip by rail.

The rest of the children were strong and well

So the way they went I now will tell.

With two covered wagons packed just so.

One buggy and five horses away they go.

Now it wasn't long 'till safe from all harm

All were nicely settled on an Iowa farm.

To-day one of these boys attracts our attention

And he is the one that I will mention.

Of this large family he is left here alone.

Every one of the rest have all gone home.

When a boy seventeen, he learned one day,

To serve his God was the safest way.

In the Methodist church he found a home

And then decided never-more to roam.

But made a pledge that he'd always be true

And live for God his whole life through.

A few years later when he was grown

He thought he wanted a home of his own.

A little girl Mary, had come into his life.

He loved her dearly so made her his wife.

"Twas July thirteen in sixty-three

And they were happy as they could be.

Now the first little on to call him "Dar"

Was William Thompson, a fine little lad.

It wasn't long till Fanny Lucinda came a flying

And to-day they call her Mrs. Lyon.

Edwin Thomas was the next we see

A nice little fellow whose number was three.

Jeremiah House was the next little boy

Who came to them and brought them joy.

The next was a little sister who came

And this one was called Gertrude by name.

Mary Luella was the next one I'd say

And she is Mrs. Purcell to-day.

Loretta Francis was the next little trailer

When she grew up she married Fred Taylor.

Lizzie Elnora was the next I believe

Into their home they did gladly receive.

Then Jennie Viola was next to appear

Like all the rest she was a dear.

She liked her sister's name so well

Decided she too would be a Purcell.

The tenth in number was John Theodore

And after he came there were no more.

Five of these children and their mother too,

Have all gone on where they live anew.

The other five, with their father, today

Help him to enjoy another birthday.

Now the pledge he took he surly kept good

For he tried to serve as best he could

Every church service was dear to his heart

He was always there to take his part

A prayer meeting night could not pass.

For sixty-five years he led the class.

Sunday school to him was very dear

He taught a class for forty-five year.

This is a record I’m sure you know

Not many have any where you may go.

Now he has reached four-score and ten

Another record of very few men.

Now Uncle John we're proud of you.

And want you to know we love you too.

Now we heartily do congratulate

As you your birthday celebrate

And our birthday wish for you one more

Is "God bless you with many more.

Bless you health and love and cheer

That each day may get brighter

Throughout the year."

     M. Elizabeth Austin.

Transcribed 10/18/2011 by Mary Lyon Hellman

J. W. Brickley born March 13, 1841 and died August 1, 1933

He lived 2 more years after this celebration until his death.