Celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Marriage of Henry and Susanna Shick, of Reading
The 'golden wedding', of fiftieth anniversary of the marriage of Henry and Susanna Shick, was celebrated on Monday, November 18th, at their residence, No. 313 Chestnut Street, Reading, a large number of the descendents of the couple being present to the third and fourth generations, together with other relatives and friends.
Henry Shick was born July 31, 1803, in New Hanover township, Montgomery county, and his wife, Susanna Brown, was born Sept. 3d, 1804, in Warwick township, Chester county. They were married November 18, 1828, by Rev. John C Guldin, and raised a family of nine children - six sons, two daughters, and an adopted son William H Walton. The children are all living excepting a son Josiah Shick, who died in 1872. There was no death in the family for forty-four years after marriage. They have twenty-two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
There were present at the golden wedding ---William H. Walton, adopted son, of the firm of Shepard and Co., stove foundrymen, Philadelphia; W.H.Shick, a son, of the firm of Orr, Painter, and Co., founders, Reading; Nathan Shick, a son, of the firm of Slater and Shick, potterers, Metropolis City, Illlinois; A.W. Shick, a son, of Pottstown; Thomas Shick, a son, of the firm Frick and Shick, limeburners, Anna, Ill.; Mrs. Mary Sands and Mrs. Lizzie Seivard, daughters; Rev. J.G. Sands, Trappe, Pa., and Henry Seivard, of Reading, sons-in-law; Mrs. W H Walton, Mrs. Josiah Shick, Mrs. A. W. Shick together with twelve grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Rev. Mr. Leopold, of Reading, pastor of the Evangelical church with which the family is connected; Miss Agnes Stinson, of Norristown, W.J. Binder, of the 'Daily Pottstown Ledger', and others.
Mr. Cyrus Shick, of the firm Finch and Shick, Ill., was detained at home with his family on account of illness, which was very much regretted as he is the eldest of the children, and the only one not present. Twenty years ago, on a Christmas Day, was the last time all were gathered at home at the same time.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Shick live for thirty nine years on a farm near St Mary's, Chester county, but moved to Reading in Spring of 1873, where they now reside, with their daughter Mrs. Seivard. Mrs. Shick had her second sight, and did not use spectacles for many years, but her sight is now failing, and she cannot see to read or sew. On last Sabbath morning the parents, children, and grandchildren, attended Chestnut Street Evangelical Association church in a body.
During the day, while the anniversary celebration was in progress, a number of friends called upon and congratulated the aged couple.
Mr. and Mrs. Shick were the recipients of numerous gifts, including gold spectacles, elegant copy of the Bible in four volumes, cake with gold dollars arranged on top, etc. A presentation speech was made by William H Shick, which was responded to by Rev. Mr. Leopold. The latter congratulated the couple in thus being blessed with long life, and the descendents in having such honored parents; their chief source of thankfulness was that all were Christians. The Bible was the secret of this, and the early erection of the family altar. A leading trait in the family was benevolence - always responsive to the calls of the needy and afflicted. A hymn was sung by the company -
Here I'll raise my Ebenezer,
Hither by thy help I come,
And I hope by thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
After an impressive prayer, the guests sat down to a bountiful repast. The day and the pleasures and festivities, and the enjoyments of the family reunion, will long be remembered, not only by the aged parents in whose honor the 'golden wedding' was thus celebrated, but by all connected with the family tree, and other friends who were present.
Submitted by Diana
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