Go Years Together

Sixty years of happy wedded life comes to few people. And few of tbose to whorn snob happiusss has been given have spent uearly all their life in the same residence. Arnong these happy few are numbered Mr. and Mrs. John W. Maynard, who oelebrated the sistieth auuiversary of tneir marriage last Monday at their home on División street of this city. Their pleasant borne had been tastefully decorated with exquisite flowers aud a very large nnrnber of friends paid tbeir respects dnriug the afterüoon and eveuiug. In fact the oelebration toork on tbe aspect of a ln-gp. reception, so mauy friends did Mr. and Mrs. Maynard unmber, especially among tbe older residents of the oity. They were assisted by their sous, Attorney-General Fred A. Maynard, of Grand Rapids, with his wife, and John H. Maynard, of this city. Ligbt refresbments were served. The occasion was one greatly enjoyed by those who had the good fortune to be present, but by none more than by the bride and groom of sixty years ago, who have always been noted for their hospitality aud who enjoyed playing the part of host and hostess. The bridal dress was ou exhibition' an exquisite lighfc brocade silk, white slippers and uow quaint and old-fashioned white bonnet. The years have dealt gently with Mr. and Mrs. Maynard. The bride, espeosially, was a bright, witty aud charmiug as when sixty yeara ago she donned the bridal dress. Only one persoa who was present at that wedding of sixty years ago besides the contractiug parties, is now living, Col. James M. Wpcoxson, of this city, I a brother of the bride, who acted as best man. The ceremony was performed by Bev. Seth Beach, who was at thac time, Dec. 7, 1836, pastor of the Ann Arbor Presbytenan cburch, and it occnrred at the home of tbe bride's mother, whicb was located on the corner immediately adjoining their present home. In 1843, Mr. Maynard commenced the erectiou uf the homestead in which tbey now reside, and on its completion in 1844, a house warming was given, at which Prof. Andrew TenBrook was present. He is tbe sole survivor of the guests on tbis occasion and graced the celebratiou Monday with his presenoe. Both Mr. aud Mrs. Maynard were "old settlers" of Ann Arbor before their man iage, though they were a young bridal couple. Mr. Mayuard, when a boy, carne frotn Mássachnsetts with bis father, Ezra Maynard, who settled ou the farm afterwards known as the Booth farm in Pittsfield in 1824. Mrs. Maynarfi carne when a little girl froin Ououdaga county, New Yoik, with her fatber Gideon Wilcoxson, in 1827. These dates mean more when it is reaiembered that Ann Arbor was first settled in 1824, so that Mr. Maynard oame to Pittsfield tbe same yar Ann Arbor was settled and Mrs. Maynard came to Ann Arbor ouly three years later. Tbe village was only twelve years old when tbey were married. Mr. Maynard soou started a store on the corner of Main and Anu streets, where tbe Dtiffy block is located. For years Maynard's general store was celebrated throughout this whole section. Mr Mayuard's career as a merchant exceeds sixty years, and is cotemporaneous with that of the existenoe of the village and city. He is still iu the grocery business, though for the past few years the active management has devolved Tjpou his son, John. Yet Mr. Maynaid may be sneu at his store every day. Mrs. Maynard has kept a full diary for half a century and she bas several times been called into court to settle disputed facts with her diary, which bas always been taken as indisputable evidenoe. Mr. Maynard was a heavy contributor towards secnring the location of tbe University here at the time the campus was donated to the state. Four sons blessed the marriage of sixty years ago. The oldest, Edward, was war correspondent of the New York Herald and the Chicago Times, and diecl shortly after the war from disease oontracted duriog it. Dr. William J. Maynard, a suocessful Chioago praotitioner aud consul to Milan, Italy, duriug President Clevelaud's first term, is at present at the Dansville, N. Y., sauitariuiri, suffering from an incurable illness. John H. Maynard is at home with bis parents, having taken charge of tbe business. The youngest sou, Fred A. Maynard, has been for somfi years a very successful Grand Rapids lawyer and bas jusc been elected tn bis second term as attorney-general of Michigan.