Mr and Mrs Houghton, of Houghtonburg, rounded out the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding on Friday last. On the Tuesday evening previous, members of the Masonic order from Humbird motored out and surprised them very gloriously. So when Friday came Mr and Mrs Houghton celebrated quietly at home and did not look for further reminders of their half century of union labors. Bet there was something brewing all the time, and it broke loose on Sunday, when their yard commenced to fill with cars. The neighbors were on hand with another big surprise party and another fine celebration filled with joy. Mrs Houghton took the second party, complacently, as most women do, but Clarence was a little unsettled for a day or two afterwards, just naturally wondering how many surprise parties went with a golden wedding any how. It was the first time in his live that he had ever been married fifty years. It is needless to say that the warm hospitality of the Houghton home was fully enjoyed by all participants on both occasions.
The Humbird Enterprise has the following account of the first party, and the last sentence is fully endorsed by many good friends here at Black River Falls as well as everywhere.
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Source: HUMBIRD ENTERPRISE (Humbird, Clark County, Wis.) 06/09/1923
Houghton, Mr./Mrs. Ira C. (Gold Anniv-8 JUN 1873)
On June 8, 1878, Ira Clarence Houghton, a sapling of twenty or thereabouts and Miss Emma Levis, an accomplished young maiden of eighteen summers, were united in the holy bonds of wedlock. the ceremony was performed at Black River Falls, were the bride was employed in a millinery shop. The groom was accumulating experience for use on after life by canvassing for books in Neillsville and vicinity. The happy young folks--and the happiness yet continues--resided on the farm in Houghtonburg with the groom's parents until the fall of that year, and then went to California, where they spent the first seven years of their married life. Returning, they have since lived in Houghtonburg, excepting one year recently spent in the Golden State.
Last Tuesday evening, about seven o'clock, Mr and Mrs Houghton were watching an automobile procession driving southward on the highways, only to be completely surprised as car after car turned into their farm yard. The autos were loaded with members of the Masonic and Eastern Star lodges who had gathered to help Mr and Mrs Houghton celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. Tables were spread on the lawn and all partook of a regular wedding banquet, after which Squire Travis, on behalf of the party, presented the bride and groom with a handsome token in rememberance of this notable anniversary.
Mr and Mrs Houghton are enjoying good health and prosperity and are greatly esteemed in the vicinity which has been their home for so many years. Friends without number join in wishing them many more years of wedded bliss.