June 30, 1888. RUTLAND- A FAMILY REUNION.- For the last few months Mrs. J. K. Spencer, had been planning to give her husband a birthday surprise party, when he should arrive at his sixty-first milestone in the journey of life, which would be on the 23rd day of June, 1888, by inviting their brothers and sisters, with a few intimate friends, to celebrate the occasion. Everything was managed so closely that the surprise was complete. Mr. S. did not even think of its being his birthday until Mrs. S presented him with a handsome suit of clothes as a reminder. She then started him off to town to meet her sister and husband from Galesburg. Mr. and Mrs. Allen, who they expected to arrive on that day to make an extended visit. During his absence the guests arrived, and took possession of the house and grounds, and not until Mr. S saw the company, did it dawn upon his mind that a surprise had been in waiting for him. There were present: K.K. Shaver and wife, Josiah Shaver, J.R. Shaver and wife, Mrs. Rebecca Snelling, S. W. Allen and wife of Galesburg, J. F. Miller and wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Shaver, E.T. Spencer and wife, Edward Spencer and wife, Mrs. Annin, F. Shaver and wife, N. Ward and wife, D. D. Vincent, and others. At 12:30 the guests were all invited into the elegant parlors and Mr. Vincent, who was appointed spokesman, in a neat and well worded speech, presented Mr. S with a beautiful easy chair, which the brothers and sisters had provided for the occasion. Mr. Spencer was completely taken by surprise, but was equal to the occasion, and responded in a beautiful appropriate manner. Mrs. Allen, whose birthday was the day following, was also presented with a beautiful silver water pitcher, with appropriate remarks and thanks returned. The doors of the spacious dining room were thrown open, and the guests invited to partake of one of the most bounteous repasts in the history of LaSalle county, to which the guests did ample justice. At a late hour in the afternoon they departed for their homes, after having spent a very pleasant day, and wishing their host many happy returns of the same. A GUEST ------------------------------------------------------------- UGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organiza- tions or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contri- butor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Sue Koller