| A Golden
Wedding ____ |
||
| One of the most
enjoyable social events that ever transpired in Sonoma county, took place at
the residence of L. D. Cockrill, Esq., at Bloomfield, on Wednesday. Fifty years
before, in Blackburn county, Kentucky, L. D. Cockrill and Miss D. Venable
[sic] were united in the holy bonds of matrimony and for a half a
century have shared the pleasures and sorrows of life. Squire and Mrs. Cockrill are among the oldest and higly esteemed residents of this county. Twenty-six years ago they removed from their home in Missouri and settled where they now reside bringing with them four sons and six daughters who married and made homes in our county and State. One son died at the age of fourteen, but all the others lived to adult age. The oldest daughter married S. L. Fowler of Valley Ford, the second John McReynolds of Green Valley, the third W. D. Lake of Bloomfield, the fourth O. H. Hoag of this city, the fifth L. W. Miller of Bloomfield, while the sixth is still unmarried. The first, second and fifth daughter have passed to the other shore. The boys -- two settled in San Francisco, T. G. and R. L. Cockrill, where they are both in business, the former having at one time held the position of Chief of Police. The other son, Bruce, resides at San Rafael. With this brief introduction, we pass to a description of the golden wedding, as furnished us by one of the guests: The guest commenced arriving about 10 o'clock A. M., on the 29th, from San Francisco, Petulama, Santa Rosa, Tomajes and the surrounding country, composed of old residents and relatives of the family, until the number had increased to more than two hundred persons. As there was some delay in the arrival of the guests, dinner was not served until one oclock and continued until after 4. The capacity of the tables used for the occasion would accommodate eighty persons, and they fairly groaned with luxuries and wholesome food, sufficient for double the amount present. A platform had been erected adjoining the residence of the aged couple, and canvass spread over for a shield from the sun, encased with evergreens, tastefully arranged, making a pleasant and extensive dining room, which was easily converted into a dancing hall. Just previous to the announcement that dinner was ready, the aged couple took position on the floor as they had done fifty years before, and the Hon. J. G. Pressley stepped forward and in a very brief and terse form pronounced them man and wife. Mrs. C., in responding to the question "will you take this man " said, "I am getting old and feeble, my sight is failing and I suppose it is the best I can do." The Judge responded that he was fully satisfied, and told his friends that the bride of to-day was not as handsome as she was when he first married her, but she looked good to him and was dearer than when he made the first vow a half a century before. After recounting some incidents during his residence of 26 years in this State, he thanked his guests for their presence and gave them a hearty welcome. Before night fall the aged persons and those from a distance returned to their homes. At an early hour after the evening shades prevailed, the dining room was lighted with Chinese lanterns and Profs. Hickman, Upson and Cockrill appeared on the scene duly equipped, when the sweet strains of music brought to their feet the light hearted joyous young people, interspersed with the music. Your correspondent heard an ex-Officer of San Francisco crying out -- "Honors to your partners, balance all." All present seemed to enjoy themselves to the fullest extent and expressed the wish that golden weddings would become more fashnionable and frequent. Among the presents were, an elegant silver card receiver lined with gold, from Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Cochran of San Francisco; an elegant Morocco Bible, from Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Bunn; gold thimble from Mrs. J. G. Pressley; set of Bohemian vases and cigar case from Mrs. Thos. Smith, of Valley Ford; box of hankerchiefs, Mrs. J. E. Fowler, Valley Ford; pair of napkin rings, gold lined, by Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Canfield, Blucher Valley; bonnet, by Mrs. R. L. Cockrill; ebony cane, ivory head, C. Martin (policeman), San Francisco; presents of gold coin, by Mr. and Mrs. Hall, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Hall, Jr., W. P. Hinshaw, Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Lawrence, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Fowler, Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Hall, Miss Annie Welsh, W. C. Percival, N. Robinson, Mr. and Mrs. T. Mooney; set gold studs, Mrs. Houx and Mrs. Dalton, Petaluma; two pair slippers, Dr. C. P. Chesley, San Francisco; wedding cake with inscription, E. Dreyfus, San Francisco; gold presents from T. G. and R. L. Cockrill; lace tie, Miss Libbie Hoag, Bloomfield; box of fine French candy, J. W. Hoag; kid gloves, Miss Ida Cockrill; beaver hat, R. L. Cockrill and a number of minor presents that the donors declined to have mentioned. We hope Mr. and Mrs. Cockrill will live long and enjoy at least the pleasures of the next anniversary, the diamond wedding. |
This page created on 04/01/02 21:04.