JOHN SYMES

Death Fri. of John Symes, a well-known resident of our city, following a
long illness with a liver disease. He was born in England in 1833 and came
to Manitowoc in 1853, where he has since lived. He and his wife celebrated
their 50th Wedding Anniversary on 13 May of this year. He leaves his wife
and 7 children. The funeral was Sun. afternoon.
Der Nord Westen, 17 Sep. 1903
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ARE WED FIFTY YEARS.
Mr. and Mrs. John Symes Recall the Wedding Day of their Youth and Rejoice
UNION HAS BEEN BLESSED ONE
Hospitable Home is Today Thronged With Friends of Present And Past to
Congratulate Worthy Couple-Here 49 Years.
Happy and contented with the consciousness of lives, faithfully and well lived,
imbibed with the pleasant memories of five decades, surrounded by the children
of a union that has in every way proved a blessing and with relatives and
friends of generous numbers to tender testimonials of high regard and esteem,
Mr. and Mrs. John Symes, at their hospitable, pleasant home on south Sixth street,
today observe the golden anniversary of their marriage day and are welcoming to
their abode the friends of present and past to rejoice with them. Fifty years ago
at Jersey Settlement, near Plymouth Sheboygan County, the couple were principals
to the interesting matrimonial event that is being commemorated today and a year
later took up their home in this city where they have since been among the highly
respected residents. The marriage was the outgrowth of friendship formed in
childhood days when both with their parents emigrated to America.
Although no elaborate preparations were made for the celebration today a large
gathering of friends and relatives are assembled at the home and the occasion
will be made one prominent in the annals of wedding anniversaries in the city.
A reception was held during the afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. John Symes being assisted
in the receiving by five of their six living children, who are present for the
event. This evening another large party will be entertained and Mr. and Mrs. Symes,
the celebrants, will be made the recipients of congratulation and gifts,
testimonials of the esteem in which they are held by their host of friends.
Thirteen is by superstitious people considered a very unlucky number but Mr. and
Mrs. Symes cannot be convinced of this for it was on the Thirteenth and a Friday
that the marriage ceremony, which has brought so much happiness into their lives
was performed. Mr. and Mrs. Symes are both natives of Weymouth, England and came
to this country with their parents when children. Mr. Symes’ parents settled at
Kenosha, while Mr. and Mrs. Honnsell?, Mrs. Symes’ parents took up their home near
Plymouth and it was here that the couple first met while Mr. Symes was making a
visit to the village. They were married by Rev. David Lewis, May 13, 1853 and after
residing at Kenosha for a year came to this city and have resided here continuously
ever since. Mr. Symes is a tinsmith by trade and up to within a month ago was
actively following his occupation. There is but a year’s difference in the ages of
the couple, Mr. Symes being 70 years old and Mrs. Symes 69.
Golden wedding anniversaries are of rare occurrence, although Manitowoc has had a
number of late years due to the fact that many of the pioneer residents of the
county have been granted the privilege of long life. To Mr. and Mrs. Symes the
HERALD tenders its sincere congratulations, wishing for them added years of joyous
happiness and the privilege of celebrating a diamond anniversary.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, May 13, 1903 P. 1
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[age 70 yrs./cause: Brights disease]