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Martha D <I>Bewley</I> Reynolds

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Martha D Bewley Reynolds

Birth
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA
Death
23 Jun 1904 (aged 80)
Muskegon, Muskegon County, Michigan, USA
Burial
Muskegon, Muskegon County, Michigan, USA Add to Map
Plot
2-2-5
Memorial ID
View Source
The Daily Chronicle, Muskegon, Monday,
February 6, 1899
A Golden Wedding
Mr. and Mrs. Wm Reynolds Celebrate Their 50TH Anniversary
Many Friends Present Saturday Night at a Most Delightful Occasion-Some Touching Remarks by the Speaker-A Number of Elegant Presents Testify the Esteem and Goodwill of Friends.
The cozy residence of Mr. and Mrs. W. Reynolds, 25 Acorn street, was the scene of unusual festivities last Saturday evening, it being the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding day. The house was beautifully decorated for the occasion. Wreaths of evergreens hung in graceful festoons from ceilings and arches and bouquets of cut flowers and potted plants were in perfusion and with their beauty and fragrances helped to make the golden wedding one long to remembered. Promptly at 7:30 the invited guests being the immediate neighbors, members of the G. A. R. and Women's Relief Corps and Sons of Veterans, began to arrive and filled the house to overflowing. Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds received their guests in an especially prepared alcove conspicuous for the display of flags and patriotic emblems and bearing the legend "Married in 1849 and now it is 1899."
J. C. McLaughlin was introduced as the first speaker and among many other good things said that he fully appreciated the honor of being invited to be present on such an occasion as this, and even though his remarks were desultory and unprepared such as he had be heartily gave. He had thought that a few reminiscences of Mr. Reynolds and his family as he had gleaned them from time to time might be of interest.
"Mr. Reynolds comes of good old Quaker stock," said Mr. McLaughlin, "having been born in 1830, the youngest of sixteen children. And now follows a record that probably is without parallel in the whole United States or in the world possibly. Wm. Reynolds has three brothers and three sisters who have lived to celebrate their golden weddings and one sister who has seen her sixty fourth wedding anniversary, making eight in one family who have been married for fifty years or more. Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds were married in 1849 and there have been born to them six children. When the country called for volunteers in 1860 Wm. Reynolds was one of the first to respond to duty's call, and nobly he did his part. His good wife bade him go, and with heavy heart she toiled on to earn the bread for herself and her little ones and teach them lessons of loyalty and patriotism and love of country. may a kind Providence ever watch and keep guide over the noble woman who though they may never have performed daring deeds on the field of battle filled a niche at home and made for themselves names that shall live that shall live when tablets of stone and brass shall crumble and fade away.
"Enlisting as orderly sergeant, Mr. Reynolds was soon promoted to first lieutenant and was in active service from the date of his enlistment. Marching at the head of his company to meet the enemy a cruel minnie-ball inflicted the wound from which he suffers today, and he was left on the battlefield to die. But another fate was in store for him. His life was spared, and partially recovering he was a prisoner taken to the Libby prison at Richmond, Va., and there confined for nine months when he made his escape through that celebrated tunnel that has become historical.
Mr. Reynolds describes graphically the digging of this tunnel which took fifty-one days, or nights rather, to complete, and the escape of 109 men and officers through it. Eighty miles of an enemies country lay between them and the nearest Union lines, and after many hardships and hair-breathe escapes those were not recaptured reached a haven of rest and gave to the public press the first authentic accounts of their daring escape.
Continuing Mr. McLaughlin said:
"Wm. Reynolds before entering the tunnel laid in a little store of rations for times of need and among his treasured keepsakes he has a little piece of beef that he saved and he says he wonders now whether it was embalmed or canned. Twenty years ago Mr. Reynolds came to Muskegon, which has been his residence since that time. Working as a builder or contractor or occupying official positions of honor and trust, his life to us has been like an open book that all might read and wherever he has been found he has been the plain unassuming man--'An honest man, the noblest work of God.' 'May his shadow never grow less.' I congratulate you both on this ever to be remembered anniversary and may you both live to enjoy many more."
After some vocal patriotic music, the audience joining in the chorus, Comrade A. Eckerman introduced J. E. Sullivan who responded in eloquent and touching language and we much regret that limited space forbids our publishing it in full as no abbreviation will do it justice.
In behalf of Phil Kearny Post no., 7, G. A. R. Comrade J. I. Mather in well chosen words presented Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds with two beautiful rockers and a very handsome parlor lamp, and Mrs. A. Eckerman in behalf of the Woman's Relief Corps, of which she is president, in a most happy manner presented to Mrs. Reynolds a gold inlaid cup and the lining supplemented with golden coin.
As a slight token of the esteem with which the more immediate neighbors held Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds, Mrs. W. J. Evert presented Mrs. Reynolds with an elegant dress pattern and trimmings. A gold pen from J. C. McLaughlin, framed pictures and other gifts from unknown hands attested the esteem and good will of the many donors. Mr. Reynolds for himself and his good wife tried to reply to these expressions of fraternal greetings and neighborly kindness, but words failed him, and one that had faced the foe in open fight and endured the suffering of a southern prison without a murmur, in the presence of these his friends owned himself vanquished and must retreat.
Rev. Louis DeLamarter, pastor of the Central M. E. church, spoke briefly and said that he was glad to be here. He was glad to see the happy home of Mr. Reynolds and his family. He was glad that there were so many happy homes in Muskegon to which he had just come as a stranger. The bed rock of American civilization and prosperity and stability was a happy home. With happy homes our country is safe. Without this anchorage all is lost and nothing is left worth living for.
Among the most enjoyable features of the evening was the reading of an original poem, "Dedicated to the Bride," by Mrs. L. A. Evert, and "Lines on the Fiftieth Marriage Anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds," by Mrs. A. M. Potevin.
Refreshments, both in quality and quantity that showed the culinary skill of Mrs. Reynolds and her neighbors, were served and ample justice done them. Music both vocal and instrumental followed and after a few remarks by Comrade Kelly good wishes and good byes were said and a very pleasant evening was closed.

Muskegon Daily Chronicle, Friday, June 25, 1904
The funeral of Mrs. William Reynolds will take place tomorrow at 4 o'clock tomorrow instead of today, as was announced. The sevice will be held at 24 Jiroch street. Rev. W. I. Cogshell, pastor of the Central M. E. church will conduct it. The members of the Women's Relief Corps will attend by special invitation from Mr. Reynolds.
The Daily Chronicle, Muskegon, Monday,
February 6, 1899
A Golden Wedding
Mr. and Mrs. Wm Reynolds Celebrate Their 50TH Anniversary
Many Friends Present Saturday Night at a Most Delightful Occasion-Some Touching Remarks by the Speaker-A Number of Elegant Presents Testify the Esteem and Goodwill of Friends.
The cozy residence of Mr. and Mrs. W. Reynolds, 25 Acorn street, was the scene of unusual festivities last Saturday evening, it being the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding day. The house was beautifully decorated for the occasion. Wreaths of evergreens hung in graceful festoons from ceilings and arches and bouquets of cut flowers and potted plants were in perfusion and with their beauty and fragrances helped to make the golden wedding one long to remembered. Promptly at 7:30 the invited guests being the immediate neighbors, members of the G. A. R. and Women's Relief Corps and Sons of Veterans, began to arrive and filled the house to overflowing. Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds received their guests in an especially prepared alcove conspicuous for the display of flags and patriotic emblems and bearing the legend "Married in 1849 and now it is 1899."
J. C. McLaughlin was introduced as the first speaker and among many other good things said that he fully appreciated the honor of being invited to be present on such an occasion as this, and even though his remarks were desultory and unprepared such as he had be heartily gave. He had thought that a few reminiscences of Mr. Reynolds and his family as he had gleaned them from time to time might be of interest.
"Mr. Reynolds comes of good old Quaker stock," said Mr. McLaughlin, "having been born in 1830, the youngest of sixteen children. And now follows a record that probably is without parallel in the whole United States or in the world possibly. Wm. Reynolds has three brothers and three sisters who have lived to celebrate their golden weddings and one sister who has seen her sixty fourth wedding anniversary, making eight in one family who have been married for fifty years or more. Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds were married in 1849 and there have been born to them six children. When the country called for volunteers in 1860 Wm. Reynolds was one of the first to respond to duty's call, and nobly he did his part. His good wife bade him go, and with heavy heart she toiled on to earn the bread for herself and her little ones and teach them lessons of loyalty and patriotism and love of country. may a kind Providence ever watch and keep guide over the noble woman who though they may never have performed daring deeds on the field of battle filled a niche at home and made for themselves names that shall live that shall live when tablets of stone and brass shall crumble and fade away.
"Enlisting as orderly sergeant, Mr. Reynolds was soon promoted to first lieutenant and was in active service from the date of his enlistment. Marching at the head of his company to meet the enemy a cruel minnie-ball inflicted the wound from which he suffers today, and he was left on the battlefield to die. But another fate was in store for him. His life was spared, and partially recovering he was a prisoner taken to the Libby prison at Richmond, Va., and there confined for nine months when he made his escape through that celebrated tunnel that has become historical.
Mr. Reynolds describes graphically the digging of this tunnel which took fifty-one days, or nights rather, to complete, and the escape of 109 men and officers through it. Eighty miles of an enemies country lay between them and the nearest Union lines, and after many hardships and hair-breathe escapes those were not recaptured reached a haven of rest and gave to the public press the first authentic accounts of their daring escape.
Continuing Mr. McLaughlin said:
"Wm. Reynolds before entering the tunnel laid in a little store of rations for times of need and among his treasured keepsakes he has a little piece of beef that he saved and he says he wonders now whether it was embalmed or canned. Twenty years ago Mr. Reynolds came to Muskegon, which has been his residence since that time. Working as a builder or contractor or occupying official positions of honor and trust, his life to us has been like an open book that all might read and wherever he has been found he has been the plain unassuming man--'An honest man, the noblest work of God.' 'May his shadow never grow less.' I congratulate you both on this ever to be remembered anniversary and may you both live to enjoy many more."
After some vocal patriotic music, the audience joining in the chorus, Comrade A. Eckerman introduced J. E. Sullivan who responded in eloquent and touching language and we much regret that limited space forbids our publishing it in full as no abbreviation will do it justice.
In behalf of Phil Kearny Post no., 7, G. A. R. Comrade J. I. Mather in well chosen words presented Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds with two beautiful rockers and a very handsome parlor lamp, and Mrs. A. Eckerman in behalf of the Woman's Relief Corps, of which she is president, in a most happy manner presented to Mrs. Reynolds a gold inlaid cup and the lining supplemented with golden coin.
As a slight token of the esteem with which the more immediate neighbors held Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds, Mrs. W. J. Evert presented Mrs. Reynolds with an elegant dress pattern and trimmings. A gold pen from J. C. McLaughlin, framed pictures and other gifts from unknown hands attested the esteem and good will of the many donors. Mr. Reynolds for himself and his good wife tried to reply to these expressions of fraternal greetings and neighborly kindness, but words failed him, and one that had faced the foe in open fight and endured the suffering of a southern prison without a murmur, in the presence of these his friends owned himself vanquished and must retreat.
Rev. Louis DeLamarter, pastor of the Central M. E. church, spoke briefly and said that he was glad to be here. He was glad to see the happy home of Mr. Reynolds and his family. He was glad that there were so many happy homes in Muskegon to which he had just come as a stranger. The bed rock of American civilization and prosperity and stability was a happy home. With happy homes our country is safe. Without this anchorage all is lost and nothing is left worth living for.
Among the most enjoyable features of the evening was the reading of an original poem, "Dedicated to the Bride," by Mrs. L. A. Evert, and "Lines on the Fiftieth Marriage Anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds," by Mrs. A. M. Potevin.
Refreshments, both in quality and quantity that showed the culinary skill of Mrs. Reynolds and her neighbors, were served and ample justice done them. Music both vocal and instrumental followed and after a few remarks by Comrade Kelly good wishes and good byes were said and a very pleasant evening was closed.

Muskegon Daily Chronicle, Friday, June 25, 1904
The funeral of Mrs. William Reynolds will take place tomorrow at 4 o'clock tomorrow instead of today, as was announced. The sevice will be held at 24 Jiroch street. Rev. W. I. Cogshell, pastor of the Central M. E. church will conduct it. The members of the Women's Relief Corps will attend by special invitation from Mr. Reynolds.


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