Surrounded by relatives and friends, amid showers of congratulations and good wishes. Mr. and Mrs. Levi Beckwith, Jr., celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on Wednesday evening, April 4, 1900, at their pleasant home on Chicago Street, White Pigeon, Michigan. Neat invitations in gold letters were issued to a limited number of friends, who with the near relatives, made up a company of perhaps seventy five persons, who heartily greeted the well-preserved and happy bride and groom.

The residence was beautifully decorated, yellow predominating. Mr. and Mrs. Beckwith, Jr., while receiving the guests, stood under "two hearts that beat as one" and were assisted in receiving by their daughters, who with their husbands, and children were present, and by Mr. John G. Shurtz.

Dainty but substantial refreshments were served in the dining room, where presided the Misses Wicket, Ellis, Fogarty and Scott. Tea and coffee were poured by Mrs. Winch and Mrs. Renno. While the guests tarried at the table, impromptu speeches were made by Captain Nicar, Theron H. Beckwith, Rev. Scott, Professor Knapp, and Mrs. C. A. Nicar, all of which together with the reading of some pleasing poetical selections, were well received and much enjoyed.

Mr. and Mrs. Beckwith, Jr. were the recipients of many beautiful gifts. At a late hour the party broke up, and the guests departed, wishing the host and hostess many happy returns of the occasion.

Among those from out-of-town were Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Nicar, Mr. and Mrs. Renno from South Bend, Ind.; and Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Benefiel and daughter from Green Bay, Wisc.; Theron H. Beckwith and son of Chicago; a niece of Mr. and Mrs. Beckwith, Mrs. Lou Winch and her son, of Cleveland, Ohio; Mrs. Lydia Hutchison; Mrs. B. P. Scoville and Mr. H. L. Root, of Constantine.

Mrs. Nicar, Mrs. Renno and Mrs. Benefiel are daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Beckwith. Two daughters, Mrs. Joseph Klatz, of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Miss Charlotte Beckwith, of Spokane, Wash., and one son, Charles Beckwith, of Brooklyn, N.Y., were unable to be present to enjoy the anniversary festivities.

Among the guests were two who attended the wedding fifty years ago,---Mrs. Lydia Hutchison, the only living sister of Mr. Beckwith, and Mrs. Charlotte Shurtz.

Mr. Beckwith was a native of Ashtabula County, Ohio where he was born in 1825. Mrs. Beckwith, whose maiden name was Lucy R. Markham, was a native of Berkshire County, Mass., and was born in 1828. Mr. Beckwith's father moved to Ohio, where the Beckwith and Markham farms joined. Both families came to Michigan, the Beckwiths in 1828 and the Markhams ten years later, and secured adjoining farms in Mottville township, St Joseph County. On April 4, 1850, in Mottville, Rev. Sabin spoke the words which made Levi Beckwith and Lucy Markham man and wife. For fifty years this couple has lived amid happiness and prosperity; raised a family of two sons and five daughters who live to revere their parents and cherish a beloved heritage.

Mr. and Mrs. Beckwith have resided in southern Michigan during the half century past, except for seven years which they spent in South Bend, from which they came in November 1899, to White Pigeon.

Mrs. Beckwith was in earlier years a school teacher, is well educated, and is a highly refined and modest lady. She is well preserved and wears a pleasant and lovable countenance. Mr. Beckwith has been a farmer, in which vocation he became well-to-do and had always been a very genial gentleman. 'Squire Beckwith has been elected Justice of the Peace three times, but never qualified. He is a republican, but this year was elected upon a democratic ticket.

Mr. and Mrs. Beckwith are in good health, good circumtances and good humor. They have many friends throughout Michigan and other states, who will be pleased to hear of the happy event just celebrated and who will heartily unite in extending congratulations and best wishes.