I do enjoy posting golden wedding anniversaries! Two people who married and lived together 50 years! Something to celebrate.
The Falmouth Outlook, Falmouth, Pendleton County, Kentucky
Friday, February 26, 1915
Golden Wedding
Mr. and Mrs. William Wright Have the Good Fortune to Celebrate 50th Wedding Anniversary
All the world loves a lover and delights to observe the fiftieth anniversary of the union of two fond hearts. A Golden Wedding is an event of great importance, when two as dearly beloved sweethearts as Mr. and Mrs. William Wright pass this milestone on the roadway of married life. It was ascertained some time ago that Tuesday, February 23, would be the fiftieth anniversary of this dear old couple, who have plod the journey to this station in life as sweetly and serenely as the ushering in of a beautiful June morning, and the children and a few near friends planned to appropriately celebrate the occasion in a simple home-like manner. All arrangements were kept a secret, and they gave this grand old couple the surprise of their lives. The secret was well kept from the happy old couple, and their surprise can be imagined when the guests began to arrive, and the fact was called to their mind that they were again bride and groom. A big dinner was served. The dining room was touched by magic and transformed into a realm of beauty with its decorations of golden yellow. The wedding cake was baked and decorated by the friends of the bride and groom.
It was a day of rejoicing for both the old and young, and none seemed to get more out of the pleasure of the day than Mr. Wright and bride of 50 years ago. There are only a few living who witnessed the wedding 50 years ago, and unfortunately none of them were present on this happy occasion.
The bride was before her marriage Miss Zerelda Forsythe, daughter of the late Benjamin Forsythe. They were married at the bride’s home near where they now reside 50 years ago last Tuesday. Rev. Joseph Barbee officiated. On this occasion, as well as the former one, the bride and groom were the recipient of many beautiful presents.
Those present at the golden wedding were: Mrs. Susan Wright, Mrs. Salle Colvin, Mrs. Nannie Wiggins and daughter, Miss Florence, Mrs. Sarah Wright, Mrs. Malissa Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Wright and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Bennie Martin, Mr. and Mrs. Madison Martin, Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Martin, Mrs. Jane martin, Julian Martin, D. N. Brannock, Mr. and Mrs. Elijah Moore and son and Mr. and Mrs. Willie Wright.
Five years more were given to this couple before Zerelda Frances Forsythe Wright was called home.
The Falmouth Outlook, Falmouth, Pendleton County, Kentucky
August 8, 1921
Obituary
Zerelda Frances Wright died at her home near Mt. Vernon on August 9, 1921, after a prolonged illness. The death of this excellent Christian woman, who had been so long identified with the life of this community, was a severe blow to those who have known her and had associated with her for so many years, and who appreciated the worth of a modest life filled with affection and usefulness.
She was a member of the Richland Baptist Church with which she united under the leadership of the Rev. Barbee, and no one exemplified more clearly those strong womanly virtues that are a part of a true Christian character. The loss to this community is great; to the devoted members of her family the loss is irreparable, and with them in tender sympathy mourn all who had the privilege of Mrs. Wright’s friendship.
She was a daughter of the late Benjamin and Elizabeth Forsythe and was born January 11, 1844. She was married to William M. Wright, February 23, 1865, and to this union five children were born, all of whom survive, as follows: W. H. Wright, Mrs. J. W. Colvin, of Rushville, Ind.; Mrs. V. A. Martin, Mrs. Bennie W. Gruell and L. D. Wright, of Visalia, Kentucky. She is also Survived by eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
The funeral services were conducted Thursday afternoon at the Richland Baptist church by her pastor, the Rev. E. J. King. The pallbearers were her grandsons. Peace to her memory and sincerest sympathy to those who are left to continue their tasks until the ties that bind to the earth are released.
William Madison Wright survived his wife by four years.
The Falmouth Outlook, Falmouth, Pendleton County, Kentucky
May 5, 1925
William M. Wright
William Madison Wright, age 81 years, died Friday night, May 15, 1925, at 7:30 o’clock, at his home five miles south of Falmouth on the L-L-L highway. He had been ill for the past several months with heart trouble and other complications incident to advanced age.
Mr. Wright was born December 15, 1843, near Mt. Vernon, and was a son of the late Forsythe and Elizabeth Newell Wright. He was a member of a family of nine children. He was united in marriage with Zerelda Forsythe, on February 23, 1865. To this union five children were born, four of whom survive – William H. Wright, of this city; Mrs. Elizabeth Colvin, of Rushville, Indiana; Mrs. Bennie W. Gruell, of this county, and Leslie D. Wright, of Covington. His wife preceded him in death four years. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren; also one sister, Mrs. Beckie Rollins, of Springfield, Illinois.
Mr. Wright spent his whole life in the vicinity in which he was born and was one of Pendleton’ County’s most highly esteemed citizens. He was a member of the Richland Baptist Church, having united with that congregation in early life. He was a man of splendid moral character and lived his whole life in service to his Maker and to his fellow men. During his last illness he was tenderly taken care of by his daughter, Mrs. Bennie Gruell.
The funeral was held Sunday afternoon, conducted by the Rev. Claude Ammerman, and burial took place in the Richland Cemetery. The pallbearers were six of his nephews: J. W. Wright, Arthur Clayton, Ira Wright, Ford Wright, James Wright and Luther Wright.
Children of William Madison Wright and Zerelda Francis Forsythe:
- William Henry Wright – October 19, 1866 – November 11, 1944, married Sallie T. Aulick.
- Violet Gertrude Wright – November 11, 1872 – August 11, 1923, married Vince A. Martin.
- Bennie Knight Wright – January 27, 1877 – March 15, 1969, married Clarence Edwin Gruell.
- Leslie Daniel Wright – November t, 1880 – May 4, 1963.
- Sarah Elizabeth Wright – Jun 29, 1889 – May 8, 1964, married Mr. Colvin.
Categories: Family Stories
