Surnames: PRIOR GIESE EWERT COLBY

----Sources: MARSHFIELD NEWS HERALD (Marshfield, Wood Co., Wis.) 06/11/1957; P. 9

Prior, Mr./Mrs. Ray (Gold - 5 JUN 1957)

Loyal, Clark County, Wis. - Mr. and Mrs. Ray Prior, who have been residents of this city for the past 31 years, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at a family gathering on Sunday, at which 40 guests were in attendance.

Bouquets of yellow and white snapdragons centered the table at the buffet turkey and ham dinner. For the occasion Mrs. Prior was presented with a yellow corsage for the shoulder line of her dress and her husband had a yellow carnation in the lapel of his coat. Other festive décor at the event included a three-tiered wedding cake topped with the gold numeral "50" and two large white wedding bells.

Other events feting the pair included a party in their honor given by the eastern Star chapter on June 3 and another celebration on June 5 with the choir of the Methodist Church, of which Mrs. Prior is a member, as hosts.

The Rev. Herbert Cockerill officiated at the marriage of Miss Annie Leonora Colby and Mr. Prior on June 7, 1907, in Crystal Lake, Ill. Mr. Prior, who was born Oct. 8, 1883, in the town of Sherman, Clark County, attended the Loyal Public Schools, after which he clerked in local stores. His wife was born Feb. 8, 1887, in Crystal lake. Their entire married life, with the exception of six years’ residence in Waconda, Ill., has been in Loyal, where they have been exceptionally active in all types of church work, which Mr. Prior declares is his "hobby", he has served for over 25 years as president of the school board.

Many gifts were presented to the Priors, among them a telephone call from their niece, Mrs. Gordon Bullard of Majove, Calif.

Their five children include Calvin Prior, Loyal; Mrs. E. R. (Oral) Giese, Galena, Ill.; Norman Prior, Marshfield; Mrs. Raymond (Muriel) Ewert, Crystal Lake, Ill., and Robert Prior, Loyal. There are 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Out of town guests present were Mrs. Mary E. Prior and Mr. and Mrs. Howard Hironimus of Waconda, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Ewert and sons, Robert and John, Crystal Lake; Mr. and Mrs. Edward Giese and sons, Richard, Russell and Ronald of Galena, Ill.; and Mr. and Mrs. Ken Smith and daughter, Janet and Mr. and Mrs. Norman Prior and daughters, Norma and Anola of Marshfield.