BioA: Franke, Mr./Mrs. Oscar (Golden - 1940)
Contact:  Crystal Wendt
Email: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Franke, Gaulke, Kleinschmidt, Sanger, Reder, Diemer, Stutz, Schwabe

----Sources: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) Thurs., 23 May 1940

Franke, Mr./Mrs. Oscar (Golden - 20 May 1940)

The Golden wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Franke of Chili, pioneers of the town of Lynn, was fittingly observed in the Fremont town hall Saturday, May 18. A 6:30 dinner was served to about 200 people.

The couple was married in Manitowoc County on May 20, 1890. Four years later they purchased a farm at Chilton, which they operated until 1902, when they came to Clark County and settled on a farm in the town of Lynn. They retired in 1923 and have since lived at Chili.

They are the parents of four children: Clara, Mrs. Otto Gaulke; Ida, Mrs. Ed Kleinschmidt, and Emma, Mrs. Ernest Sanger, all of the town of Fremont and John H. Franke of Unity. One daughter died in infancy. There are 21 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The decorations throughout were in gold and white; roses and snapdragons and two lovely wedding cakes adorned the tables. One of the cakes came from Milwaukee, through a granddaughter, Mrs. Frank Reder.

The "bride" was attired in a cinnamon tan crepe gown and wore a corsage of yellow roses and fern, Mr. Franke wearing a yellow rose boutonniere.

The Rev. Adolph Diemer of Nasonville, pastor of the Fremont Lutheran Church, gave an address, his subject being appropriately selected for the occasion.

Mr. and Mrs. Franke richly deserve their years of retirement and the honor which was bestowed upon them Saturday. They were hard-working farmers, splendid citizens, kind and helpful neighbors.

An interesting feature of the celebration was the presence of two members of the wedding party of 50 years ago: August Schwabe of Manitowoc and Fred Stutz of Chilton. Another member is still living but was unable to attend on account of illness.