BioA: Grap, Mr. and Mrs. Gus E. (65^th - 1955)

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 
 

Surnames: Grap, Chopp 
 

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) December 8, 1955 
 

Grap, Mr. and Mrs. Gus E. (65^th Anniversary - 23 November 1955) 
 

65^th Anniversary Party in Milwaukee for the Gus Graps - Couple spent their active life in Globe area: 
 

To Peter G. Chopp of Milwaukee, a son-in-law, The Clark County Press is indebted for an account of the recent celebration of the 65^th wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Gus E. Grap.  The Graps spent their active life in the Globe area, where Mrs. Grap was 22 years a correspondent of this newspaper.  Mr. Chopp’s account of the anniversary event follows: 
 

On November 20, Mr. and Mrs. G. E. Grap, celebrated their 65^th wedding anniversary which was attended by a little over 100 adults and a number of children.  The youngsters were having such a wonderful time running through the crowd of well wishers that it was impossible to count them. 
 

The grown-ups present at this celebration consisted of the sons and daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Grap and their families, as well as other close members of the family, together with their friends and neighbors of Milwaukee. 
 

Because of their advanced age it was decided to keep the anniversary party to a limited number.  Therefore, Mr. and Mrs. Grap beg their forgiveness for not being able to invite a fairly large number of relatives and their many friends, who reside in Neillsville.  The Graps were residents of Neillsville for 52 years.  They moved to Milwaukee in 1943 and have lived with their daughter a Vyola, who is now Mrs. Peter G. Chopp. 
 

A brief history of Mr. and Mrs. Grap was read at the party by their daughter-in-law, Alice Grap.  The history was as follows: 
 

"The couple before you is Mr. and Mrs. G. E. Grap and of course, I don’t have to tell you people why you decided to come here. 
 

"The groom was born in Germany 88 years ago.  He got most of his education there, coming to this country at the ripe age of 15.  He attended public school for only a couple of months, just long enough to get acquainted with the young and frisky girls.  It was winter time, and his greatest pleasure was to chase the girls to the snow banks and make them fall.  But he fell, too, and his better half beside him is the proof. 
 

"She by the way was born in Jefferson County in 1872. She attended the public school but got her instructions at the parochial school.  The instructions must have been very good, and she must have been a good pupil, because even to this day she is a very religious and devout person.  The same is true of her devoted spouse.  The weather must be very bad in order to make them stay home from church. 
 

"To get back to Mrs. Grap, she grew up to womanhood on her parents’ farm, and at the age of 18 years and two months she married young G. E. (good old Gus).  They were married November 23, 1890, in the little log church, the Immanuel Lutheran Church, in Globe, Wisconsin. 
 

"And today, their 65^th wedding anniversary, on this momentous occasion she says she loves him as much as the day they were married. 
 

"To this wonderful couple was born 11 children, nine of whom are living, and are present to help their Mom and Dad celebrate this great event - 65 years of marriage bliss. 
 

"One sad note is that their oldest son, Leo, was called to his Heavenly Father in 1931.  A daughter, Velma, died at birth. 
 

"These kind folks are also blessed with 21 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren 
 

"In closing, Gus and Annie, wish to extend to their dear relatives, neighbors and friends their most heartfelt and sincere thanks to all.