BioA: Hardrath, Herman & Elsa #3 (Gold - 1963)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Hardrath, Lange, Nelson, Callipp, Meyer, Fisher

----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 06/13/1963

Hardrath, Herman & Elsa (Gold - 26 MAR 1963)

Mr. and Mrs. Herman Hardrath of Atwood (Clark Co., Wis.) celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Sunday, June 9, 1963. The original wedding date was March 26, 1913, but the anniversary celebration had been postponed in order to have all the relatives present.

Herman Hardrath, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Herman Hardrath Sr., and Elsa Lange, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. August Lange, Atwood, were the first couple united in marriage at the newly built St. Luke's Lutheran Church in South Green Grove. Rev. August Behrndt officiated at the nuptial ceremony on March 26, 1913.

Mr. and Mrs. Hardrath have lived their entire lives in the same community. Mr. Hardrath was born May 20, 1886 to Mr. and Mrs. Herman Hardrath Sr.,a nd received his education at Oak Grove School in the town of Beaver.

Mrs. Hardrath, the former Elsa Lange, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. August Lange, Atwood, was born June 9, 1891. She attended school at Atwood in the town of Green Grove. Mrs. Hardrath is a member of St. Luke's Ladies' Aid Society.

After their marriage, the Hardraths began farming and have continued this occupation throughout their wedded lives. To this union was born four children: Howard of Atlanta, Ga., Harold, South Green Grove, Halbert (Bud), Atlanta, Ga., and Mrs. Gib (Edythe) Wiedenhoeft, who is deceased.

Sunday, June 9, the children arranged the program for the anniversary celebration. Mrs. Hardrath was presented a corsage of gold chrysanthemums and Mr. Hardrath a chrysanthemums boutonniere. The church was decorated with bouquets of chrysanthemums and in the church parlors the tables were adorned with golden bells. Having been the first couple united in marriage at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, they were also the first couple to celebrate a golden wedding anniversary at the same church.

The reception and dinner were held in the church parlors, attended by forty-six direct relatives, including all the brothers and sisters of the bride and groom, and their spouse, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Events of the 1913 wedding day were recalled during the after dinner program. Rev. Wohlfeil, present pastor of the church, offered prayers and a few words expressing the fine heritage provided the people in the neighborhood through the courage and fortitude of the Hardraths.

Open house was held in the afternoon at the Hardrath home, where a four-tiered wedding cake topped with golden bells, centered the table which was covered with a golden linen cloth and gold net overlay.

Seven of the original attendants of the 1913 ceremony were present for Sunday's festivities. They are William Lange and Albert Hardrath, who has served as groomsmen at the original ceremony, Mrs. Clara Nelson, Loyal, Mrs. Ralph Callipp, Milwaukee, Mrs. Walter Meyer, Ashland, Elwood Fisher, Owen, and Louis Hardrath, Georgia.

Other relatives and friends who attended were from Ashland, Stevens Point, Loyal, Colby, Marshfield, Abbotsford, Dale, Milwaukee and Atlanta, Ga.