BioA:  Mitby, Mr./Mrs. Chester M (Golden-1965)

Poster:  Betty Comstock

Email: betty@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Mitby, Murray, Wangen, Mills, Errickson, Larson, Bottjen, Torkelson, Buhmann, Lee, Watkins, Bertz   

------Source:  Loyal Tribune (Loyal, Clark Co., Wis.) 03/11/1965

Mitby, Mr./Mrs. Chester M (Golden - 27 FEB 1965)

Mr. and Mrs. Chester M. Mitby observed their golden wedding anniversary Sunday, February 28, with open house at Trinity Lutheran Church parlors at Cashton from 2 to 4:30 p.m.

Hosts and hostesses for the afternoon were their son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Norman Mitby, Madison; sons-in-law and daughters, Mr. and Mrs. James Wangen, Loyal and Mr. and Mrs. Carleton Mills, Minneapolis.

Margaret Elizabeth Murray, Kendall, and Chester Melvin Mitby, Cashton, were married February 27, 1915, at the Baptist parsonage, Winona, Minnesota, by Rev. Arthur Brown.

Mr. and Mrs. Mitby have lived all their married life in Cashton, except for one year in Westby.

Mr. Mitby was active in the livestock business for 45 years, until his retirement five years ago.  Since retirement he has been able to spend full time with his hobby of training horses and taking care of his farm.  He also purchased two rural school houses, had them moved to town and remodeled them into two completely modern two bedroom homes.

Mr. Mitby is one of three citizens over the age of 70 years who were born in cashton and are still living in town.  He resides in the same house where he was born.

In addition to their son, Norman who is director of the Madison Vocational School, two daughters, they have five grandchildren, John and Peggy Mitby of Madison, Margaret, David and John Paul Mills of Minneapolis.

An interesting program was presented with Henry Errickson as master of ceremonies.  One of the highlights was the placing of gold hats by John and Peggy Mitby on their grandparents’ heads.

These tin hats, now sprayed gold, were made by a local tinsmith, Jorgen Olson, deceased, 69 years ago and worn by Mr. Mitby’s parents, the P.E. Mitbys at their 10^th wedding celebration.

Margaret and David Mills presented the orchid corsage and boutonniere to their grandparents.  The youngest grandchild, John, sat in the white high chair that his grandfather Chester sat in 70 years ago.

Conrad Larson sang the same solo, “When You and I Were Young, Maggie,” that he sang at the golden wedding of the P.E. Mitbys 29 years ago.

Rev. Duane Bottjen opened the program with an inspiring message.  Short talks were given by their son and daughters, a cousin, Lester Mitby and the honored guest, C.M. Mitby.

Mrs. Ted Torkelson and Mrs. Jon Torkelson sang “I Love You Truly”, accompanied by Mrs. Otto Buhmann.

Impromptu complimentary remarks were offered by Howard Lee of Denver, Colorado, and Mrs. H. R. Watkins, Winona.

Mrs. Jerome Bertz of Loyal was among the out of town guest to attend the celebration.