1947-06-02-sr-p26-c5-john-surbers-50th-anniversary

June 02, 1947 Spokesman-Review Page 26 Column 5:

REARDAN COUPLE MARKS 50 YEARS

John C, Surbers Hold Open House for 290 Guests.

REARDAN CANTEEN HEADS CHOSEN—REGISTER SOON

REARDAN, Wash., June 1—Mr. and Mrs. John C, Surber, who observed their 50th wedding anniversary with open house at their farm home, Sunset View, north of Reardan, May 24 are pioneers settling in this area in the '90s. Throughout the afternoon and evening 290 friends and relatives called to congratulate them, Mrs, Lillian Falconer, Sault St, Marie, Ont., and Mrs. Eva L. Monis, Chicago, Ill., her sisters, were amoung guests.

Cross Cake Featured.

The Surber home was decorated with spring flowers. A huge wedding cake in the form of a Maltese cross decorated with roses, sweet peas and gold leaves, was on the serving table.

Music and readings were given afternoon and evening. Mrs. Surber sang two original songs. Charles E. Ivy, Davenport, gave a talk on the history of school district No. 1, where Mrs. Surber taught at one time. Her former pupils recalled humorous incidents of their school days, In the sunroom was a list of the pupils, living and dead, taught by Mrs. Surber. Also on exhibition were messages received from friends.

Married at School.

Mr. and Mrs. Surber were married at the West Crescent school house, which was also a church at that time. It was an open house wedding and all of the bride's pupils were guests. The Surbers have resided at Sunset View farm all of their married life.

Mrs. Surber was a pioneer school teacher, teaching in Michigan before coming west. She taught at district No. 1 on Bald Ridge, Spring Creek, West Crescent and Coulee, all near her home, in Lincoln county and Lancaster, Whitman county. She and her husband are active members of the Reardan Masonic and Eastern Star lodges and charter members of Spring Creek Grange.