NELSON, Pa., Sept. 25 ---On Saturday, Sept 21, the annual Cousins Dinner, of the descendants of Joseph and Ann Campbell, of Nelson, met at "The Maples" on Sugar Hill,1 the home of of Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Buck.
At about 11 o'clock the guests began to arrive, first an auto from Nelson, then another from Harrison Valley; then the Watkins 'bus, with Elmira cousins and also Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Congdon, of Chicago; then the teams from Beaver Dams with Cousins from the Cowansesque Valley2. They were greeted by Mr. and Mrs. Buck and Mr. and Mrs. E. T. Congdon of Tacoma, Wash. The day was beautiful. A bountiful chicken dinner was served, after which toasts and remembrances occupied much of the afternoon. Each one was asked to relate his earliest remembrances of The Old Homestead." Some amusing experiences and some sad ones were told.
Later all adjourned to the spacious porch an sang campaign songs, led by C. H. Congdon who has written and compiled the song book, "Progressive Battle Hymns" used by the Progressive Party.3 As there were members of all three parties present the situation was very amusing, but the music was all that could be desired. A letter was read from W. E. Selph, and greetings were received from Misses Bernice and Louise Congdon of Chicago. A buffet lunch was served in the evening, after which a business meeting was held. The next dinner will be held at the home of Mrs. Ada Crandall at Osceola.
Eighteen of the party remained at"The Maples," and the remainder at Monterey4 and Townsend5. Sunday morning all returned to "The Maples" and another dinner was served. This time lake trout was prepared.
A pleasant feature was that every one of Grandmother Campbell's 116 children were represented with the exception of Mrs. Elizabeth Hughey, who had one son, H. C. Hughey, now living near Brainerd, Minn. The recent death [sic] of some of the family caused a vein of sadness to permeate the otherwise happy gathering. At about 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon they began to disperse, all voting this to be the banner meeting and Mr. and Mrs. Buck royal entertainers.
Those present were: Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Parks, Harrison Valley; Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Blackwell, Nelson; Mr. and Mrs. T. C. Campbell, Knoxville; Miss [sic] Mary Shipman, Mansfield; Miss [sic] Kate Horton, Westfield; Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Buck, Sugar Hill; Mr. and Mrs. E. T. Congdon, Tacoma, Wash.; Mr. an Mrs. C. H. Congdon, Chicago; Miss [sic] Ada Crandall, Osceola; Miss [sic] Laura Monrey [sic], Farmington;7 Miss [sic] Anno [sic] Owlett, Nelson; Miss [sic] Jennnie Bosard, Elmira; Miss [sic] Inez Boller, Nelson; Frances Hoyt, Nelson; Miss [sic] Anna [sic] Van Dusen, Osceola; Miss [sic] Minnie Clark, Osceola; Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Campbell, and Mrs. Grace Buck and son, Jerome, Elmira; Miss [sic] Stella Wilbur, Nelson; Miss [sic] Jennie Cady, Elkland; Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Buck, Townsend; and Floyd Bostwick of Nelson.
1. In the Town of Orange, Schuyler Co., NY
2. Few people had cars, so most came by train. The Cowanesque Valley RR (later part of the NY Central) ran through Westfield, Knoxville, Osceola, Ekland, Nelson & Lawrenceville. They would have changed in Corning for a train to Beaver Dams, and then come by wagon from a livery stable.
3. Charley Congdon was a composer, music publisher, and enthusiastic supporter of Teddy Roosevelt's 1912 presidential campaign. Failing to get the Republican nomination in 1912, T.R. formed the Progressive Party (often called the "Bull Moose Party." Charley had charge of the music at the Progressive Party convention and at many of the campaign rallys.
4. Monteray is a hamlet in the Town of Orange, Schuyler Co., NY.
5. Townsend is a hamlet in the Town of Dix, Schuyler Co., NY.
6. She had a 12th child, Thomas, who died in infancy.
7. Farmington Twp., Tioga Co., PA
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