A Family Gathering ~ Mr. and Mrs. Alva Durrell
Leon Reporter, Leon, Iowa
Thursday, December 4, l924
On Sunday, November l3th at the home of W.A. ORFIELD, living five miles southwest of Murray and where Grandma ORFIELD makes her home, occurred a very notable gathering when fifty-six of Grandma's immediate relatives went to help her celebrate a rather belated Thanksgiving Day. There were present six children with their wives and husbands, thirty-two grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren; one son and wife, besides numerous grand, and great grandchildren being unable to be present. To feed such a small army was no small task, but the well-filled baskets aided by the well-stocked larder of the house was equal to the occasion and the tables fairly groaned under the weight of "eats," most pleasing to eye and palate alike; and the many skilled hands made light work of the serving of the meal as well as the clearing away of the dishes afterwards. During the day a number of pictures were taken of various groups, chief of which was a four generation picture which included Grandma, one daughter, a granddaughter and a great granddaughter, all in direct line; also one that included Grandma, who will be seventy-six years old in two more weeks, and the twelve great grandchildren, the youngest of whom was three months old. With conversation among the elders and middle aged and games among the children, the day passed all too quickly and the guests departed with the hope that Grandma might be spared to grace many more such gatherings with her presence.
Those present were: Mr. and Mrs. H.M. Campbell and children; Mr. and Mrs. Nile Gibson and children; Mrs. Ralph McBee and daughter, and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Mallat's, all of Van Wert and vicinity; Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Hailey and children, of Ellston; Mr. and Mrs. Hallie Brooks and daughter, of Kellerton; Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Hailey, of Creston; Mr. and Mrs. Ollie LeGuerrier, of Des Moines; Mr. and Mrs. Alva Durrell and children, of Leon; and Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Bronson and children; Mr. and Mrs. C.E. Noftsger and children and Miss Esther Lewis; Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Orfield; Mrs. Olive Dobson and children and C.P. Orfield and wife, all of Decatur City and vicinity.
Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
"With permission from the Leon Journal Reporter"
September l0, 2002