Campbellsport News, July 15, 1915

FIFTIETH WEDDING
ANNIVERSARY
MR. AND MRS. ROBERT DENZ
CELEBRATE GOLDEN WEDDING
LAST SATURDAY

  Saturday, July 10, it was just fifty years ago  that Mr. and Mrs. Robert Denz, pioneer and highly esteemed residents of the town of Ashford, were united in marriage and the occasion of their golden wedding was appropriately celebrated.
   At nine o'clock Saturday morning, Rev. Father July sang a High mass, during which the aged couple renewed their marriage vows, received communion and the blessing of the church. Mr. and Mrs. Denz were escorted to the church by the Ladies' Altar society of which Mrs. Denz is a member, and in the edifice, three of their grand-children, the little Misses Anna, Alice and Elenor Kahne, dressed in white gowns and carrying bouquets, acted as escorts and preceeded their grand-parents to the altar.
   After the services at the church, about one-hundred and fifty, friends, neighbors and relatives of the celebrants were entertained at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Gustave  Tunn on Elm street.
   A wedding breakfast was served and the afternoon was given over to pleasant conversation, during which the "bride and groom" related many interesting anecdotes of fifty and more years ago. At six o'clock a bountiful dinner was served, after which members of the wedding party treated Grandpa and Grandma Denz to an exquisite selection of charivari.
   The home of Mr. and Mrs. Tunn was beautifully decorated in gilt and white crepe tissue, cut flowers and ferns, while the tables were edged with gold braid, and a monstrous golden wedding cake adorned the bridal table. This cake was the production of Mrs. Mary Kahne, a daughter of the celebrants, and was brought here by her from her home in Eau Claire.
   Mr. Denz was born in Baden, Germany, November 21, 1836, and when nine years old he came with his parents to America, spending some time in Ohio. The family moved to Ashford in 1846, and since then Mr. Denz has resided on the old home stead near the village of Elmore. Mrs. Denz is also a native of Baden, Germany, being born there in 1845. She was brought to America in her infancy, and resided with her parents in Washington county until the time of her marriage to Mr. Denz, which occured July 10, 1865, in the church at St. Bridget, the late Father Roehl officiating.
   According to Mr. Denz's statement, St. Bridget's church at the time of their marriage, was a log structure about 20x30 feet in size, slab roofing and the interior as well as the exterior decorated with clay plaster. "Never-the-less," said Mr. Denz, "we were happy and I doubt very much that you would find a happier couple among America's aristocracy, than Ma and I was the day we came home from our wedding ceremony at the little church."
   To Mr. and Mrs. Denz were born one son, William, of Lendall, Wis., two daughters, Mrs. Mary Kahne, of Eau Claire, Wis., and Mrs. Louisa Tunn, of this city, all of whom were present at the celebration last Saturday. They also have eleven grand-children and three great-grand-children.
   The high esteem in which the venerable couple is held, was shown by the large array of costly presents, sent and brought to them by friends and relatives.
   From out-of-town the following attended the golden wedding:
   Mrs. B. Jacoby, Mrs. John Hamilton, Mrs. R. C. Caniff and children and Miss E. Baudry of Fond du Lac; Mrs. Math Ketter of Wales, N. Dakota; Mr. and Mrs. S. E. Witzig of Kewaskum; Miss CCatherine Schwindt of Glenbeulah; Miss Otila Leidberger and sons, Norton and Milton of West Bend; William Denz, Mrs. Theodore Hanke and daughter of Kendall, Wis.; Mrs. Math Hennecke and daughter Loretta of theresa; Mrs. Mary Kahne and children of Eau Claire; Mr. and Mrs. George Replinger and son, Albert of West Bend; Mr. and Mrs. Anton Miller, Mrs. Amond Grah and daughter Theresa and Killian Strobel of St. Kilian.

(Scans courtesy Alan Krueger)