On Wednesday, March 14, Mr. and Mrs. Erdmann Koeppe celebrated their fiftieth or golden wedding anniversary at their home in the town of Holland.

Mr. Koeppe was born in the Province of Saxony, Germany, 1837. It was during the Civil War that he sailed for America to establish his future home. Although he desired to go to some of his relatives in the southern part of Illinois he was prevented on account of the condition of the war and so arrived with his sister, Mrs. Helling, of this city, and a few friends, to make his home here.

He soon showed his willingness to make this his country by responding to Abraham Lincloln's call for volunteers. He served his country in this capacity in the 50th Wisconsin regiment until the end of the war when with others he returned to Sheboygan county to make real his past dream to become an active farmer. It was during this time that he met Miss Wilhelmina Gartmann, who was born in the Province of Brandenburg, Germany, and had come to this country with her parents to settle in the town of Wilson and who was to share the joys and sorrows of life with Mr. Koeppe. They were married in the town of Wilson and established their home on a farm near Oostburg where they still reside.

The celebration of the golden wedding was a very pleasant and happy occasion in which a few relatives and grandchildren were gathered. Of the eleven children with whom Mr. and Mrs. Koeppe's life was blessed, all were present with the exception of Herman Koeppe, of Victor, Colorado, and Mrs. George Stirdivant, of Sheboygan Falls.

Mr. Koeppe has long been a member of the G.A.R. post of this city and is well acquainted in this community. It is the hope and wish of their many friends that they may have many happy years to spend together as life companions.

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