BioA: Vater, Mr./Mrs. Robert (70^th - 1963)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Vater, Woodburn, Jones, Moody

----Source: OWEN ENTERPRISE (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 11/14/1963

Vater, Mr./Mrs. Robert (70^th - 11 NOV 1963)

A couple, who both reached the age of 93 this fall and remember attending the great Columbian Exposition and World’s Fair in Chicago in 1893, attained their 7^th year of wedded life on Nov. 11, 1963.

Mr. and Mrs. R.N. Vater were both born in Plymouth, Wis., he on Oct. 25, 1870, and she on Sept. 3, 1870.

They were married at Plymouth Nov. 11, 1893.

They lived on the old Vater farm near Plymouth for several years and in 1900 moved to Clark Couty, first making their home north of Withee on the land now owned by William Park.  Later, after Mr. Vater had been engaged in Saweing lumber for several years, they purchased a farm 1 ½ miles south of withee on land now owned by their son, Carl Vater.

The farm of 160 acres has long been one of the show places in the area.  It is situated across the road and just north of the now notorious Krueger farm.

Strong and active all of her life, Mrs. Vater loved to putter in her yard and raised flowers.  She took an active part in the Methodist Church at Withee and was one of the charter members of the Women’s Society for Christian Service.

The Vaters were highly regarded and respected by their neighbors.

They were a hardworking and thrifty pioneer couple, raising their six children in Clark County.  They are Paul, Arno and Neal, all of this area, and Gladys (Mrs. L. Norville Woodburn) of Elmhurst; Alcie (Mrs. Raymond Jones) of Randolph, and Ruth (Mrs. Niles Moody) of Madison.  Living also are eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Their 50^th anniversary was remembered with a large dinner party at Madsen’s Hall, where relatives feted the couple, afterwards an open house was attended by many friends at their home.

The 60^th was a somewhat simpler affair.  Dinner at Home of a son, Neal, and open house at the Methodist Church in Withee.

The 65^th was somewhat of a replica of the 60^th, but fewer of the older relatives from Plymouth, Milwaukee, and Sheboygan were able to attend.

Several years ago, due to the failing health of Mr. Vater, both of them moved to the Havenet Home.  Mr. Vater, although somewhat feeble, still gets up and was able to sit in the living room and be greeted by friends who called for the open house Sunday, Nov. 10^th.

Most of the relatives were here to be with them for this event.

Of sturdy German-American stock, a death has not yet occurred in their immediate family, although in the last few years husbands of both of the elder daughters have passed away.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Vater’s parents immigrated to America in 1848.  Both fathers of the couple served in the War Between the States.