COEN, John - Mr. and Mrs.
The Fiftieth anniversary, or fiftieth wedding day of Mr. and Mrs. John Coen was appropriately celebrated al their pleasant home in Rensselaer, Ind, on December 26th, 1894, by a number of friends and relatives during the day and by the pleasant addition of a number of members of the Presbyterian church, of which they are faithful members. We can can not give details of so pleasant an affair but only speak in general of the pleasant features of this remarkable occasion. John Coen was born on the 14th day of March, 1824, in Knox county, Ohio, in a log cabin, which was no uncommon thing in that day. In the fall after Mr. Coen was six years of age, he, with his father’s family moved to Marion county, 0., a distance of about 110 miles. At this early time the dense forests were thickly inhabited with wild animals of that day, and Mr. Coen can recite many “hair standing'* stories of his experience with them. Has spent many days at hard work in the heavy timbers and is fully conversant with all the details of making a home in the dense forest of early Ohio. His school privileges were very limited, going only two or three months in a year, and he never had the pleasure of attending any one full term. In the fall of 1841 he with his parents, removed from Ohio to Fountain county, Ind., and there settled on a farm, again in the wilds of a new country. On the 20th day of January, 1828, in Fountain county. Indiana, Miss Sarah Miller was born, where she remained until she was past 24 years of age. During this time it was that on the 26th day of December, 1844, Mr. John Coen and Miss Sarah Miller were united in the holy bonds of matrimony at the home of the bride, by the Rev. Nathaniel Conkling, in the presence of about 30 relatives and friends. At 11 o’clock a. m, on that (to them) eventful day, Sarah Miller stepped from her father’s ship, on which she had ridden for her past 17 years, and now with implicit confidence steps on board the ship of John Coen and changes her name to correspond, and the two became one. And as they launch from the shore of the twain and wave their handkerchiefs, tears fall but hope and duty say swing out and may the providence of an Almighty God provide. The first landing was in a hewn log house one and a half stories high, one room above and one below, with a big fire place in one end. There were many ins and outs from this primitive home, and the fond recollection of it are pleasantly harbored in the chambers of the never forgotten. To this holy and congenial union were born eight children, three of whom are living and reside with their families in Rensselaer near the home of their parents The five have preceded them to the bright clime, four of the five departed this life while quite young, the other one, Rosa, not until after she was married and the mother of one child, Hallie Kerr, who is now with her grand parents. Mr. Coen and his brother William, are the only ones left of his father’s family, while Mrs. Coen is the only one left of her father’s family. There are now seventeen of this family and they were all present, and may they be an undivided family in Heaven. On the 25th anniversary many of their friends gathered in and it was to them an oasis in life’s journey, this seemed to be eventful, but on sails the good old vessel of time and she has touched the Landing at the 50th light-house and still is pulling for the shore. May the same all wise pilot steer this now, naturally frail “bark” into the path of everlasting peace and happiness, when Thou, O God, shall say “enough.” Below is a list of the names of the parties present. F. Rohlfling and wife, John Coen Jr., and wife, John Gray and wife, Rachel Coen, J. F. Warren and wife, Wm. Coen and wife, H. W. Porter and wife, Robert Yeoman and wife, C. W. Coen and wife, D F. Grant and wife, Lucy Clark, A. W. Cole and wife, Jane Vanatta, J. R. Vanatta and wife, John T. Sayler and wife, B. F. Ferguson and wife, B. F. Boen, Leia Coen, Mabie A. Taylor, Bessie R. Sayler, Sadie G. Sayler, Barton O. Sayler, Robt. M. Vanatta, Ina G. Vanatta, Geo. W. Ferguson, Myron Ferguson, Ethel Ferguson Hattie E. Kerr, and the Rev. Paradis and wife and the members of the Presbyterian church, of which he is the pastor. The many beautiful and valuable presents left by the above named express more than words, their high esteem of the venerable couple, who are now nearing the sunset of their earthly career. And may it be peaceful. Mr. and Mrs. Coen desire to say that they can not express in words their feelings but with their hearts full of gratitude they thank their many friends for their presents and tokens of friendship, and to the church we write to say we highly appreciate your tokens of love and esteem which were so ably and appropriately presented by Bro. W. B. Austin as your voice. And, that they never spent a happier day in their lives, and that day and evening will be remembered and will bring cheer and comfort in old age. B.F.F.