Dayton Daily News - January 23, 1903, Page 5

Mr. and Mrs. John Holtvoigt

Original picture from article.

[transcription of article]

A beautiful ceremony was enacted at the Emanuel church this Friday morning when the golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Holtvoigt of 258 Louie street, Edgemont, was celebrated with brillant services in the presence of a large assembly of relatives and invited guests. The altars were beautifully decorated with flowers and many lights and at 8:30 o'clock, to the music of the wedding march from Lohengrin, the venerable pair entered the church and marched to the altar. They were preceded by little Norman Ritzert, their youngest grandchild, who strewed flowers before them as they walked to the altar, where the Rev. Father Carl Hahne was in waiting for them and who performed the golden wedding ceremony. It was an impressive scene. Their youngest daughter, Miss Minnie Holtvoigt, was the bridesmaid and carried a huge bunch of roses.

A wedding high mass followed the ceremony and the choir of the church rendered delightful music throughout the service. All the children and grandchildren were present, besides a very large number of relatives and friends, who united their prayers in joyful thanksgiving with the venerable celebrants who had lived so long and happily together--calling down blessings from heaven upon their venerable heads and asking that their lives be prolonged for many years to come.

After the services a reception quite informal was given at the residence, where the children and grandchildren and many friends gathered to shower the happy couple with congratulations and good wishes and many gifts of love and friendship, all combining to make happy this, their golden wedding day.

Fifty years ago John A. Holtvoigt and Miss Elizabeth Woltermann were married at the Holy Trinity church, Cincinnati, by the Father Schonat.

Ten children have been born to them. Four of them died and the six living ones are Mrs. Frank Snyder of Columbus, O.; Henry, Mrs. John Ritzert, Mrs. George M. Srattner, Edward and Miss Minnie, who is still at home. Of the 13 grandchildren 18 are living, the oldest, Miss Florence Snyder, died three months ago.

Mr. John A. Holtvoigt was born in Essen, Oldenberg, Germany, on the 11th of February, 1830, emigrated to America with his father and sister (his mother died while he was an infant), in 1837, his father locating in Cincinnati.

Mrs. Holtvoigt was born in Evenkamp, Oldenberg, Germany, on the 17th of March, 1838, and came to America with her parents in 1843. After their marriage they moved to Piqua and in 1872 came to Dayton. Mr. Holtvoigt in his early years learned the trade of pattern maker and in his later years he made violins and guitars, and played in the brass band in Piqua, Ohio.

When he came to Dayton he took charge of the pattern room at Stillwell & Bierce's and was in their employ 18 years. Since the year 1895 he has been a maker of violins and guitars and a repairer of musical instruments.