Dayton Daily News - September 2, 1905, Page 5

A Family Reunion

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Michael Tobey came from Maryland in 1836, with his family of 6 sons and four daughters, where most of them grew to manhood and womanhood, all living to a good ripe age, except one daughter, Mrs. Barbara Buzzard, who died in early womanhood. His wife died in 1857 in Dayton, Ohio, and he in 1872, in Mattoon, Ill. His children with their families settled at different places in the central states of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. As they would get together occasionally they talked much of a reunion of all the family and its different branches; but deferred it from year to year until all were gathered home.

The last one taken was Nathaniel, the youngest son, of Troy, O., in November, 1903, and it remained for his son, Chas. W. Tobey, to bring to pass the event so long a dream of the fathers. The first was held at Crystal Springs on his farm near Troy, Ohio, September 8, 1904, and for the time given for preparation was so much of a success that a decision to repeat it was unanimous. Letters were sent to members of the different branches of the family, which is now carried down to the third and fourth generation.

They were found to be scattered throughout different states from Rhode Island to California, and as variously occupied with different trades and professions. August 24th was the day set for the meeting this year and at the same place as before. The day dawned bright and clear, but with the mercury climbing to the tip top figures, which it soon reached and played about them for the rest of the day. The heat under different circumstances would have been beyond endurance, but the cool shady retreat almost hidden away from the sun with an abundance of cold spring water gushing out of the hillside and winding over rocks and stones to a fall below, seemed to hold you spellbound as if in some enchanted bit of Fairyland.

But the day was not meant for dreaming. Friends old and new to meet and much to learn of each other in this large company of relatives.

The number was not so great as had been hoped, the great distance and the busy lives of many preventing their attendance.

But over 40, of all ages from over fourscore years down to the babe of one year old met and spent the day together.

We found Charles and wife, with a brother-in-law, Mr. Gibbs and wife, most royal entertainers and everything possible was done for the comfort and enjoyment of all present.

Language fails to do justice to the dinner and supper with which the tables groaned until their contents were transferred to other receptacles from which groans were to be heard very distinctly.

Of Eliza Geeting, the oldest sister's family, were present a grandson, Perry Rankin and his wife, of Vandalia, O. Of Johnathan Tobey's family a daughter, Mrs. Elisa Dayton and son, Rowland, and daughter Helen, also Mr. and Mrs. Abbot and their little daughter, Rachel, all of Newark, O. Of Michael Tobey's family none were present. Of Henry Tobey's family two sons, Richard and wife, Orion and wife, the latter's son Wilbur and daughter Minnie, Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Davis, a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Wm. Davis and son Wilbur. Of Susan Harry's family none were present. Of Sophia Tobey Hull's family her husband, Adam Hull and daughter, Nora, Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Mumma and their son, Chas. and wife, of Columbus, O. Mr. and Mrs. Elva Haller and son Lester, Mrs. Chas. Wachter and children, Mildred and Frank, all of Dayton, except Chas. Mumma and wife. Mr. and Mrs. Perry King and daughter, Rena. Mrs. King being a granddaughter of Henry Tobey, their home being Pyrmont, O. Of Robert Tobey's family none were present.

Of Reuben Tobey's his wife, Mrs. N. M. Tobey. Of Nathaniel Tobey's, his son, Charles and wife, of Troy, O., also Mrs. M. E. Gritt, a cousin of Union City, Ind. Other friends were: Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs, Dr. Thompson and brother, of Troy, and Miss Ruth Salts and Miss Ethel Keller, of Dayton, O.; and Master Howard Bish, also of Dayton.

Among other things of interest shown there that day was a German Bible printed in 1534, and handed down in this family from father to son to the third generation, the intention being to keep it in the hands of one who will retain the family name. At this meeting Rev. Frank Tobey, of Westfield, Ill., was made president of the Association, the next meeting to be held at or near Dayton, O. The afternoon was spent very pleasantly in social intercourse, many reminiscences of the past were called up, touching allusions were made to the memory of the departed and the day seemed all too short when approaching nightfall called for separation. All left feeling it was a day well spent and anxious for its return another year.