The Des Moines Register/1916/Mr. And Mrs. Henry Hahnen To Celebrate Anniversary
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hahnen, prominent pioneer residents of Des Moines, will celebrate their golden wedding anniversary Wednesday, October 25, at their home, 1070 West Seventh street. Forty relatives will attend the informal gathering which will mark the anniversary. Their eight living children and thirteen grandchildren will be present as well as Mr. Hahnen's sister, Mrs. J. A. List, and daughter, Emma, of Waverly and Mrs. Clara Baird of Carthage, Missouri, niece of Mr. Hahnen. Mr. Hahnen was born October 27, 1841, in Wurtenberg, Germany, and at 13 years of age came to the United States in a sailing vessel, which took seventy-two days en voyage. With his mother, three sisters and two brothers he located in Lafayette, Indiana, and in 1857 came to Des Moines, where he learned his trade, boot and shoe business, which he has always followed. In May, 1862, he crossed the plains in a prairie schooner which took three months and one week, arriving at Virginia City, Nevada. He returned by way of San Francisco, arriving in Des Moines in the spring of 1865. The following year he was married to Miss Sophia Becker, who was born January 6, 1845, In Hessen Kassel, Germany. She came to this country at 16 years of age, being followed later by her two younger sisters, Mrs. Mary Brediraus, of this city and Mrs. Anna Walter, of South Dakota. The wedding fifty years ago, took place in the German Lutheran church, the nuptials carrying out the German idea, the bride being attired in black silk. Her two sisters served as bridesmaids and of six of the flower girls three are now living in Des Moines. Mrs. Margaret Franz, Mrs. Anna Neiman and Mrs. Barbara Neumann. The Rev. Frederick Lutz read the marriage ceremony, and is now living in Iowa. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hahnen have always been members of the Lutheran church and since 1872 have been active workers in St. John's church. Mr. Hahnen's only sister, Mrs. List of Waverly, is the wife of the late Rev. J. A. List, who was the first Unitarian minister in Des Moines. Mr. and Mrs. Hahnen were the parents of ten children, eight of whom are now living. They are Mrs. Rose Davis. Mrs. Anna Wirt. Mr. Edd Hahnen, Mrs. Carl Ntendorf and Miss Minnie Hahnen of Des Moines, Mrs. D. D. Ransberg of Minneapolis, Mrs. C. E. Englabeck of Milwaukee and Mr. Will Hahnen of Joplin, Missouri.
Mr. And Mrs. Henry Hahnen To Celebrate Anniversary.