Owosso, Mich, Nov 13 - fifty years ago to-day, in Highland, Oakland County, Michigan, occurred the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. john Goodwin, of Mulberry street, this city. Last night, in honor of the golden anniversary of this excellent man and wife, they were given a surprise in the parlors of the First Methodist church. Over a hundred guests were present and it was a happy occasion. Rev Seth Reed, one of the pioneers of Methodism in Michigan, and now a resident of Flint, and O. C. Seelye, of Detroit, were present and took part in the programme.

The daily life of Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin has much to do with the church affair. they were presented with an elegant full dinner set of Haviland china in token of their years of faithful service in God's work in Owosso. Coming to this city at a time when Methodism was at a low ebb, with but seventy members in the city, they buckled on the armor with a few others faithful ones, and strove against heavy financial odds, and began to build up the church. Of course they do not take the credit, but they helped in many telling ways.

Mr. Goodwin wa sborn in Lincolnshire, England, of sturdy farmer folk. Born on a farm, he always lived on one, until he retired nineteen years ago. When scarcely 18 years old he left home to seek his fortune in America. He intended to locate near New Albany, but on the voyage across the Atlantic, he fell with some young men coming to Oakland County, and he decided to cast his lot with them. He settled first in Milford. About one year later he ws married in Highland, to the wife who is yet his greatest joy.

They resided in Plymouth for a while and came to Shiawassee county in 1862, and settled in Rush township. Here Mr. Goodwin tackled a dense forest and cleared 160 acres, seven miles from this city. The old homestead where the happiest years of the family life were spent remained in the family until on year ago, when Mr. Goodwin sold it.

Mrs. Goodwin was born in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, the same year with her husband, and came to this country six months after he sailed, settling in the same town. They became acquainted there. Of their eight children, two are living,; Andrew, who is a grocer in Owosso, and Mrs. L. H. Wood, of Chicago.