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One of Oldest Couples In County
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Unusual circumstances were related to THE ITEM reporter upon interviewing on of the oldest and best known couples of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Rude Frankenfield, who are observing their 64th wedding anniversary quietly at home to-day.
Greeted with two pleasant smiles and the aroma of freshly baked sugar cakes, the reporter was received most graciously and accorded old-fashioned hospitality in a warm, cozy kitchen, by two sparkling faces with keen memories. Upon explaining his mission the reporter was allowed to view old family albums containing old tintypes, reflecting interesting events of days gone by.
Unusual as it may seem, Mr. and Mrs. Frankenfield spent their entire lifetime within the bounds of Lower Nazareth Township; with the exception of 9 years, (Mrs. Frankenfield was born and lived in Forks Township until 9 years of age). Not only did they reside within the bounds of this one township, but never moved more than one-half mile from their present home, located just outside the Nazareth Borough limits, north of the Fair Grounds. The two farms which they owned and operated are all located within a half-mile area.
Mrs. Frankenfield, the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Aaron and Sarah (nee) Messinger (Measinger or Meesinger?) Dewalt, is 82 and will be 83 years of age June 5th next. Mr. Frankenfield, the son of the late George Peter and Lovina (nee) Kemmerer Frankenfield, was born in Lower Nazareth Township, March 30th, 1849. He is 87 years of age, and has never lived outside the township.
They were married on Tuesday, March 4th, 1873 at the home of the bride in Forks Township by the Rev. Ernest William Reinecke then pastor of Forks Church. Their union was blessed with one daughter Rosa Matilda Fox Frankenfield, residing at home. Mr. and Mrs. Frankenfield still have in their possession the wedding dresses used in the ceremony. The couple stated that on their wedding day there was a blizzard raging and all the roads were drifted and almost impassable.
After their marriage they moved to Lower Nazareth Township, on a farm owned by the bride's parents where they resided for four years. After four years they moved to a larger farm just half a mile from the former, which they purchased and operated for 28 years, and then to their present home where they have resided for the past 32 years.
Mr. and Mrs. Frankenfield are the oldest couple residing in the township and the oldest members of The Dryland Church, Hecktown, where they have been faithful workers and regular attendants a lifetime.
Both still enjoy the best of health, can read without glasses and are most hospitable hosts. Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Frankenfield, may you enjoy many more days of peace and happiness together.
~ The Nazareth Item, 04-Mar-1937, Page 1, Col. 4 & 5
You can visit the memorial page for Etna Frankenfield.
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