Waterloo Press Sept 7, 1911

Family Reunions are held - By many different Families this past week - BIG 
DINNERS IN EVIDENCE - 

    Thurs. August 31, was a red letter day for two large families, Baxter and 
Duncan, and the reunion was held in the old Waterloo school park, which is an 
idal place for such meetings.  In the early morning the local representatives 
were in evidence and were soon busy arranging tables and providing chairs to 
accommodate the people who came from all directions and by final enrollment 
it was ascertained there were 186 names on the register.
    Long tables were spread with the bountiful gifts of nature and it 
required two sittings to accomodate all present.  The out door bracing 
atmosphere and kong drives experienced by many who were present, sharpened 
the appetites and yet there were "many baskets full" taken up after all had 
been satisfied.
    The day was perfect for an out of door meeting and everyone seemed to be 
in good humor.  The excellent preparations of the staples as well as the 
luxuries in the menu, proved that the women were experts in the culinary art 
and in quantity several brought large basketsof huge proportions to supply 
those who were not provided for.  The generosity of those in charge could not 
have been surpassed.
    After the dinner hour some time was spent in the literary part of the 
program and officers were elected for the ensuing year.  MIles Baxter of 
Auburn being chosen president, Imo Zimmerman of the same place, secretary, 
and J. A. Shafer, treasurer.
    A collection agregating over eight dollars was lifted to defray expenses 
and so well pleased were the people with the environments of the park that 
they voted to hold their annual reunion for 1912 in the same place.
    The Baxter family trace their origin to  Mr. and Mrs. William Baxter , 
who came from Ireland in 1797, locating in Western Pennsylvania, sturdy stock 
from the Emerald Isle, and they raised a family of stalwart sons and 
daughters..  
    Three sons Moses, John and Andrew and a sister, who later married a 
Duncan, came to DeKalb County in 1840, when this part of the stae was a 
wilderness, pccupied with Indians and wild beasts, although in some 
localities civilization had gained a foothold.
    They were amoung the sturdy  pioneers who did so much to reclain the 
wilderness and carve from the dense forests homes to be cherished in later 
years in the develoopment of Smithfield and Franklin townships in this county.
    From thes four families by their marriage relations, thereby uniting a 
larger circle in the family ties, originated the following assembled at this 
reunion.  As time goes on a more thorough organization will be perfected and 
future generations will be able to trace up the connections which will from 
year to year become more and more complex.  The arrangements for theenjoyment 
of the day were perfected by representatives of the two families. who are 
entitled to congratulations of the whole bunch.
                        NOTES
    Mr. & Mrs. J. R. Duncan, George J Duncan and family, of Elkhart, spent 
the day here.  Mr. Duncan and son are builders and contractors at Elkhart and 
the senior memeber was one of the contractors in building the Waterloo school 
building.   He also had many of the trees planted under the shade of which 
the day was so happily enjoyed.
    Attorney J. W. Baxter and family of Auburn were present and all lifted 
hard in making others at home and happy.
    Mr. & Mrs. John Duncan brought a wagon load of :fine cooking" for the 
tables and insisted on having every one filled.  Mr. D. was the last man in 
the park, picking up all refuse and leaving the grounds as clean as they 
found them. 
    T. J. Baxter and wife who now reside in town, gave their entire time to 
making others happy and right well they succeeded.
    Rev. W. L. Meese, of Auburn, an old friend of the family and enjoyed 
shaking hands with former neighbors.  His health is quite good for his years.
    John Duncan Jr and his family of Toledo were present and enjoyed the day.
    If anyone was slighted it was not intentional for all were welcome from 
the young babies to the gray haired veterans.
    The Duncan Baxter families elected John J. Baxter and John Duncan of this 
place John H. Baxter of Butler, and Charles O Baxter of Hokins, Mich vice- 
presidents.

    Names of Members of Reunion From a Distance
    James B Baxter's three children of Edon , Ohio; Mr. & Mrs. Ealing  and 
daughter of Elkhart; James Baxter Jr. of Hopkins, Mich.: George Baxter and 
wife from Fort Wayne.  There were relatives present fromHudson, Ashley, 
Pleasant Lake, Summitt, Butler, Auburn, Gerrett, Waterloo and Hamilton, Ind. 
A telegram was received from Mr. & Mrs. W. H. Jackman of Moore, Okla. and 
letters from Mrs. Anna BaxterEwing of Olivet, Pa.; Mr. Will S. Baxter of 
Lawrence, Kansas; Martha Henning of Bartow, Florida; sending gretting and 
expressing regrets because of absence.

Submitted by:
Ruth Keating
Tecasst@aol.com