Kate’s Notes: This was a wonderful family story and my only conflict was whether to place this among the news archives or historical sketches in our library. It is indeed rare to come across a family testimonial such as this one and it is truly a genealogical treasure. And in case anyone’s wondering, I transcribed the headline just as it appeared in the Mills County Tribune.

From The Mills County Tribune
Glenwood, Iowa
July 28, 1908

A Tripple Wedding 50 Years Ago
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   Married, on the 18th of July, by A. L. Childs, Esq., at the home of Isaac Sayles, in Glendale, N. T., the three daughters of the late Rollin Tyler Tozier, viz: Harriet Tozier and Imle Coulson; Caroline A. Tozier and John W. Robinson; Mary Jane Tozier and Reuben Gilliland.
   The above was handed in for last week’s issue, but was accidentally overlooked. Accompanying it was a cake of delicious quality and high dimensions. Being a fruit cake it probably was expressive of a wish on the part of the three happy couples and may future years reveal still future cause for cheering.
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   The above item appeared in the Plattsmouth paper fifty years ago. It tells of the remarkable marriage of three sisters at one time. Two of the couples on last Saturday celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary. Death had claimed the other couple. Another remarkable thing is the fact that the mother of one of the men -- Mrs. Fannie Gilliland, an old pioneer of Mills county -- lives to see one of her children celebrate a golden wedding. Albert Tozier send the following account of the affair to the Plattsmouth Journal:
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   “Tumwater, Wash., July 18, 1908 -- To the Editor: In looking through an old scrapbook today the above clipping was found which is thought to have been taken from the Plattsmouth Sentinal the last issue in July, 1858, although the date is not given.
   Of the six people mentioned above, John Robinson and Caroline are dead.
   Of their union there was a son and daughter. The son died in Oregon in the 60’s. The daughter is Mrs. Wm. Mace of Tacoma, Wash. Of the union of Imle Coulson and Harriet Tozier there were nine children, seven of whom died in the Coeur d’ Alene country, Idaho. The two living are Chas. A. Coulson of Sierra, Nevada, and Mrs. Eva Downs of Myers’ Falls, Wash. Of the union of Reuben Gilliland and Mary Jane Tozier there were eight children, all of whom are living and sat at the family table at the golden wedding anniversary today at Tumwater, Wash. The children are: Mrs. Fannie Mills, Tumwater, Wash.; Mrs. Susie Gordon and twin sister, Mrs. Drusie Warren, all of Tacoma, Wash.; Mrs. Clara Henry of South Union, Wash.; Miss Myrtle Gilliland, of Tumwater, Wash.; Mrs. Nettie Swan, Tacoma, Wash.; Miss Agnes and Frank Gilliland, Tumwater, Wash.
   Not a death has occurred in the family of Reuben and Mary Jane Gilliland, and the mother of Reuben Gilliland is living in Council Bluffs, Iowa, with her daughter, Mrs. Emma Lucas. Mrs. Fannie Gilliland is 92 years of age. Hon. Shirley Gilliland of Glenwood, Iowa, is a brother of Reuben Gilliland. Twenty-eight grand and two great grandchildren have come to bless the family of Reuben Gilliland. Frank A. Gordon, son-in-law, arrived from Cleveland, Ohio, just as all were seated at the table.
   On the 50th anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Gilliland’s wedding a family picture was taken, the last time all have been together at one time until today, when another was taken. In a corner in the gallery stood the little high chair in which Frank Gilliland, the youngest, sat twenty years before. He was thirteen months old then. He is past twenty-one now and sands six feet in his stocking feet.
   Among those who came to the anniversary was a sister of Imle Coulson, and also a cousin of the latter. Others mentioned are Albert Tozier, who came from Delta, Idaho, and Edith Tozier [Wetherred] of Alaska.
   On this same date Imle Coulson and wife and son, Chas. A. Coulson, all of Spokane., Wash., are observing the day in Sierra, Nevada.”

-- transcription by Kate Maynard, 2010