The Buda Family Reunion, 1896.

The mysterious correspondent, "M.", reported in the newspaper of the Buda family reunion, held after Christmas in 1896.  It was discussed in his Glenburg news column of the paper.

The extended family of Charles Buda and Christina Thiebolt of Milford township, Defiance County, met to renew family acquaintances.

As the reporter named the twelve children of the couple, he decided that each child's weight should be mentioned, as well.  
An unusual decision!

From the Defiance Daily Crescent,

March 15, 1897, page 2

"FAMILY REUNION.

On the 27th day of December, 1896, there occurred a family reunion at the residence of Charles Buda in Milford township, which, for vast proportions, excels anything in the county.  When I have related the circumstances, it will so be pronounced by all who read this account of it.  I shall not enter into fulsome praise of the event, nor embellish it with words of fancy; but shall only give the simple facts.  There were about forty-five present, children and grandchildren.

The most notable feature is the number of children.  The total number in the family is fourteen, father, mother, ten sons and two daughters.

Following are the names and weight of the children: Their average age is 32 years. Philip weighs 163 pounds; Christena Mavis , 167 pounds; George, 139 pounds; Charles, 151 pounds; Edward, 143 pounds; Simon, 140 pounds; Peter, 150 pounds; Frank, 164 pounds, William, 155 pounds; Cora Richardson, 165 pounds; Wallace, 156 pounds, and Curtis, 162 pounds. 

The father was born in Alsace Lorraine, Germany, and sailed to this country when sixteen years of age.  The mother is German also, having been born directly after her parents arrived in America.

Photo of Christina Thiebolt and unknown child, posted on Ancestry Public Trees

 The menu consisted of turkey, goose, and chicken with the usual amount of pies and cake.  The immediate family ate at the first table, and as they marched around it, they stepped to a tune played by the newly made bride of the son, Will.

The children are all married except the two younger sons, Wallace and Curtis.  Perhaps little Curt never will be, for we are told that he ' doesn't like the girls.'

On the day following, the entire family went to Bryan and had a family group photograph taken, in extra large size.  It was a most enjoyable affair, one never to be forgotten by those present.

There is only one family larger than this in the county, we believe, and that one is in Washington township or perhaps in the south edge of Tiffin.

We noted above that they were all married except two.  This is in itself significant.  It means an addition of two sons-in-law and daughters-in-laws to the family.  In all, it makes a family huge in proportions, numbering twenty-four, with the prospect of two more when the younger sons 'double up.' "   M.

Farmer Cemetery, Farmer, Ohio