Celebrating 125 Years Since Longtown's Mehner-Farrar Wedding

Today we mark the 125th anniversary of the marriage between August Frederick Mehner and Julia Lettie Farrar. August, a German Lutheran, was born on October 28, 1875, in Apple Creek Township. His parents, Frederick and Elisabeth (Hillemann) Mehner, later moved to Perry County.

Lettie, born on March 9, 1881, was the daughter of Albertus and Artillie (Yarbrough) Farrar. Her baptism records are not available, but it's likely she was baptized at York Chapel in Longtown, where her parents are buried. The first census record of Lettie dates back to 1900, when she was already married to August.

The couple wed on March 23, 1899, at the Lutheran Church in Longtown. They had two sons, both baptized at Zion Lutheran, Longtown. The 1900 census only lists the couple as their sons were not yet born. August was a farmer in Union Township.

By 1910, the Mehner family had grown to include their sons, Oscar and Lonnie. August registered for the World War I draft in 1918. The family remained consistent in the 1920 census. Oscar married Sophia Bohnert in 1927, and they lived with August and Lettie, who continued to farm in Longtown.

Lettie died in 1934, aged 53, and was buried at the York Chapel Cemetery. The 1940 census listed August as a widower and no longer a farmer, with Oscar taking over the farm. The 1950 census shows August living with Oscar and Sophia. August died in 1961, aged 86.

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