Kate’s Notes: Due to the poor condition of the original material, any portions in doubt are indicated by brackets. Some genealogical information follows the article.

From The Portsmouth Times
Portsmouth, Ohio
22 August, 1922

Birthday Surprise

   On Sunday the old Samuel Gilliland homestead down in Jefferson township was the scene of a great gathering together of old friends and acquaintances.. The occasion was the birthday of the present occupant and descendant, Mr. Grant Gilliland. When Mr. Gilliland returned from a ride he found the place in possession of between 250 and 300 of his friends and relatives. Mrs. Gilliland had so successfully carried out the arrangements that the affair was a complete surprise to her husband. At noon the contents of the well-filled baskets carried by the guests was spread out on long tables arranged on the large lawn and the bountiful dinner enjoyed by all. The afternoon was spent in renewing old acquaintances and with a program of sacred music. Mrs. William Kuhner of Jackson, presided at the organ. Prosecutor Jack Evans and Mrs. Mame Rogers, candidate for county recorder, sang and Miss Winifred Rogers gave violin selections. Also Miss Dorothy Hammerstein of Columbus recited. The guests were from Oak Hill, Portsmouth, Beaver, Jackson, and all the surrounding country. Besides Mr. and Mrs. Gilliland’s own immediate family from among their near relatives there were Mrs. Mattie Dever, Mr. and Mrs. William Sprague and daughter, of Portsmouth, the families of Noah and Watson Gilliland of Beaver, Mr. and Mrs. Robert [Rice] of Jackson and Mrs. Bessie Hammerstein and daughter Dorothy of Columbus. Among the Jackson people present were Dr. and Mrs. H. Shumate and family, Mrs. H. A. Bedel, Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Stephenson, Margaret Stephenson and  Heber Stephenson, Mr. and Mrs. Arch Martin and family, Mr. and Mrs. William Kuhner, Mrs. Mame Rogers and daughter, Winifred.

-- transcription by Kate Maynard, 2010

Some women's names referenced in the article:
Mattie (Gilliland) Dever was the wife of Noah Dever.
Louisa Dever, daughter of Mattie (Gilliland) and Noah Dever, was the wife of William Sprague.
Margaret (Gilliland) Stephenson was the daughter of Hugh and Nancy (Slavens) Gilliland and was the wife of Hiram Stephenson. Heber Stephenson was their son.
Mrs. Harry A. Bedel was the former Julia W. Gilliland.