Marriages

Marriages

Gleaned from the papers of Geneva Smith

Most of these marriages will have taken place within the borders of St Joseph County, Michigan but there are many from other parts of the country printed in local newspapers because they involve former residents of St Joseph County. I've made every attempt to identify the newspaper the articles came from but where I'm not able to do so, that article will be marked as "newspaper unknown".

The gratitude and thanks to Geneva and her daughter don't seem to be enough for the protection they've given over the years to this most important research tool that Shirley Elmer has so graciously allowed us to share. I am in her debt.

Transcribed and edited by Josephine Reed Foster Garzelloni, October 1997
Presented to the St Joseph County, Michigan USGenWeb for the free use of all. Not to be taken or used for profit or publication.

Happily Wedded ___________ Miss Edith L Fox, Daughter of Mr and Mrs William H Fox, Wedded to Wilmer H Brandenburg ______

A quiet, but beautiful wedding was solumnized in Sturgis township at the residence of Mr and Mrs William H Fox on Thursday, June 14th, 1906, when their daughter, Edith L., became the bride of Mr Wilmer H Brandenburg of LaGrange, Indiana. The ceremony was performed by the Rev Martin Luther Fox, pastor of the Central Methodist Episcopal church of Muskegon, a cousin of the bride, and was witnessed by only immediate relatives. It occurred at 9:30a.m. The full Methodist Episcopal service was used. A fine wedding breakfast was served, after which, amid showers of rice and old shoes, the bride and groom took their departure on the Lake Shore train from Klinger lake west.
After a short honeymoon they will reside for the summer in their home in Sturgis township. The bride was attired in grey silk, which she wore for her traveling costume. She certainly looked very pretty. She is an alumnus of North Western college of Napenville, Illinois, and is a talented and accomplished woman. Her home has always been in this vicinity. The groom has for the past five years superintended the LaGrange, Indiana, schools and is a gentleman of fine principles and a student of excellent attainments. The best wishes of a host of friends will attend them.

45
Sturgis Journal

Wedding March In Advance _________ Congregation at the Presbyterian Church Heard the Wedding March Played. ______________ Those who attended the union services at the Presbyterian church Sunday night were treated to something a little out of the ordinary in the matter of music on such occasions. Instead of the usual prelude and postlude music, the organist rung in two wedding marches, and to say that it was a success would be putting it mildly. To those who were on the outside of the advance information which had been leaking out for the past two months, it was a bit puzzling, but kind friends put them wise to this extraordinary proceedings, only then was it plain as day. The popular pastor, Rev. G.F. Sheldon, was contemplating matrimony and this was to be his last sermon before the happy event. When all was explained congratulations were extended in advance also. Rev Sheldon left on the noon train Monday for Elkhart with the kind of a smile that don't come off, and Rev Manning left on the noon train Tuesday with a determined one, and the mail Tuesday night brought to the Journal office a marked copy of the Elkhart Daily Review, from which we took great pleasure in clipping the following sketch. It's now up to the members of his flock to give their favorite pastor and his happy bride a welcome which will long be remembered by one and all:
"Rev G.F. Sheldon, pastor of the Presbyterian church at Sturgis, and Mrs Mary Brock of Burr Oak, sister of Mrs Andrew S Lamb of this city, were married at the home of Mr and Mrs Lamb, no 110 Cassopolis street, at one o'clock today, the officiating minister being Rev L.H. Manning of Sturgis, pastor of the Methodist church at that place. Immediately after the ceremony Mr and Mrs Sheldon left for Winona, where will stop at the Otterbein.
The ceremony was witnessed by few but immediate relatives, Mrs F.V.Williams, mother of Mrs Brock, Miss Mabel Brock, her daughter, both of Burr Oak, Miss Clara Sheldon, daughter of the groom of Sturgis, Mr and Mrs C.S.Williams and Mr and Mrs J.M. Williams of this city, and Rev E.J. Harris, pastor of the Presbyterian church at Burr Oak."

46
Burr Oak Acorn

Sheldon ~ Brock __________    On Tuesday, 10 July 1906, at once o'clock p.m., two of the best people of Burr Oak and Sturgis were united in holy matrimony, at Elkhart, Indiana.
   The contracting parties were Mrs Mary M Brock of this place, and Rev George F Sheldon of Sturgis, the ceremony being conducted by Rev L.H. Manning, of the M.E. church of Sturgis, at the home of the bride's sister, Mrs Andrew S Lamb, 110 Cassopolis street. Rev E.J. Harris and Miss Mabelle Brock, eldest daughter of the bride, acted as best man and lady.
   The happy even took place in the presence of several realtives and immediate friends, among them being Mrs F.V. Williams, mother of the bride, Miss Fannie Lancaster, Burr Oak; Mr and Mrs Charles D Williams, Mr and Mrs John M Williams, Mr and Mrs A.S. Lamb, Miss Pearl Lancaster, Elkhart; Miss Clara Sheldon, Mrs M.M. Burch, Sturgis.
   Mr Sheldon is one of the most popular pastors the Presbyterian society of Sturgis has ever had. Proof of this is found in the fact that he has been retained there continuously for a number of years. He is a widower with three children.
   The bride is one of the most respected of our citizens ~ a widow lady with three children, and her many friends here wish her every joy.
   The newly wedded pair left on the afternoon train for Winona Lake, to be absent a week, when Sturgis becomes the future home of the family.

McKert ~ Fry _________    At Centreville, Michigan, Monday, December 24, 1906, Miss Hallie Fry of Burr Oak, and Mr Frank G McKerg, of Sturgis, were joined in marriage.
   The ceremony was performed by Rev C.S. Rigley, at the M.E. parsonage. Previous to two years ago, Mr McKerg resided in Hornellsville, New York.
   This popular pair have the best wishes of The Acorn and many friends.

Lancaster ~ Taggart _________    A very pretty home wedding took place at the home of Mr and Mr John Taggart, two and one ~ half miles west of Bronson, at high noon Thursday, June 21, 1906, the occasion being the marriage of their daughter Grace Mae to Clyde B Lancaster, of South Bend, Indiana.
   Precisely at noon the bride, accompanied by her maid, Miss Nina Stuver of Brookfield, Missouri, and the bridegroom by his best man, Mr Lawson B Lancaster of Burr Oak, marched to their places to the rendering of Lohengrin's march by Miss Margaret Ferris of Burr Oak, Rev Henry Collins of Coldwater, officiating.
   After the ceremony the bride and groom led the way to the dining room where a sumptous four course dinner was served.
   The bride is on of Bronson's most popular young ladies and is loved and respected by all. The groom is one of South Bend's most efficient city mail carriers and enjoys the respect and confidence of a wide circle of friends.
   They will be at home to their many friends at 817 Blain Avenue, South Bend, after 20 July 1906.
   They were the recipients of many handsome and useful presents.
   The happy couple have the congratulation and best wishes of a host of friends.

Lancaster ~~Passahl

   The marriage of a couple of Burr Oak's best young people took place yesterday ~ Miss Nellie E Passahl and Mr Lawson Lancaster.
   In the earlier part of the day they drove over to Centreville, where their future destinies were joined by a local minister, and within a few hours they arrived at the home of the groom's brother, Clyde B Lancaster, and wife, in South Bend. They will be absent until Saturday evening.
   Burr Oak will continue to be the home of this popular pair, we are glad to learn. Mr Lancaster continuing his labors in the mail service as rural carrier.
   The Acorn joins their many friends in very best wishes for perpetual happiness.

dated January 16, 1907 in ink

Mr George B Cole and Miss Sylvia Boggs were married by Rev C.G. Roadarmel, Wednesday evening at 7.

dated 13 February 1907 in ink.

Wells ~ Brown At his home on Fourth Street, Monday p.m., May 6, 1907, Justice J. B. Woodman spoke the words that united the future destinies of Miss Susie Wells of Burr Oak and Mr Bert Brown of Colon.
Best wishes!

Married, at Muncie, Indiana, Sunday, June 23, 1907, Dr Glenn Godfrey of Colon and Miss Lelia Cleveland of Muncie, formerly of West Colon, where she had always lived until a few years ago. She has been employed as saleslady in a large department store at Muncie, where she has made many friends, who will regret her departure. While there she make her home with Ember McMillen and family, where she will also be greatly missed. Her many friends here join in wishing the young couple much happiness through life.

Miss Mable Butler and Frank Miller were married Easter Sunday and will go to housekeeping on a farm soon.

dated 30 March 1907 in ink

Surprised Their Friends    Miss Nellie Louise Shipman, daughter, of Mrs Charles Shipman, and Mr George Henry Wieth, formerly of Elkhart, were very quietly married about six o'clock Saturday evening at the parsonage, by Rev Newsom and took the 6:44 train north for a short honeymoon. On their return they will make their home with the bride's mother, occupying the west half of the house.
   Miss Nellie was born and raised in Sturgis, was a very high class milliner having held a position with Mrs Church, in this city and other lucrative positions in larger cities. She is a member of the "Smart Set" and has a host of girl friends.
   Mr Wieth is employed with the Sturgis Steel Go-Cart Co., as tool maker, has resided in Sturgis for a number of years, and has won many friends by his pleasant and congenial manner.
   The Journal extends contgratulations along with their many friends.

dated 13 November 1907 by ink.

55
Kalamazoo Telegraph
17 June 1907

Bride Was Formerly a Resident of Burr Oak _________________    The marriage of Prof. R.P. Warren, well known in musical circles in this city and formerly director of the Congregational church choir, to Miss Fannie Whiting, of Three Rivers, took place at high noon this Monday.
   The ceremony was performed by the Rev Howard Murray Jones, at the home of Mr and Mrs F.J. Maus, Hays court. The wedding was a quiet affair and only a few of the immediate friends and relatives were present.
   Mr and Mrs Warren left on the 2:08 train for Ann Arbor where they will be the guests of Mr Warren's relatives. Later they will go to Petoskey, where Mr Warren will play during the summer with Fischer's orchestra.
   Although it is not definitely known, it is thought that the young people will take up their residence in this city in the fall.

The bride is a granddaughter of Mr and Mrs W.H. Frasier, and when a child lived in Burr Oak.

reprinted by the Burr Oak Acorn.

56
Sturgis Journal

Pretty Church Wedding ___________ Took Place Tuesday Evening at The Presbyterian Church. Large Number Present _____________    One of the prettiest church weddings which has taken place in Sturgis in a decade transpired at the Presbyterian Church Tuesday evening at eight o'clock, at which time, Miss Mabel Fister of this city, was joined in the holy bonds of wedlock to Mr Herman A Wood of Manhatten, Kansas.
   The church was beautifully decorated for the occasion with palms and ferns which were banked on the platform, entwined with trailing smilax and white china astors which were artistically draped from the chandeliers; in the background was placed a large pier glass, before which the bridal couple took their stand during the ceremony, the whole forming a beautiful picture. Large wreaths of smilax surmounted with white phlox were the seat decorations on each side of the aisle. Nothing was left undone by Mrs D.J. Dart who had charge of the decorations, and young lady assistants, to make the scene a charming one.
   At eight o'clock the edifice was comfortably filled with invited guests, and as Mrs Tibbets played the wedding march the bridal party wended its way slowly down the aisle taking their places at the foot of the altar. First came the ushers, Messrs. J. J. Stanton, E.B. Grey, Rollin Gothrop, and George Fister, followed by the bride's maids, Misses Florence Moore, Margaret Knight, Helen and Dorothy Robinson, dressed in white, who in turn were followed by the bride's attendant, Miss Lulu Roberts, charmingly gowned in pink, and Master George Moore who born the symbolic jewel upon a silver tray; last came the bride, beautifully gowned in white silk mull exquisitely trimmed with valenciennes lace and insertion over white silk, and a bridal veil, carrying a bouquet of white roses, she was joined at the alter by the bridegroom and his best man, Ira Houston, of Cleveland, Ohio, where Rev. H.F. Fister, of Arlington, Massachusetts, a brother of the bride, pronounced the marriage ceremony, assisted by Rev Sheldon.
   Immediately after the ceremony the guests repaired to the home of Mr and Mrs E.B. Grey, where the newly wedded couple received congratulations of their relatives and friends, in the parlor which, was appropriately decorated for the occasion. Light refreshments were served from a table beautifully decorated with streamers of smilax suspended from the chandeliers to the four corners of the table terminating in wreaths. In the center of the table was a mirror surrounded by smilax on which was placed a large bouquet of white flowers. Candelabras holding lighted candles completed the charming scene, after which, punch was served.
   The newly wedded couple took the 10:30 Lake Shore train for Manhatten, Kansas, where they will make their future home, and will stop at St Louis and Kansas City enroute. The bride's traveling gown was check French suiting.
   The bride and groom were the recipients of many beautiful and costly wedding gifts, consisting of cut glass, silverware, hand painted china and table linen, as a testimonial of the regard in which the bride and groom are held.
   Professor H.A. Wood was born in Fawn River township, was a graduate of Sturgis High School and Olivet college; he taught science in Marshall two years and from there he went to Baltimore where he took a post graduate course of two years at John Hopkins university in chemistry. He is now Professor of chemistry of the Kansas State Argricultural college, at Manhatten, Kansas. The bride was born and raised in this city and is a talented musician, having taught music in the High school here for a number of years, going from here to Holland where she taught music in the schools until called home by the death of her mother a few years ago.
Out of town guests who attended the wedding were: Mr and Mrs George Fister and Ira Houston of Cleveland, Ohio; Rev. H. F. Fister, of Arlington, Massachusetts; Mrs Roberts of Chicago, Illinois; and Mrs S.B. Eason of Fawn River.

dated 7 August 1906 in ink.

57
Burr Oak Acorn

At Clayton, Lenawee county, November 18, 1907, Samuel E Long of this place and Katie Litesey of Clayton were united in wedlock, and came here ten days later to reside. The groom is one of Foreman Maloney's dependable railroad section men, and has made many friends during his residence here. Our best wishes to the happy young couple.

Addie North is Married

At the home of her parents, Mr and Mrs Erastus L North, in Battle Creek, Miss Julia Adelaide North, and Mr William Fredrick Fischer of Hartford, Connecticut, were united in marriage October 15, 1907. Many of our citizens will remember the bride, who was born here, and her many Burr Oak friends will wish her every happiness.

Transcribed and edited by Josephine Reed Foster Garzelloni, November 1997
Presented to the St Joseph County, Michigan GenWeb for the free use of all. Not to be taken or used for profit or publication.

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