Wedding Wednesday :: Lilly Anna Gerth & Friedrich Johann Gehrke

Copyright 2012, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

On September 15, 1910 at the St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Pigeon/Linkville, Huron County, Michigan, Man's grandparents were married.

The photo was a small reward to me for cleaning and organizing for THE Trip, THE Encore'.  I did not have this particular photo of their wedding scanned.  I do now!




* Record from the original record book of the church, generously loaned to me many years ago.
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Wedding Wednesday :: One of My Favorite Marriage Records

Copyright 2012, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

When I first started my family research, a few moons, OK, many moons ago, most of Man's grandfather's story (my beloved Archie, he has taken me on quite the journey, I do love that man!) was one huge mystery.

Over the months and years I have dug a bit here and there, and unearthed tidbits here and there.  When I started this life changing hobby, we did not even know Archie's real birth name.  We had suspicions, family whisperings that our surname really was not our surname.  Well, those suspicions alone will send any addicted researcher into a tizy, and my tizy is still ongoing, some 20 plus years later.

After a few months of research and the discovery of the real surname, I found 12 pages tucked in the back of a family surname book.  The compiler could not tie the lineage to her main body of work.  I have never found a connection either.  But, that compiler in her one name search had 12 pages of Man's family, briefly stated, but, a wonderful outline to work from.  Yes, I thank her daily, without her, I don't believe I would have put it together in 20 years.  Instead in 20 years I took her 12 pages and it now is well over 800 pages if printed in a narrative style report.  (I am afraid to find out how many, after about 800 pages I stopped running the reports and checking.  LOL)

I then set out to prove the 12 pages, document it, and fill in a tremendous amount of holes.  I am still filling in holes all these years later.

One of the first holes I wanted to fill was to find documentation surrounding the parents of Man's grandfather Archie, Wallace Henry Lashbrook and Letta (Lettie) Amelia Clifford.  On a research trip to Allen County Public Library in Ft. Wayne, Indiana I set out to discover their marriage.  I knew she had been living in Floyd County Iowa (thanks to my census research).  My master plan was pull index books for Floyd County and then proceed to surrounding counties.  I hit paydirt on the first try, I found Wallace and Lettie in a Floyd County index compiled book.  I will never forget the thrill, it was HUGE!  Yea, a bit of dancing, and hooting and hollaring went in, in the middle of the library.  Well, quiet hooting and hollaring!

Later I obtained a copy of that marriage record, it is one of my favorites.  Wallace and Lettie were not hiding from me!

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Wedding Wednesday :: Honeymoon Sites, Revisited 65 Years Later

Copyright 2012, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

Man's mother saved EVERYTHING, I think I told you that before, EVERY THING!  Her "wedding" box mementos had all types of little tidbits and surprises.  There was a bill from the Wolverine Hotel in Detroit for two nights stay, the two nights immediately after the wedding.  And, there was this post card.  She had written on the back, "Honeymoon Hotel, Art & Millie"  This is the Otsego Hotel in Jackson, Jackson County, Michigan.

Also found in the collection was this menu from the "Villa Bee" in Jackson, Jackson County, Michigan, a 3 page affair, only sharing the front of it.

Of course, you know I did a little research on both of these places, and I found that the Otsego Hotel is now the Otsego Apartments and the Villa Bee* was sold to new owners back in 1956, the name was changed to Club Ludwig and had been known as a place for fun and music ever since.  In June of 2010 the business was for sale.  I feared that it would be torn down.  I had decided Man and I needed to take a drive to Jackson to visit both sites and take some photos.

*  A bit of history on the Villa Bee was found at this web site in 2010:

http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2010/06/peek_through_time_club_ludwig.html

Here is a bit of that article, note the quote marks!  The web site has a much longer article, fun read, go there.  In the meantime, thanks to the paper for this, sure gave us a good feel for the club during the time that Man's parent's were there, I can hear the big bands in the background, can't you??

"Before Club Ludwig

Club Ludwig started life as the Villa Bee, opened by William J. Short around 1944 and hailed in a July 15, 1944, Billboard magazine article as being one of the top clubs in this part of Michigan, along with Battle Creek's Club Tropics, Kalamazoo's Club Hollywood and Detroit's Club Haymarket.

The Villa Bee claimed in the 1945 Jackson City Directory to be "Jackson's foremost society night club." It was "air-cooled" and home to Karl Kaslow & His Orchestra. Big bands, including the Tommy Dorsey Band, also stopped by between shows in Detroit or Chicago.

It was common for the club to draw upward of 350 people to its 25-by-45-foot oak dance floor - one of the largest dance floors in town - on Saturday nights."

So, here are some photos taken on July 29th of this year, first Villa Bee, now Club Ludwig, from what we could tell, out of business, the property is for sale.

And the Otsego Apartments.  Isn't it amazing how similar it looks to the post card?  Man found some people sitting outside and they said the original tile floor is still in the main lobby area.  We did not go in, probably should have.

It was great fun to travel to the honeymoon sites, 65 years later.  Sad to see the Villa Bee/Ludwigs closed, but a thrill to see the Otsego and in such good shape (it is downtown Jackson, many downtown buildings everywhere are in deplorable shape, and look at this one, amazing!)

The grandtwins were with us when we made this trip back in time, and they both said they enjoyed seeing where Gramma Millie went on her honeymoon.  Yep, the family historian in me smiled a lot at that comment!

Many trips back in time do not turn out this well, some say you cannot go home again, but, this once, we got to go back, 65 years worth and it was not bitter sweet.  And, now, wonder if that Billboard magazine article is to be found anywhere??  I'm off, another tidbit to chase.




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Wedding Wednesday :: Love Affair by Correspondence

Copyright 2012, CABS for Reflections From the Fence


From the January 2, 1897 issue of the Michigan Messenger published at Adrian, Lenawee County, Michigan.

"Mervin Teachout, of Oakley and Zena Lee, of Oberlin, O., were married.  It was a love affair carried on by correspondence."





*  Graphic courtesy of The Vintage Moth.

Wedding Wednesday :: Jumps a Moving Train, Gets To The Chapel on Time

Copyright 2012, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

From the March 17, 1897 issue of the Michigan Messenger published at Adrian, Lenawee County, Michigan:

From FamilySearch, and waaahoooo, the bride's name and more:

Michigan, Marriages, 1868-1925
groom's name: Edward E. Hinds
groom's race:
groom's age: 31 years
groom's birth date: 1866
groom's birthplace: Michigan
bride's name: Mary A. Michaels
bride's race:
bride's age: 29 years
bride's birth date: 1868
bride's birthplace: Ohio
marriage type:
marriage date: 28 Feb 1897
marriage place: Clayton, Lenawee, Michigan
groom's father: Wm. Hinds
groom's mother: Jerusha Kamp
bride's father: Isaac Michaels
bride's mother: Rachael Mineer
groom's marital status:
groom's previous wife:
bride's marital status:
bride's previous husband:
film number: 2342507
frame number:
digital folder number: 4207941
image number: 499
reference number: v 3 p 64 rn 50

And, from the marriage record, it appears that they did indeed marry, note, only part of the record is shown here:

Next stop, find out what a bachelor tax is all about, here are two links, In Ye Olden Days: The Bachelor Tax and John McCurdy who wrote,  Citizen Bachelors: Manhood and the Creation of the United States.  So, I wonder, really a bachelor tax in 1897??  or is the staff of the newspaper taking a bit of liberty and poking some fun at our Edward??  What cha think??




*Source for the graphic long lost, my apologies to the artist and the web site.
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Wedding Wednesday, John M. Osborn, And the Anti-Nuptual Contract

Copyright 2012, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

During volunteer hours I spend working on book projects for the Lenawee County Family Researchers, I sometimes run across articles that peak my interest, here is one such article, a sorta anti-Wedding Wednesday.

The above article was published in the January 9, 1897 issue of the Michigan Messenger, published in Adrian, Lenawee County, Michigan:

"Some time ago John M. Osborn, near Hudson, married Sarah Tucker, a domestic in his household; Osborn had been married several times before, and to protect his children he made Sarah Sign an anti-nuptial contract that she should have a very small amount of his property at his death. After Osborn died, the wife brought action to set this agreement aside. Watts, Bean & Smith, of this city, with Fellows & Chandler, of Hudson, for the estate, filed a bill to have the provisions of the agreement operative. Judge Lane decided in favor of Mrs. Osborn, and now the supreme court has reversed the decision, and declared in favor of the estate."

I have not researched any of these people, I do not know anything more than what you see here.  I find em, you enjoy em, and hopefully some day, someone will be able to use them in their research.



*Obviously, I did not digitally clean up this image, all those annoying lines from the microfilm printer.  SIGH
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Wedding Wednesday :: Dr. Conklin Takes His Bride, Again

Copyright 2012, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

From the January 20, 1897 issue of the Michigan Messenger, Adrian, Lenawee County, Michigan:

"AFTER 21 YEARS

An Aged Couple Meet and are Married

Again.

RIDGEWAY, Mich. Jan. 16 - - Dr. C. H. Conklin, of Saline, and Mrs. Mary E. Betnett, of Milan, were quietly married in the Smith house Thursday, by Justice C. W. Culbertson.

About 20 years ago the same couple were married, but separated after a short time. The groom has since been twice married and the bride once. Now their old love has broken out anew, and they look forward to unclouded happiness.

The groom is 68, the bride 56. They are making a wedding trip in a carriage.

SALINE, Mich. Jan. 16. - - Doc. C. H. Conklin is maker and proprietor of a famous salve. He was divorced from his first wife, who he now remarries, 21 years ago. He has scarcely even seen her since although she has been living at Milan. His second wife died while he was living at Clinton . He married a third time, but two weeks ago secured a divorce and has now gone back to his first.

Conklin has traveled all over the county selling salve, having made California three times by wagon."

*Bride and groom graphic was originally found at horton-szar.net, which seems to have gone the way of many web sites - - poof.  Anyway, thanks for the graphic.

** I did a bit of quick internet research and did not find a marriage record for them at FamilySearch.org.  I know nothing more about this couple.  I am not researching this clan.  Hope this helps someone, good luck!
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Wedding Wednesday, The Salt Lake Brides

Copyright 2011, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

While on THE Trip Man and I were in Salt Lake City, Utah during mid May to mid June.  There are a lot of weddings during that time frame.  I managed to get a few photos of the brides of Salt Lake.

(Below:  Oh Oh, we all know that guy in the blue shirt, how did Man get in that wedding?  He wasn't, he was just smiling at the happy couple.)

(Below, there are actually two brides in this photo.)

(Below, a charming statue of Joseph and Emma Smith, not necessarily a wedding, but somehow it just fits in this collection of Salt Lake brides.)
                                                          

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Wedding Wednesday, The Graphics

CABS for Reflections From the Fence 

Recently while processing some of the many documents I collected while in Salt Lake City, at THE mecca library, I opened a file/directory and remembered scanning the top portion of the marriage record because the art work caught my attention.

It is rather dark, and fussing with the digital editor did not make a lot of improvement.  That said, it is still a wonderful piece of art to add to my family history.  This graphic, with the cupids and the bride with veil, the groom in his waist coat, and minister with his Bible, is from the marriage certificate of Grace Lashbrook Cooper, a widow, to John Beck.  They were married on October 20, 1867 in Boone County, Illinois.

I went looking, and found that I have another graphic from the same family.  Grace's brother, Solomon Lashbrook married Harriett Jewell on May 25, 1856 in McHenry County, Illinois.  The graphic from the top of his wedding certificate is below.  It is not quite as ornate, but we still have the 3 most important individuals, the minister, the groom and the bride.  Note the bride and groom are holding hands as they exchange their vows.

And, here is one from my great grandparents, that is just a bit different, David Halterman and Ida Matilda Whitmer were married on August 3, 1899 in Hardy County, West Virginia.  This graphic, has again, the bride and groom (holding hands), and the minister. But, we also have other family members or witnesses, including a female child and what appears to be a lady in a wheel chair.  And, between you and me, I am not so sure the female on the far left is very happy about these nuptials.  Note her hand to her forehead.  I can almost hear her saying, "Oh, NO!"

Three weddings from the 1800's and three different graphics on the certificates.   Now, that I have posted about certificate graphics I know I will be looking for more, do you have any you could share??


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Double the Pleasure, ?? Maybe ??, Wedding Wednesday

Copyright 2011, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

(Remember, clicking on the images, opens it to a larger format, thanks.)

During my recent month long genie holiday, err, research stop at Salt Lake City at the genie-mecca library, I found this record much to my delight.  Double delight, as it appears that it is a double wedding celebration.

Marriage record #3160, September 26, 1904, Fillmore County, Nebraska: Edgar W. Nichols and Lillian M. Goodwill


Edgar, age 25, born Wisconsin, father, W. H. Nichols, mother, Mary Bardoux
Lillian, age 24, born Nebraska, father, James Sauders, mother Florence Darb (?)


Married 27th of September 1904 at Fairmont, by M.C. Brooks, pastor, M.E. Church


Marriage record # 3161, September 26, 1904, Fillmore County, Nebraska: Clarence B. Nichols and Nellie E. Lashbrook


Edgar, age 27, born Wisconsin, father, W. H. Nichols, mother, Mary Bardon.


Nellie, age 23, born Nebraska, father, Royal Lashbrook, mother not listed


Married 27th of September, 1904 at Home of Groom’s parents by Rev. C. H. Beaver

Two brothers married same day, but, by different ministers, location for one not listed other than Fairmont, the second states married in home of groom's parents.  Was this a true double wedding, both at the same time at the same place, with 2 ministers, or ?????

Now needed, a marriage announcement in local newspapers.

Wedding Wednesday, Henry Gerth & Emma Koch

Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

Henrich (Henry) Peter Gerth and Emma Louise Sophie Henriette Koch were married at Sebewaing, Huron County, Michigan on 10 Dec 1903.

The following 2 graphics show their marriage record as found at FamilySearch.Org  (Note, I used the old search labs to obtain the image. I could not  locate it at the Beta version.)  I have edited the image by cutting the record into page 1 and page 2.  I also cut all the other records out of the image, leaving only the headers and our happy couple on the page.  Remember, click on the image for a larger version, click your back button on your browser to return to Reflections.

Photo of the wedding party, from left to right:  witnesses standing, from left to right:  Catherine Gerth; Edward Gerth, unknown, John Gerth (or possibly Peter Gerth); last two unknown.  Identification by family members, I am not certain the identifications are correct.  Emma has 4 younger sisters and 2 brothers, one who is older than she and one who is younger.  The unidentified ladies could easily be her sisters.  Ernest Koch who is a witness is most likely her younger brother, could he be this young gentleman on the far right of the photo?

Seated, are our groom, Henry Gerth and his bride, Emma Koch.

Henry is Man's grand uncle.  Thanks to the family members who provided this wonderfully preserved photo and the identification of at least some of the people represented.

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Wedding Wednesday, The Photo

Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

 

Mildred Louise Gehrke and Arthur Norman Stevens, Jr.

May 24, 1947

Lincoln Park, Wayne County, Michigan

 

*While contemplating Wedding Wednesday, I realized I have no photos of Man and I on our wedding day (eloped).  None of my parents (eloped, I believe).  None of  my mother's parents (eloped, yep, train ride to Maryland).   None of my father's parents (eloped, and she did not even tell for months!).  Do we see a pattern here??  Of course, there may be photos undiscovered - - hope springs eternal.  But, I guarantee, none of Man and I.  LOL

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Wedding Wednesday, Cake Toppers

Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

Yes, indeedy, Man's mother saved everything, including this collection of cake toppers.  Since we have no photo of her wedding cake(s), we cannot be certain that these were all on her wedding cake.

*Believe me, age did not treat the bottom of that bride and groom well, ewwwwwwwwww.  Man agrees!  LOL

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Wedding Wednesday, It Cost HOW Much to Get Married? 1947 Style

Copyright 2010, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

I keep saying, she saved everything.  Every box, every envelope brings surprises, Man keeps saying, I never knew she saved - - -

Well, she did!

Tucked into a small cedar chest (jewelry sized) with cards and other small treasures from their wedding we found two small sheets of notebook paper, gently yellowed with age. One sheet looks to be a preliminary list of expenses, maybe their budget. The other sheet, written in Man's father's handwriting, is the list of actual expenses of the wedding, and notations, of paid (pd.)

Inside the little cedar chest, wedding memories, invitation, lists, cards of congratulations.

We know from the cards she saved, the invitation list was fairly extension, after all, she had a VERY large family, many aunts and uncles and LOTS of cousins!

It appears you could throw a wedding and reception for $558.92.

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