Shep's Place Family Tree

Gallipolis Daily Tribune
Weddings pretty much the same as 1800's
By James Sands
"The bride was dressed in a pearl gray, bengaline silk, demi-train, with long sash of pearl gray, lined with turquoise blue......
The above was how the Gallipolis Daily Tribune described the wedding outfit of Miss Mary E. Brown when she was married to C. Joseph Norton in 1898.
The wedding took place in the First Presbyterian Church on State Street in Gallipolis.
Just before noon 7 carriages left the Brown residence on Locust Street carrying the bridal party. when they arrived at the church they found the sanctuary decorated with potted plants, geraniums, lilies and white and pink carnations.
The party tarried a bit in the vestibule as the last few chords of the song, "I'll Promise Thee" were played by the organist Mr. J. M. Neal and sung by Mrs. Frank Moore. Mr. Neal then began the grand wedding march from Mendelsohn......
The presiding clergyman was Rev. E. H. Gelvin and he began the service with the familiar words: "Dearly beloved we are gathered here in the sight of God, and in the face of this company to join together this man and this woman."
Later Rev. Gelvin read a part which has changed over the years. In 1898 it read: "I require and charge you both, as ye will answer at the dreadful day of judgement when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed that if either of you know any impediment why ye may not be lawfully joined together in matrimony, ye do now confess it."
Much of the rest of the service is similar to today's ritual aside that is from the "pledging of the troth" and "the love, honor and obey part" both of which have been discarded out of deference to the women's movement for equal rights.
As soon as the minister pronounced Mr. Norton and Miss Brown man and wife, the party filed out of the church to their carriages and were taken to the Brown

In 1910 the Gelvens were living in Warrensburg, Johnson Co., Missouri. Edward was 38 years and Luella 37. Their daughter Elizabeth was ten. They had two "roomers" in their household, Sheldon E. Davis 33 and Harry A. Phillips 34 years old.

1920 Rapids, Linn Co., Iowa: E. H. 48 and Luella 44 had one child, Elizabeth then 20 yrs and single. Edward's occupation was "minister--liberal ‎[unreadable]‎".

1930 Plainfield, Union Co., New Jersey: E. H. Gelven is listed in the index for the 1930 census with Ancestry.com; however, his name does not appear on the appropriate page...According to the index, both E.H. and Luella were born cir 1872.