Marriage of M. M. Ham and Rebecca M. Wells-1874

HAM, WELLS

Posted By: cheryl moonen (email)
Date: 5/9/2018 at 23:58:58

Dubuque Daily Times, Wednesday, Dec 09, 1874, Dubuque, IA, Page: 5

A JOURNALIST WEDDING

Marriage of M. M. Ham and
Rebecca M. Wells

“A Brilliant Affair”

The Reception--The Guests--
The Presents

Familiar the saying “Happy the bride the sunshine on.” Whatever maybe the meaning or significance of this oft-quoted expression, a pleasant day for a wedding is one hoped for all parties to it, without regard to an ominous significance of the proverb. Cold, bleak, unsympathetic December must have forgotten himself for once. or else have been most kindly disposed toward the bride and groom of yesterday, which is most likely, for a brighter day for a wedding could not have been desired. No cloud obscured the sky, and the day was almost spring-like balminess. Such was the day blustering, roystering old December, in the goodness of his heart, gave to Mr. M. M. Ham, editor of the Dubuque Herald, and Miss Rebecca M. Wells for her bridal day.

The announcement of the wedding a week ago set society circles in a flutter of excitement, and “the wedding” was the date by which all engagements were set; and now it has passed, from which society fairs will date, until the next “very important” event is enrolled on the calendar.

THE CHANCEL OF THE CHURCH
was handsomely decorated for this occasion. The space between the columns of the back wall of the chancel was decorated with long vines of convolvuli, intermingled with dainty, fragile white blossoms peeping out from between, as if they were to be trembling but happy of the ceremony. Long vines of evergreens, with white flowers, depended gracefully from the center of the arch, and were fastened midway on the wall on either side, and from the center of the arch depended the marriage bell, composed of evergreens and white flowers, with a large white calla lily for the clapper. It was especially noticeable that not a flower was faded-each tiny petal, each dimpled rose leaf, each little white starry face, held up its loveliest, latest look, and breathed out its fair young life in a dying fair of sweetest incense for the fair bride for whom it perished.

THE CROWD
Long before the appointed time, which was half past four o’clock, the church was crowded. The windows of the Custom House, which commanded a view to the entrance of the church, were crowed, and the street corners were filled with people, mostly women, anxious to catch a glimpse of the bridal party. The front seats of the church were reserved for relatives of the high contracting parties and invited guests from aboard, prominent among them being D. N. and J. J. Richardson, of the Davenport Democrat, and their wives. Ponding the arrival of the bridal party, Miss Hunter, who presided at the organ, relieved the tedium of the waiting by intoning a voluntary.

A carpet was spread from the entrance of the church to the streets so that the dainty feet of the bride might not touch common clay.

Mr. Charles Sloan and Mr. W. Kimball officiated as ushers. They were dressed in the full conventional costume.

THE CEREMONY

Shortly after the appointed hour the bride cortege entered the church, preceded by the ushers, and passed up the right aisle, while Miss Hunter, with splendid effect, intoned the Wedding March. First came Miss Virginia Lewis escorted by Hon. John P. Irish, then came Miss Lucy Waldo leaning on the arm of Hon. F. O’Donnell, then Miss Liada Wilson escorted by John M. Ballou, Esq. The bridegroom, with Miss Sallie Wells, the bride’s sister, leaning on his arm, came next, and they were followed by Judge D. S. Wilson, who led the bride elect to the altar. As they reached the altar, the groomsmen took positions to the left of the Rev. C. H. Seymour, the officiating clergyman, who received them, and the bridesmaids took positions to the right, and the party thus forming a semi-circle with the bridal couple in the center. The party was now in proper position, and the beautiful ceremony of the Episcopal Church was most impressively performed, Judge Wilson giving the bride away. The ceremony over the bridal cortege filed out of the church inverse of the order in which they came in and by the left aisle.

THE BRIDAL DRESS

There was a murmur of admiration as the bride entered the church, leaning on the arm of the Judge. Never did a bride appear to better advantage. Her dress was lavender silk, trimmings of point applique lace, and vines of orange blossoms. At the throat was cluster of orange blossoms. Her hair was dressed a la pompadour, and a cluster of orange blossoms fastened the bridal veil, which fell in a graceful fold over her shoulders, covering the face only in its thin, delicate folds. The bride also carried in her hand a bouquet of orange flowers.

Miss Liada Wilson, first bridesmaid, wore a white Tarleton drees, with pink trimmings, and pink satin waist.

Miss Waldo, second bridesmaid, wore a white Tarleton skirt, with lavender waist and trimmings. The bodice opened enchale.

Miss Virginia Lewis, third bridesmaid, looked lovely in a white Tarleton dress, with elaborate and tasteful trimmings.

RECEPTION

From the church the bridal parties proceeded to the residence of the bride and sister at 937 Main Street. Here a “reception” was held until eight o’clock. From six to eight o’clock the housed was crowded with the friends of the high contracting parties, who had received invitations to the reception. The congratulations were earnest, and the joy and happiest of a glad marriage occasion reigned over all. The bride and groom received their friends in the east parlor. After paying their respects to the bride and groom, the guests were shown down to the dining room, where most elegant refreshments were served. The east and west parlors were beautifully decorated. White wreaths and flowers and garlands of vines clasped and held the filmy curtains. The arches were wreathed with blossoms and draped with smilax, ivy and maurandias. The east room was one glowing, perfumed mass of blossoms-pale, saintly hehotrope, stainless lilies, scarlet geraniums, and drooping fuchia sprays

THE PRESENTS

The piano in the west parlor, and a roomy table also, were covered with the presents received. Almost every conceivable article of silver ware was represented, and many of the presents were very costly as well as unique. We give a partial list:

The groom’s present to the bride was a gold watch and massive chain slide, with coral medallion settings.
Magnificent bronze parlor stand, Mrs. George Greene and Mrs. A. S. Belt, Cedar Rapids
Toilet set, Mrs. Katie Horton
Handsome pincushion, Mrs. Dedie Halcombe, St. Paul
Elegant linen cambric skirt, with valenclennes lace and French embroidered trimming, Mrs. A. Levi
Set tea and dinner knives, Mrs. Wm. Andrews
Pin cushion, Tenie Norton
Set of furs, Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Seymour
Solid sliver berry spoon, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Duess
Elegant silver card receiver and silver boquet holder, Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Brewster, Davenport
Toilet sets, consisting of handsome neckties and handkerchiefs, cousins Fanny and Lucy
Silver water pitcher, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas S. Nairn
Elegant silver card receiver, shell shaped, lined with gold, Little May Howard
Gilt flower stand, Mrs. Lowell Daniels, Cedar Rapids
Solid silver spoon ladle, Mr. and Mrs. T. S. Wilson
Pair elegant gold bracelets, richly chased, Sarah G. Wells
Book of sacred poems, Mr. Will Welch
Pair solid gold sleeve buttons with raised monogram, Mrs., F. and H. O’Donnell
Solid silver sugar sitter, gold lined, and silver pickle fork, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Luke, St. Louis
Solid silver pen knife, Gen. and Mrs. Geo. W. Jones
Silver card receiver, gold lined, Mrs. Margaret Raymond
Oil Painting “Coming Through the Rye,” Mrs. H. Markell
Handsome Parian marble statuette, Mrs. S. E. Elser
One solid silver pickle fork, Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Giles
One beautiful basket natural flowers, Mr. Chas. Sload
Gold cross, rich chased, Tip and Nellie Ham
Pair handsome gold sleeve buttons, Miss Maggie Hannon
Pearl and gold pencil, Miss Hattie Seymour
Pearl and gilt opera glasses, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Griffith
Silver jewel casket, D. J. Hennessey
Check from S. M. Wilson, for $100; also check from Geo. R. Wells, $75, both of San Francisco
Crimson satin work box with gilt mountings, Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Mack, Cedar Rapids
Japanese and silver cake receiver and bouquet holder, Mrs. John P. Farley
Magnificent silver butter dish, Mr. and Mrs. Downer
Handsome bronze bird, Misses. Love
Dainty gold and silver card receiver, Miss Fannie Stout
Unique gold and silver pickle spoon, very elegant, Mr. and Mrs. S. W. Brock, Chicago
Beautiful Russian leather toilet box, with perfume bottles, Mr. and Mrs. K. B. C. Bennett
Solid silver sugar spoon, Mrs. H. L. Stout
One set solid silver fancy spoons, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Crane

By eight o’clock the guests had taken their departure, and the bridal couple was left a short time in which to get ready to take the evening train east on

THEIR WEDDING TOUR

They go from here to Washington, where they will tarry a week, enjoying the pleasures of the gay capital. From Washington they will visit New York, Boston and other eastern cities, and the early home of the groom in Maine. They will be gone several weeks.

The best wishes of thousands of friends in Dubuque will attend them on their journey of life, on which they have just set out so auspiciously.