LYON COUNTY GENEALOGY

 

JOSEPH E. JOHNSON & PHOEBE C. SWANSON

Wedding Announcement: Mr. and Mrs. C.T. Swanson request the honour
of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Phoebe Carolina to
Mr. Joseph Edward Johnson on Wednesday, the twentieth of June,
Nineteen hundred and twenty-three at eight o'clock in the Evening,
Swedish Mission Church, Granite, Iowa. Reception at the Bride's Home.

THE ARGUS LEADER, Thursday, June 21, 1923
Unique Old Fashioned Wedding is Feature of June Day at Granite
Miss Phoebe Swanson, of Larchwood, Married to Joseph E. Johnson, of
Tea, With Country Ceremony and Group of Girls from Sioux Falls
What the bounty and hospitality of the old fashioned wedding used to
mean to a whole countryside was recalled last evening in the unique
ceremony held at Granite, Iowa, when Miss Phoebe C. Swanson, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. C. T. Swanson of Larchwood, Iowa, and Joseph Edward
Johnson of Tea were united in marriage.
Tent Reception
The crowds of friends and relatives from Iowa and South Dakota who
were present were almost unlimited because of the size of the great
tent where the wedding reception and program were held. As soon as
the ceremony was finished in the Mission Church of Granite, the
automobile loads of guests including many who could not get into the
church arrived at the farmhouse, sixteen miles southeast of Sioux
Falls. There, for days preparations had been made for the feast.
Great pots of coffee were boiling on the stove and an abundance of
meats, sandwiches, cakes and ice cream in many varieties were waiting
to be served.
Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Johnson received their relatives and friends as
they entered the tent, and soon the long tables were filled with
guests. Following the blessing asked by Rev. R. A. Larson of
Granite, Iowa, who had performed the ceremony, congratulatory
speeches were made to the bride and groom, and those present
expressed the hope that their table might always be filled with good
things and that they might find happiness in their future home.
"I Love You Truly," was sung by Miss Mabel Swanson, sister of the
bride, and Miss Edna Hegland (Haglund) of Menominee, Michigan, played
two piano solos. Rev. Larson and Rev. E. Begland (Bergland) living
north of Brandon made short addresses. Mrs. Larson sang "Perfect
Day".
Friends from Sioux Falls
The flow of refreshments was not stopped by the program, however.
Over twenty girls who had motored from Sioux Falls for the purpose
served the crowds. Assisting were Elloa McLellan, Maude McLellan,
Frances Howlin, Esther Thompson, Gladys Brandt, Alpha Hoyne, Athetha
Meyers, Eleanor Martin, Thelma Carlberg, Martha Bradly, Rowena Bliss,
Lois Allen, Florence McGilvray, Hazel Lundquist, Lucille Helfert,
Helen Helfert, Hilda Carlson, Effie Straight, Vera Hodgins, Ruth
Krumm, Mrs. L.A. Johnson, Alma Johnson.
Many went to the room filled with wedding presents for the young
people. A piano was included among the gifts. Electric lights and
candles illuminated the scene. The tables were arranged around the
bridal table as a center and were decorated with peonies, roses of
brilliant hues and pink candy baskets.
With little thought of the long distance many of those present would
have to drive before they would have to reach their homes, the guests
feasted and celebrated for hours. The little flower girls Josephine
Larson and Myrtle Carlson and the small ring bearer Robert Larson
were gay and sleepy at the same time as the evening advanced.
Church Ceremony
In the church ceremony the bride walked slowly down the isle on the
arm of her father as the wedding march from 'Lohengrin' was played.
She was gowned in white satin, softly draped and trimmed with pearl
medallions. Her long veil of tulle was held in place with a band of
orange blossoms. She carried a bouquet of lilys of the valley and
pink roses. Miss Mabel Swanson, the brides sister, was maid of
honor. She wore a gown of pale yellow canton crepe and carried a
bouquet of roses. Bridesmaids were Miss Betty Long of Larchwood and
Miss Hegland (Haglund).
After an extended trip through the east and south for their
honeymoon, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson will make their home on the
bridegrooms farm four miles northeast of Tea.
 

Submitted by Diane Johnson
Copyright 2004

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