Leon Reporter, Leon, Iowa
Thursday, July 2, l896

Not for many years has there been a church wedding in Leon, and Loving Chapel was filled with invited guests Tuesday to witness the ceremony which united DR. R. FRED THROCKMORTON, of Derby, and MISS MAYME PENNIWELL, in marriage.

The church was darkened for the occasion and the electric lights burned brightly, showing to good effect the beautiful decorations. At each side of the alter was a large column of sweet peas and smilax, while the whole church was decorated with palms and potted plants, looking a very paradise in which the happy young couple should take the solemn vows which would unite them for life.

Promptly at twelve o'clock, Mrs. Geo. E. Hurst rendered an organ voluntary, followed by a beautiful bride's solo, "I Promise Thee" by Mrs. W.A. Weatherby, of Baker City, Oregon, sister of the bride. As the beautiful strains of "The Bridal Chorus" from Lohengrin floated forth filling the air with delightful harmony, the bridal party entered the church. The ushers, Messrs. Karl Parrish, Jamie Harvey, Ralph Sigler and Joe S. Warner were followed by the maid of honor, Miss Harriet Young, and three pretty little flower girls with baskets of flowers, Misses Etta Clark, Edna Kohler and Enid Alexander. As the bride entered accompanied by her father, the groom and his attendant, Capt. H.O. Penick, of Chariton, came from the west classroom and met them in front of the altar. They were now in the presence of the officiating Minister, Rev. M. Hughes, who in an impressive manner pronounced the marriage ceremony, assisted by Rev. J.S. Throckmorton, of Van Meter, a brother of the groom. The beautiful ring ceremony of the Methodist Eppiscopal Church was used. As the bridal couple arose from the satin pillows on which they kneeled, the beautiful strains of Mendelssohns Wedding March pealed forth from the organ presided over by Mrs. Geo. E. Hurst, and the bridal party proceeded to the home of the bride's parents.

The bride wore a vail of Tulle and was charmingly arrayed in Mousseline de Soie over a gown of Satin Duchess. She carried a bouquet of bride's roses and wore orange blossoms in her hair. In accordance with an old tradition the bride wore "something old, something new; something borrowed, something blue." The maid of honor was attired in lavender, with an overdress of white chiffon. She carried a bouquet of Jassamines.

Immediately after the ceremony, a reception was tendered the happy couple at the residence of the bride's parents, MR. and MRS. J.F. PENNIWELL, where a wedding breakfast was served to the relatives and intimate friends. The bride and groom received congratulations in a flower bower in the parlor which was filled with orange blossoms and smilax.

The breakfast tables, three in number besides the bridal table, which was under a canopy of roses and smilax, suspended by white satin ribbons, from which hung a floral wedding bell, were each decorated differently, one being pink carnations, another sweet peas, and a third nasturtiums. An elaborate breakfast was served, the beautiful ancient custom of the "loving cup" being followed. The "loving cup" is a silver goblet presented to the bride by her parents, and when it is filled the Minister blesses it, hands it to the bride who first kisses the rim and drinking of its contents, then passes it to the maid of honor who drinks and gives it to the groom who does the same and delivers it to his attendant. It is then passed to each guest who takes a sip from it.

Many costly and appropriate presents attested the love and esteem of the friends of the newly wedded couple.

The bride's gift to her maid of honor was an enameled pin set with pearls. The groom's gift to his attendant was a diamond scarf pin.

The bride has lived in Leon all her life. A finely cultured and refined young lady, and a musician of note; she is admired and held in highest regard by all who know her. She is a young woman of great good sense and her charming friendliness to everyone has made her a popular favorite among all the people of Leon. The groom, although almost a stranger to our people, has made many friends in this city. He is a graduate of Rush Medical College, Chicago, and has already established a splendid practice in Lucas County where he was born and raised, his parents being pioneer settlers and one of the leading families of that county.

The happy couple departed on the three o'clock train for Chicago. The bride wore a becoming traveling costume of green and blue changeable Sicilian cloth. Almost all guests accompanied them to the depot, and when the train pulled out it was in a shower of rice and old shoes and the well wishes of the friends who wished them a pleasant journey and much happiness through life. They will be at home in their elegant new residence at Derby after Sept. lst.

Among the guests from abroad who attended the wedding were Rev. J.S. Throckmorton, Van Meter; Mr. W.S. Throckmorton and family, Leroy; Mrs. M.T. Grimes, Mr. Fred Grimes, Miss Lillian Grimes, Miss Fannie Crist, Mr. J.R. Throckmorton, Derby; Mrs. W.B. Barger, Mrs. S. Ingram, Mrs. D. Eikenberry, Mrs. C.H. Simmons, Capt. H.O. Penick, Lieut. Geo. E. Whitlock, Mr. J.E. Lockwood, Chariton; Miss George Post, York, Neb.; Hon. G.P. Arnold and wife, Miss Mollie Young, Garden Grove; Miss Nellie Brenaman, Grand River; Mrs. L.S. Trusdell, Des Moines; Mrs. Cora Fithian, Chicago; Mrs. W.A. Weatherby, Baker City, Oregon; Mrs. J.W. Rush, Mrs. R.M. Barr, Kansas City.

Copied by Nancee (McMurtrey) Siefert
"With permission from the Leon Journal Reporter"
November l6, 2002