Leon Reporter, Leon, Iowa
Thursday, February 24, l898

Married at the Catholic Church, Woodland, Decatur County, Iowa, MR. TIMOTHY GRIFFIN to MISS JULIA SULLIVAN on Tuesday, February 22, l898, at l0 a.m. Rev. Father Cook performed the solemn and sacred marriage rites of the Catholic Church. It was a grand and magnificent wedding. The immense and eagerly expecting crowd hurriedly gathered for a glimpse of the bridal party soon to appear. Ten o'clock, the appointed hour came, eyes eager for the first glimpse, sought the entrance through which the party was to pass. It was not a long wait. Suddenly, as it were, a carriage rolled up to the church, and out stepped the bridal party, attended by PATRICK SULLIVAN, brother of the bride, groomsman, and MISS MARY GRIFFIN, sister of the groom, bridesmaid. The scene was most beautiful, and as the sacred service continued, the audience remained spellbound as it were, to behold the impressiveness and solemnity of the Catholic services, when two of her dutiful children are to be united in the holy bonds of matrimony -- promises given and sacredly to be preserved for time and eternity. Truly, as the Rev. Father said, remember well -- "forever" no divorce, no dissolution, but "forever". Truly did your old mother church preserve that sacred union -- those indissolvable ties for the last eighteen hundred years and will, yes, will till the end of time immemorial. The bride is a most charming young lady, whose circle of friends is as wide as her acquaintance, and she is especially popular in St. Mary's Parrish. She is much beloved, and has the kindliest and sincere wishes of all her friends for her future happiness. The bride groom has resided in Decatur County his life time, and is well known throughout this part of the State. He is persevering and industrious, and by his own pluck and energy has arisen to be among the foremost farmers of Woodland Township. He is an exemplary man, who advancing in farming and other ways, is an evidence of his sterling qualities, and hosts of friends will wish him a continuance of prosperity. MR. and MRS. TIMOTHY GRIFFIN will reside on the old Gammon farm, five miles east of Leon.

Copied by Nancee (McMurtrey) Siefert
"With permission from the Leon Journal Reporter"
December 4, 2002