From: "Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert" <iggy29@scican.net>

To: <IADECATU-L@rootsweb.com>

Subject: HAMPTON-KELLY MARRIAGE.

Date: Monday, May 28, 2001 7:33 PM

Decatur County Journal

December 23, l897

On last Sunday at 4 p.m., at the home of REV. JAMES BLAIR, Van Wert, and

in the presence of a few friends, was solemnized the marriage of MR.

ELMER HAMPTON and MISS MAUD KELLY. REV. BLAIR performed the ceremony

that united for all coming time, for better, for worse, in sickness and

in health, to love and cherish till death do them part, those two.

Congratulations were extended, after which the bridal party repaired to

the home of the groom. More congratulations followed and then an

invitation to the dining room, where a repast that might have done

credit to a far more pretentious occasion was presented. Those who are

familiar with MRS. HAMPTON's artistic skill in arrangement can form an

idea of the beautiful appearance which, in a decorative sense, the table

presented.

ELMER and MAUD, as they are familiarly called, start upon life's journey

under the most favorable circumstances. ELMER was born and has grown to

manhood in this vicinity, and is a most enterprising, industrious young

man, also a member of the church and Epworth League and an active worker

in the latter. MAUD is an accomplished young lady, a successful teacher

and a Christian. Need more be said in furtherance of the idea that

success--as we reckon success in this life--must of necessity be theirs.

That life to them may not be all roses and sunshine, that somewhere down

the path of life for them await care and sorrow and disappointments we

can but know, judging from the common lot of all. But with love

presiding at the board, with the star of hope shining in this hearth and

an unwavering faith in the love of the "One who neither slumbers nor

sleeps", all cannot fail of going well with them, both here and in the

life to come.

I.S.

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