Iowa
Old Press
The Sioux City Journal
Sioux City, Iowa
Friday, February 27, 1931
Page 6
Records of 640 Ceremonies in Marriage Book
Book N. 58 of the marriage records has been laid on the shelf in the vaults of the clerk of the district court and a new book with a bright red cover has taken its place.
For better or for worse, 640 marriages are recorded between the now shabby covers of book No. 58. The first one was dated May 26, 1930. By queer coincidence the last license to be recorded in the old book was issued to a bridegroom 69 years old and the first license in the new book went to a bridegroom 70 years old. Both men married women 58 years old.
The bridegroom who closed the book was Henry Woodworth, 1414 ½ Washington street, who gave the name of his bride as Viola Peck, 58, of Early, Ia.
The first license in the new book was issued to James W. Greenwood, 70, Battle Creek, Ia., and Mrs. Bell Parks, 58, of Ida Grove, Ia.
Another marriage recorded on the last pages of the old book which had a peculiar angle was that of Arley D. Lane, 26, 707 Center street, who married a first cousin, by adoption, Miss Dorothy Lane, 18, of Hartington, Neb.
Book No. 58 takes its place with 83 other volumes. The first book is lettered “A” and the alphabet was run before the books began to bear numbers.
The first marriage on record was issued to V. L. Slagar and Elizabeth Aurah, April 30, 1854, and the ceremony was performed by M. Townsley, county judge. No record of ages of applicants for licenses was kept by the clerk who issued the wedding permits at that time.
[transcribed by L.Z. Oct 2019]