WEDDING ARTICLES
| Muscatine County, Iowa WEDDING ARTICLES | |
Source: Muscatine Journal & News Tribune - Annual Addition, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 1941 Marriage Market in Muscatine County Experienced
Noticeable Slump in 1941 Largely as a Result of the Operation of Iowa’s New Marriage LawDan Cupid – the God of Love-waged a losing battle in Muscatine County during the year 1941.
Accustomed in the past several years to ring up record numbers of marriage licenses issued – to Muscatine County couples, to residents of Illinois and other near and distant states—the count went down for the county of ten in the 12-months-month period just drawing close.
True, the first six months were near the normal figures for preceding years with the stormy month of March excelling June – the traditional month of brides – as the popular choice.
Then came July and Iowa’s new marriage law, requiring health certificates from the contracting parties – and the slump began. The permits to wed which had been granted to hundreds of out-of-the state couples were almost a minus quantity and scores upon scores of Muscatine county couples had themselves to various points in Missouri to have the nuptial knot tied.
And, as a result, fees which the county had collected in years past through the sale of marriage licenses dipped low and the justices of peace and the clergy suffered corresponding losses.
Out-of-town couples who had rushed to Iowa border cities to obtain licenses and avoid the red-tape and requirements of their respective states, no longer found this county a convenient spot.
Issuances of marriage licenses to Iowans became a flourishing business for the nearer county seats in the state of Missouri.
And some of the marriages which would ordinarily have Muscatine as the locale were performed in other states-due to the fact that the bridegrooms – men in service- could not obtain leaves of sufficient length for the trip back home.
In the last six months span, November proved the most “marriageable”month. Usually the monthly issuance failed to reach the dozen mark. But in November the total mounted to 17.
Many pretentious marriage ceremonies, however, were held in the year. Some were elaborate church weddings and others pretty home events.
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