Marriage of Thomas McDonald Sargent and Berha Lee Houchin

Bertha Lee Houchin was born in  Martin County, Indiana.  Thomas McDonald Sargent was born in Pike County, Indiana.  They met in Greene County, Indiana.  The Sargent's had moved to Greene County after the death of the father in 1898.  Bertha's oldest sister, 15 years older, was living in Linton with her husband and five children. Bertha had gone to visit her and met her future husband.

 Petersburg Pike County Democrat, September 6, 1907, Petersburg, IN, newspaperarchive.com

I don't know if they met on this particular occasion, but it sounds like she was doing more than just helping her sister with five small children.

Berha Lee Houchin

This postcard was sent to Donald in November of 1909 just a few weeks before they were married.

10-1-09

Mr Donal Sargent

Linton, Ind.

  Dear

      How are you by this time. I am OK. Would like to see you. Will close From

                          nihcuoH arhtreB

The backwards writing on the mirror on the front says "I wish you were with me"  and she signed her name backwards as well.

Donald Sargent

Bertha and Donald were married on December 13, 1909 in Petersburg, Pike, Indiana.

They are my paternal grandparents.

Weddings of My Great Great Grandparents in Germany

Two sets of my great great grandparents had marriages that occurred in Germany.

 Ida Sophia Mathilda Krentler was 26 years old in 1867. She was the eighth of fourteen children. Her mother had died the year before. Also in 1866 two of her brothers had immigrated to the United States.  She had a big decision to make. Frederick Henry Wilhelm Moehlmann had asked her to marry him. Little is know about his family but both of his parents had died, his mother 10 years prior and his father six year before. He had only one full brother and three half brothers. But I think her decision was more than just getting married. Frederick also wanted to goes to the United States.

So on August 16, 1867, in Meisen, Schaumburg, Germany the two were married.  But the parish record sheds light on how difficult the decision must have been, for there was a notation "Very short notice/time given for the intention of marriage. They married at 7 in the evening because their ship is going to America."  Just how long they had to get to Bremen and set sail is not known but just 17 days later, on September 2, 1867, Ida and her new husband arrived in New York to start their new life.

They lived in Indianapolis and raised a family of nine children during their 42 year marriage.

Fredrick Henry Wilhelm and Ida Sopia Matilda (Krentler) Moehlmann

The other set of great great grandparents that were married in Germany followed a much different path.  Peter Tendick and Katrina Kukes were married in Neukirchen, Rhineland, German on January 14, 1858.  Katrina was 20 and Peter was 21. Katrina's mother had died shortly after Katrina's birth. Katrina's only brother, six years older, had immigrated to the United states four years earlier.

Katrina and Peter raised a family of 10 children before they came to the United States.  In 1889 they made the long journey with their four youngest children. They came to rural Greene County, Indiana where Katrina's brother and his family lived. Their oldest daughter had immigrated two years prior. Their two oldest boys who were already married remained in Germany.

Katrina (Kukes) and Peter Tendick

Katrina and Peter lived to celebrate their 51st wedding anniversary.

Katrina and Peter's daughter Matilda Tendick married Fredrick and Ida's son Fredrick Moehlmann.

Marriage of Mathilda Tendick and Frederick Moehlmann 1893

There isn't much documentation for the marriage of my great grandparents.  Mathilda had gone to the big city of Indianapolis leaving the home farm of her parents shortly after her immigration to the States from Germany in 1889.

It's not really known how she met her future husband, but there is a picture of her with her future sister-in-law. So it may have been through that relationship. Both ladies were name Mathilda.

Mathilda Moehlmann & Matilda Tendick

Just two weeks before their wedding, Fred purchased a home. 

The Indianapolis Journal, 07 Nov 1893, Tue, Page 7

The notice in the paper for the couple getting there marriage license is the only mention of them in the paper.  Fred was 25 and Matilda was 22. No  wedding announcement was made. They were married in Indianapolis, not Greene county where her parents lived.  I don't even know if other family members attended.

The Indianapolis Journal, 19 Nov 1893, pg 2

Matilda (Tendick) and Frederick Moehlmann

Wedding 1893

The Moehlmann Home at 1611 Spann Ave, Indianapolis, IN c. 1905

Matilda Tendick Moehlmann and son Alfred.

Marriage of Alfred W. Moehlmann & Helen Margaret Bovenschen

Today's highlighted wedding is that of my maternal grandparents, Alfred William Moehlmann and & Helen Margaret Bovenschen who were married on March 26, 1921, in Linton, Green County, Indiana at the parsonage of the Saron Reformed Church.

Alfred & Helen both grew up on farms north of Linton.  Alfred had lived with his mother and maternal grandparents and a couple of his aunts and uncles.  Helen's father had a large farm and she had five sisters and a brother.  They had dated for several years and then had a year long engagement.

Helen Bovenschen & Alfred Moehlmann

October 1918, Alfred was home on leave from the Army 

Alfred had been an only child with his parents divorcing when he was about 10 or 11.  He was very much affected by the divorce and promised himself that he would not follow in those footsteps.  He did have the example of his maternal grandparents who lived to celebrate their 50th anniversary.  Alfred wanted to be sure that he had sufficient funds to set up housekeeping. 

On the morning of their wedding they drove to Bloomfield, the county seat, and got their marriage license.  He stated that this was the first time he and Helen had been together in the morning.  

Bloomfield News, 31 Mar 1921, Bloomfield, Indiana

They were married at the parsonage of Rev. Fledderjohann, pastor of their church.  Afterwards they returned to Helen's parent's home and had a large family dinner. And the custom of her father was that they spend their first married night in his home.

Two months later Helen's sister Grace was married.  Grace had originally wanted to have a double ceremony with Helen, but Alfred and Helen had declined.  The following article was primarily about Grace's wedding but the last paragraph mentions her sister's wedding.

It wasn't until I found the following newspaper article that I learned of the significance of Alfred and Helen's wedding date.

Helen and Alfred shared their anniversary with Helen's oldest sister Anna, and Helen's parents.  So at this 1929 dinner hosted by  Helen and Alfred, they are celebrating their 8th anniversary,  Anna and Karl Kramer their 16th anniversary, and William and Gesena Bovenschen their 38th anniversary.  Alfred had always admired William Bovenschen and I'm not surprised he chose his own wedding day on the same day as his father-in-law.

50th Anniversary 

Standing: Jane (Moehlmann) & Arnold Sargent, Bill Moehlmann, Alfred Moehlmann, Jr., Abe & Margaret (Reeves) Moehlmann, Patty (Clark) Moehlmann Front: Helen (Moehlmann) & Butler Rhodenbeck, Helen (Bovenschen) & Alfred Moehlmann, Vera (Herron) Moehlmann

Helen Margaret (Bovenschen) & Alfred William Moehlmann

50th Anniversary

1971

  Alfred had kept a daily diary for decades and here is what he wrote about his anniversary in 1971:

   

"Our Golden Wedding was March 26th. It was a Beautiful Day, temperature 32 - 50 degrees. Margaret over early to see Jane, Arnold and Lynda. Arnold took a lot of pictures. We got 16 anniversary cards before today, the mailman brought 16 more, Tuney brought 10 more from the P.O. and we got 3 more from our kids. Aunt Bernice brought a gift of flowers. We also got a gift of flowers from the Hightower family and from the Warsaw folks. Jane and Arnold took Lynda to Indianapolis to catch a plane about 2 p.m. All the family  (grownups) over to visit at night."

  "We celebrated the occasion Sunday March 28th. It was mostly cloudy but nice 48-61. Stella Struckmeyer called early and said she would sing a song over radio from Calvary Baptist Church at 8 a.m. announcing it was a special number dedicated to us. More flowers and gifts began coming early. Mom and family to church. It was examination day for the confirmants including Melynda. Family and relatives and friends visited all afternoon. The women folks had the dining room all decorated in gold coloring. The table had a covering of gold material and the sides were draped with a golden lace. A candelabra centered the table with golden colored candles and a huge Golden Wedding cake also had its place of honor. The women folks served punch and cake to everybody. Pictures were taken all day long - both still and movies Helen L., Bob and Ken came over at night for our final visitors. I stood the excitement better than I thought I would and had a good nights sleep."

Marriage of Esther Jane Moehlmann and Arnold Lee Sargent

Celebrating the month of February by highlighting weddings.  The first wedding is that of my parents, Esther Jane Moehlmann and Arnold Lee Sargent who were married on September, 29, 1946 in Linton, Greene County, Indiana.

Arnold and Jane and their families were nearby neighbors just outside Linton.  During high school, Arnold was good friends with Jane's brother Tuney, and Jane was friends with Arnold's sister, Mary.  Arnold had a car and he was often the chauffeur for a group of friends on the the weekends. Arnold graduated from Linton Stockton High School in 1941 and went to work for the local newspaper, The Linton Citizen, as a typesetter.  Jane graduated in 1942 and then went to business college in Indianapolis, often riding the bus home on weekends.

In January of 1943 Arnold enlisted in the Army and after training in Alabama, spent the next three years overseas, first in England and then France.  Jane had become engaged to a schoolmate who had joined the Navy. Arnold had become rather serious with a girl he met in England. Jane's engagement was broken and Arnold starting have second thoughts about his girl.  The two began writing letters during 1944.  He returned home in January 1946 and they were married in September.

Jane Moehlmann & Arnold Sargent

1946 , Linton, Indiana

The wedding took place in the home of Jane's parent at 489 First St., Linton, Indiana.

Moehlmann - Sargent Wedding on Sept 29, 1946

Bride Jane Sargent between her parents Alfred & Helen Moehlmann

And groom Arnold Sargent between his parents Berth & Donald Sargent

Linton Daily Citizen, 1 Oct 1946, page 3, Linton, IN 

50th Wedding Anniversary celebrated at First United Church of Christ, Orlando, FL

Arnold & Jane Sargent with children Lynda & Randal

1996

The Orlando Sentinel,  01 Oct 2006, 

Sun,  Main Edition, Page F8, Orlando, FL,

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - Longest Marriage?

 Randy Seaver’s Saturday Night Genealogy Fun challenge this week:

1)  Marcia Philbrick wrote Celebrating 50 Years today on her Heartland Genealogyblog, and suggested it for a Saturday Night Genealogy Fun challenge, so here it is:

2)   How many of your ancestors were married for FIFTY years?  What is the longest marriage of your ancestors in your tree (from marriage to first death of a spouse, or divorce)?  Consider, say, the last 6 generations to make it manageable!

This is an interesting challenge and ties into some posts I want to do about the weddings of my ancestors. So to begin, I have been married for 46 years.

Parents
Esther Moehlmann and Arnold Sargent, married 1946 - 2007, 61 years

Grandparents
Helen Bovenschen and Alfred Moehlmann, married 1921- 1973, 52 years
Bertha Houchin and Donald Sargent, married 1909 - 1949, 40 years

Great grandparents
William Bovenschen and Gesena Heitman, married 1891 - 1933, 42 years
Frederick Mohelmann and Mathilda Tendick, married 1893 - 1906 (divorced), 13 years
Jasper Sargent and Mary Elizabeth Adkins, married 1876 - 1897, 22 years
Leright Houchin and Martha Emmaline Davis, married 1872 - 1911, 39 years

Great great grandparents
Dedrick Bovenschen (his 2nd marriage) and Margaret Schmidt, married 1862 - 1911, 49 years
Henry  Heitman and Anna Ramacher, married 1867 - 1907, 40 years
Peter Tendick and Katrina Kukes, married 1858 - 1909, 51 years
Frederick William Moehlmann and Ida Krentler, married 1867 - 1909, 42 years
Jacob Sargent and Nancy Skeen, married 1852 - 1895, 43 years
Nelson Adkins and Jane Williams, married 1848 - 1864, 16 years
Chesterfield Houchin and Nancy Smith, married 1846 - 1853, 7 years
Jesse Gross Davis, Jr and Martha McClannahan, married 1842 - 1880, 38 years

3rd great grandparents
Henrich Kuches and Matilda Mangelmann, married a1830 - 1838, 8 years
Jacob Schmidt and Anna Kueppers, married 1839 - 1850, 11 years
William Heitman and Gesena Memering, married 1841 - 1851, 10 years
Henry Ramacher and Mareken Hochwahr, married 1828 - 1862, 34 years
Gerhard Tendick and Margarethe Holtmann, married 1822 - 1864, 42 years
Franz Moehlmann and Johanne  Wasserhuhn, married 1836 - 1856, 20 years
Friedrich Krentler and Ernestine Rauschenbusch, married 1829 - 1856, 27 years
Elisha Sargent and Savina Waggoner, married 1830 - 1846, 16 years
Henry Skeen and Drucilla Percyfield, married 1817 - 1848, 31 years
Henry Williams and Nancy McBride, married 1803 - 1828, 25 years
Jesse Houchin and Elizabeth  Clifford, married 1818 - 1860, 31 years
Jesse Gross Davis and Nancy Mason, married 1815 - 1857, 42 years
John McClannahan and Sarah Ring, married 1821 - 1836, 15 years

4th great grandparents
Johann Schmidt and Sophia Pfannebecker, married 1796 - 1812, 16 years
Adolph Ramacher and Metzen Gravers, married 1793 - 1840, 47 years
Christian Mohlmann and Dorothea Wissel, married 1771 - 1798,  27 years
Christian Rauschenbusch and Ernestine Plumer, married 1800 - 1834,  34 years
Joseph Sargent and Elizabeth Waggoner, married 1809 - 1830, 21 years
James Skeen and Mary Boyd, married 1790 - 1834, 44 years
Peter Pursifufll and Margaret Selser, married 1777 - 1830, 53 years 
Thomas Adkins and Rutha Lynch, married 1782 - 1845, 63 YEARS
Thomas Mahan and Naomi Cox, married 1800 - 1828, 28 years
John Mason and Hannah Hutcheson, married 1797 - 1846, 49 years

5th great grandparents
Johan Pffannebecker and Maria Barbara Renner, married 1766 - 1795, 29 years
Gerhard Frohgarts and Magdalena ten Dick, married 1734 - 1752, 18 years
Peter Davis Eaton and Catherine Williams, married 1740 - 1767, 27 years

I have 41 couples through by 5th great grandparents that I have marriage dates for along with death dates. The longest marriage goes to my 4th great grandparents Thomas Adkins and Rutha Lynch who were married for 63 years.  Thomas survived the Revolutionary War, married in 1782 and raised nine children while moving from South Carolina to the Kentucky wilderness. The only other couple over 60 years is my parents with 61 years.  Only one couple was divorced.

Three couples were married for 50 or more years and twelve celebrating 40-49, including myself.

Marriage of Frances Lynn Hall and Joseph Frank Towles

Frances Hall was born in Richard City, Marion County, Tennessee on March 1, 1924. Joseph Towles was born in South Pittsburg, Marion County, Tennessee on August 28, 1925.  They had attended the same schools before Joseph went to the Tennessee Military Institute. On October 2, 1943, Joseph joined the Army and was sent to the European Theatre, where he earned two purple hearts. Upon his return he went to work for Sterchi Bros. It was a furniture store that sold quality furniture on credit. Joseph was a credit manager.  Frances at attended Edmondson Business School in Chattanooga and was working at an Insurance Company.

From the South Pittsburg Hustler newspaper:

Miss Frances Hall is Shower Honoree

  Miss Barbara Ann Allison and Mrs. Quenton Hughes were co-hostesses at a miscellaneous shower Friday evening at the home of Miss Allison in Richard City honoring Frances Hall.
  Spring flowers were used in the room decorations with a color scheme of yellow and white being observed.  Several written contests furnished the diversions.  Miss Hall received a number of attractive and useful gifts.
  Those present were Miss Ann Patton, Misses Flora and Viola Johnson, Mrs. Cecil Smallwood, Mrs. Gene Stone, Mrs. John Reid Lowry, Mrs. Buford Stroup, Mrs. A.G. Morgan, Mrs. Walter Payne, Mrs. Richard Smith, Mrs. Ernest Towles, Miss Lina Alton, Miss Valeta Choate, Mrs. Ray Lawson, Miss Ann Searcy, Mrs. Raymond Vinson, Mrs. J.J. Williams, Mrs. James E. Brannon, Mrs. Roland Blevens, Mrs. W.W. Atnip, Miss Glenna Purcell, Mrs. Lloyd Hall.

Stag Party Honors Joe Frank Towles

  Bill Ivey entertained at a stag party at his home Friday evening honoring Joe Frank Towles on the eve of his marriage to Miss Frances Hall of Richard City.

  Those enjoying the affair were the honoree, Bobby Fitz-Gerald, Harold and Gene Ivey, and the host.

These pictures are from their engagement announcement:

On February 18th they got their marriage license:

The next day they were married at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Here is the account from the South Pittsburg Hustler:

TOWLES-HALL

Couple Wed on Feb. 19

  South Pittsburg - Miss Frances Hall, Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Lloyd Hall of Richard City, became the bride of Joe Frank Towles, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank N. Towles of this city, Feb. 19.

  The ceremony was performed by the Rev. E.R. Knox at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Jasper.

  The bride wore an aqua gabardine suit with brown accessoreis.  Her corsage was a green orchid.

   Mrs. Quenton Hughes, sister of the bride, was matron of honor and Bobby Firzgerald served as best man.

   Mrs. Towles, is a graduate of South Pittsburg, High School and attended Edmondson's School of Business.  She was employed with Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company in Chattanooga at the time of her marriage.

   The bridegroom is a graduate of Tennessee Military Institute at Sweetwater and attended the University of Chattanooga.  He is connected with the credit department of Sterchi Bros. in Ashville, N.C.  Mrs. Raymond Graham of Chattanooga is his sister,

  The couple will live in Asheville.