Illyria's First Large Wedding

This was originally published in a local history book in about 1980. It's rare (I think) to find such a personal, first-hand account from an ancestor like this. Bessie, my great-great grandmother, was 96 when she was interviewed for this publication. She would pass away less than a year later.


Side note: Israel and Bessie were actually married in 1905, not 1904 as the article indicates. 

ILLYRIA’S FIRST LARGE WEDDING

By Clara Burchett


July 27, 1979, I visited with Bessie Richards Shaffer about her store house of life’s memories. As she sat reminiscing, I asked her about her wedding to Israel Shaffer.

Before Bessie began speaking, she sat for awhile thinking. Her head touched the back of her rocking chair and her arms were folded resting on her lap. She seemed to be veiled in a golden cloud of memories. The faint smile on her face and twinkling eyes indicated that the memories were those of joy and fulfillment.

In a soft clear voice she spoke, “Oh yes, I can tell you about my wedding. It was the 22nd of February - Washington’s Birthday. It was an awfully long time ago - about 75 years ago.”  And then this gentle little lady began retelling her wedding story.

Prior to Bessie’s marriage her mother hired a seamstress to make all of Bessie’s wedding clothes. The seamstress would come to the Richard’s home (where Ralph Shaffer now lives) and begin her task. But first Bessie and her family had to shop for fabrics.

To procure the fabric, trims, and notions for the wedding gown, Bessie and her family made a trip to West Union which was about 13 miles away. This was an all day event. The snow was so deep that the sleigh didn’t follow the road, but skimmed across the fields on the hard crusty snow. Traveling in this manner was of no concern to Bessie and her family as everyone was snug under the warm robes and all were filled with excitement and gaiety. Planning Bessie’s wedding was a family affair!

When the family got to West Union, Father took them to the hotel to eat. “This was wonderful!” exclaimed Bessie.

Then the shopping commenced! Lovely white material for the dress wsa chosen and dowry lace was selected to trim the gown. The Mormon people in Salt Lake City made this very special lace. Her shoes purchased for the occasion (“finest we could get”) cost $4.00.

Meanwhile, Israel was doing his shopping. His wedding attire was purchased at Berg’s Store in Elgin. His two-pant suit cost $15.00.

The days were filled with activity and soon the wedding preparations brought them to February 21st and time for rehearsal. Uncle Will Albright and Aunt Zephine came from Rudd, Iowa by horse drawn cutter to perform the marriage.

After the wedding rehearsal Bessie was to ride home with uncle Will in his cutter. He gave Bessie a toss into the sleigh and in so doing she fell on the end gate and hurt her knee. Everyone’s immediate concern was if Bessie would be able to walk the next day. Nothing to fear - wedding morning came and Bessie’s knee didn’t bother a bit! 

“Oh, the day was beautiful and the sun glistened on the deep white snow,” remarked Bessie in her calm serene manner.

The Richard’s home was bursting at the seams with excitement and activity as everyone donned their wedding finery. The wedding party stood in the sleigh so that the dresses wouldn’t rumple as the sleigh glided across the snowy lane and over to the church.

Amy Ricahrds, sister of the bride, and Jack Shaffer, brother of the groom, stood up with Bessie and Israel. Everyone commented that the wedding party looked like four children as they were of small stature and young.

All of the guests were invited to Bessie’s parents’ home for a dinner after the wedding. One of the foods on the menu was gelatin. This was a real treat as gelatin was a relatively new food product and few people had previously tasted it. The shimmering bowl of gelatin had a tendency to shake whenever someone bumped the table. Bessie’s Uncle Luther Shaffer said, “My, that gelatin is nervous!”

And so on February 22, 1904, the first big wedding at Illyria Church was over and a young married couple began their new life together.