Published Late 19th Century Marriage Notices from "Norway Tidings"

This primary source material comes from the compilation of issues of Norway Tidings, reprinted in 1987 by the Kuyahoora Valley Historical Society. Norway Tidings was a subscription newspaper of history and current events published between January 1887 and December 1890.

*Alanson Bly and Laura Pullman were married Oct. 20, 1836. They were both natives of this town, where they have always resided. They are well known and highly respected. Mr. Bly is one of our substantial citizens, and has held the office of Justice for many years. Their fiftieth marriage anniversary was celebrated with a Golden Wedding. Many of their friends and neighbors enjoyed the occasion. Mr. and Mrs. Bly received many valuable presents. ( Vol. 1, No. 2, Feb. 1887)

Alanson Benjaman was a friend and neighbor of Mr. Bly, and of nearly the same age. When young men they worked together at the carpenter's trade. Mr. Benjamin was married Oct. 26, 1836, to Miss Harriet Ives, daughter of Simeon Ives. Both, we think, were natives of Norway. Soon after marriage they removed to Cortland Co., N.Y., and now reside in the village of Marathon. They did not forget to improve the Golden opportunity, that so few married couples reach. A large circle of relatives and friends were invited, and a royal good time enjoyed. ( Vol. 1, No. 2, Feb. 1887)

*In Norway, Jan. 6th, 1887, by Rev. O. Holmes, Mr. Frank A. Graham of Lincoln, Neb., and Miss Alice Smith of Norway. Mr. Graham has a responsible position in a R.R. office at Lincoln. Alice was one of our choicest young women, and we trust will find her new home and husband all that heart could desire. (Vol. 1, No. 2, Feb. 1887)

*In Gray, Feb. 13th, 1887, by J.V. DuBois, Esq. Albert Jones, of Remsen, N.Y. to Miss Hattie Barup, of Gray, N.Y. (Vol. 1, No. 3, Mar. 1887 )

*In Newport, Feb. 22, 1887, by Rev. Father Herfkins, James Enright, of Allegany County, N.Y. to Miss Bridget Murphy, daughter of John Murphy, of Norway. (Vol. 1, No. 3, Mar. 1887)

*In Ohio, June 5th, 1887, by Rev. J.N. Lattimor, Bailey Bly and Miss Cora Tompkins, both of Gray. (Vol. 1, No. 7, July 1887)

*In Rondout, N.Y., June 15th, 1887, Mr. Dayton Murray, of Gray, and Miss Myra Boice, daughter of Peter Boice, Esq., formerly of Gray. (Vol. 1, No. 7, July 19987)

*In Norway, July 6, 1887, by the Rev. O. Holmes, Mr. Elmer C. Ives to Miss Eva A. Smith, all of Norway. (Vol. 1, No. 8, August 1887)

*At Newport, September 14, 1887, by Rev. C. A. Bliesmer, Thomas Tillinghast, of Cortland county, and Miss Elizabeth M. Howlett, of Newport. (Vol. 1, No. 10, Oct. 1887)

*In Norway, Oct. 19th, 1887, by the Rev. W.H. Bury, of Newport, W.B. Dow, of Dakota Ter., to Miss Viola Evans, of Norway. (Vol. 1, No. 11, Nov. 1887)

*At Cold Brook, N.Y., Dec. 6, 1887, by Rev. F.K. Pierce, Samuel C. Delevan, to Mrs. Candace L. Abel, both of Prospect, N.Y. (Vol. 2, No. 1, Jan. 1888)

*At the M.E. Church, Norway, Dec. 8, 1887, by Rev. O. Holmes, Postmaster J.C.F. Walker to Miss Abby A. Bullard, both of Norway. (Vol. 2, No. 1, Jan. 1888)

*In Norway, Jan. 4th, 1838, at the residence of the bride's father, Mr. Samuel Carpenter, Charles Ross and Susannah Carpenter, both of Norway. January 4th, 1888, they celebrated their golden wedding at Lowville, N.Y. Nine of their ten children, and about fifty of their relatives and friends enjoyed the occasion. Songs, recitations, music, a family historical address, and a sumptuous repast added to the interest of the memorable event. Mr. and Mrs. Ross were the recipients of appropriate presents. The best part remains to be told: Charles Ross Jr. had quietly arranged to be only fifty years behind the "old folks" in the marriage busines. While the celebration was at its best, the company were startled by the sound of the alarm clock, when the chamber door opened and down came the bridal party, followed a clergyman into the parlor, who at once began the marriage service greatly to the surprise of nearly all present. So it was a real enjoyable "two in one" affair. See following notice:

In Lowville, N.Y., January 4th, 1888, by Rev. C.W. McCormick, Charles Ross, Jr., of Lowville, N.Y. to Miss Mary A. Jones, of Syracuse. (Vol. 2, No. 2, Feb. 1888)

*In Cold Brook, January 8th, 1888, by Rev. F.K. Pierce, George E. Barnard and Miss Amy S. Willoughby, both of Norway. (Vol. 2, No. 2, Feb. 1888)

*In Walla Walla, Washington Territory, Feb. 7th, 1888, Lieut. David Legg Brainard and Miss Anna Chase. The Walla Wallla "Statesman" noticing the wedding remarks: "The bride is a daughter of one of our most honored and respected pioneer citizens. She was born and reared here, and is popular by reason of her intelligence and pleasant ways. The groom is one of the heroes of the Nineteenth century and has made a name that will descend to posterity as the foremost of all the brave and gallant Arctic explorers who have risked their lives in the interest of science and civilization. He is one of the survivors of the ill-fated Greely Expedition whose deeds and sufferings caused thrills of admiration and sympathy throughout the world. He has the record of being the only living man whose foot has trod the highest point in the mysterious Arctic circle. " Lieut. Brainard is a native of Norway where his eleven first years were spent. He is "one of our boys" that we feel proud of. (Vol.2, No. 3, Mar. 1888)

*In Little Falls, Feb. 8th, 1888, by Rev. Gordon Moore, George H. Rathbun of Norway, and Miss Maggie C. Wilsey of Newport. (Vol. 2, No. 3, Mar. 1888)

*Albert Swezey and Mary A. Rathbun were married by the Rev. John Lewis at the farmhouse of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Rathbun, in Newport, March 7th, 1838. Fifty years have passed, and the celebration of their golden wedding at Cold Brook was an occasion of great interest. Time has dealt gently with the room and bride of half a century ago; although on the shady side of "three score and ten" they still retain young hearts and take a warm cheery interest in the affairs of life. Over fifty invited guests were present; four of the number attended the original wedding; one Mr. Samuel R. Vincent being the "best man" of the occasion. The guests who crowded their parlors spent a pleasant evening in social intercourse, reminiscences of the past, speech making, reading letters from absent friends and relatives, and music, after which a bountiful repast was served. Of the speeches we can give but the merest outline; Rev. F.K. Pierce said their married life was a living proof of the stability, peace and happiness of the marriage relation; that there had been nothing to serious stain or mar the pleasantness of their fifty years' journy in the connubial pathway.

Rev. J.D. Warren of North Gage, their pastor, thought the foundation work of successful lives was in part due to the influence of a Godly ancestry, and the early choice of correct principles to govern conduct.

Mr. Henry C. Cooper an old neighbor, spoke of the exemplary character and persistant industry of Mr. and Mrs. Swezey, and the material prosperity that had been their reward.

Mr. Sam. R. Vincent in impressive and appropriate terms alluded to the great changes time had wrought in the feelings, and the marked contrast in appearance of those that attended the original wedding, and had lived to celebrate and enjoy its golden anniversary.

Prof. Taylor of Poland followed with well timed and complimentary remarks.

It was a time of genuine enjoyment, and as the party broke up, many were the wishes that Mr. and Mrs. Swezey might live to celebrate their diamond anniversary. ( Vol. 2, No. 4, April 1888)

*At Utica, N.Y., May 30th, '88, by Rev. A.C. Wheaton, Mr. Almeron P. Root of Norway to Mrs. Sarah H. Slocum of Oriskany Falls. (Vol. 2, No. 7, July 1888)

*In Ohio, June 25th, 1888, by Rev. O. Holmes, Peter Barhydt of Erie county, Pa., to Miss Ethelyne Barhydt of Gray. ( Vol. 2, No. 7, July 1888)

*In Oxford, Conn., June 24, 1888, Charles E. Hine of Southbury to Miss Anna E. Wheeler of Oxford. ( Vol. 2, No. 8, Aug. 1888)

*In Salisbury, July 29th, 1888, by Rev. Father Meyer, William J. McCormick and Miss Dora M. Stanley, both of Salisbury. ( Vol. 2, No. 9, Sept. 1888)

*In Norway, Sept. 12, 1888, by Rev. O. Holmes, Frank Hodge and Mrs. Gertrude Gage. ( Vol. 2, No. 10, Oct. 1888).

*In Norway, Oct. 24, 1888, by Rev. S. H. Haskell, Mr. Newton D. Smith, of Fairfield, to Miss Mary C. Silliman, of Norway. ( Vol. 2, No. 11, Nov. 1888)

*At the bride's home in Fairfield, Nov. 14, 1888, by the Rev. L.B. Gray, Miss Emma Chase and Mr. Homer Hine of Norway. ( Vol. 2, No. 12, Dec. 1888)

*At the residence of the bride's parents in Norway, Herkimer county, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 1888, by the Rev. O. Holmes, James Hall of Marshalltown, Iowa, and Elizabeth B., only daughter of the officiating clergyman. ( Vol. 3, No. 1, 1889)

*In Kirkwood, N.Y., Jan 2d, 1889, Rev. Allen J. Smith formerly of Norway, and Miss Estella V. Divine of Binghamton. ( Vol. 3, No. 2, Feb. 1889)

*In Newport, N.Y., Jan. 16, 1889, Mr. William A. Griswould and Mrs. Mary B. Mather. ( Vol. 3, No. 2, Feb. 1889)

*At North Bay, Oneida county, N.Y., February 12th, 1889, by Rev. L.L. Davy, Burton W. Lamphier of Spottswood, Dak., and Miss Sarah Houghton of North Bay. ( Vol. 3, No. 4, April 1889)

*In Newport, July 28, 1889, by Rev. W. H. Bury, Mr. Elton Darling, of Norway, and Miss Alice Manning, of Ohio. ( Vol. 3, No. 9, Sept. 1889)

*In Norway, recently, Mr. Jesse Follensbee and Miss Lillie Smith. ( Vol. 3, No. 9, Sept. 1889)

*In Norway, Sept. 18, 1889, by Rev. W. H. Bury of Newport, Harlan Reese, of Fairfield, to Miss Mabel Willoughby of Norway. ( Vol. 3, No. 10, Oct. 1889)

*In Little Falls, Oct. 10, 1889, Miss Nellie L. Ives and Charles A. Sheard. The bride was the eldest daughter of our old townsman James D. Ives and the groom a nephew of Hon. Titus Sheard. ( Vol. 3, No. 11, Nov. 1889)

*Arthur T. Smith, of Herkimer, will be married Jan. 8th to Miss Florence N. Markham, of Utica. ( Vol. 4, No. 1, January 1890)

*Our friend G.W.G. Ferris, celebrated his golden wedding at Carson City, Nev., Sept. 3d. May many added years of health and happiness be his lot. ( Vol. 4, No. 10, Oct. 1890)

*Mr. Henry Ferris of Galesburg, Ill., under date of Oct. 18th, writes: "I am 81 years old today. My descendants consist of seven children of whom four are living, and 22 grandchildren. We had our golden wedding Aug. 31, 1886." ( Vol. 4, No. 11, Nov. 1890)

Source: This directory was abstracted from issues of "Norway Tidings" and provided for educational and research use.

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