November Nuptials 1917

Happy Thanksgiving! Happy Anniversary!

My genealogy database contains over 8000 family members and lots of interesting history. Thanksgiving Day combines two of my favorite things: gratitude and storytelling. One of my favorite stories is about my great, great, great grandparents, who married on Thanksgiving Day, 1878. I am so grateful for their legacy of a long marriage.

Today’s blog post is an account of another Thanksgiving wedding, a society affair that was certainly more lavish than the Rector-Senate nuptials in 1878.

Engagement

Cleon Gentkow, M.D. was commissioned a 1st Lieutenant in the U. S. Army Medical Corps on July 10, 1917. By the fall of that year, he was stationed at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis, Indiana. While there, he met 19-year-old Marguerite “Peggy” Hampton. Just after her 20th birthday, they engaged to be married.¹Marguerite Cecelia “Peggy” Hampton was born September 27, 1897. Source: U.S. Passport Application.

Indianapolis News, October 29, 1917, page 7

Invitations Sent

Cleon and Marguerite certainly had a whirlwind romance. Two weeks after announcing the engagement in the local paper, her parents issued invitations to the wedding. One of Marguerite’s girlfriends hosted an aluminum shower (a party for which guests bought household gifts for the happy couple).

Indianapolis Star, November 15, 1917, page 7

Wedding Announced

Indianapolis News, November 29, 1917, page 7

Indianapolis Star, November 20, 1917, Page 7

An unusually impressive effect was obtained at the pretty wedding of Miss Marguerite C. Hampton daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John E. Hampton to Lieut. Cleon J. Gentzkow, Medical Corps, United States Army, which was celebrated at SS Peter and Paul Cathedral at 9 o’clock yesterday morning. Yesterday also was the 29th wedding anniversary of the bridegroom’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Gentzkow.

Miss Frances Spencer, organist, played a program of the bride’s favorite nuptial airs as the guests were being seated by the ushers, Lieut. Earl Gilchrist, Dental Reserve Corps, and Lieut. John Donough, Dental Reserve Corps. Edward LaShelle and Elmer A. Steffen sang for the service.

The “Bridal Chorus” from “Lohengrom” [sic] announced the entrance of the wedding party, which included Miss Laurel Heaton, maid of honor; Mrs. Arthur H. [Helen] Humphrey, sister of the bride, as matron of honor; Miss Beatrice Neff, bridesmaid, and Mary Jane Hamerstadt, little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William D. Hamerstadt, as flower maid.

The bride walked with her father and met the bridegroom and best man, Lieut. Bernard E. Larkin, Medical Reserve Corps, at the altar, where the ceremony was pronounced by the Rt. Rev. Joseph Chartrand. The Rev. Alphonsus Smith read the mass.

The bride was lovely in her exquisite gown of ivory satin, which was embroidered in pearls and sequins, fashioned with a straight blouse effect and trimmed with silk Chantilly lace. The long court train, which fell from the belt, was embroidered and the filmy tulle veil, made in cap effect, was adorned with clusters of orange blossoms. Lilies of the valley and bride roses formed the wedding bouquet.

Mrs. Humphrey wore her beautiful wedding gown of white crepe meteor, trimmed with Chantilly lace, and carried a bouquet of pink roses. A picturesque black velvet hat with silver lace brim trimmed with flowers in pink and blue added to the artistic effect of her costume. Miss Heaton was attired in a pretty frock of blue taffeta, fashioned with a short blouse and full skirt, which was trimmed with silver ribbon and pink rosebuds. Miss Neff wore a frock of pink taffeta, trimmed with blue rosebuds and silver ribbon. The bridesmaids wore attractive hats of silver cloth, with crowns of velvet to harmonize their costumes, and carried colonial bouquets of pink roses. Mary Jane Hamerstadt was prettily attired in a fluffy frock of white organdy and lace adorned with pink ribbons, and she carried a basket of rose petals.

Palms and bay trees decorated the church. Bouquets of pink roses, tied with bows of blue tulle, were used as the decorations for the wedding breakfast for the near relatives, which was served at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hampton, 1446 Central avenue, after the service. Mr. and Mrs. Mahlon T. Hampton [great uncle of the bride] of Dayton O., were among the guests.

Lieut. Gentzkow has taken his bride for a trip to Minnesota before going to San Antonia, Tex., for residence. Mrs. Gentzkow traveled in a taupe broadcloth suit and chic taupe hat, which had a crown of silver.

Pretty Thanksgiving Bride

Indianapolis Star, December 2, 1917, page 42

Wedding portrait of Peggy Gentzkow²Portrait of Marguerite “Peggy” Gentzkow originally owned by Katherine Wischow. Given to Karrie Blees, June 2000. Photographer was H.P. Dexheimer (ca. 1874–1935). https://indianahistory.org/wp-content/uploads/dexheimer-beitler-collection.pdf

Next Gen November Nuptials

Three years ago, one of Milton and Lottie’s 3x great grandsons married. Thus continuing the tradition of November Nuptials.

Happy Anniversary to David and Kayla!! May you grow old together, like our great, great, great grandparents did.

SOURCES

• 1
  Marguerite Cecelia “Peggy” Hampton was born September 27, 1897. Source: U.S. Passport Application.
• 2
  Portrait of Marguerite “Peggy” Gentzkow originally owned by Katherine Wischow. Given to Karrie Blees, June 2000. Photographer was H.P. Dexheimer (ca. 1874–1935). https://indianahistory.org/wp-content/uploads/dexheimer-beitler-collection.pdf