Marriages (March 1)

Babcock - Whitmore

Utica Saturday Globe, June 1899

Linn Horatio Babcock - Marion Olive Whitmore

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], June 16--For weeks social circles here and at Sherburne and throughout the county have been agog over the approaching wedding of two prominent and popular young society people.  The event has been looked forward to as one marking an era in matrimonial matters not only binding as it did two hearts in happy union but bring into close and lasting relationship two of the first families in central New York. A large number of invitations were issued and the brilliant nuptial event was fittingly celebrated at Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY] last Wednesday evening.  The contracting parties were Marion Olive Whitmore, only daughter of Hon. George B. Whitmore, of Sherburne, and Linn Horatiio Babcock, son of Dr. and Mrs. Linn Babcock, of Norwich.

 

The solemn ceremony occurred at 8 o'clock at Christ Episcopal Church, which had been appropriately and beautifully prepared for the occasion.  Two evergreen arches spanned the main aisle, at the head of which stood an arbor of evergreens.  White and pink ribbons stretched from the arches to the arbor, beneath the canopy of which white doves nestled holding in their bills white and pink ribbons running to the marriage bell of pink roses suspended from the chancel arch. The chancel and front of the auditorium were made beautiful with palms, hydrangeas, large bouquets of pink and white roses and carnations.  The pews for the guests were marked with bouquets of pink and white carnations.  Pink and white were the wedding colors.

 

For an hour before the ceremony Miss Kate Fowler, organist of the First Presbyterian Church, of Binghamton, rendered an organ prelude including among other selections the overture to Lohengrin by Wagner, Nuptial march by Guilmant, Air et Rigandon of McDonnell, Pilgrim's chorus by Tannhauser, extract from Persian Garden by Lehmann, March Militaire by Shubert and the Norwegian Bridal Procession.  In the midst of the prelude program, Miss Juddena Clark, of Elmira, sang Sancta Maria by Foure.

 

The bridal party entered the church to the soft, sweet strains of the Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin, the ushers, Messrs. Herman Herring, of Walton, Fred Delavan and Orman T. Babcock, of Norwich, and George L. Shepard, of Sherburne, leading and, followed by the bridesmaids, Miss  Mary Jane Robinson, of Madrid, and Mabel Franklin Greenman, of Norwich, attired in white silk mull over white taffeta and carrying shower bouquets of pink carnations.  The maid of honor, Miss Lena Belle Babcock, followed attired in pink taffeta with chiffon trimmings and carrying a shower bouquet of white carnations.  Then came the bride, unattended, radiant in a gown of ivory white satin with duchess lace and pearl trimmings, and diamond ornaments.  She wore a veil of duchess lace fastened with an aigrette of orange blossoms from which sparkled a diamond sunburst, the wedding gift from her mother.  Never did a bride look more beautiful and charmingly prepossessing.  At the arbor she was met by the groom, who advanced from the chapel at the right accompanied by the best man, his brother, Adrian P. Babcock, of Norwich.  Here the party paused while the bride and groom, accompanied by the maid of honor and the best man advanced to the altar and the ceremony was performed by Rev. F.B. Keable, rector of the church, the beautiful and impressive Episcopal service being employed, the bride being given away by her father.

 

At the close of the ceremony as the bridal party turned from the altar the strains of Mendelssohn's grand wedding march pealed forth from the organ.  The party and guests at once repaired to the spacious and elegant residence of the bride's parents on State street, where a royal reception was held.  Here as at the church the hands of the floral artists had been busy and under the direction of Decorator Shaw, of Utica, the rooms had been transformed into bowers of beauty.  Palms, Hydrangeas, smilax, pink and white roses and carnations being used in profusion.  Nothing that artistic sense could suggest or taste arrange was lacking.  The ample porches were enclosed with large flags and the hours swiftly passed in congratulations, merriment, dancing to the music of Rath's Orchestra, of Utica, and viewing the costly and splendid arrange of wedding presents which were arranged in the upper hall.  Conspicuous among these was a $10,000 United States Government registered bond, the market value of which is over $13,000.  This was the gift of the bride's father, Hon. George B. Whitmore.  Among the other gifts were a solid silver tea set, server and water service from the parents of the groom, set of solid silver spoons from Adrian Babcock, uncle of the groom, set of solid spoons and forks from Mrs. Olive Bassett, the bride's grandmother, onyx table from the bride's uncle, D.W. Whitmore, of New York, onyx stand from Alert Hose Company, Norwich, and pieces of cut glass, china and other gifts almost without number. The gift of the groom to the bride was a gold watch and chatelaine, and to the ushers pearl stick pins.  The gift of the bride to the groom was a diamond stud and to the maid of honor and bridesmaids pearl crescents.  During the reception delicious refreshments were served by Caterer Owens, of Utica.

 

Mr. and Mrs. Babcock will enjoy a wedding journey of two or three weeks, after which they will reside in Norwich.  Shortly after their return they will be given a reception by Dr. and Mrs. Linn Babcock, parents of the groom.

 

Many people from Norwich and other places were in attendance at the wedding.