Marriages (October 30)

Tobey - Searles
Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, November 17, 1883

On Thursday afternoon, November 8th, occurred one of the happiest events of the season at the residence of Mr. Abner Searles in Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], it being the marriage of their daughter, Minnie [Searles], to Christopher Tobey, of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY].  At three o'clock the bridal party entered the west parlor and standing under the arch of evergreens, from which hung the lucky horseshoe, they were met by Rev. D.N. Grummon, of Bainbridge, who performed the ceremony in a very impressive manner.  Prof. C.S. Foote ably presided at the organ. After the happy couple received many hearty congratulations, the party repaired to the dining room, where a bountiful repast was spread, from which after nearly one hundred had partaken, many packages were taken up and sent to absent ones.  The high estimation this couple hold in the hearts of their many friends was made manifest by the useful and valuable presents.  The total valuation of the presents was about $150.  Guests were present from Afton, Guilford, Oxford, Greene, Unadilla, Binghamton and Cortland.  The newly married couple received a warm reception at Mrs. Tobey's mother of the groom on Friday and took the six o'clock train on Saturday morning to visit friends in Oneida, Utica and Rome.

Mr. & Mrs. Chris Tobey
November 1899

Sixteen years ago, on Wednesday, Nov. 8th, Mr. and Mrs. Chris Tobey were married by Rev. D.N. Grummon, then pastor of the Presbyterian church of Bainbridge, at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Abner Searles, of Searles Hill.  There were over one hundred guests present and it was an occasion of pleasant greeting and congratulations that launched the young couple upon life's journey together.  The friends of Mr. and Mrs. Toby had thought to make the wedding anniversary of this year as complete in observance as was the first wedding festival of the years ago.  And to add zest to the entertainment it was the desire to make it a perfect surprise to Mr. and Mrs. Toby and a conspiracy was entered into to consummate plans, to notify guests, to decide upon gifts, to prepare elaborate refreshments and above all to meet Mr. and Mrs. Toby, for special inquiries in various ways, with that harmless air of innocence, which sometimes creates suspicion. The conspirators were quite successful in their efforts of secrecy until two or three days before the anniversary of last week; the bridegroom, Mr. Toby, began to surmise there was something unusual in the air, and finally the plot to surprise him was revealed--and then he too joined the conspiring forces to mystify, surprise and give his bride pleasure.  Some friends of Mrs. Toby's in West Bainbridge were exceedingly anxious that she should visit them on Tuesday of last week, and she went, her house in the meantime being invaded by a party who soon prepared it for receiving on the morrow as many guests as were present at the wedding of 1883.  People began arriving on Wednesday morning, and before noon eighty had assembled and welcomed Mrs. Toby with joyous congratulations as she entered her home, having been sent for to meet unexpected visitors.  It was a glad time for Mr. and Mrs. Toby to receive this spontaneous expression of love and friendship from so many and in such a delightfully warm and hearty manner.  A handsome dinner was served which the kind forethought of friends had provided and the day was a joyous one for Mr. and Mrs. Toby and children and for those who came to wish them many more years of happy wedded life. There were a number of valuable gifts made to emphasize the anniversary meeting.  There were friends from Sidney, Guilford, Harpursville, Norwich and Vermont besides Bainbridge and the surrounding vicinity.

Bolich - Lowman

November 8, 1899, Sayre, Bradford County, PA

Within the sacred walls of the Church of the Redeemer was solemnized last evening the marriage of Mr. Herman Louis Bolich, and Miss Lena Lowman, daughter of Mrs. Francis Lowman, Chemung St.  Shortly after the church clock tolled the appointed hour of six the notes of the Mendelsohn wedding march sounded through the handsome edifice. The vestibule doors were opened and the bridal party entered.  Up the broad aisle, hemmed in on either side by such a vast concourse of relatives and friends, as seldom gathers there on a similar occasion, walked the four ushers, Messrs. F.K. Stephens, Esq., Ray Lowman, James Wilking, of this place, and Claude Thompson, of Towanda, escorting the bride and her attendants.  Following the ushers came the four little flower girls, Misses Eugenia Forsythe, Augusta Bolich, Clara Bolich and Agnes Lowman.  They were prettily dressed in white and carried a flower covered frame.  Then came the maid of honor, Miss Lois Lowman, a twin sister of the bride. She wore a dress of white over pink silk and carried a beautiful bouquet of chrysanthemums. The bride followed attended by her brother, Seymour Lowman, Esq., of Elmira.  At the foot of the chancel they were met by the groom and his best man, Mr. Ward Williams, of Phillipsburg, Pa. The ring part of the Episcopal ceremony was performed at the foot of the chancel by the rector, the Rev. Robert Bell. The bride and groom and their attending couple then entered the chancel where the ceremony was concluded beneath a flower bell and an arch of green.  The groom then led his bride from the church while the Lohengrin wedding march was rendered as a recessional to the happy nuptial.  Immediately after the ceremony a reception was held at the home of the bride's mother on Chemung St.  The bridal party, the immediate families of the bridal couple and the out of town guests were present.  While the wedding supper was served the bridal party was seated at the bride's table, which was handsomely decorated with chrysanthemums and smilax.  The bride's gown was of white silk trimmed with lace and orange blossoms.  The long bridal veil was held with a cluster of orange blossoms.  She carried a bouquet of bridal roses and wore a pretty brooch, which was the gift of the groom. The room, filled with elegant presents bespoke the popularity and the friendship which the bride enjoys.  Mr. Bolich is one of Sayre's most prominent young business men.  He is the junior partner in the hardware firm of Bolich Bros.  He is also a member of the borough council from the first ward, a member of the Wilbur Hook & Ladder company and enjoys a large acquaintance.  His bride, while having lived here but a few years, has made herself highly favored and honored in the esteem and regard of all who know her.  She was engaged in the Kindergarten work.

Wilking - Lowman
December 20, 1899, Sayre, Bradford County, PA

Mr. James N. Wilking and Miss Lois A. Lowman, daughter of Mrs. Fannie S. Lowman, Chemung street, were married at the church of the Redeemer at 10:30 o'clock this morning Mrs. Charles Haupt presided at the organ. The opening of the processional wedding march announced the entrance of the bridal party. The ushers, Messrs. Harry Lowman, Clare Welch, Ray Lowman and George Wilking, entered first followed by the maid of honor, Miss Elizabeth Hovey of Bainbridge.  Lastly came the bride accompanied by her brother, Seymour Lowman of Elmira. At the altar they were met by the groom and the best man, Arch Wilking, brother of the groom.  The Episcopal wedding ceremony was performed by the Rev. Robert Bell.  The bridal party departed from the altar while the Lohengrin wedding march was rendered.  A reception and wedding breakfast was tendered to the immediate relatives and out of town guests at the bride's home immediately after the ceremony.  Mr. and Mrs. Wilking left on No. 4 this noon for a wedding trip in Easton Allentown and vicinity.  Upon their return they will reside at the groom's home on Elmer ave. The bride wore a brown tailor made gown with cream white yoke. She wore a brown hat trimmed with white and carried a prayer book.  The maid of honor's gown and hat were of blue, trimmed with white. She carried a bouquet of red carnations.  The church and residence were trimmed with holy and flowers.  Mr. Wilking is a machinist in the Lehigh Valley shops.  He is secretary of the Wilbur Hook and Ladder company and is well and favorably known throughout the community.