Marriages (March 11)

Gustafson - Benson

Married February 1, 1941, Norwich, NY

Miss Grace A. Benson of 26 Hayes street, Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Manfred Benson of New Berlin, and Frank R. Gustafson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frans Gustafson of 23 Hayward avenue, were united in marriage Saturday night at 8 o'clock in Emmanuel Episcopal church [Norwich, NY], Rev. Lloyd S. Charters, rector, performed the ceremony in the presence of a large group of relatives and friends. The bride was given in marriage by her father.  Mrs. Gladys B. Austin of New Berlin was her sister's matron of honor, while John E. Tansey Jr., of 8-A Pleasant street, acted as best man. The bride wore a white net over taffeta and carried a bouquet of white sweet peas. The matron of honor was dressed in blue net over a taffeta gown of the same color and carried a bouquet of pink sweet peas.  Mrs. Benson, mother of the bride, wore a plum color dress, with a corsage of sweet peas.  Mrs. Gustafson, mother of the bridegroom, was attired in a beige gown and wore a corsage of sweet peas.  Following the ceremony, a reception for close friends and relatives was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Bengert of 26 Hayes street. The bride is a graduate of New Berlin high school.  Mr. Gustafson, a graduate of Norwich high school, is employed by the Tracy Baking Company. The couple will reside at 69 Canasawacta street, Norwich,--Gazette

Green - Stackhouse

Married November 17, 1941, Norwich, NY

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  The marriage of Miss Ruth Stackhouse, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Stackhouse of North Norwich to Everitt Green, formerly of this city, was solemnized at 11:30 Monday morning in the rectory of St. Paul's Church with the Rev. Father Francis Murphy officiating.  Miss Marie Stackhouse attended her sister as maid of honor, Elfred Monroe of this city was best man.  Mr. and Mrs. Green will reside in Binghamton, where he is employed by the Delaware & Hudson Railroad.

Graves - Torrey & Haynes - Torrey

Married June 27, 1928, Bethany, NY

A pretty double wedding took place at the home of the brides on Spring Brook farm Wednesday at 1 o'clock when Miss Mae Belle Torrey was united in marriage to Homer E Graves of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] and Miss Lucile E. Torrey to G. Arthur Haynes, also of Norwich. The brides are the daughters of Mr. and Mrs. George  H. Torrey of Stafford [Genesee Co., NY]. The ring ceremony was performed by Rev. F.H. Dickerson, pastor of Stafford M.E. church, assisted by Rev. J. Ellis Tibbetts, former pastor.  The house was prettily decorated with June flowers. The brides wore gowns of pink and green georgette respectively and carried bouquets of Bride roses. A three course dinner was served to twenty-six, covers being laid for ten at the brides' table. The table decorations were pink and green. The Misses Elsie and Charlotte Torrey of Buffalo, cousins of the brides, were the waitresses. The couples left immediately by auto for Washington, D.C.  On their return they will reside on the grooms' farms at Norwich, Chenango county, N.Y.  Prenuptials were a luncheon and kitchen shower by Mrs. John Branton and Miss Gertrude Kellogg at the latter's home; dinner partys and shower at The Rock Garden by the Sewing Club of C.M. Sleight's store; variety shower by Mrs. Ernest Harding and Mrs. Irving Call at the latter's home; a flavoring shower and five hundred party by Miss Cessandra Oderkirk; dinner parties by Mrs. Henry Linsley, Mrs. Blanche Myers and Mrs. George Waterman; a party by the Heath class of the M.E. church, of which the brides are members, at the home of Miss Clara Rudolph. The brides were the recipients of many beautiful gifts.

Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Graves

50th Anniversary, March 1942, Mt. Upton, NY

Some 60 neighbors and friends attended a reception Monday in the family home in Mt. Upton [Chenango Co., NY] honoring the golden wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Graves.  Residents of that village for 20 years, the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Graves occurred in Danby, Vermont. After residing several years in Northampton, Mass., the family moved to Mt. Upton.  Hospitality that has long been associated with Mr. and Mrs. Graves prevailed Monday night  The former Wheeler homestead, a century-old residence was soon filled with friends who extended cordial and sincere wishes upon the occasion of the 50th anniversary.  Many were present from Mt. Upton, the immediate vicinity and this city.  Mr. and Mrs. Graves were the recipients of many congratulatory messages and the bride of 50 years was showered with gifts. The Graves home was filled with flowers, tokens of affection from a wide circle of friends.  Among the callers of the day was Rev. Dr. George McPherson of Rockwells mills who presented the couple with an autographed copy of his latest book "Back to Earth."  Assisting the bride and groom in receiving were their daughter, Miss Helen Graves of this city and their daughter-in-law and son, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Graves. The honored couple, both of whom are 74 years of age and enjoying good health, were the center of interest for all. A session of "singing school" with many of the old favorites of American community life prevailing, was participated in during the evening.  Mrs. Harry Curtis was the accompanist for this delightful feature. The songfest was concluded with the national anthem.  Guests, after being received in the home of the bride and groom were ushered into the spacious rooms of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Graves. Decorations appropriate to the joyful event prevailed. The large dining room was lighted by golden tapers and a three-tiered wedding cake attracted the attention of all.  The cake was decorated by a miniature bride and groom.  Hailed as "one of life's rare milestones" Harry Curtis addressed the couple, expressing the joy and happiness of those assembled in honoring Mr. and Mrs. Graves upon the occasion.  He presented Mr. and Mrs. Graves with a purse, symbolic "not for its intrinsic value but of the love and friendship expressed."  Both Mr. and Mrs. Graves responded briefly voicing their pleasure at the presence of their friends and extending an invitation to all to visit them again in the early future.  It was the second golden wedding anniversary within a few years attended by Miss Betty Graves and her brother, Edward.  Six years ago they participated in the 50th anniversary observance of their maternal grandparents, Mrs. G.A. Nelson and the late Mr. Nelson at East Braintree, Mass.  Monday night they assisted their paternal grandparents in a like observance.

Mr. Graves has been associated with agriculture for many years.  Mrs. Graves has been active in home bureau work. She served for some time as a member of the executive committee of the Chenango County Home Bureau. Both Mr. and Mrs. Graves are actively interested in church and community progress and they have a host of friends who will extend to them wishes for continued happiness and good health.  Mr. and Mrs. Graves have one daughter, Miss Helen Graves, who is employed in the offices of the county welfare department, and one son, Walter Graves. The latter and his wife have long been active in the affairs of the American Legion.  He is a member of the Chenango County Defense Council while Mrs. Graves is President of the Mt. Upton Legion Auxiliary and prominent in women's work in the county defense council.  Edward and Betty Graves, the latter a national champion in 4-H work are the grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Graves.

Marriage Notices

Chenango American, January 28, 1864

At Whitney's Point [Broome Co., NY], on the 22d inst., by Rev. Wm. Gates, Mr. James K. Jones of this town [Greene, Chenango Co., NY] to Miss Harriet P. Whitsield, of Nelson, Pennsylvania.

In Smithville [Chenango Co., NY] on the 19th ins.t, by Rev. J.C. Ransom, Mr. Alfred Squires to Miss Jerusha O. Norris, both of Smithville.

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 26th inst., by Rev. Wm. Searls, Mr. A.D. Stephens, of Edmeston, Otsego Co., to Miss M.E. Comes of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY].

In McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], on the 17th inst., by Rev. E. Holyrood, Mr. Lewis W. Lamb, to Miss Frances L. Wales, all of McDonough.