A Surprise in an Old Newspaper

The last two days have been research days for me.  I've left the laundry and the mundane behind to go exploring in libraries, feeling the  twisted "joy" of becoming nauseated from hours upon end of viewing galloping microfilm and inhaling the musty smell of old books.  But sometimes it all pays off in a treasure or two.  My goal was to find some old letters home during World War I (see my other blog http://www.attheriverbend.blogspot.com/ for that info) but always when reading old newspapers, I get caught up in the other stories...and sometimes, there's something fun to be had.

Today I was browsing through the 1947 Northwest-Signal looking for a certain obituary (which I never did find) and I came across this article on the FRONT page on June 19th.  Why wouldn't it catch my eye?  The name ELLING was in caps and bold letters.  


"ELLING - HAUSCH
A very pretty and impressive candle light wedding took place Sunday, June 15, at 5 o'clock in St. Paul's Lutheran church, when Miss Lorna Elling, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Elling, became the bride of Edward Hausch, son of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Hausch of Archbold.

Before the altar banked with palms and garden flowers, Rev. Martin Zschoche performed the double ring ceremony.  Miss Elling entered the church on the arm of her father, who gave her in marriage. The bride was attired in a long white satin gown and veil.  She carried a bouquet of white carnations.
Linda Lou Hicksted, niece of the bride, served as flower girl. She was pretty in a long pink gown of dotted swiss.  Her bouquet was of assorted flowers in pink.
Miss Eleonora Elling was maid of honor.  Her gown was of yellow rayon marquisette and lace over taffeta.  She carried a bouquet of pale pink carnations.
Miss Louise Elling and Mrs. Rudolph Elling served as bridesmaids.  Their gowns were of blue rayon marquisette over taffeta. They carried bouquets of red carnations.

Menno Hausch, brother of the groom, served as best man.  Rudolph Elling and Peter Hausch served as ushers. 
David Druhot, nephew of the groom, served as ring bearer.

The bride's mother wore a navy dress with black accessories.  Her corsage was of white carnations.  The groom's mother also wore a navy dress with black accessories and her corsage was of white carnations.

Following the ceremony, a reception was held at the Harrison Grange Hall for about two hundred guests.  The couple will reside with the groom's parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Hausch of Archbold."

Wedding Gowns of Aunt Louise, Aunt Lorna, Aunt Ginny
as displayed at 2009 Elling Family Reunion
Photo by Jane Elling Haas

This post originally appeared on the Elling Family News blog in December, 2010.