The Wedding Stories of Ruth Gearen and Frank Ryder

THE WEDDING STORIES OF RUTH GEAREN AND FRANK RYDER

In addition to the traditional wedding details, the story includes descriptions of the bride and bridesmaid’s gowns which made me go back to a photo of Ruth in a dress which is quite possibly her wedding photo.  See if you agree.  

Sioux City Journal (Sioux City, Iowa), 22 May 1921, SUNDAY Page 22​

SOCIAL CALENDAR. 

Mrs. And Mrs. James E. Gearen announce the engagement of their daughter, Miss Ruth Harriet Gearen to Frank T. Ryder.  The wedding will be solemnized at St. Joseph’s Catholic church in June.  

SIoux City Journal (Sioux City, Iowa), 29 June 1921, Page 7

SOCIETY AND CLUBS

Miss Ruth Harriet Gearen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Gearen and Frank T. Ryder, son of Mrs. Mary Ryder, will be married this morning at 7:30 o’clock at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, where an uncle of the bride, Rev J.L. Fitzpatrick, of Barnum, Ia., will officiate and the attendants will be the bride’s sister Miss Marie Gearen, and Charles T. Donohue.  Miss Marie will wear a dress of yellow crepe de chine, with white picture hat, and will carry Ward roses.  The bride’s gown is to be of white pussy willow taffeta, with a veil of white silk net caught with a bouquet of orange blossoms.  She’ll carry a bouquet of ophelia roses and lillies of the valley.  The wedding March will be played by Mrs. Helen Smith, the nuptial music will by Miss Alice O’Connor and Miss Margaret Hacker of Chicago.  

Following the service, there will be a a breakfast at the bride’s house, 2014 Nebraska street, for 50 guests.  At noon, the couple will depart on a northern honeymoon, on returning from which they will live at 419 John street.  The out-of-town visitors for the ceremony include Mr. and Mrs. Dave Arends, Mrs. And Mrs. Flurry Gearen and family, Al Gearen, B.J. Gearen, all of Chicago; Miss Marguerite Hartnett, of Hubbard, Neb. 

However, the story includes two amazing details which continue the search for her other ancestors!  First, the celebrant was her “uncle” Rev. J.L. Fitzpatrick oF Barnum, Is.    I have not found the connection yet but the search will be assisted by this fact.  Second, Ruth’s mother was (El)Dora Virginia Curtis Gearen.  After finding one census entry showing her family in the 1870 census in Lexington, Rockbridge, Virginia, there were no other records until the mention of Mr. and Mrs. Dave Arends in this story.  Other newspaper stories identify her as Dora’s sister!  I’ll do another brief post about her soon.  

Sometimes it takes a long time and many clues!