MARRIAGE: David F. SUNDERLAND to Emma M. KEPLER, 1885, Blair County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Linda L ewis.

Copyright 1998.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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First Marriage License
Prothonotary Geesey Waits Till After Office Hours to Issue It.

  Yesterday the marriage license act became a law in the State of 
Pennsylvania. Expecting a visit from a number of applicants for matrimonial 
blessedness, Prothonotary Geesey put on his good clothes yesterday morning, 
indulged in a clean shave, and surprised his assistants by appearing at his 
desk arrayed in stunning gorgeousness, befitting the occasion.  A number of 
lawyers who came to examine records were his first callers, and later in the 
day the old canal boatmen and Portage railroaders called to pay their 
respects and admire the architectural beauty of the fine Court House which 
has taken the place of the old barracks of past days.  The Prothonotary 
greeted all with his usual suavity of manner, but to the usual habitues of 
the Court House his countenance wore an anxious, expectant look.  He seemed 
absorbed in dreams, and though he plied his pen vigorously at times, the 
opening of the door always occasioned him to start nervously.  The day wore 
on wearily, and as the shades of evening approached the anticipated vision of 
bashful, blushing and beautiful young love in search of a certificate grew 
fainter and gradually died out.
  Prothonotary Geesey went home last evening a disappointed man, and after 
supper took a walk about the town and mingled with the maddening throng on 
the streets, determined to forget about it.  At the same time a young man was 
in hot pursuit of the Prothonotary.  He had arrived in the burg with his 
affianced after the Court House doors were closed, having intentionally 
delayed his visit in order to escape the observation of the crowd.  Friends 
came to his assistance.  Prothonotary Geesey was hunted up, and at 9 o'clock 
the  young couple stood before him.  They were Mr. David F. Sunderland and 
Miss Emma M. Kepler, both of Altoona.  The Prothonotary administered the oath 
and propounded the questions in the form, to which satisfactory answers were 
given.  The parties then signed the affidavit, the expectant groom forked 
over fifty cents, and the Prothonotary shook hands with both of them and 
wished them happiness, at the same time delivering to them a handsomely 
engrossed certificate. The blushing pair then departed.
  When Prothonotary Geesey started for home he walked with an elastic step, 
and he greeted friends on the way with a hearty tone that expressed the full 
and thankful heart.

The Times Altoona, October 2, 1885