Our Little Family Library: Going to the Chapel - Edwin S. Ross & Katharine Fisher

This is one of my very favorite ancestor stories. It involves John Ross' son Edwin Stanton Ross (1870-1937) and his wife-to-be, Katharine Fisher (1878-1955). Their request for their 1903 marriage was so unusual for the time that the story was picked up by at least 20 newspapers across the country! Scroll down to see some of the various newspaper entries at the end. My favorite is the first, from Washington D.C. - "Bonds of Matrimony, Indeed!"

Philadelphia Inquirer, Thursday Sept 3, 1903, Philadelphia, PA

SAID NAY TO “OBEY” Unique Marriage Contract Drawn Up in Germantown A unique marriage contract was drawn up yesterday in Germantown in which the word “obey” was eliminated. The contracting parties were Edwin Stanton Ross, of Brooklyn, an inspector for the Fire Underwriters’ Association of New York, and Miss Katherine Fisher, daughter of Theodore Fisher, of Delavan, Ill., and formerly of Germantown. The couple appeared before Magistrate Fitzpatrick and asked him to marry them without the objectionable word, but he refused to do this. They afterward agreed to have the ceremony performed in the customary manner, but in it they made a mental reservation to cover the case. After the knot was tied the bridal party went to the home of Herman V. Hetzel, of 4915 Knox street, an uncle of the bride, where an agreement was drawn up in which they promise to “love and honor” each other through life. The document was then read and each of them expressing a willingness to abide by it, they signed their names at the bottom of the sheet. The agreement was attested and signed by fourteen witnesses. After the ceremony of signing the agreement a wedding breakfast was served at the Knox street house. Mr. and Mrs. Ross left on a honeymoon for Bushkill, Pa. They will reside later in Brooklyn, N.Y.