This is just beautifully described! The descendants of the wedding party still live in Monroe and are members of Temple B’Nai today!
The American Israelite (Cincinnati, OH) April 27, 1888, Page P3
MONROE, LA.
It is seldom in the history of Monroe that events affecting the interest of Israelitish circles are of sufficient importance to merit a place in your valuable paper ; but recently we have witnessed that which lent a gay and festive appearance to our beloved Temple, and will doubtless be of interest to many of your readers who are so fortunate as to know the principal actors in a drama of life of which I shall speak. On Sunday, April 8th, Temple Sinai, our house of worship, was decked in loveliness and tropical flowers, now shedding their delicate and delicious fragrance over forest and plain, and were arranged with artistic effect over walls, gallery and altar, presenting a picture with nature as the store-house of material, and which art with all its pretexts can never equal. Overhanging the altar was an immense arch of rare flowers, delicately interwoven with sprays of evergreen, from the center of which hung an immense floral bell, constructed with accuracy in the formation, and perfect taste in the intermingling of the flowers. Back of the arch and resting against the walls of the altar were the initial letters of the two principal actors in the drama which opens to-day, “G. & M.,” two large, intricately woven and classical letters, connected by the here expressive character, “&,” gave the stranger present an idea of the meaning of this array of beautiful women, fragrant flowers and joyous music. At five o’clock P.M. the friends and relatives of the handsome couple began to throng the floors of the Temple, and by six every available seat in the house was filled. Soft strains of sweet music floated from the choir-gallery and filled our hearts with love for all the world, while our eyes drank in the loveliness of fair women about us.
Rabbi Bien, of Vicksburg, Miss., a stately, dignified, consecrated man, sat in front of the altar waiting to unite the bonds which should bind together the loving, trusting hearts of Miss Rosa Gerson and Mr. H.P. Marks. At fifteen minutes past six o’clock, amid commotion and audible whispers of “They come! they come!” the bridal party entered the outer door of the Temple, and to the measured tread of slow, grand music marched up the center aisle to the altar. The bride was arrayed in soft cream moire, en train with veil of white tulle reaching to the hem of her skirts in front and falling gracefully over the folds of the creamy silk behind ; hand-painted roses and lilies with glittering crystal trimmings in front added the finishing touch to the picture of entrancing loveliness. She looked indeed a queen of hearts, and worthy the adoration of her manly and popular intended husband.
The bridesmaids were: Miss Carrie Steinau, Monroe, pale pink silk, decollett, bead trimmings ; Miss Katie Wolf, Monroe, crimson silk, golden trimmings, ornaments and flowers ; Miss Nora Klotz, Hazelhurst, Miss., light blue satin decollett, hand-painted, diamond ornaments ; Miss Alice Gerson, younger sister of the bride, in cream cashmere with trimmings to match, led the bridal party to the altar ; Miss Rebecca Baer as a flower girl looked lovely in light blue cashmere with moire trimmings.
The groomsmen were Mr. Simon Marks, brother to the groom, with Miss Steinau ; Mr. Moise King with Miss Wolf, and Mr. Mose Gerson, brother to the bride, with Miss Klotz. The honors in presenting were – on the part of the bride, Mr. Julius Lemle and Mrs. D. Gerson, mother of the bride, and on the part of the groom – Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Lemle. the ceremony was performed in a most impressive and beautiful manner, eliciting the admiration of all present by the easy grace and eloquent language of Rabbi Bien. After the solemn words had been said, transforming a young and beautiful maiden into a wife and companion for life, the invited guests repaired to the elegant and spacious parlors of the bride’s mother, where music and dancing followed by so bounteous a repast as my pen shall not attempt to describe, made merry the hearts of all ; and not until toast after toast had been quaffed from cups bearing the sparkling wines of France, and the shades of night were fleeing from the glorious sun of another day did the glad party disperse to their homes. Among those present we noticed the bright, animated and fascinating Miss Cora Simon, of New Orleans, daughter of the Hon. Jos. Simon, of that city ; Misses Tillie Bloch and Clara Newhauser, also of New Orleans ; Misses Cora and Emma Sugar, of Bastrop, and Miss Emma Feutch, of Rayville, La. The presents received by the bride are too numerous too mention in detail. Suffice it to say quite a number of very handsome and costly presents were received and all fully appreciated.
Ouachita Parish History Tidbits 