Wedding Wednesday: Lillian Fitzgerald and Chauncy Abbott, Jr

October 11, 1909


Mary Lillian Geraldine Fitzgerald, daughter of Mrs. Mary Fitzgerald, was married yesterday morning at St. Theresa's - pro-cathedral to Chauncey Abbott, Jr, of Schuyler, in one of the most beautifully arranged weddings which has taken place in Lincoln. The ceremony was performed in the presence of' about 250 invited friends, who were also present at the reception which followed at the home of Mr. and Mrs. O. E. Rector, 415 South Fifteenth street. The impressive ceremony was performed by Bishop Bonacum, assisted by Father Bradley and Dr. O'Loughlln.

The church had been elaborately decorated In pink roses and smilax. Four prie dieu in white satin were decorated with smilax across the front, the greenery placed In the form of large hearts. Pink tulle bows at the end of each pew formed part of the church decoration, and roses were everywhere to add to the beauty.

Mrs. Carrie B. Raymond presided at the organ, playing a program of music, with the Lohengrin bridal chorus as the introductory to the ceremony and the Mendelseohn wedding march as the bridal party left the church.

Those of the bridal party were Mrs. O. E. Rector, sister of the bride, [note: Mrs. O. E. Rector was the sister of Lillian's mother] who wore a gown of pink panne velvet, with elaborate trimmings of gold embroidery, the dress made princess, with a train. With this she wore a large gold cloth picture hat with pink plumes, and shoes of gold cloth.

She carried an old-fashioned bouquet of pink roses. Little Ruth Fltzgerald. niece of the bride, who was the ring bearer, wore a pink silk, with pink hat. The bride wore a white brocade satin. with an over-dress of white chiffon, which reached in drapery effect nearly to the floor, with a finishing fold of the chiffon and real point lace. The drapery around the yoke was of the same lace, and the dress was cut in the princess style, with a long train, and with this she wore a long veil, held In place by a spray of real orange blossoms. Long gloves were worn with this costume and a large bouquet of lillies of the valley was carried. The only ornament worn was a diamond heart, the gift of the groom to the bride.

The groom was attended by Isaac Lorenze of Milwaukee, and the four ushers were Paul Fitzgerald, Lincoln; Wells Abbott, Schuyler; John Sumner, Schuyler, and O. E. Rector, Lincoln.

At the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Rector, where the reception was held following the ceremony, the decorations were entirely of pink roses and smilax. Smilax wound around the pillars and through the stair railings and baskets of the roses were placed in every nook about the rooms, with streamers of pink robbon, and above the large window in the parlor, where the bride and groom received the guests, were laid roses and smilax. In the dining room smilax and roses were arranged on the curtains and on the tables in great quantities.

Those in the receiving line were Mrs. O. E. Rector, Mrs. Mary Fitzgerald, mother of the bride; Mr. and Mrs. Chauncey Abbott, Sr. and Mr. and Mrs. Chauncey Abbott, Jr.

Those assisting in the dining room were Mesdames H. L. Lau, L. F. Searles, C. G. Crittenden, W. F. Kelley and W. M. Leonard. In the hall on the second floor Mr. M. Kelley of Greenwood and Miss Inman of Lincoln served the punch.

The gifts received by Mr. and Mrs. Abbott were elegant and numerous. A sliver coffee urn, which had been used by the great grandmother of the groom, was among the beautiful pieces of silver. A set of six pieces of solid silver from the groom's parents, a cabinet of silver and a chest of linen from the mother of the bride were among the gifts.

Mrs. Mary Fitzgerald wore a gown of black lace over silk, with diamond ornaments; Mrs. Chauncey Abbott, Sr., wore a gray velvet dress embroidered in gold, with diamond pins.

Mr. and Mrs. Abbott left in the afternoon for an eight weeks trip to the Hawaiian islands. They will be at home late in the fall at Schuyler, Neb., where the groom is engaged in business.

Miss Fitzgerald is the daughter of the late John Fitzgerald, one of the old settlers of Llincoln and has made this city her home all her life. Mr. Abbott comes of a family who are also old settlers of this state.

Source: Nebraska State Journal, October 12, 1909
Lillian's relationship to me: First cousin, twice removed