Married Twice Because His Mama Wanted a Pastor to Preside

My husband's first cousin once removed, George Ellery Wood (1885-1976) was married for the first time on this date 117 years ago. As shown above, George E. Wood was the groom, Amanda L. Krueger (1890-1947) was the bride. They claimed to live in Detroit, Michigan, where this marriage was recorded, but in reality both lived in Toledo, Ohio. 

George was an iron worker, he wrote on this marriage license, and he and his bride both listed their parents and ages correctly. Directly above, the part of the marriage ledger where the officiant is named: a Justice of the Peace.

The family story is that George and Amanda eloped to Detroit on this Saturday in March, returning home the same day. George's mother was not happy. George was her oldest child, and she insisted the couple be married again in Ohio, where they actually lived, and by the clergyman of her choice: Reverend George Candee, an ardent abolitionist. 

And so on Tuesday, March 31, 1908, George and Amanda stood in front of Rev. Candee and were again married. Above is the proof. Interestingly, the bride and groom claimed on this marriage license application that neither had been previously married, perhaps because George's mom didn't want anyone to know about the elopement ten days earlier? Also note by the star on the image above, the notation "don't publish please." Hmmm? 

In any case, the couple had three children together and remained married for nearly 39 years until Amanda's death from heart problems in 1947. She was buried in Forest Cemetery, Toledo, Ohio. When her husband George died in 1976, he was buried by her side.

This "historic event" of two marriages in 10 days was discussed by descendants for decades. My post is for the #52Ancestors challenge by Amy Johnson Crow.