Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Wedding Wednesday - Unhappy Bride from Ossian, IA - Late 1800's

This week's Wedding Wednesday features a young couple from Ossian, IA.  The groom, although a bit stiff, seems to be accepting of his bride as he has a firm grip on her tiny waist as if he has no intention of letting her get away.  She on the other hand does not look at all pleased with the outcome of her wedding day.  I hope this was not the only wedding photograph they had taken - can you imagine having to look at this reminder for fifty years? Her dress is quite unusual with what appears to be fur trim down the front of the bodice, the cuffs of the sleeves and around the bottom of the skirt.  

The photographer was G. G. Oyloe (1851 - 1927) of Ossian, IA.  Oyloe whose full name was Gilbert G. was born in Norway about 1851 and immigrated to the United States before 1880 when he married Johanne Hannah Simonsen who was born in Iowa in 1856.  They lived their entire lives in Ossian and Military Iowa, both located in Winneshiek County.  They were the parents of three children, the last born in 1898, the same year Oyloe's wife died.  Oyloe is reported to have to have worked as a photographer in the area from around 1880 to about 1910. Oyloe died in 1927 and is buried at Hillside Cemetery in Ossian. I want to date this photograph in the 1880's but I am a little unsure as the trailing vines on her headdress would point to a later date, so perhaps early 1890's.

5 comments:

  1. The stool plus cushion footrest make me think the groom must have been short. You have found some interesting wedding photos, for sure.

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  2. Hmm. Actually I'm reminded of my own senior photos when I look at this. The photographer told me to have a serious face and I just looked like an idiot. I couldn't pull off anything but a smile. Perhaps the same happened to this poor bride. She just couldn't pull off the small smile necessary for the exposure time. At least I hope that's it!

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  3. Wow! She really does not look happy!

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  4. It certainly looks like the bride's not too happy in her wedding photo, but I wonder if it's because she had to sit still for a long camera exposure?

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  5. 1885 to 1890 would be my guess. The top suit coat buttoned seems to appear popular in 1885..but the trailing things on the veil..from 1890 to 1900. I really enjoyed looking at her dress..fur trimmed!! :)

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