Surnames: Rabenstein, Woodward

----Source: NEILLSVILLE TIMES (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 01/07/1904

Rabenstein, Edna R. #2 (31 DEC 1903)

A very pleasant occasion was that of New Year’s Eve at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. C. Rabenstein, in celebration of Mrs. Rabenstien’s birthday, which occurs on the 31st of December, and each year results in a coming together of a house full of friends for a jollification. This year it was especially jolly, if not more so, on account of a surprise which was neatly contrived by Mr. Rabenstein by and with the advice, counsel and connivance of his daughters and a few intimate friends.

This surprise was no less than the wedding there and then, at 6 o’clock sharp, of Miss Edna Ryan Rabenstein to Mr. Warren E. Woodward of Elgin, Ill., who at a given signal, marched into the room where the astonished guests were assemble and took their place before Judge Geo. L. Jacques, who had arisen for the purpose, and proceeded to perform the ceremony which made the happy couple man and wife.

Mr. Rabenstein had deftly removed a Christmas tree which had been standing, revealing cut flowers and other decorations suitable to wedding festivities, the transformation scene combining with the surprise wedding to put the good lady of the house, and other members of the family and guests, into a condition of suppressed excitement that was fully up to the expectations of those who planned the surprise. The ceremony was followed by congratulations and the supper, but little delayed, and a social evening. Mr. and Mrs. Woodward took the midnight train east for a wedding trip, after which they will be at home at Elgin, where the groom holds a responsible position as superintendent at the Northern Hospital of Illinois. The bride grew up to womanhood here (Neillsville, Clark Co., Wis.), and after taking a course in the Elgin Business College, accepted a position with the Elgin National Watch Co., which she has held acceptably for two years.