Andreas Nielsen and Karen Margrethe Gravesen -- 50 years


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Andreas Nielsen and Karen Margrethe Gravesen -- 50 years.


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Pictured here at the time of their April 10, 1881 wedding, Andreas and Karen Margrethe were born in Lydum and Houstrup parishes in Ribe County, respectively, in 1862 and 1860. Their marriage record reveals that they paid a fee of 33 kroner and 66 øre in order to be permitted to marry by license rather than the customary three-time publication of banns. They immigrated with three small children to Lincoln County, Kansas, in 1887, where seven more children joined the family. ~~ Andrew, as he was known in America, and Karen celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the home to which they retired in Denmark, Kansas. Newspaper accounts of the day in both Danish and English report that they enjoyed a noon meal “such as a mother knows so well how to plan.” At 3pm an “appropriate” short program was performed that included singing of the Danish hymn that was performed at their wedding. Three of their eight children who grew to adulthood were married 50 years or more. All but their oldest son resided in Lincoln or neighboring counties for the duration of their lives.

  • Photograph courtesy of Nancy Cohen, Persia IA.