McNamara Weddings MauriceFay & Ann McNamara FrancisHayes & Katherine McNamara WilliamConmey & Mary McNamara JohnT. Chesire & Ella McNamara AlfredLeresche & Bessie McNamara

Music: "Oh Promise Me" ca. 1889. From Parlor Songs: In Search of American Popular Music.

The marriage of Miss Katherine McNamara and Mr. Francis Hayes was solemnized at St. Patrick's Catholic church last Tuesday. The ritualistic marriage service was performed at 9 o'clock by Rev. Father Powers. Miss McNamara was a radiant June bride. Her wedding gown was of white French embroidery trimmed with French Valenciennes lace. Miss Ann McNamara, Chicago, a sister, was bridesmaid, and Mr. John Hayes attended the groom. At the conclusion of the marriage ceremony the invited guests to the number of fifty, attended a wedding breakfast served at the home of

This photo, taken several years after the wedding and submitted by Gerald Hays, shows him petting unnamed horse, John Hayes, Frank Hayes holding Marjory Hayes, Kate McNamara Hayes, Eugene Hayes, Nancy (Kairn) Hayes, Patrick Hayes, and Nell (or possibly Ceil) Hayes.

J.W. Conmey. The Conmey home was beautifully decorated with wedding bells and roses, the latter banked in profusion. The young couple left in the evening for Dubuque and other points where they will spend a week. Upon their return they will immediately go to housekeeping on the Hayes place in Cass township. The bride is a charming young lady who has been a teacher in the Oxford Junction schools. There is heard none but words of praise for her. Mr. Hayes is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Hayes. He is a young man of fine appearance, and strikes one as being possessed of those characteristics that bespeak success. From The Anamosa Eureka, June 22, 1911.

Additional Hayes/McNamara Photos:
Eugene & Alberta Hayes.		Dr. McNamara & Ceil Hayes.

At St. Patrick's church on Wednesday morning, August 1st, was solemnized the marriage of Miss Mary Rowena McNamara and Mr. James William Conmey, Rev. Father Powers officiating priest. The beautiful ceremony of the nuptial mass was celebrated especially for this most worthy couple and was very impressive. The bridal procession entered the church in the following order: Miss Kathryn McNamara as bride's maid and Mr. W.A. Hogan as best man led the way up the middle aisle to the altar and there separated, giving place to the approaching bride and groom. Father Powers, being in waiting, performed the beautiful ring ceremony after which the gates to the inner altar were opened and the bride and groom advanced and kneeled during the conclusion of the service. Mrs. Nellie Sullivan Kelly, of Clinton, played the wedding march and accompanied Mrs. Nellie Neville, who sang two beautiful solos, "O Promise Me," and "Ava Maria" by Luzzi. The bride was becomingly gowned in white Persian lawn trimmed with valenciennes lace and carried white roses. The bride's maid wore white with white roses. The decorations of the church of palms, ferns, white dahlias and sweet peas were very pleasing and a credit to Misses Agnes Fay and Kathryn Hansen, who have long been friends of the bride. At the close of the service Mr. and Mrs. Conmey, followed by the bride's maid and best man, proceeded down the center aisle and paused in the rear of the church to receive the congratulations of the large number of friends present, after which the bridal party repaired to the parental home of the bride on First Street where a wedding breakfast was served to the relatives of the young people and Rev. Father Powers, the guests being seated at one long table. Mrs. Leresche and Miss Anna McNamara, sisters of the bride, had full charge of the breakfast and the decorations and their culinary and artistic skill were happily indicated. Sweet peas, carnations and cannas were the flowers used in decorating the home. Mr. and Mrs. Conmey left on the noon train for a trip to Chicago and Milwaukee and several of the lake cities, planning to go from Chicago by way of the lake. On their return they will be at home to their friends after September 15th in the residence made ready by the groom on South Garnavillo Street. The bride has taught for several years, is a graduate of the Wyoming high school and has had special work at Drake University, Des Moines. She is conceded by all to be a lovely young woman. Mr. Conmey has won his way in the business world, is carrying on a successful dry goods and furnishing store and is an honorable and upright man. We feel that there is a bright future before this popular young couple and tender our heartiest congratulations. The guests from abroad present at the wedding were Mrs. F. A. Conmey, Cleveland; Mr. and Mrs. John Shields and Mrs. Breheny, Rock Island, Ill., and Mr. and Mrs. J. K. Conmey, Wyoming. From The Anamosa Eureka, August 2, 1906. Submitted by Laura Kendall

Miss Ella McNamara was married to Mr. Cheshire, of Anamosa, this morning at the Catholic church in Oxford Junction. Miss McNamara has lived among us all her life and was for several years a most popular clerk in the employ of Mr. Fordham when he became proprietor of the store about a year ago. She was much loved by a wide circle of friends, for her always lady like deportment, sunny disposition and many other estimable qualities, and we are sorry to lose her from among us. The groom, while a comparative stranger in our midst, bears a most excellent reputation and is no doubt worthy of his charming bride. May every happiness be theirs, is the wish of their many friends. From Anamosa Eureka, Anamosa, Iowa, 3 Oct 1901. Submitted by Mary Kay Kuhfittig.

On Tuesday, Sept 1st, 1896, at Temple Hill church in this county occurred the marriage of Alfred H. Leresche, Esq. of Pleasant Ridge to Miss Bessie McNamara, daughter of P. McNamara, Esq. of this place, the Rev Father Connery officiating. The bride was dressed in a cream brocade silk and was a most beautiful bride, as all who have the pleasure of an acquaintance with her must well know. The groom is a fine young man who has recently purchased a farm on Pleasant Ridge and erected a nice new residence thereon for their home. A wedding reception was held at the home of the bride's parents on Tuesday evening, when a large company of invited guests were entertained. A most delicious wedding feast was spread. The Wyoming cornet band furnished some pleasing music and the evening passed a joyous one to all. The bride and groom took the 11:35 train for Chicago where they will spend a week or so with friends and relatives and sight seeing. The presents were numerous and very beautiful. Among the guests from a distance attending the wedding festivities were: The Rev. Father Connery, Temple Hill, Rev Father Connon, Miss Chesire, Mr. and Mrs. John Hansen, Mrs. Bessie Breheny, and Thomas Breheny of Rock Island, Dr. E. P. Leresche and wife of Chicago, Miss Agnes, Anna and James Gilroy of Lost Nation, and Thomas and Maggie Gorman of Anamosa. The Journal extends most hearty congratulations to this estimable young married couple, wishing them a long and prosperous matrimonial voyage. From Wyoming Journal, 3 September 1896.