Elizabeth "Lizzie" Bremser arrived in Norwalk, Ohio from Germany as a four year old. Her father found work as a mason.
At age 24, in February, 1913, Lizzie was working in Marshall Fields when she met John Beasley, a salesman for the American Seating Company. They dated for two months and were engaged on April 6. Nine days later, Lizzie sent her parents and her two sisters, Lena and Minnie a letter, telling them she would be married in three days, on Friday, April 18. She wrote that she would be arriving the next day on the train with her new husband. Lizzie's best friend Hazel Ligget and John's brother Guy witnessed their wedding.
Chicago, Ill
4-15-3
My Dear Father Mother and Sisters,
I have a letter to write to you all tonight that will be the biggest and I hope the happiest most pleasant surprise you have had in a good many years. I am going to be married Friday night at 8:30 and shall be at home to see you sometime Sat depends on trains and John is going to find out tomorrow and I shall let you know later. Now don’t say I am foolish as my husband to be and myself are in our right minds. His name is John Beasley. I have known him two months became engaged last Sunday and shall be Mrs. Beasley by next Sunday. This may all be very strange to you.
But if I had known this man for 5 years I could not care more for him than I do this moment. He has just left. We made out a list of all our friends and shall send out our announcements Friday. No one but Hazel knows anything about it. We shall be married at the Baptist church here in Chicago and I quit my position Friday at noon. We have all arrangements made. I am getting the best man you shall ever want to know and I know you will all like him. He is very tall + dark + is 30 years old. He knows what he is doing and so do I.
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John Beasley and Lizzie Bremser's marriage certificate. They met and were married in about nine weeks. |
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Lizzie Bremser and John Tucker's 1913 wedding photo. |
Just remember that I have for the past years always known what was best and right for me to do and a better, cleaner and good man I know I never shall want. I am nearly 24 years old. You all realize if I am ever to be married now is the time and I do love the man. I don’t know how you people will all take this but just remember I have always been God’s child and will do nothing wrong and but what I think is right.
I am one of the many happy girls to night and I want you all to be happy with me. I have not shed one tear and mama dear just every time you think of your daughter getting married just smile and remember the last time I said I never would get married and what little use I had for the men. It is nearly 11 o'clock and I have lots of little things to do before the event and with lots of love I send you this knowing that you understand that I am doing what is right in the sight of all business, thoughts and God.
Your Elizabeth
4324 Lake Ave
Will let you know later about trains