Recently, I discovered a wedding album dated back to1906 from my hometown in South Dakota.

I couldn’t help but be taken back to that time, over 118 years ago.

In this small, gold outlined album were the memories of Helen and John as they got married on Nov. 8, 1906. They exchanged their vows in the Presbyterian church in the local town. The reception was held at the bride’s home immediately following the 2 p.m. ceremony. The food was prepared by the bride’s mother, grandmother and aunts.

The book listed the wedding guest as 30 people.

Here is a list of the newlyweds presents they received, two cows, $100 cash, a center table, two chairs, five rugs, two parlor lamps, a lunch cloth and centerpiece, tablecloth and twelve napkins, 18 toilet towels, a clock, two bread plates and a cake plate, a tea set, a cut glass water set, a spoon tray, an olive dish, a ½ dozen silver knifes, forks, teaspoons, berry spoon, cream ladle, cold meat fork and sugar shell. Last but not least, a Bible.

It also stated the new Mr. and Mrs. took a 10-day long wedding trip to Iowa to visit relatives.

What I found very interesting was the section in this album that explained the duties of a husband. He must have a gentle heart as he is responsible for the happiness of the home. He must love his wife - he thinks no more of his comfort, but only of his wife. He will cherish her happiness as a precious jewel. He will be faithful, gentle and honor her for the rest of his life.

It went on to tell of the wife’s duties. She must make and keep the home. She must be tidy and dainty. She must dress nicely even when scrubbing the floors, so as not to depress her husband. She must be generous and a nurse to her husband. Make the home a place of peace and tranquillity, so her husband can renew himself in body and spirit. Above all a good wife always knows her place.

I will say about this part of the wedding album, it looks to have been never read and I can see why.

I did some research on Helen and John through a popular ancestry site online. Helen was 21 when she was married, and John was 23. They had four sons and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were married 53 years before John passed away at age 73. Helen lived until she was 94.

“Yes, we go gently down the hill of life

And thank our God at every step we go,

The husband-lover and the sweetheart-wife.

Of creeping age what do we care or know.

What is the grave for us?

Can it divide the destiny of two made one?

We step across and reach the other side, these fading faculties are sent to say Heaven is more near today than yesterday.”

The Wedded Life J R Miller D D dated 1894.