A Wedding Story

Despite the time that has transpired since the last post, I have continued to conduct research and contact family members, even those that are more than two degrees separated from Joseph B. and Amanda D. Lancaster. One such contact has been with Linda "Burger" Allenburger Vaughan and her brother, Alex Allenburger, the children of Louise Aubert Allenburger and Christian Allenburger, my namesake. They are the grandchildren of Robert Aubert and Bertha "Nan" Doerr Aubert, who many of us know as Uncle Bob and Nan (above, circa 1909).

Both Burger and Alex are very interested in Lancaster family research and will contribute images to Now and Always. Here, in Burger's words, is the story of Nan and Uncle Bob's wedding.

GRANDMOTHER AND GRANDPA’S WEDDING STORY

About 30 years ago my mother, Louise Aubert Allenburger, and my aunt, Marie Aubert Bailey, told me the story of my grandparent’s wedding. They heard the story when they were young girls while eavesdropping during the visit of old maid aunts to their home. Their mother (about whom the story was told) tried to quiet the old ladies but to no avail. This is what was revealed.

Grandmother (Bertha) Aubert had dated Julian Smith for several years before they were to be married in 1906. Julian had purchased part of the square in Covington owned by Great-grandmother Doerr and had built a house for my grandmother right next door to her mother. The day before the wedding, Grandmother and her bridesmaid, Flossie, drove the carriage to the bank in Covington to get money for Grandmother’s wedding trip. While in the bank, the teller, Robbie Aubert, told Grandmother, “Bertha, you cannot marry Julian!” Grandmother replied, “Robbie, I have to.” (Apparently, Bertha and Robbie had met at several parties and liked each other.) So, Bertha and Flossie returned home. Flossie went into the house and, while Grandmother was tying up the horse, a carriage with sides (a cab) came barreling down the street. A boy jumped out and said to Grandmother, “Bertha, Robbie says to get in and come with me.” So, Bertha got in, they picked up Robbie at the bank, and Bertha and Robbie drove to Mandeville and were married that day at David’s Grocery Store. They were married for 60 years. Robbie lived to be 89 years old and Bertha died at the age of 99.

Editor’s Note: The boy was Robbie Aubert’s cousin, Henry Gautreaux, who became a physician and delivered Edith Lancaster Garcia nine years later.

Julian Smith married Rachel Linton. Their daughter Virginia became Edith Lancaster Garcia’s best friend. They often played tennis across the street from Julian and Rachel’s house – the house built and intended for Bertha Aubert. Julian’s brother, Deed Smith, was a very close friend of Joseph B. Lancaster. Deed and Julian are frequently mentioned in the letters written by Joseph B. Lancaster and Amanda Doerr Lancaster.