Wedding Photos: Mary Selker & Bernard Martin Browsky

Mary Selker, daughter of Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth, was born August 15, 1902 in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. She married Bernard Martin Browsky on October 24, 1932. Bernard Martin Browsky was born February 23, 1897.  The wedding took place at the Immaculate Conception Church in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania at 6:30 am. The officiant for the wedding was Rev. A. A. Fisher.

Mary Selker was attended by two of her siblings. Her sister Anna Gertrude Selker was the Matron of Honor. Anna Gertrude, the youngest daughter, was born August 11, 1907 in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. Anna married Francis Thomas Shannon on August 21, 1928.

Mary's brother Frederick William Selker served as best man. Frederick William Selker was born October 15, 1896 in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. He married Eleanor E. Herman on June 19, 1933.

When photographed Mary Selker was 30 years old and Bernard Martin Browsky was 35 years old. Matron of Honor Anna Gertrude Selker was 25 years old and  Best Man Frederick William Selker was 36 years old.

To view the wedding announcement for the couple visit the post Wedding Announcement: Mary Selker & Bernard Martin Browsky.

Wedding of Mary Selker & Bernard Martin Browsky

Left to Right: Bernard Martin Browsky (Groom), Frederick William Selker (Best Man), 

Rev. A.A. Fisher, Anna Gertrude Selker (Matron of Honor). 

The Bride, Mary Selker, is seated.

Wedding Snapshot
Selker Siblings: Frederick William Selker and Anna Gertrude Selker
The back of the photograph is stamped "Carl and Don Clarion, PA"

These photographs were included in the Frances Philomena Selker Collection. Frances Philomena Guth appears to have passed the photographs down to her daughter Frances Philomena Selker. Frances' daughter Mary Eugenia McDonald ended up with her mother's photo collections which is time were handed down to me. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Frederick William Selker is my 2nd Great Uncle. Mary Selker and Anna Gertrude Selker are my 2nd Great Aunts. Frederick, Mary and Anna are the siblings of Frances Philomena Selker my great grandmother. My paternal grandmother, Mary Eugenia McDonald, is the daughter of Frances Philomena Selker.

Wedding Announcement: Mary Selker & Bernard Martin Browsky

Mary Selker, the daughter of Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth, married Bernard Martin Browsky on 24 October 1932 in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania at the Immaculate Conception Church.

The wedding announcement for the couple was published in The News-Harold (Franklin, Pennsylvania) on Monday, October 24, 1932- Page 9:

The News-Harold
Monday, October 24, 1932 - Page 9

Matrimonial
Browsky-Selker

A wedding of interest in Oil City took place at 6:30 o'clock this morning in the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Clarion, where Miss Mary Selker, daughter of Mrs. Frances Selker, became the bride of Bernard Browsky, of this city, son of Mrs. Eva Browsky, of 414 Bissell avenue. 

Rev. A.A. Fisher, pastor of the church, celebrated the nuptial mass. The bride was attended by her sister, Mrs. Ann Shannon of Brookville, and her brother, Frederick Selker, of Clarion, was Mr. Browsky's best man. 

The bride's gown was fashioned of white satin, and her veil of net was trimmed with lace and a cap of pearls. She carried a bridal bouquet of Calla lilies.

Her matron of honor wore satin in a pastel blue shade, with a short velvet jacket in a darker shade of blue. Her turban and slippers were in a corresponding shade. 

A wedding breakfast was served at the Anderson Hotel in Clarion after the ceremony, with covers laid for 24 at the bride's table. The table decorations for the breakfast were pink roses and ferns and placements of small blue and white baskets filled with nuts and mints. 

Mr. and Mrs. Browsky left later in the day for a motor trip to eastern cities, and on their return will reside at 230 Hoffman avenue. 

The bride is a graduate of the Immaculate Conception High School in Clarion, class of 1918. Mr. Browsky is employed by the National Pump and Machine Company in this city.

The guests from Oil City who attended the party were: Mrs. Eva Browsky, Mr. and Mrs. J.G. Nasky, Mr. and Mrs. C.P. Seimbida, Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Staab, and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Browsky. Other out-of-town guests were Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lehman of Titusville, Mrs. Leonard Rabuse, of Brooklyn, N.Y., Mrs. Ann Shannon of Brookville; Mr. and Mrs. L.A. McDonald and family of Erie; Mr. and Mrs. Edward Selker of Arthursburg, N.Y.

The formal wedding portrait below was only partially identified. The Selker siblings Anna Gertrude Selker and Frederick William Selker were identified but the bride and groom remained unknown. The newspaper article for the wedding of Mary Selker & Bernard Martin Browsky mentioned the attendants by name. The description of the wedding dress and flowers from the article also aligns with the formal portrait.

Wedding of Mary Selker & Bernard Martin Browsky
Left to Right: Bernard Martin Browsky (Groom), Frederick William Selker (Best Man), 
Rev. A.A. Fisher, Anna Gertrude Selker (Matron of Honor). 
The Bride, Mary Selker, is seated.

Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth are my 2nd Great Grandparents. Their daughter Frances Philomena Selker is my great grandmother. Frances Philomena Selker is the mother of my paternal grandmother Mary Eugenia McDonald. Frederick William Selker is my 2nd Great Uncle. Mary Selker and Anna Gertrude Selker are my 2nd Great Aunts. 

 References:

1. Newspapers.com. The News-Herald (Franklin, Pennsylvania). Mon, Oct 24, 1932 · Page 9. Image: https://www.newspapers.com/image/81105496  Downloaded on Sept 21, 2018.. 

A snapshot of Frances Philomena Guth

February 18, 2018 Post Correction. The the man and the boy in this post have been identified. The post was updated to include their names. The man is Bernard Martin Browsky son in law of Frances Philomena Guth. The boy is Richard Browsky grandson of Frances Philomena Guth. 

A snapshot of Frances Philomena Guth taken in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. The building behind Frances is the backside of family business, the J.W. Selker Cigar Factory, which was located adjacent to the family home at 242 Main Street. The cigar business was started in 1889 by Joseph William Selker. Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth were married November 3, 1890.

To view photographs of the family home and learn more about J.W. Selker visit the blog post The Selker Family: Hermann George and his son Joseph William, cigarmaker.

The date of the photograph is unknown. In the 1920's dress lines were more square in appearance. The waist in 1920's less highlighted compared to the structured fashions from 1900 through 1919. Frances is also wearing lace up boots. Women's fashion in the 1930's reverted to styles which highlighted the waist and were more structured.

Frances Philomena Guth born 25 February 1863 in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. If the photograph was taken between 1920 and 1929 Frances would have been between 57 and 65.

Frances Philomena Guth

In addition to first hand knowledge the building behind Frances is the J.W. Selker Cigar Factory she was also able to be identified in this photograph by her disincentive facial features. Note the similarities in the face - particularity around the nose between the above photo and the photo below. One additional observation is Frances is not wearing glasses in the above photograph.

The individuals in the bottom photograph has been identified. Frances Philomena Guth was photographed with her grandson Richard Browsky and her son in law Bernard Martin Browsky. Bernard Martin Browsky was married to Mary Selker - daughter of Frances Philomena Guth and Joseph William Selker. The photograph was taken by Mary Elizabeth Meisinger on the back porch of 242 Main Street house in Clarion.

Richard Browsky,  Frances Philomena Guth & Bernard Martin Browsky

These photographs were included in the Frances Philomena Selker Collection. Frances Philomena Guth appears to have passed the photographs down to her daughter Frances Philomena Selker. Frances' daughter Mary Eugina McDonald ended up with her mother's photo collections which is time were handed down to me. Photographer Mary Elizabeth Meisinger. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Frances Philomena Guth and Joseph William Selker are my 2nd great-grandmother. Bernard Martin Browsky is the husband of my 2nd great Aunt. Richard Browsky is my 1st Cousin 2x removed. Frances Philomena Selker is my great grandmother - she married Loraine Anthony McDonald. Their daughter Mary Eugenia McDonald is my paternal grandmother. 

References:

1. John Woolf Jordan, LL.D., Genealogical and personal history of the Allegheny Valley Pennsylvania, III vols. (New York:  Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1913), Page 839. View the book here: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/John_Woolf_Jordan_Genealogical_and_Personal_Histor?id=VNQqAAAAYAAJ