April 30, 1891: Reformed Church Holds Surprise Wedding of Emma Gable Leidy to Lewis P.G. Fegley

By Margaret Leidy Harner from her book One Day at a Time: A Social History of Boyertown, PA.

April 30, 1891: Participants at the evening service at the Reformed Church Sunday evening were treated to a very agreeable surprise. Just before his sermon, Rev. Freeman said with a smile and a twinkle in his eyes that it was his pleasure to invite them to a wedding, and on cue, the Honorable Lewis P.G. Fegley and his “handsome lady-love,” Miss Emma Gable Leidy marched down the aisle to the altar where the “nuptial know was tied.”

The bride was attired in a very becoming costume and carried a bouquet of La France roses. The groom wore a conventional full-dress suit. He is a prominent Boyertown business man, secretary of the Boyertown Mutual Fire Insurance Company and of the Boyertown Board of Trade. He also served in the state legislature in 1885 and 1887.

The newlyweds then took their seats and listened to the sermon. After the service, the bridal party was conveyed to their new and elegantly furnished home at 111 North Reading Avenue, where friends had assembled to congratulate the Squire and his pretty bride. Editor Spatz wished the happy couple that “joy may ever hover over the hearth of their home.”

They had one child, a daughter Lulu, who at the age of 13 was killed in the Opera House fire. Emma Fegley lived in their palatial home until her death in 1951, at which time it was sold to Linwood Ott for use as his funeral parlor.

More News from Boyertown

• May 21, 1892: Accused of Fraud, Dr. John Henry Funk Gives His Side of the Story Dr. John Henry Funk disputes details in Daniel Rhoads' account of his whereabouts and circumstances.
• Boyertown Junior Woman’s Club Donates $12,500 to Operation 143 Helping to address childhood hunger, Boyertown's Junior Woman's Club donated over 12K from their annual Girls' Night Out Basket Raffle Fundraiser held in March.