Chapter Two – Getting Married

A Marriage Begins

My mother had attended school in Ohio before deciding that college wasn’t for her. She moved back home to Connecticut while my father was still working in Alaska.

In October 1952—traveling from opposite coasts—my future parents met and married in Dixon, Montana, at a relative’s home.

I’ll let Dad tell you in his own words:

John:
“During this period, your mother and I corresponded and decided to get married in Montana at Uncle Lowry’s. I would leave Cantwell on the 16th (September) and arrive in Dixon seven days later. Your mother would arrive on the 25th. Uncle Lowry and I arrived at the station in Missoula about one hour early. Waiting for the train to arrive—and then for your mother to get off—was nerve-wracking, to say the least.”

You can feel the anticipation in his words. Two young people, meeting in the middle of the country, stepping into a new life together.

October 4, 1952 John & Ruth marry in Dixon, Montana

The newlyweds go sightseeing.

Flathead River Montana

Polson, Montana

Blackfoot River Montana

Mission Range Western Montana

Missoula, Montana

Devil’s Monument Wyoming

Crescent Lake, Olympic National Park

1952 cont – After their two-week sightseeing trip they arrived back in Dixon, Montana.

Dixon, Montana

Cleveland, Then Christmas

After their two-week sightseeing trip out West, my parents returned to Dixon, Montana. From there, the question became: what next?

Here’s Dad’s take:

John:
“Upon our arrival back in Dixon, we had to decide what to do next. We came up with the idea that we would be in Guilford for Christmas and, in the interim, we would go to Cleveland where we both had stayed in 1951.”

“We rented a room with a cooking corner and the bathroom down the hall at 1935 79th Street in Cleveland. It was an experience, but we decided to be in Guilford for Christmas.”

It’s such a humble little snapshot of their early married life—figuring things out, one step and rented room at a time.