November 1, 2011

A Big Game for the Big Day

Fall means football season in cities across America, and in Central Ohio, football means the Ohio State Buckeyes. And in that realm, there is no greater rivalry than the OSU-Michigan game, which traditionally ends the season each November. So what happens when you throw a wedding into the mix?

The story of my grandparents' wedding begins the year before, in the fall of 1934. With the country in the throes of the Great Depression, times were tough on the south side of Columbus. Wilma Steele’s family lived in a rented house in German Village, where her father worked in a glass factory. She had recently graduated from South High School and was working as a bookkeeper for White Castle, the first chain restaurant in the nation. Years later, she would recall:

Wilma Steele, 1935
 “Your grandfather and I met in the fall of 1934. My best friend, Jerry Jenkins, arranged a blind date for me. We met her friend Neil Palsgrove and Fred Herrel at Walgreen’s on State St., next to the Ohio Theater when the boys ushered. I thought he was cute and he thought the same about me.

“We would go to my Christian Endeavor meeting at South Church of Christ, and then sometimes go square dancing at Georgesville. I would meet him after he ushered and we would go to the midnight show and then to Clyde’s Diner… I had four brothers at that time and one sister. I would get so mad because my parents let them stay up late and we would have no privacy.”

Fred Herrel also lived in German Village, where his family made wood cabinets for commercial refrigerators. He was a couple of years older than Wilma, and had also graduated from South High, although they never dated in school. He, too, was living in a house full of brothers—three of them—and working two jobs didn’t leave him much spare time.

By fall 1935, Wilma turned 19 and Freddy was 21. They had been dating for a year, and were old enough in the eyes of the law to do what they wanted. And they wanted to get married. But weddings require money and parental approval, both of which were in short supply. So on November 23, 1935, Wilma and Fred eloped to Circleville, about 25 miles away. That day happened to be the day of the OSU-Michigan game, which was being played in Ann Arbor and broadcast on Columbus area radio stations. They didn’t pick the day with the game in mind, but the two events would be forever linked for them.

Wilma remembered, “We got married at the parsonage of the Methodist church in Circleville. That day was one of the most exciting Saturdays of my life. The minister was listening to the OSU football game and shut it off only long enough for us to say ‘I DO!’”

The newlyweds had a whole city to rejoice with. The Buckeyes beat the Wolverines 38-0, thereby tying Minnesota for the 1935 Big Ten conference title.

Fred & Wilma Herrel on their wedding day

Foregoing a honeymoon, the new Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Herrel quietly returned to their jobs and their own families. They kept their marriage a secret for six months, until they could get things in order for a life together. “We bought furniture and rented an apartment at 1486 Hunter Ave., and then announced our marriage in March 1936,” Wilma recalled. “Our dream for the future was to get a home of our own.”

Wilma and Fred went on to celebrate 66 anniversaries and follow the Buckeyes through 66 more matchups against Michigan. They were devoted fans the rest of their lives, and rarely missed a game on radio or TV. But none was more exciting than the one on their big day in November 1935.

Go Bucks!
Sources:
Personal history and quotations: Grandmother’s Book (New York: Dellwood Books, 1984), filled out by Wilma Steele Herrel and presented to the author, Christmas 1989.
Ohio State football history:1935 Ohio State Buckeyes Football Team,” Wikipedia (www.wikipedia.com: accessed 31 October 2011).

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12 comments:

  1. Very lovely story and you tell it well!

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  2. Thanks, Amy, from one Buckeye fan to another!

    Michelle, glad you enjoyed it!

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  3. Hi Shelley!

    I have been participating in Tonia's 31WBGB, too. Do you know if it is going to continue? I was really enjoying the assignments and then they just stopped. Have you heard anything?

    Thanks!
    Ruth Stephens
    Ruth's Genealogy

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  4. Shelley, I just found your blog today, and what a delight. I just signed up to follow you; looking forward to reading more.

    What a fantastic story this was! I can so relate, having both my mother and my mother-in-law coming from the Columbus area...and my aunt a *serious* fan of the Buckeyes!

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  5. Well Shelley, you really tugged at my heart with this one. As a die-hard Michigan fan, I can truly appreciate the significance of getting married during a OSU-Michigan matchup, lol! Thank you for sharing this story in the COG. I will forever more think of your grandparent's wedding day when OSU plays Michigan. Of course I'll still be rooting for Michigan, but I'll also be thinking of Fred and Wilma's special day.

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  6. Ruth, I expect Tonia is just taking a short break and will be continuing her #31WBGB posts. I agree, the challenges are great.

    Hi Jacqi, thanks for following me! I had a lot of fun writing this story and am so glad you enjoyed it.

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  7. Ok Jasia, so I take back everything I ever said or thought against Michigan... Seriously, it means so much to me to know that you liked my story. Thanks for hosting the COG and inspiring me to write. I look forward to reading the other submissions.

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  8. Your grandparents story is one of true love and forging ahead in spite of obstacles. What fun they must have had keeping that secret. Love it!

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  9. I really enjoyed the way Wilma got to tell her story. They are quite the dapper couple.

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  10. A totally sweet and charming story, but, I hope you will forgive me, because like Jasia, I'll be routing for the BLUE! LOL

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  11. This was such a fun read, Shelley. Tell me, what fellow wouldn't fall in love with a lady who looked as beautiful and sweet as your grandmother in 1935? I love the photo. And it was a treat to see how you incorporated your grandmother's words to let her tell part of the story. Thanks for sharing.

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Thank you for reading my blog! I welcome and appreciate your comments.

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