There's no accounting now for why he ended up here, employed in the McNear garage, but he brought an interesting backstory with him.
A native of Rome, born in Henry County in 1894, he reportedly took his first flying lesson --- in a Wright biplane --- in 1911 and launched a fledgling career as a stunt pilot to pay college expenses.
Grounded in Chariton that long-ago winter and with nature being what nature is, Glenn and Goldie found themselves during the spring of 1917 in what was sometimes called a "family way."
So that's why the doors of the Stephens House --- built by A.J. during 1911 for his wife, Sarah (Myers) Stephens and their children, were thrown open on the evening of April 25 for a wedding.
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The A.J. Stephens House has since 1965 been home to the Lucas County Historical Society Museum, so many are familiar with it. Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it has been joined on the museum campus by six other buildings.
And no, I'm not related to Sarah (Myers) Stephens. However, the youngest of A.J.'s and Sarah's daughters, Mary, was my great-aunt, married to Nolan D. Myers, younger brother of my grandfather.
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Here's the report of the Stephens-Messer nuptials --- front-page news in The Leader of April 26, 1917.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Stephens, of West Braden avenue, was the scene of a pretty wedding Wednesday evening, April 25, 1917, when their daughter, Goldie, was united in marriage to Mr. Glenn Edmund Messer.
Before the ceremony, Miss Mary Stephens, sister of the bride, sang "I Love You," and promptly at 6 o'clock to the strains of Lohengren's Bridal Chorus, played by Miss Ida Lewis, the bride and groom descended the stairs and entered the parlor where amid a bower of cut flowers and ferns the impressive ring ceremony was read by Rev. E. E. IlgenFritz of Dexter, a former pastor of the Chariton M.E. church.
The bride was attended by the groom's sister, Miss Gladys Messer, of Rome, as bridesmaid, and Myers Stephens, brother of the bride, served in the capacity as best man to the groom. After congratulations had been extended a sumptuous two-course luncheon was served.
The bride wore a dainty and becoming gown of white georgette crepe over white silk, and carried a shower bouquet of bride's roses. She wore a white tulle veil, the graceful folds of which were caught by lilies of the valley. The bridesmaid wore a dainty white gown and carried a bouquet of pink carnations. The color scheme of pink and white was carried out in the home decorations and in the menu.
The bride was born and raised in this city and is a young lady of charming personality, is refined and pleasant in manner and matter of fact and tactful in discharging the duties of homelife so essential in home making. The groum has resided in this city the past year, where he has been employed as mechanic in the McNear garage and is a man of fine capabilities. He has purchased a nice residence in the west part of the city, where they will be at home after a short visit with relatives in Mt. Pleasant and other points.
The Leader joins their many friends in wishing them a long life of happiness and prosperity. Among the out of town guests were his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Messer, and daughter, Gladys, of Rome, Mrs. I Berry, of Albia, and Doc Hayes of Knoxville.
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The first product of this marriage --- Robert E. Messer --- greeted the world for the first time in Chariton on Oct. 15, 1917, but two months later his father was gone, a frequent occurrence during his parents' marriage.
World War I was in progress, aviators were needed and on Dec. 6 The Leader reported, "Glenn Messer has enlisted in the aviation corps and will go to Omaha for his final examination on Monday."
To be continued ...
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