The Louisville Daily Courier, Jefferson County, Kentucky

Tuesday, December 25, 1866

A Diamond Wedding in Woodford

The quiet of our happy village was dispelled on the evening of the 19th by the hurrying to and fro of carriages, hacks and every conceivable kind of vehicle, and greeting the ear of every passer-by was the cheerful inquiry, ‘Shall we meet you at the wedding tonight?’  Mr. George T. Hord, a most elegant and highly cultivated banker, of the firm of Hord and George, and Miss Jane Steele, one of Kentucky’s rarest and most beautiful fair ones, were married by Mr. Venable, our most worthy and greatly beloved Episcopal minister.  The wedding was regal, the scene attendant upon it truly imposing, the beautiful church was brilliantly lighted, and strains of soul-searching music welcomed many distinguished and magnificently dressed guests.

On they came until every seat and aisle were crowded, and after merry greetings, they waited in breathless anxiety the coming of the happy pair.  Intense the excitement grew, until, at last, to the tune of a grand march, entered first the graceful bride and groom, accompanied by ten beautiful attendants, led to the altar by so many gallant cavaliers, magnificently attired.  The bride, as blushing as a May-day rose, was half concealed ‘neath the mazes of a costly and long flowing veil, her dress of the most gorgeous rep silk, handsomely decorated with point lace, and hung in massive folds superbly around her matchless form.  The diamonds sparkling from her queen-like neck and fairy ilugers, made a most brilliant display of a handsome bridal gift of her generous husband.  Her presents were many and mostly of silver.  The groom, the very essence of gallantry and elegance, wore a few gems of the purest water, but rarer far than all, there seemed to be enshrined within his bosom a heart all wreathed with rare and tender buds of love and joy.  So soon as the beautiful ceremony was performed the bridal party were followed by the happy guests to the residence of the bride’s father, Judge William Steele, whose courtesy, coupled with that of his estimable lady, could not have been excelled.  The supper gotten up in good taste, with almost unlimited labor and cost was indeed sumptuous.

The evening passed delightfully, and to the music of Saxton’s band through the mazes of the merry dance we glided until the wee hours of the night, when, with light hearts, we repaired homeward to invoke a prayer for the loving pair, and to mingle with our dreams thoughts of the grand entertainment of the evening.

Versailles, Dec. 20th

According to the census records George and Jane Steele Hord did not have children.  In 1900 they had been married for 35 years.  George was born in Virginia and Jane in Alabama.  George died January 16, 1901, of pneumonia.  According to Jane’s death certificate, she died July 31, 1918.  Her parents are listed as W. J. Steele, born in Kentucky, and Mary D. Winston, born in Alabama.  Jane was born February 14, 1839.