Anna May Stevens

The life of a woman whose picture I bought at an antique store last week for $5.

The back of the photo read: "Anna May Stevens, Tyrone, Blair Co, Penn. 7-8-1892"

A few quick minutes of research found that she was born Dec 1872 to Adie Allen Stevens and Emma Mary Howe. She married Frank Beville Brantly on 22 Mar 1910, but he died shortly after in 1913. Digging a little deeper, I found a slew of newspaper articles.

UNIQUE ANOUNCEMENT
Engagement of Miss A. May Stevens and Frank Beville Brantly

The Stevens home on Lincoln Avenue presented an attractive scene on Thursday afternoon when Mrs. A. A. Stevens entertained for Miss May Stevens. The early afternoon hours were passed in sewing and social chat among the forty ladies present, comprising the sewing circle of which Miss Stevens is a member, and a few visiting guests, who were not aware of the surprise awaiting them until Mrs. Stevens "let the cat out of the bag" in the truly literal sense, for she had concealed a white tabby, who when the bag was opened, sprang from his hiding place among the amused guests. Around his neck was a huge pink bow, really tied in a true lovers knot, for attached to his necktie was a pink heart bearing the names of Miss A. May Stevens and Mr. Frank Beville Brantly, thus announcing their engagement. Then guests adjourned to the dining room where eight tables, each seating for, were most artistically arranged. Cupid cards bearing the name of each guest with that of Miss Stevens and Mr. Brantly together with a pink carnation, marked each place, while rose-shaded candles graced the centers. Covers were laid for eight at the fiance's table in the main dining room, and candleabrum encircled with smilax and enchantress carnations, formed the center-piece. To Miss Steven's chair was tied a bouquet of white carnations, while exquisite pink roses, sent by her fiance, adorned the drawing room. An elaborate four-course luncheon was served Mrs. Stevens' assistants being Misses Margaret Kloss, Mary Seeds, Gertrude Bouse and Ella Carl and Mrs. Howe Stevens.

Miss Stevens is the only daughter of A. A. Stevens, Esq., and ever popular in her large circle of friends while Mr. Brantly, of Philadelphia, comes of a prominent Georgia family and is a successful business man of sterling worth. As the merry guests departed they showered Miss Stevens with felicitations and good wishes. No date has been announced for the wedding, which, it is understood, will be an event of early Spring.

By the way, I think literally letting a cat out of a bag is a super adorable way to announce an engagement. Hopefully that cat didn't have to wait in the bag for too long!

Followed by the hands down the most detailed wedding announcement article I have ever seen. I almost feel like I was there..

WEDDED AT NOON TODAY.
Miss Anna May Stevens the Bride of Frank Beville Brantly

Amid an environment most propitious, with fragrance of flowers and godspeeds of friends, Miss Anna May Stevens, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Adie Allen Stevens of Tyrone, today became the bride of Frank Beville Brantly, of Philadelphia. The ceremony took place at noon at Roselawn Terrace, the spacious Stevens homestead on Lincoln avenue. A large company of friends were gathered in the commodious home for the nuptial event. The scene was beautiful in all its appointments, a general color scheme of green and white being carried out most tastefully, with cut and potted flowers, palms, ferns and plants.

At the stroke of twelve, as the wedding march from "Lohengrin" was sounded, Miss Annie Calderwood being at the piano, the wedding party appeared. Preceding was the flower girl, the bride's dainty little niece, Miss Helen Stevens, who wore a white lace gown and a picture hat and carried a bouquet of roses. Then followed the ushers, J. Howe Stevens and William Hamilton Agnew; and the maid of honor Miss Elsie Bonine, of Altoona whose gown was of white lace with pink ornamentation, and whose bouquet was of white and pink sweet peas. The bride, entering with her father, wore a gown of white duchesse satin with point lace and pearl trimming, her veil of tulle being fastened with orange-blossoms surmounted by a pearl bandeau. She carried a bouquet of bride's roses showered with lilies of the valley.

Before a huge bank of palms, in the drawing room, the officiating clergymen awaited the party and here they were joined by the groom and his best man William Brantly Wilson, of Foxchase, Philadelphia. The ceremony waimpressively performed by Rev. S. F. Forgeus D. D., of Huntingdon, assisted by Rev. E. G. Zwayer, pastor of the First Baptist church, of Tyrone. At its conclusion the receiving line was formed, comprising the bride and groom, Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Stevens, and the bride's venerable grandmother, Mrs. Catherine A. Stevens. Mrs. A. A. Stevens wore a gown of apricot brocade trimmed with white chiffon and crystal. The assembled company united in most bounteous good wishes to the happy couple whose lives had been joined in the sacred matrimonial relation.

Following the ceremony and the season of congratulation, elaborate refreshments were served by caterer G. W. Fisher, of Huntindon, the guests occupying the music room, large dining room and library. The bride's table, cosily situated and daintily decorated, was in the breakfast room. It was a happy and lovely gathering, and the time sped as on wings, the hour of departure coming all too soon for those whose good fortune it was to be present. On an afternoon train Mr. and Mrs. Brantly left for an extended wedding tour, their destination not being definitely announced. Mrs. Brantly's going away gown was of English suiting with turban to match. They expect to be gone for several weeks, and upon their return they will be at home at Roselawn Terrace. Lincoln Avenue.

The gifts of which the bride has been the recipient in the past few days, are beautiful and many, comprising gold, silver, cut glass, linen, china and bric-a-brac, and they attest the wide esteem in which is held; for she who has entered upon the sweet promising springtime of wifehood at this threshold of the new spring, is a young lady of such sterling qualities of character, that the countless friendships she has gained are sincere and enduring. The groom is a gentleman of culture and ability whose coming to Tyrone will be according general and cheerful welcome. May the roses of their wedding day augur well and truly.

In the large company of guests present at the ceremony and reception were many friends from out of town, among whom were Dr. and Mrs. A. N. Emfield, of Bedford; Mr. and Mrs. Harry McKinley, of White Plains, NY; Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Wilson of Foxchase, Philadelphia; Miss Harriet Hazzard and Vernon Hazzard Esq., of Monongehela City; Hon. J. D. Hicks, Mrs. Hicks and Miss Hicks, Mrs. Raugh and Miss Raugh, of Altoona; Mrs. R. V. West, of Sunbury; Mrs. J. W. Robinson, of Belvar; Mis Snyder, of Montoursville; Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Moore, of Bellwood.

A few years later in 1913, her new husband dies of pneumonia...

MR. F. B. BRANTLY DIES IN TYRONE, PA. FORMERLY LIVED HERE

Mr. William White Johnson received news today of the death of his brother-in-law, Mr. F. B. Brantly, a former resident of Charlotte, and a man who had a number of friends here.

Mr. Brantly died December 30, at his home in Tyrone, Pa. The Tyrone Herald of Jan. 1 -- which brought Mr. Johnson the sad tidings of Mr. Brantly's death -- has a column article on Mr. Brantly's death, from which extracts are made:

"Frank Beville Brantly was born in Macon, Ga., July 31 1861, making his age at the time of his death, 52 years and 5 months. The greater part of his life was spent in the south, where his first wife -- Miss Mamie Johnson -- died six years ago. To them were born three children, two now dead, one son, Mr. Eugene C. Brantly, a student at Stetson University, Deland, Fla., surviving.

"On March 22, 1912, Mr. Brantly married the second time, his wife becoming Miss Anne May Stevens, of Tyrone (Pa.). Besides his second wife and son by his first marriage Mr. Brantly is survive by the following sisters and brothers; Mrs. Lillie B. Strobahr, of Jacksonbille, Mrs. Arthur Findlay, of Macon, Messrs. George and E. T. Brantly of Atlanta.

"Mr. Brantly was first a pharmacist, receiving his certificate of graduation. He afterword entered the ministry of the Baptist church, being regularly ordained. Retiring from the ministry he became associate with Eugene E. Nice, of Philadelphia, as a traveling salesman. In 1909 he came to Tyrone, and engaged in real estate business.

"His friendly manner, jovial disposition and intense earnestness made friends for him of every one. Possessed of an energy too vigorous for a constitution none too strong he seldom allowed physical indisposition to interfere with business. Three weeks ago he conducted an excursion party to Florida, and upon his return December 24, contract cold which developed into pneumonia from which he died. 

"Mr Brantly was a Mason -- a member of the lodge in Orangebur, S. C. His life was characterized by high purpose, business acumen, charity and godly living."

Mr. Brantly resided in Charlotte in 1900-03.

I couldn't find what happened to Anna May after that, but she popped up in newspapers again in 1923.

Mrs. May S. Brantly Married in Philadelphia

Mrs. May Stevens Brantly, of Tyrone and William Brantly Wilson, of Philadelphia, were married in Philladelphia yesterday afternoon at 4 o'clock by Rev. T. Asher Hess, and left for St. Petersburg, Florida, their future home on the Seaboard Limited.

Until the present time, the bride, who has many good friends here, had been a life long resident of Tyrone. Frequent winter visits to Florida have attracted her thither as a permanent resident and Mr. and Mrs. Wilson will at once establish their home in St. Petersburg.

And only 4 years later, in 1927, she dies.

Word was recieved in Tyrone yesterday that Mrs.May Stevens Wilson, daughter of the late A. A. Stevens, had died in St. Petersburg, Florida, at 2:30 o'clock, of angina pectoris. Mrs, Wilson has been in very poor health all winter, but  nevertheless the news was a great shock to her many friends.

Mrs. May Stevens Wilson was a daughter of the late Adie Allen and Emie Howe Stevens. She was born in Tyrone December 27, 1871. On March 22, 1900, she was united in marriage with Frank B. Brantley who died in 1913. She was married the second time with William B Wilson on January 5, 1922, who survives her death.

Mrs. Wilson was a sincere Christian woman, a member of the Baptist church, and a number of the church auxillaries. She was a graduate of Tyrone High school and of Linden Hall, Lititz, Pennsylvannia. The funeral cortege will start north early today. When the body arrives in Tyrone it will be taken to the home of Mrs. Edith Stevens, on Lincoln avenue, where funeral services will be held, the time to be announced later. Interment will be made in the Stevens plot in Grandview cemetery.

So will anybody actually be looking for her? Maybe -- maybe not. She died without any heirs. I did find one family tree on Ancestry that had her in it, so I messaged them with the photo.

If Anna May is part of your family, please drop me a line! I'd love to hear from you!

This photo was purchased from Covered Wagon Antique Mall in Mesa, Arizona.