Check out these love stories from the Eagle archives

February 14, 2019 Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Hugo and Mary Ludwig celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in 1951 by posing for a photograph with a Brooklyn Eagle photographer. Eagle file photo

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It’s Valentine’s Day, and love abounds in Brooklyn. The Brooklyn Eagle has been covering the borough since 1841 — and has been a steadfast chronicler of its romances. Cupid’s arrow has soared in the Heights, inspiring passions lasting to the Grave(‘s)end. It’s been as sweet as Maple(ton) syrup; even when it turns to Vinegar (Hill) — love Spring(s… Creek) eternal.

We’ve scoured our archives to bring you these four Brooklyn love stories. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Brothers to wed two sisters after a silent courtship

Feb. 14, 1920

Cupid and his twin brother stalked into the Marriage License Bureau yesterday afternoon and solemnly asked for a pair of marriage licenses. Behind them came Lena and Tannina Pallegrino, sisters both, with the would-be guardians of their future happiness, Salvatore and Frank Mannino, brothers, following close. The drab routine of a day’s work became suffused colorfully for the license clerks.

Salvatore admitted that he desired to take Tannina for helpmeet, while Lena blushingly clung to Frank’s arm while he stammered that they would wed. They wanted a double wedding, they said, and that everything might be properly paired, they planned to be married two weeks hence.

The Pallegrinos are pretty. For two years they have walked back and forth from business in front of the Mannino butcher shop at 270 9th Ave. For two years Salvatore and Frank had dropped their cleavers at 5 p.m. and gone to the window to watch for Lena and Tannina.

For two years Lena and Tannina had peeked slyly back over their shoulders at the handsome Manninos, who unfailingly made it their business to be in the window. For two years Tannina and Salvatore exchanged wireless greetings, while Lena and Frank sent radiograms – youthful glances too big for words, always silent out of a proper regard for the conventions. But never was there the slightest doubt in anyone’s mind about the addresses on the wordless messages.

At last a real Cupid breezed along with introductions in his quiver. His arrows sped swiftly, true to the mark – and love’s labor was not lost – for all parties concerned declare the past two years was a real, if silent, courtship.

Cupid’s apple

Feb. 14, 1927

Cupid’s apple — that’s what it must have been that yesterday brought Patrolman Thomas Boylan of the E. 67th St. station, Manhattan, and Miss Antoinette Ferrari of 1616 2nd Ave., to the marriage altar.

Romance began three years ago when Boylan took an apple off Miss Ferrari’s fruit stand on 2nd Ave.

Couple treasures Eagle story of wedding 60 years ago

Oct. 27, 1933

One of the most treasured possessions of Mrs. Robert G. Thomas of Glen Ridge, N.J., who, with her husband, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary Oct. 9, is a yellowing clipping from the Eagle dated Oct. 9, 1873.

It tells the story of the Thomas’ wedding in the Clinton Avenue Congregational Church.
“Sixty years is a long time, but we are well and happy,” commented Mrs. Thomas, a dignified white-haired woman.

Mrs. Thomas was born in Brooklyn. Her parents were the late Mr. and Mrs. William H. Marston. Mr. Thomas, who was born in Madisonville, N.Y., is one of the few surviving members of the [Grand Army of the Republic], having served as paymaster clerk at the age of 16.

Both are active in club and church affairs of Glen Ridge, where they have lived [since 1883]. They have three children.

Wed 70 years, they’re set to celebrate

April 24, 1951

Hugo and Marie Ludwig relaxed for a while today in their little Borough Park home, waiting for the onslaught of close relatives and friends who were coming to help them celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary.

All in all, it’s been a big week for the Brooklyn couple, who may well hold the borough championship for long and happy marriages.

Last Saturday they traveled to New Jersey for a granddaughter’s silver anniversary, and this Saturday the celebrating will continue for Mrs. Ludwig’s 90th birthday.

Because of the health of Mr. Ludwig, who will turn 96 in October, today’s celebration will be somewhat more subdued than those that marked the couple’s 50th, 60th and 65th anniversaries.

On those occasions, hundreds of their friends in borough Danish circles greeted them at large and festive dinners. But the cards and telegrams that poured in on them today assured the Ludwigs that they hadn’t been forgotten.

Even with the more modest plans, it figured to be a hearty party late this afternoon and evening, what with the Ludwigs’ three children, seven grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren among those to descend on the little house [on 54th Street].

The Ludwigs live alone, and Mrs. Ludwig, with the energy of a 60-year-old girl, still does all her own housekeeping, as she has done since they fled political persecution in their native Copenhagen to come to Brooklyn 66 years ago.

Mr. Ludwig, a writer and poet, was editor of the Socialist Democrat, then a small newspaper but now Copenhagen’s largest, when he, facing a term as a political prisoner, and his young wife bundled their household possessions aboard a U.S.-bound ship.

Twenty years ago, shortly after their golden jubilee, they returned to Denmark as honored guests, winners of the Constantine Brun award given to Danish couples who have lived exemplary and loyal lives as American citizens.

Their bright party clothes fairly matched the twinkles in their still bright eyes this morning as they posed for an Eagle photographer.

At the last minute, Mrs. Ludwig, who still retains her prerogative to change her mind, decided that another pair of earrings were in order. Mr. Ludwig waited patiently as she made the change.

Compiled by Gary Nilsen