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Married Twice to Each Other - Ella Renfrow and Walter Bibb

In 1915 Walter L Bibb and Ella Ren(t)frow married in Dunklin, Missouri. They are my child's third great grandparents.

Walter was over the age of 21, and Ella was under the age of 18. The marriage license states: "Affidavit in file to the age of Walter Bibb, and the mother present and giving consent to the marriage of the girl." The marriage license was filled out on Sept 29, and the marriage occurred in October. I believe October 3rd. Further research indicates Walter was 22, and Ella 15.


Ancestry doesn't have the image of the marriage document, but the Arkansas Marriage Index suggests Walter and Ella renewed their vows the day after their 9-year anniversary. Oct 4, 1924. Other records seem to confirm that this is the same couple.

Their first child was born in September of 1916, so it doesn't appear that the 1915 wedding was forced by a pregnancy, unless that pregnancy ended prematurely. It is disturbing to read of a marriage between a 22-year-old and a 15-year-old, though I realize this still happens today, legally in too many states.
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