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His shrewd, yet conservative, financial speculation already had established
sound investments in real estate. He had developed a unique capacity to juggle many interests simultaneously so
that he could handle efficiently and effectively his civic and business interests without jeopardizing his devotion
to home and family. In early May, 1891, he and Julia became engaged. Julia's uncle, Albert Goodhart, wrote from
New York to congratulate the bride-to-be on her choice of FJD, who, Albert understood, was a "very estimable
gentleman." Albert also wanted Julia to congratulate FJD on his "excellent choice."
On December 9, 1891, FJD and Julia were married at Temple Sinai by Rabbi
Max Heller where, according to the newspaper account, " a large and distinguished assembly congregated"
in the temple "decorated with palms and ferns." Those standing up for the young couple were Isidore Schooler,
Harry Hyman, J. Goldsmith, Leon J. Schwartz, Henry Friedman, Leon Kaufman, Charles Godchaux, Morris Levy, I. Blum,
and E.I. Johnson. The bridesmaids were Julia's sister, May Seeman, and FJD's sister, Blanche Dreyfous.
Julia was truly radiant, as the social columnist described, "gowned in a rich duchess satin with lilies brocaded
into it with such heavy and rich luster that it looked as if the bride was passing through a cloud of lilies."
The design was intensified by the front of the gown which was "flounced with wide point lilies" below
a "deep flounce of lilies of the valley." The neck had a "frill of point lace" and "high
puffed sleeves." As the columnist concluded, "The illusion that fell like a soft mist over this elegant
bridal attire was kept in position by a wreath of lilies of the valley." Ruth recalls that the Goodharts had
sent from Europe the train of Belgian rose point lace that went from the top of Julia's head to the floor. As brides,
Caroline Dreyfous Weiss and her daughters, Betty and Leta, and Julius' daughter, Carol Eiseman, subsequently all
wore that beautiful train in their weddings.
The reception was held at the Seeman home on St. Charles Avenue which "had been converted into a fairy bower
for the occasion with galleries enclosed in canvas and a canvas-covered banquet hall erected in the yard,"
while the parlors were "all agay with trees, ferns and tropical plants. On every side were crystal and silver
candelabras, shedding soft, mellow light." The rear of the large parlor had been arranged to look like a forest,
and amid the lovely foliage, the bride and groom stood to receive their guests. Prof. W.B. McCracken's band played
for the occasion.
Julia had all the wedding telegrams bound in a small book. Among those from family and friends throughout the country
was one from Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Durr of Montgomery, Alabama, a prominent cotton brokering family there. Their
daughter, Virginia Durr, became one of the leading white activists who paved the way for the civil rights movement
in the South and became a friend of Ruth's. They met at one of the summer seminars Ruth attended in Salzburg, and
then reestablished this connection their parents shared more than a half-century earlier.
That the bridal couple stood amidst foliage was emblematic of one of FJD's greatest loves and achievements, the
beginning of which practically coincided with the marriage--his work to found City Park and his lifelong love affair
with that beautiful oasis. FJD was always a gardener. As Ruth points out, it was a New Orleans custom that every
home in New Orleans should have a sweet olive tree, since it is such a lovely shrub and has such a pleasant fragrance.
As a young husband, FJD moved the sweet olive tree from Esplanade to Jackson Avenue, and many years later, to Audubon
Place where it grew too large to follow Ruth to Conery Street. George Seeman, Julia's father, was also a gardener,
and he gave his daughter and son-in-law cuttings from a split-leaf philodendron, and FJD planted his and subsequently
gave away many cuttings from the initial successful offspring. FJD also cultivated and transplanted many crotons,
and he filled the solarium of the Audubon Place house with them. One could look out over the crotons to the lush
and beautifully landscaped garden beyond.
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