Beckham County, OK - Anniversaries, Matherly, 50th
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell)

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(The Beckham County Democrat, Erick, Beckham Co, Ok, 17 March 1927)

Golden Wedding of Matherlys Celebrated Feb. 22.
Silver threads wrought by Time, the greatest alchemist, were prevalent
among the gold when MR. AND MRS. W. H. MATHERLY of Erick, Okla., reenacted
on last Feb. 22 the ceremony by which they were joined in wedlock half a
century ago. The word "gold" is used advisedly, inasmuch as this
anniversary was one of those rare occasions when loved ones and
participants with gifts shaped of the world's most precious metal.
Presents there were galore, but that which brought greatest happiness to
the aged couple was the presence of their children and their children's
children.
To be sure, the scene was vastly different from that of 50 years ago when
TACY KILDOW first walked to the altar to become the bride of W. H.
MATHERLY. Privations of the pioneer days had been transcended by
prosperity that comes of perseverance and patience; tranquility had
replaced timidity; there was the happiness born of perfect understanding -
a tribute to stalwart manhood and womanhood.
Rev. S. N. Wilson of Erick presided at the ceremony when the marriage vows
were renewed in the presence of relatives and a few of the closest
friends. The setting for this auspicious occasion was perfected in
detail, having been designed by loving and artistic hands. Exactly at 8
o'clock P.M. the same hour as 50 years ago, the marriage rites were begun.
This was followed by the serving of a sumptuous wedding dinner.
It was on Feb. 22, 1877 that W. H. Matherly and Miss Tacy N. Kildow
cemented their betrothal at the home of her parents Rev. and Mrs. Josiah
Kildow, of Sullivan, Indiana. (Mr. And Mrs. Kildow later were honored
citizens of Gainsville). The Rev. W. H. Cain officiated at this wedding.
He was the grandfather of Will H. Hays, ex-postmaster general, now of
motion picture fame.
Mr. And Mrs. Matherly were students at Ascension Seminary, Normal
Sullivan, Ind., in 1873 and 1874. Prof. John T. Hays, father of Will
Hays, was one of their teachers and they were schoolmates of Miss Mamie
Cain, who later became the wife of Professor Hays. After their school
days were over, Mrs. Matherly taught school several terms, Mr. Matherly
being engaged as drug clerk in the store of R. Allen Pence of Terre Haute,
Ind.
Five years of residence in Terre Haute was followed by removal to
Gainsville, Texas, in 1882, where Mr. And Mrs. Matherly were highly
respected citizens for 18 years. It was here they built and owned their
first home.
On January 1, 1890 Mr. Matherly entered the service of Uncle Sam as letter
carrier in the Gainsville post office, being one of three men selected out
of 103 applicants for these positions. The appointment was made by W. L.
Pierce, who was post master. There were no civil service regulations in
those days. After serving in this capacity eleven years, Mr. Matherly
resigned and moved to Greer County, Indian Territory. He filed on a
homestead in December, 1899, where he and Mrs. Matherly reside at the
present time. A pretty home has replaced the temporary abode of earlier
days. They now own 400 acres of find land and are enjoying the fruits of
their labor.
He was born in a log cabin on Jordan's Lane, Three miles South of Terre
Haute, Ind., July 16, 1854. He comes of Kentucky stock, his parents
moving from that state to Indiana in 1825. Mr. Matherly is well known in
Oklahoma, having been selected by the Territorial and Oklahoma Governors
at different times as delegate to various conventions, among them the
Trans-Mississippi Congress at Muskogee; the National Agriculture
Association at Madison, Wis., the Federal Land Bank Convention, Oklahoma
City.
From 1910 to 1912 inclusive, he was county agent of Beckham County, Okla.
He was an active member of the Farmers Union for several years, being its
president for two years in Beckham County; also served in the state
organization. He did not let business interfere with his religious
duties, taking an active part in Sunday school work, serving as President
of the Texola Township Sunday School Association two years. Both he and
Mrs. Matherly are devout members of the Methodist Episcopal church, the
Bible ever serving as their guiding light.
Mrs. Matherly was born in Cedarville, Ohio, July 29, 1857. No great
tribute could be paid her than to point to the steadfastness of character
and purpose manifested by the long, faithful companionship to her husband
and the further fact of rearing a big family of splendid sons and
daughters. Of innate jovial disposition, with the Golden Rule as her
platform, she has continually scattered sunshine among thos coming within
her genial presence.
On the date of the golden wedding anniversary, open house was held from 2
to 8 o'clock P.M., during which time many friends called to pay their
loving respects. Among the visitors was a delegation of 20 business and
professional men of Erick, Okla., who presented Mr. Matherly with a gold
watch and also a $10 gold coin and Mrs. Matherly with a gold wrist watch
and a $10 gold coin. The presentation speeches were made by Dr. J. D.
Warford and Arthur Gillum. This was one of the most touching scenes of
the day, the participants shedding tears of unsubdued joy at such
manifestations of love and esteem. Scores of congratulatory messages and
remembrances were received from many points.
Members of the family present at the wedding anniversary included Mrs.
Alice pound, sister of Mr. Matherly, Pimento, Ind.; Mrs. Will Ward,
Piedmont, Okla.; Mr. And Mrs. Joe Matherly, Bakersfield, California; Mr.
And Mrs. Clyde Matherly, Galveston, Texas; Mr. And Mrs. Guy Matherly and
son, Maurice, Marietta, Okla.; Mr. And Mrs. Harry Davis and son William,
Oklahoma City.
(Other Matherly related notes: 17 March 1927: Mr. And Mrs. W. H. Matherly
left Tuesday for Oklahoma City where they will attend the Banquet given by
the Oklahoma News for all couples who have celebrated their Golden
Wedding, and will visit their daughter, Mrs. Harry. Davis.
30 December 1926: Joe Matherly of Glendale, California, has been appointed
Assistant District Attorney for Kerr County, California. He is the son of
Mr. And Mrs. W. H. Matherly of this county.)