“Oma & Ed Matthews, Charlie Wilkersons sister”
Edward Matthew and Oma Wilkerson got married on February 26, 1898, in St. Clair in Missouri. Perhaps this photo was taken on their wedding day. Nancy Vioma “Oma” Wilkerson had been born on October 3, 1878, in St. Clair. She was 20 years old when she married Edward Matthew.
Ed was almost 10 years older, he had been born on February 22, in 1868. He was a railroad section foreman. Don’t you think that this gentleman looks a bit like Phil from Modern Family? Phil was never not smiling, though. Ed here seems to have been the more serious type.
Ed was one of the 8 children of carpenter George W. Matthew and Mary Jane née Turner. Ed’s siblings included William, George, Molley later Mathieu, James, Joseph, Charles and Robert Matthew.
Vioma was one of the nine children of farmer Thomas Kelly Wilkerson and his wife Nancy Jane née Copenhaver. Oma’s siblings included, besides the mentioned Charles “Charlie” Levi Wilkerson (1871-1941), Benjamin C., George, Hannah later Hudson, Marsha Inez later Crawford, Allis B., Laura T. later Hickman and Odessa M. later Green. Vioma’s father passed away in 1900 at just 53 years of age, leaving behind mum Nancy Jane to take care of 5 of their still underage children. Perhaps Oma and Ed helped her carry that burden by staying with her in the same household in Polk, St. Clair.
Oma and Ed went on to have six children: William Lawrence (1900-1986), Andrew B. (1905-1982), Elsie V. later Zumwalt, John D. (1911-1999), Atha later Harper (1914-1987) and Ida May later McKaughan (1918-2009).
As US was sucked into WWII, all three of Oma and Ed’s sons were drafted. And the youngest child, daughter Ida May, enlisted voluntarily in the Women’s Reserve Company!
Looks like all their children returned safe and sound, settled down and blessed Oma and Ed with lots of grandchildren. Hoping that some of them might still be out there, or have genealogy appreciating descendants who might miss this photo.
Ed passed away on January 18, 1961, in Peculiar Township, Cass County, Missouri. And Oma was reunited with him 4 years later, on May 17, 1965. They were both buried at the Orient Cemetery in Harrison, Cass County, Missouri.
Her obituary, published in The Clinton Eye of May 25, 1965, describes her as a cheerful person with a good sense of humour. Oma loved fine work like embroidery. Maybe you own a pillow or a doily she stiched?
Link: newspapers.com
I have added their photo to FindaGrave and to FamilySearch.
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