Children of O.K. and Frances

Benjamin and Ada's marriage date was reported to have been 28 Sep 1896, undoubtedly incorrect. It could have been 28 Sep 1906. Ada may have also been called Anna.

May 1910 Census, Easley Township, Macon County, MO: Jeweler Victor B. Mathis 26, IA America America, married for 3 years; Ada 26, MO MO MO; Claude E. age 7/12, MO MO MO.[1] Son Claude was probably named after brother-in-law Claude Breidenthal.

7 Sep 1918: Benjamin Victor Mathis registered for the draft in Elizabethtown, KY, being employed as a carpenter for John Griffith & Son at Camp Henry Knox, and residing in Hardin County, KY. Age 35, he gave his birth date as 10 Jun 1883, and described himself as tall, stout, with brown eyes and black hair. His wife Ada B. Mathis resided at 1810 Hayes, Nashville, TN.

9 Apr 1930 Census, Clarksdale, Coahoma County, MS: Plumber Benjamin Mathis 47, IA IA IA, married for 23 years, IA IA IA; Ada 47, MO MO MO; Claude 20, MO IA MO; Frances 17. They were residing on Cypress Street.[2]

Benjamin abandoned his family to run off with another woman. It was only many years later that Benjamin and his son were reconciled.[3]

25 Sep 1880: Alpheus "Fred" Swicegood was born in Davidson County, NC, the son of William and Caroline Winkler Swicegood.

17 Jun 1888: Minnie Isabelle Mathis was born in New Virginia, Warren County, IA.[4]

24 Nov 1910: Minnie and Fred were married at the Mathis residence in Fairview, Newton County, MO. When applying for the marriage license, Fred had given his residence as Salem, Dent County.

11 Sep 1918: Alphus Fred Swicegood, age 37, born 25 Sep 1880, a resident of Neosho, Newton County, MO, husband of Mrs. Minnie Isa Swicegood of Neosho, registered for the draft in Orieto, OK. Employed as a machinist for Drumright Gas Engine Company in Creek County, OK, Fred was described as tall, of medium build, blue eyes and black hair, with no physical disabilities. Although signed by the registrar in Orieto County, OK, it was stamped by the Neosho Board in MO.

25 Feb 1920 Census, Shannon, Creek County, OK: Gas engineer Alphus S. Swicegood 39, NC NC NC; Minnie 31, IA IL NY. The "street or location" was given as "Prairie Oil & Gas Litchfield Lease".[5]

10 Apr 1930 Census, Shannon, Creek County, OK: Alphus Swicegood age 49, NC NC NC, married at age 30, a "gas engineer" working in the "oil field"; Minnie 41, IA IL IL, married at age 22. They were residing on a "Dirt Road".[6]

Minnie was heavy woman who was a lifelong diabetic. Richard Breidenthal, her great-nephew, remembers her as a sweet, kind woman. With no children of her own, Minnie always seemed glad to have Helen Gaugh Breidenthal and her children visit Tulsa in the summer.

c. 17 Aug 1965: Minnie died in Tulsa. She and Fred are buried in Bristow Cemetery, Creek County, OK.

23 Jan 1890: Orange Ernest Mathis was born in Warren County, IA.[7] Ernie and Hazel were twins.

31 May 1893: Bertha Inman was born in Dent County, MO, the daughter of John William Inman and Mary Jane Plank.

5 Jun 1917, Falls City, NE: According to his Draft Registration Card, Orange Ernest Mathis was born 23 Jan 1890 in New Virginia, IA. Although he claimed to be a married farmer, he did NOT claim a wife or child as solely dependent on his income. Described as tall, medium build, light brown eyes and dark brown hair, Ernie claimed exemption from service due to weak eyes and a broken knee joint.

30 Jun 1920 Census, Tiger, Creek County, OK: Ernest O. Mathis 30, IA IL IL, a pumper for the S.O.F. Company; Bertha L. age 26, MO MO MO. This is the same county in Oklahoma where brother-in-law Fred Swicegood was employed in 1917.[8]

According to daughter Betty, Ernie was in business with his father in a saw mill in El Dorado, MO; in Bethany, MO he was a farmer; and he later became a truck driver.[9]

17 Apr 1930 Census, Kansas City, Jackson County, MO: Ernest O. Mathis 38, IA IL IL, married at 21, an automobile mechanic paying rent of $22.50 at 1402 Wabash Avenue; Bertha L. age 33, MO MO MO, married at 18, a photographer at a photo studio.[10]

21 Mar 1931: Ernie married Nancy Smith Eslinger, the ceremony being performed by [brother-in-law] Rev. Claude Breidenthal at the First Christian Church. The witnesses were [Nancy's half-brother] Fred and Goldie.

He was called "Dirty Ernie" by many in the family, hopefully because of his mechanical work. Like his father Orange, he had a mean streak and would occasionally beat daughter Betty. A habitual liar, Ernie also deserted his second wife, running away with a young waitress.[11]

1976: Bertha Inman Mathis Wheller died. She is buried in Crawford Cemetery, Crawford County, MO.

Children of Orange Ernest and Nancy Mathis: Ernie supposedly also had two sons, names unknown, by his first wife Bertha Inman. If so, they weren't in evidence in the 1920 or 1930 Censuses.

If you have material about any individuals included in Nancy's Dead Relatives, can add well-documented family lines, have corrections and/or comments, or wish to establish a link to or from this site, please contact me at nancy@nancysdeadrelatives.com. However, the decision whether or not to include any submitted material is the webmaster's (mine) alone.

Any information is only as reliable as its source. Evaluate the following sources accordingly.

[1] Macon County 1910 Census, ED 25, Sheet 7A

[2] Coahoma County 1930 Census, ED 14-17, Sheet 10A

[3] Betty Mathis Johnson

[4] Warren County Birth Record

[5] Creek County 1920 Census, ED 50, Sheet 3B

[6] Creek County 1930 Census, ED 19-50, Sheet 8B

[7] Warren County Birth Record.

[8] Creek County 1920 Census, ED 267, Sheet 4A

[9] Betty Mathis Johnson

[10] Jackson County 1930 Census, ED 48-137, Sheet 20A

[11] Betty Mathis Johnson