Mathilda (Lilly) Catherine KERRIHARD

Notes:

found 14 Oct 2005 at http://iagenweb.org/montgomery/obits/watkinsmatildaobit.htm

Mrs. Matilda Catherine (Kerrihard) Watkins
17 August 1849 - 6 January 1927
Submitted by Sara Stevens Patton

RED OAK, IOWA, January 14, 1927 (Red Oak Sun?)
HAD LIVED HERE 70 YEARS.
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Mrs. R. Watkins Passed Away at Her Home Here, January 6--Had Lived Here Long Time.
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Funeral services for Mrs. R. Watkins, 77, a resident of this city for 70 years, who died Thursday at 1:15 p.m., at her home, 611 Second-st., from heart trouble, following an illness of four months, were held Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock from her home. Rev. L. L. Weis, pastor of the Methodist church, of which deceased was a member, conducted the services. Pall bearers were her six nephews: Ed, Geo. and W.R. Kerrihard, Tom Stratton, A. B. Chapman and Walter Stratton. Singing was by Mrs. Clarenct (sic) Stephenson, who sang two favorite selections of the deceased. Interment was in Red Oak (Evergreen) cemetery. those here from a distance in attendance at the funeral were Mrs. Anna Lloyd and daughter, Verna, and son, Harold, of Ogden, Utah; Mrs. M.A. Albright, and Guy Day, Red Cloud, Neb.; Walter Stratton, Omaha; J. F. Stratton, Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Davis, Mrs. Chas. Vanderpool, Mrs. Sue Hurd, Council Bluffs; Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Kissinger, Mr. and Mrs. Claude Owens, Omaha; Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Koons, Clarinda; Mrs. J. W. Spiker, Elliott, and Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Wilkins, Denver, Colo. Matilda Catherine Kerrihard was born at Straubston, Pa., Aug. 17, 1849. At the age of six years she came with her parents, Wm. and Susan Kerrihard, to Davenport, Iowa. They moved from there to Lewis, and came to Red Oak in 1857. On Christmas eve, 1868, she was married here to R. Watkins, the wedding being the first held in the old Methodist church at the corner of Sixth and Hammond-sts. The wedding took place under the first public Christmas tree to be held in Red Oak. Mr. and Mrs. Watkins were the parents of four daughters, the surviving are Mrs. Anna Lloyd, Ogden, Utah; Mrs. Harry Stevens, Red oak. Mrs. Alma Wilkins died in 1912 and Charlotte died in infancy. Besides her husband and two daughters and grandchildren Mrs. Watkins leaves no immediate relatives. Mrs. Watkins was a devout Methodist, a good mother, kind friend and neighbor and many will mourn her passing.

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Alternate birth location: Bloomsburg, Marion co, Pennsylvania (see 56th wedding anniversary notice for Randolph Watkins and Mathilda Kerrihard)
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Mathilda married Randolph WATKINS 24 Dec 1868, Red Oak, Montgomery, Iowa. Randolph was born 8 Dec 1844, Mt Vernon, OH; died Abt 3 Jun 1929, Red Oak, Montgomery, IA; was buried 3 Jun 1929, Evergreen Cemetery, Red Oak, Montgomery, Iowa. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

found on 14 Oct 2005 at http://iagenweb.org/montgomery/vr/watkins-kerrihard56th.htm

Mr. Randolph Watkins
and
Miss Matilda Catherine Kerrihard

56th Wedding Anniversary

Submitted by Sara Stevens Patton

Red Oak Express, Red Oak, Iowa Friday, January 1, 1925

Special to The Nonpareil
CELEBRATE FIFTIETH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
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Red Oak Couple Wed Fifty-six Years

RED OAK, Ia., Jan. 1. -- Fifty-six years ago Christmas eve, under the first public Christmas tree in Red Oak accompanied with a wedding march on the first piano ever brought into this city, Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Watkins were married, (by) Rev. Andrews in the first Methodist church built in this city and now used as an apartment house.
In honor of the occasion, the symbol of the Yuletide season--the Christmas tree--was the principal feature of the decorations in the Watkins home where their children and many relatives gathered to celebrate the event, the entire party attending the Christmas exercises at the Methodist church Christmas eve beside in recollection of the past event when the best gift on the old fashioned Christmas tree comprising a hickory tree with trunk and limbs wrapped in cotton and the decorations composed of pop corn string and muslin strips soaked in alum which when dry produced the glistening stincel effect on which was placed the marriage certificate which launched a happy companionship that has continued down through the years.
The first piano ever brought to Red Oak was in the old church and Mr. and Mrs. Watkins recall that for a short time it was feared that this wonderful instrument could not be used for the occasion as there was no one in the city that could play a piano. However, Mrs. DeLay happened to be spending the Christmas holiday in Red Oak and she was able to play and consented to do so for the event, thus eliminating the only possible marr (sic) to the occasion.
Mrs. Watkins has resided in this community for the past sixty-three years as a continuous resident. Her maiden name was Matilda Catherine Kerrihard. She was born in Bloomsburg, Marion county, Pa., August 17, 1849. With her parents she came to Red Oak from Davenport in 1861.
Mr. Watkins was born in Vernon, Ohio, December 8, 1844, and came to this city in an early day from Monmouth, Ill. He is unable to give the exact date but it was a short time after his wife came here with her parents.
They were the parents of three children, one having died. Two daughters, who were at home in honor of the event were Mrs. W. M. Lloyd, of Ogden, Utah, and Mrs. Harry E. Stevens, of Red Oak. They are the grandparents of eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Mrs. Lloyd and great granddaughter, Joyce Hall, of Ogden, and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Stevens and family were among the relatives present at the festivities which commemorated the anniversary.
Mrs. Watkins celebrated her 75th birthday in August and Mr. Watkins was 80 years of age December 8, but despite their advanced years they are hale and hearty and enjoy the blessings that come to those in happy wedlock in their fine home at 611 Second street in Red Oak.
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1. Anna WATKINS was born Abt 1871, Iowa.
2. Alma WATKINS was born Abt 1872, Iowa; died 1912.
3. Charlotte WATKINS
4. Bonnie WATKINS

Notes:

from census (1860, Iowa, Montgomery, Red Oak, Im 2, p 21), children born in Pennsylvania, until Thomas b in Iowa, 1856; establishes family moving from PA to IA ca 1853-1856;

from census (1860, Iowa, Montgomery, Red Oak, Im 2, p 21), John Knapp living with family; note Knapp's restaurant Tacoma, WA

William — Susanna FITZGERALD. Susanna was born Abt 23 Feb 1808, Pennsylvania; died 30 Nov 1883, Red Oak, Montgomery, Iowa; was buried Red Oak Jct. cemetery. [Group Sheet]