Col. Charles C. Mather

Author of A History of Culver Military Academy 1894-1956) Col. Charles C. Mather His brilliant writing career extends fnom Zieg-fold Follies sketches to nationally acclaimed articles of drama criticism. A graduate of Lake Forest College, he also studied at Stanford and at Harvard in George P. Baker's famous English 47 course.

Books written

Dramatics Technique. Culver, Ind., 1931
Behind the Footlights; a Book on the Techniques of Dramatics (with others). New York, 1935.
A History of the Culver Academy, 1894-1956. Culver, Ind., 1960.
"Notice, Sirs!" - editor of an anthology of essays by Culver men

Col Charles Chambers Mather BIRTH May 10, 1891 Ottumwa, Wapello county Iowa DEATH Aug. 25,1962 Plymouth, Marshall county, Indiana BURIAL Masonic Cemetery Culver, Marshall County, Indiana son of Edwin Hale Mather and Anna Lorraine Chambers

Charles C. Mather , 71, Dies Saturday After Long Illness

Charles Chambers Mather,71, retired chairman of the English Academy and one of the country'sleading drama educators, died Parkview Hospital, Plymouth, died Saturday afternoon, Aug. 25, in in Parkview Hospital, Plymouth

Death was attributed to cancer. He had been in ill health for several years and was hospitalizdc several weeks ago.

Doctor Mather was born May 10, 1891, in Ottumwa, Iowa, graduated from Ottumwa High School, and then matriculated to Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, Ill. Majoring in English and German at Lake Forest Doctor Mather received his A.B. degree in 1914.

For high academic achievement, he was awarded Shield Honors and spoke at the 1914 commencement. The late Professor G. Walter Bridgeman said of Doctor Mather, "We consider him the best natural actor we have had here in years, particularly in the field of comedy.' He also was editor of the student yearbook, a varsity footbail player for three years, a varsity baseball player for three years, and captain in his senior year. He always took a keen interest in Lake Forest affairs. In 1947, in recognition of his outstanding abilities as an educator and dramatist and his devotion to his alma mater, he was awarded an honorary doctor of pedagogy degree by Lake Forest College.

Following graduation from Lake Forest, Doctor Mather studied at Harvard for a year under Professor George P. Baker in the famed English 47 course. Later, he also did additional graduate work at Stanford University. Following his year at Harvard, Doctor Mather returned to Lake Forest College for two years to teach English and dramatics.

He then enlisted in the Army Air Force during World War I and served as a flying cadet.

After teaching English and German for two years at The Evans School, Mesa, Ariz., Doctor Mather joined the Culver Military Academy faculty in 1921 as an English, dramatics and public speaking instructor. He was named acting chairman of the English Department in 1932 became chairman in 1935, a position he held until 1955. From 1944 to 1956 he also was assistant to the superintendent. In 1956-57, he was chairman of the Academy's public relations department. Since 1957 he has been a part-time consultant in public relations.

An inspired and inspiring teacher, Doctor Mather is beloved by generations of former students, many of whom have kept in touch with him by letters and personal visits throughout his life. He is credited with introducing to literature and drama an exciting interest in these fields In a number of students who have achieved fame. Among them are Joshua Logan, stage and motion picture director and producer; Ernest Gann, author; Hal Holbrook, actor; Edmund North, motion picture writer; and H. Oliver Rea, play producer. Mr. Logan often sent scripts he was considering to Doctor Mather for criticism and asked him to dress rehearsals of his plays to make critical comment. At the Culver commencement in June 1961 Doctor Mather's former students presented to the Academy a plaque in his honor. The inscription reads, "He stirred our minds and nourished our dreams".

He fanned the flame, however feeble, he found in each of us." The plaque is located in the Eugene C. Eppley Auditorium, a magnificent theater for which Doctor Mather advised on the stage, lighting, and equipment. Doctor Mather was a pioneer in the field of outdoor theater, and for years he put on spectacular pageants during Culver summer sessions. He spoke on the outdoor theater at the opening of the Yale Theater in 1927. He also directed 99 student productions and many productions of a little theater group known as the Maxinkuckee Mummers.

For several summers Doctor Mather was associated with the old Silver Beach Theatre on Cape Cod. Doctor Mather was a prolific writer in the theater, education, and history. He is the author of a drama textbook, "Behind the Footlights;" a history, "History Culver Military Academy 1894-1956;" compiler of a book of aphorisms, "Sentiments to Live By," and editor of an anthology of essays by Culver men, "Notice, Sirs!" In addition, Doctor Mather wrote many articles for various educational journals. Over the years Doctor Mather was active in many educational organizations. In 1961 he was awarded an honorary life membership in the American EducaTheatre Association.

Doctor Mather resided on Academy Road, Culver. His wife, the former Alice Douglas whom he met while both were students at Lake Forest College, died in 1959.

Surviving are two daughters: Mrs. James E. Cocker, 507 5th St., New Cumberland, Pa., and Mrs. E. M. Wehner, 4875 Pinewood Dr., Lorain, Ohio. Services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28, at the Memorlal Chapel on the Academy campus with the Rev. W.C.R. Sheridan, pastor of St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, Plymouth, officiating.

Interment was made in the Culver Masonic Cemetery.

The Easterday Funeral Home was In charge of arrangements. - Culver Citizen Aug 29, 1962

married 22 Oct 1921 Alice Elizabeth Douglas BIRTH June 7. 1894 Waukegan, Ill. DEATH 1959 Culver, Marshall county, Indiana BURIAL Masonic Cemetery Culver, Marshall County, Indiana daughter of Charles William Douglas and Elizabeth Harter

Mrs. C. C. Mather Greatly Mourned By Townspeople

Death came Saturday morning after a long illness to Mrs. Alice Mather, age 65, at her home on Faculty Row on the Culver MilLtary Academy campus. Mrs. Mather. wife of Col. Charles C. Mather. came to Culver with her husband in 1921.

She was born in Waukegan, Ill., on June 7. 1894

Colonel Mather, until his retirement. was the head of the Academy's drama and public speaking department. He won national renown in that field and started many cadets, including Joshua Logan of "South Pacific" fame, on successful careers in the t heatre. Since his retirement he has been handling special 98- signments for the school's public relations department.

Other survivors are two daugh• ters, Mrs. James E. Cocker of Vineland. N. J.. and Mrs. Edward M. Wehner of Lorain, Ohio.

Final rites were held at the Memorial Chapel on the CMA campus Monday morning with the Rev. Fr. William C. R. Sheridan, pastor of St. Thomas' Episcopal Church at Plymouth. officiating.

Interment was in Culver Masonic Cemetery

Easterday Funeral Home was la charge of arrangements. Culver Citizen Sep 9, 1959

Children:

Alice Elizabeth "Betty" Mather Birth Date 26 Feb 1923 Union twp, Marshall, Indiana married 1 Sep 1951 Culver, Indiana James Earl Cocker

Patricia "Pat" Anne Mather Birth 17 Jun 1927 Union twp, Marshall, Indiana DEATH 12 DEC 2013 Lorain, Lorain County, Ohio married 30 Dec 1951 Culver, Indiana Edward Michael Wehner, divorced 4 Oct 1963 Lorain, Ohio
LORAIN - Patricia A. (nee Mather) Wehner, 86, of Lorain, passed away Thursday, December 12, 2013, at Cleveland Metro Health Medical Center.

Pat touched the lives of many as a third grade teacher in the Sheffield-Sheffield Lake School System. Following her retirement, she received her master's degree in counseling children where she continued to touch the lives of so many. Pat's family and friends will miss her wonderful sense of humor, compassion, and giving spirit.

She loved teaching her children about Greek myths and the history of the American Indians. Pat was also known as a gifted artist and writer of fairy tales. She will be deeply missed by all those who were fortunate enough to have had her in their lives.

She leaves her loving son, Doug and daughter-in-law, Natalie (nee Dobos); along with her grandson, Christopher.

Pat was preceded in death by her father, Colonel Charles C. Mather; mother, Alice (nee Douglas) Mather; and sister, Betty.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Ave., Lorain.

Funeral services will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the A-Frame Chapel at Resthaven Memory Gardens, 3700 Center Road, Avon. ' (Please meet at the cemetery.) - Morning Journal.com Dec. 16, 2013

Iowa, U.S., Births (series) 1880-1904, 1921-1944 and Delayed Births (series), 1856-1940 
Charles Chambers Mather	
Birth 10 May 1891 Ottumwa, Wapello, Iowa 	
Father Edwin Hale Mather 
Mother Anna L Chambers 

Indiana, U.S., Birth Certificates, 1907-1944  
Name	Alice Elizabeth Mather
Gender	Female
Birth Date	26 Feb 1923
Birth Place	Union, Marshall, Indiana, USA
Father Charles Chambers Mather
Mother Alice Elizabeth Douglas
Certificate Number	9086
Roll number	40474_357304
Volume Range	16 - 20 

Indiana, U.S., Birth Certificates, 1907-1944 
Name	Patricia Anne Macher [Patricia Anne Mather]
Gender	Female
Birth Date	17 Jun 1927
Birth Place	Union, Marshall, Indiana, USA
Father Charles Chambers Mather
Mother Alice Elizabeth Douglas
Certificate Number	29151
Roll number	40474_357846
Volume Range	56 - 60

1930 United States Federal Census 
Name	Charles C Mather
Birth Year	abt 1892
Gender	Male
Race	White
Age in 1930	38
Birthplace	Iowa
Marital Status	Married
Relation to Head of House	Head
Home in 1930	Union, Marshall, Indiana, USA
Map of Home	Union,Marshall,Indiana
House Number	See 12-45
Dwelling Number	347
Family Number	351
Home Owned or Rented	Owned
Home Value	10, 000
Radio Set	Yes
Lives on Farm	No
Age at First Marriage	29
Attended School	No
Able to Read and Write	Yes
Father's Birthplace	Pennsylvania
Mother's Birthplace	Pennsylvania
Able to Speak English	Yes
Occupation	Teacher
Industry	Military School
Class of Worker	Wage or salary worker
Employment	Yes
Veteran	Yes
War	WW
Neighbors	View others on page
Household members
Name	Age
Charles C Mather	38
Alice E Mather	34
Alice E Mather	7
Patricia A Mather	2 

1940 United States Federal Census 
Name	Charles C Matter
Age	49
Estimated Birth Year	abt 1891
Gender	Male
Race	White
Birthplace	Iowa
Marital Status	Married
Relation to Head of House	Head
Home in 1940	Union, Marshall, Indiana
Map of Home in 1940	Union,Marshall,Indiana
Farm	No
Inferred Residence in 1935	Union, Marshall, Indiana
Residence in 1935	Union
Resident on farm in 1935	No
Sheet Number	18B
Number of Household in Order of Visitation	373
Occupation	Instructor
House Owned or Rented	Owned
Value of Home	8,000
Attended School or College	No
Highest Grade Completed	College, 5th or subsequent year
Hours Worked Week Prior to Census	50
Class of Worker	Wage or salary worker in private work
Weeks Worked in 1939	52
Income	3800
Income Other Sources	No
Neighbors	View others on page
Household members
Name	Age
Charles C Matter	49
Alice D Matter	45
Betty Matter	17
Patricia Matter	12

1950 United States Federal Census 
Name	Charles C Mather
Age	58
Birth Date	abt 1892
Gender	Male
Race	White
Birth Place	Iowa
Marital Status	Married
Relation to Head of House	Head
Residence Date	1950
Home in 1950	Union, Marshall, Indiana, USA
Street Name	Indiana Avenue
House Number	3
Dwelling Number	463
Farm	No
Acres	No
Occupation	Assistant Administrator
Industry	Military school
Occupation Category	Working
Hours Worked	50
Worker Class	Government
Household members
Name	Age
Charles C Mather	58
Alice D Mather	54
Alice E Mather	27 

Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899-2011 
Name	Alice Elizabeth Mather
Gender	Female
Race	White
Age	65
Marital Status	Married
Birth Date	7 Jun 1894
Birth Place	Waukegan, Illinois
Death Date	5 Sep 1959
Death Place	Culver, Marshall, Indiana, USA
Death Registration Date	1959
Father	Charles W. Douglas
Mother	Elizabeth Harter

Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899-2011 
Name	Charles Chambers Mather
Gender	Male
Race	White
Age	71
Marital Status	Widowed
Birth Date	5 Oct 1891
Birth Place	Iowa
Death Date	25 Aug 1962
Death Place	Plymouth, Marshall, Indiana, USA
Death Registration Date	1962
Father	Edwin J Mather
Mother	Anna Chambers