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In the above photograph appear Mr. And Mrs William Mathers and family, living at 28, Hodroyd Cottages, Brierley. Mr. W. Mathers, aged 57, came to this country 33 years ago from Belfast, Ireland, and was first employed at Cudworth Brickworks for two years, and at various collieries, including Grimethorpe, Monk Bretton, Houghton, and latterly at the Hodroyd Colliery, Brierley, where he was employed as a deputy for 20 years.

He was married to (formerly) Miss Howson, the daughter of Mrs. and late Mr. F Howson, of Cudworth, at the Cudworth Parish Church, the Rev. F. B. Greaves, the Parish Vicar at that time, officiating, on August 24th 1902. The family consists of eight sons and five daughters; Miss Katherine (30); Eleanor (29), the only married daughter (Mrs. Austin); William (28), eldest son; Thomas (27); Francis, now serving in the Royal Air Force being stationed in Grantham; Charles (24); John (22); Mary (21); Benjamin (20); Annie (18); Florence (17); Henry (15); and Ernest, aged 13 years, the youngest of 13 children.

Until recently Mr. Mathers was employed at the colliery, and now carries on poultry farming on an extensive scale. A lover of all animals, he is well known throughout the district as a dog fancier and breeder.