From the Matagorda County History & Genealogy page
EDITOR’S NOTE: C.J. Wildman arrived in Palacios in 1904 as the then-townsite’s resident manager. He was revered in his time and in his passing at the age of 38.
The following is the obituary that ran in the Palacios Beacon in 1917. The obituary tells much about Wildman’s contributions.
That “in the midst of life we are in death” was brought to sad and forceful realization by all the citizens of Palacios, when the word came that Mr. C. J. Wildman, of this city, had died at the hospital in Decatur, Ill., at one o’clock last Sunday afternoon, the message being received here about two hours later.
Last week’s Beacon stated that Mr. Wildman’s condition was considered most serious and that Mrs. Wildman left Thursday for the bedside of her husband.
She arrived at Decatur Sunday morning a few hours before his death. Dr. Murry Wildman, of Ft. Dodge, Iowa, only brother of the deceased, was also with him when the end came.
The body was embalmed and shipped to Palacios, arriving in Blessing on the Wednesday night Brownsville train, where it was met by undertaker Rittenhouse with an auto and brought to Palacios, the remains lying in state at the family home of the deceased on Pavilion street Wednesday from 1 to 5 p. m., where many friends called for a last look at the face of one whom they knew so well and esteemed so highly.
Funeral services were held at the Presbyterian church Thursday morning at 10 o’clock, conducted by the pastor, Rev. Shepherd, the pastors of all the other churches assisting, followed by the last sad rites at the city cemetery.
The Palacios State Bank was closed all day yesterday and business houses of the city closed from 9:30 a. m. to 1 o’clock p. m., and the public schools were closed during the forenoon as a tribute of respect to the deceased.
The services at the church at 10 o’clock yesterday morning, were most beautiful and impressive, and the large auditorium could not contain the assembly of friends who came to pay a last tribute of remembrance to the deceased.
The chancel, platform and organ were beautifully decorated with white drapery and evergreen and a large profusion of beautiful flowers and floral designs. The floral offerings from friends at home and abroad were numerous and of rare beauty. A double quartet made up from the several church choirs of the city furnished music.
The solo, “When I Shall See Him Face to Face,” was sung by Miss Norine Gardner with tenderest expression and in most beautiful voice. While the casket was being brought into the church the choir sang “Lead Kindly Light,” the service opening with an eloquent and comforting prayer by Pastor Boyle of the Christian church.
Rev. Gettys, pastor of the Baptist church, read the scripture selection and offered an invocation. Dr. Wolf, president of the Palacios Academy, one of the close personal friends of Mr. Wildman delivered a touching eulogy and personal tribute to the deceased, and which came from the heart and its beauty and tenderness brought comfort to the sorrowing ones.
The service at the church was concluded with a brief memoir of the departed by Rev. Shepherd, who also made the final address, which came from a heart filled with sympathy for and brought solace to the mourning family.
A large concourse to the cemetery where the last sad rites were performed.
The out of town relatives who were here to attend the funeral were Dr. Murry Wildman, brother of the deceased, and wife of Ft. Dodge, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Pridgen, of Yoakum, and Dr. and Mrs. Pridgen, and the father of the Messrs. Pridgen of Thomaston. The Pridgens being the uncles and grandfather of Mrs. Wildman.
C. J Wildman was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Wildman, who are honored and esteemed residents of Palacios, and was born at New Providence, Hardin County, Iowa, May 23rd, 1878, and was therefore 38 years, 6 months and 18 days of age at the time of his death.
He was a graduate of Earlham College in Richmond, Ind., finishing the course in that institution at the age of 22 years.
Of the immediate family he leaves to mourn his seemingly untimely death, his wife, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Oaks of this city, to whom he was wedded July 28, 1907, and their two bright and beautiful children—a daughter and a son, his aged parents and an elder brother, Dr. Murry Wildman, of Ft. Dodge, Iowa.
The brother was with him in his last hours and accompanied the remains to Palacios and attended the funeral. To the bereaved we can say there are many hearts in Palacios that ache with theirs in the bonds of genuine sorrow.
In the death of Mr. C. J. Wildman Palacios loses her leading and foremost citizen, and there are few if any who have been residents of the city as long as he.
In 1904 Mr. Wildman came to Palacios as the resident manager of the Palacios City Townsite Company, an auxiliary of the Palacios Rice and Development Co., which platted the town and placed the property on the market.
Mr. Wildman continued as local manager of the Townsite until 1907, when he became associated with the Koch Land Co., as its local agent, and which settled up what is known as the Turtle Bay section, west of the city.
Mr. Wildman was one of the organizers of the Palacios State Bank, and was its first president for some time, and was a member of the bank’s board of directors at the time of his death.
It is to his splendid and well directed efforts while manager of the Townsite Co., that Palacios is indebted for its really most valuable asset and of which every citizen is proud, that is the Texas B. Y. P. U. encampment, which removed from LaPorte to Palacios in 1906, and has since expended thousands of dollars in improving and beautifying its grounds, and brings thousands of visitors to our city every summer, and which has done more than all else to make Palacios known not only all over Texas, but throughout the whole nation and even in foreign lands.
In every undertaking for the promotion of the interest and welfare of Palacios Mr. Wildman has been a prominent and most effective worker, and when the city’s interest demanded representation anywhere at any time, Mr. Wildman was one of the first to be delegated to attend to the work, and which he always did cheerfully and with enthusiasm.
Truthfully it may be said that there is little if anything in or about Palacios that is really worth while that at some point does not bear the evidence of Mr. Wildman’s effective work and assistance.
In social life he was a genial, sociable and companionable gentleman, greeting friend and stranger alike with a bright smile and a word of cheer an encouragement.
He was forward looking all the time, and the future to him was always rich in bright and fruitful promises, and the disappointments and discouragements that came to him as they do to all, never for a moment dampened his ardor or dispelled his enthusiasm. He loved his friends devotedly and his enemies if he had any, never disturbed the tenor of his way.
Speaking personally we can say that we have lost a friend whose confidence and esteem we prized most highly, and one whom it will ever be a pleasure to have claimed in the close relationship of friend; one the remembrance of whom will always remain a treasured memory.
Were it given to us to indite his epitaph, the inscription would be: “He lived to bless mankind.”
Palacios Beacon, February 16, 1917