Matthias F. Cowley

Matthias F. Cowley

1858–1940 (81 years)

Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah

Biography

Matthias F. Cowley was an apostle from 1897 to 1905 when he resigned to avoid discipline for continuing plural marriages after the Manifesto. He was later disfellowshipped in 1911.

Unlike John W. Taylor who was excommunicated for similar offenses, Cowley received the lesser punishment of disfellowshipment. He continued to perform plural marriages secretly and married additional wives himself.

His priesthood was eventually restored in 1936, and he died in 1940. His case illustrates the uneven discipline applied to leaders who continued polygamy, and his son Matthew later became an apostle.

Served Under

Church presidents during this leader's apostolic service:

Wilford Woodruff
Wilford Woodruff
Lorenzo Snow
Lorenzo Snow
Joseph F. Smith
Joseph F. Smith
Heber J. Grant
Heber J. Grant

Wives (6)

Matthias F. Cowley was a polygamist with 6 wives. Note these are simultaneous marriages — married to multiple living spouses at the same time.

6 wives · Lifespan: 1858–1940

Harriet Delilah Harris
1884–1940 (56 yrs)
Abbie Hyde
1884–1931 (47 yrs)
Luella Smart Parkinson
1889–1940 (51 yrs)
Luella Parkinson
1899–1940 (41 yrs)
Harriet Bennion
1900–1923 (23 yrs)
Mary Lenora Taylor
1905–1940 (35 yrs)
1858 (born) 1879 1900 1921 1940 (died)
Wife

17 children from 5 wives · Lifespan: 1858–1940

Abbie Hyde
8 children
Luella Smart Parkinson
5 children
Luella Parkinson
2 children
Harriet Bennion
1 child
Mary Lenora Taylor
1 child
1858 (born) 1879 1900 1921 1940 (died)
Wife Child born

6 wives · Ages at marriage

Her age His age Teenage bride (<18)
#NameBornDiedMarriedHer AgeHis AgeAge DiffChildren
1
Harriet Delilah Harris
Dec 17, 1862Sep 17, 1947 May 21, 1884 212549
2
Abbie Hyde Abbie Hyde
Jan 19, 1863Aug 25, 1931 May 21, 1884 212548
3
Luella Smart Parkinson Luella Smart Parkinson
Sep 22, 1870Nov 23, 1962 Sep 22, 1889 1931125
4
Luella Parkinson
Sep 22, 1874Jan 22, 1958 Oct 25, 1899 2541162
5
Harriet Bennion Harriet Bennion
Dec 18, 1858Jun 22, 1923 Jun 1, 1900 4141—1
6
Mary Lenora Taylor Mary Lenora Taylor
Mar 28, 1885Jan 8, 1971 Sep 16, 1905 2047271

Children (26)

With Harriet Delilah Harris  (9 children)

With Abbie Hyde Abbie Hyde  (8 children)

  1. Matthias Hyde Cowley (b. Jan 1, 1885)
  2. Sarah Abbie Cowley (b. Jan 1, 1886)
  3. Anna Leona Cowley (b. Jan 1, 1888)
  4. Moses Foss Cowley (b. Jan 1, 1892)
  5. William Hyde Cowley (b. Jan 1, 1895)
  6. Matthew Cowley Matthew Cowley (b. Jan 1, 1897)
  7. Carol Elizabeth Cowley (b. Jan 1, 1899)
  8. Charles Gloyd Cowley (b. Jan 1, 1901)

With Luella Smart Parkinson Luella Smart Parkinson  (5 children)

  1. Laura Parkinson Cowley (b. Jan 1, 1893)
  2. Samuel Parkinson Cowley (b. Jan 1, 1899)
  3. Elna Parkinson Cowley (b. Jan 1, 1901)
  4. Joseph Foss Cowley (b. Jan 1, 1906)
  5. Heber Carter Cowley (b. Jan 1, 1916)

With Luella Parkinson  (2 children)

  1. Samuel P. Cowley (b. Jan 1, 1899)
  2. Laura Cowley (b. Jan 1, 1901)

With Harriet Bennion Harriet Bennion  (1 child)

  1. Lois Bennion Cowley (b. Jan 1, 1902)

With Mary Lenora Taylor Mary Lenora Taylor  (1 child)

  1. Louis Matthias Cowley Burgener (b. Jan 1, 1906)