A Father of Daughters

Luke Matthews is on of my big 16.  He is one of my 2nd times great grandfather on my maternal line.  He married a woman named Martha Wilson.  Together they had 9 daughters.  

LUKE MATTHEWS
+MARTHA WILSON
1.  Sara Ann Matthews
2.  Elizabeth Matthews
3.  Edith Matthews
4.  Maud Matthews
5.  Nellie Ellen Matthews
6.  Ethel Matthews
7.  Edna Grace Matthews
8.  Blanche Hazel Matthews
9.  Beatrice Laura Matthews

While I research this particular family, I can't help but wonder what kind of a father Luke was to all these girls. At this time period I can only guess that a few boys would have been helpful.  Luke worked as a coal miner, and seemingly provided a nice life for his girls.  I would like to think that they had a close family bond.  The girls were all born in Perry county, Ohio, but then later moved to Washington county, Pennsylvania with their parents.  

This photograph was taken just a few days before his 4th daughter would pass away.  Her names was Maud Matthews. I love the idea that maybe the family knew she was not doing well, and decided to take the time to have this portrait done so that they could always have a piece of her with them.  (Maude is sitting in between her parents)

I will never truly know their family dynamic, but it is something I always like to think about when working on a particular family.