Private Malachi Edward Oliver
United States Marine Corps, World War I
May 1, 2025 - Malachi Edward and his twin sister Bettie Jane were born in Shelby County, Texas, in the far eastern part of the state, on Sunday, September 9, 1894. Their mother, Sarah Susan Cox, was born in Mississippi, and their father, Albert Marion, was a native Texan. Besides his twin, Malachi had six other siblings: Diana (1888), Joseph (1891), Lena (1892), Margie (1896), Ella (1897), and Albert (1899). Lena was the only child not reaching adulthood, passing at twelve.
The World War had been raging in Europe for two years when Malachi decided to voluntarily enlist in the US Marine Corps. At the age of 22, he traveled from Shelby County to Houston, Texas, and took the oath of enlistment on July 3, 1916. Becoming a US Marine Corps Private, Oliver, serial # 979636, was sent by passenger train to Parris Island, South Carolina to begin basic training. The United States entered the World War on April 6, 1917, as Malachi was assigned occupation duty with the 31 Company in the Dominican Republic and later the 28 Company. In June 1918, he returned to Parris Island, where he completed NCO [Noncommissioned Officer] School. The World War ended on November 11, 1918, and Malachi continued his Marine Corps service at Quantico, Virginia, Parris Island, and Mare Island, California. He was honorably discharged on October 10, 1919, with an " excellent " character rating. He was awarded the World War I Victory Medal for his thirty-eight months of service.
Malachi married Miss Olah Paden in Taylor County, Texas after his military service. They would be blessed with five daughters and a son from 1920 to 1930. Census records to 1950 noted Malachi working mainly as a farmer in Taylor County, Greely, Oklahoma, Hockley County, Texas, and Shelby County. On April 27, 1942, he registered for what was called the “old man’s draft” and while not called to serve at the age of 47, Malachi saw a second world war begin and end in his lifetime.
He lived a long life, passing at the age of 91 on June 24, 1986, in Shelby County. He was buried in Oaklawn Memorial Park, Center, Texas, beside his wife, Ola, who preceded him in 1979. Mangum Funeral Home, Center, Texas, oversaw the funeral arrangements. Day is done, God is nigh.
Sources:
(1): Year: 1900; Census Place: Justice Precinct 6, Shelby, Texas; Roll: 1669; Page: 4; Enumeration District: 0091; FHL microfilm: 1241669
(2): "Texas, World War I Records, 1917-1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9MN-8FWK?cc=2202707&wc=334P-6TL%3A1561302002%2C1561302001 : 26 March 2015), Marine Corps, enlisted > Lambert, Charlie Earl-Wyche, Judson, 1917-1920 > image 922 of 2943; Texas Military Forces Museum, Austin.
(3): Johnson County Clerk's Office; Denton, Texas; Smith County Marriage Records; Volumes: 8; Pages: 074
