Zoe Tilghman
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Zoe Agnes Stratton Tilghman (November 15, 1880- June 1964)[1][2] was an American writer and historian, best known for her biography of her husband, lawman Bill Tilghman.
Stratton was born in Greenwood County, Kansas, to Agnes M. Stratton, a homemaker mother, and rancher Mayo E. Stratton.[3]: 161 In 1887, the family moved to what would become Osage County, Kansas; in 1893 they moved again, this time to the Cherokee Outlet.[3]: 161 Throughout her childhood, Stratton became familiar with the region's flora and fauna,[3]: 161 and when she was older she would ride with her father's cowhands.[1]
Although mostly taught at home by her mother, for a time Stratton did attend public school in Arkansas City.[3]: 161 She went on to attend the University of Oklahoma's preparatory school for a year and a half, and then, in 1897, the university itself.[3]: 161 While at the University of Oklahoma, Stratton became the literary editor of Umpire Magazine, the school's literary magazine, and began to write poetry.[3]: 161
Marriage
Stratton met Bill Tilghman, a friend of her father, in 1900.[1] The two sent letters to each other while Stratton was at university, and Tilghman proposed to her in 1902.[1] The couple married on July 15, 1903,[1][3] and had a short honeymoon in Kansas City.[1] Now Zoe Tilghman, she moved into the house her husband had shared with his previous wife, Flora, and their three children.[1] Flora's children and Zoe had a tense relationship.[1] Tilghman had three sons with her husband.[1]
TIlghman worked as a schoolteacher for three years.[3]
