Person:Ida Cornelius (3)

1900 Census, Blount County, AL; June, 1900; Chepultipec Precinct #11; J. B. Sloan-Enumerator: 100-100Cornelius, Thos B., Head, W, M, July 1853, 46, Married 26 years, AL, AL, AL Eliott F., Wife, W, F, Oct. 1853, 46, Married 26 years, 5 child, 5 living, AL, AL, AL Thos M., Son, W, M, Mar. 1877, 23, Single, AL, AL, AL John M., Son, W, M, Sept. 1881, 18, Single, AL, AL, AL Ida B., Daughter, W, F, May 1885, 15, Single, AL, AL, AL Lula N., Daughter, W, F, Dec. 1888, 11, Single, AL, AL, AL Rodgers, Wm. F., Son-in-law, W, M, July 1870, 29, Married 3 years, AL, GA, GA Mary A., Daughter, W, F, Oct. 1878, 21, Married 3 years, 1 child, 1 living, AL, AL, AL Edna I, Granddaughter, W, F, Oct. 1896, 3, Single, AL, AL, AL

The Alabama Journal Friday, May 8, 1970 Memory Chapel PHILLIPS, Mrs. Ida B., 84, of 28 S. Madison Terrace and of Montgomery for 8 years died Friday at 8 a.m. in a local hospital after an extended illness. She was a member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church. Services will be Saturday at 2 p.m. from Leak Memory Chapel with the Rev. Jack atkinson officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery with Leak-Memory directing. Survivors include the husband, Jesse M. Phillips, Montgomery; one daughter, Mrs. Bulah Mae French, Montgomery; one granddaughter, Mrs. Barbara J. Johnston, Montgomery, and one great-grandson, Robert C. Johnston, Montgomery.

The Montgomery Advertiser May 10, 1970 Page 11C Memory Chapel PHILLIPS, Mrs. Ida B. Services were from Leak-Memory Chapel at 2 p.m. Saturday with the Rev. Jack Atkinson officiating. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers were Jimmy Hinds, Reginald Summerlin, Bill Bradley, Chris Williams, Bobby Harris and Michael Sealy.

Medical Information: Ida B. Phillips died in Montgomery Baptist Hospital. She died at 8 a.m. Beulah Mae French was the informant. Residence 1: May 08, 1970, 28 S. Madison Terrace, Montgomery, AL17 Residence 2: December 07, 1951, 4036 39th Court North, Birmingham, AL

Marriage Notes for IDA CORNELIUS and JESSE PHILLIPS: AT DOUBLE WEDDING 60 YEARS AGO, TREE STUMP HELPS FOIL MATCHMAKING PAIR The Birmingham News (Alabama), Friday, March 10, 1967 By John Willoughby, News staff writer When Ida Belle Cornelius stuffed her clothes in an oak stump to evade her father, she set off a chain of events that produced more than half a century of "togetherness" for four people. Today, two couples celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary here, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Phillips were up from Montgomery to see Mr. and Mrs. Forney Mize. This alone would give them plenty to talk about and remember, but the relationship of the four have a beginning that's worth more than a little reflection. Up in the Blount County of 1907, a young lady's choice of husbands wasn't always hers to make. Or at least that's the way most fathers had it figured. BENTON CORNELIUS was a well-to-do farmer whose daughter Ida Belle was to marry a gentleman of her father's choosing. When Miss Cornelius became of marrying age, her father would scout the available qualified young men and make a choice. But, in the interlude, young Jesse Phillips came a callin'. The courtship flourished, and it wasn't long before he asked Ida Belle to be his wife. Father was the last to know. By the time he was confronted by young Jesse, plans already had been made for a double wedding. Jesse's sister Lela had already consented to marry Forney Mize, also of Village Springs, and had even set a date, the church, and the preacher. All that was needed was their father's blessing and they would add two names to the ceremony. Phillips set the day, summoned his courage, and asked Mr. Cornelius for his daughter's hand in marriage. Benton Cornelius probably scowled a bit, clinched his fists and pronounced: "No marriage." "IF WE CAN'T do it with father's blessing, then we'll just have to do it without." they decided. A way had to be figured to get the necessary clothes and belongings out of the house, past the curious eyes of father Cornelius, and ready for an elopement. Young Jesse had captured the heart of Mrs. Cornelius. Fortunately, because a helping hand was needed in getting three extra dresses out. Ida Belle slipped her clothes out, and piece by piece, "packed" them into an old stump. Edwin, Jesse's brother, hitched up his buggy for a night ride over to the Cornelius home, and under cover of dark, retrieved the clothes of the bride-to-be. It took two weeks. Even for a young lady eloping, the wardrobe was staggering. Ida Belle left home that clear morning of March 10, 1907, to witness the marriage of her friends, Lela Phillips and Forney Mize. BUT WEDDING BELLS never chimed in Village Springs that day. For no sooner had she rounded the corner than the wedding party pulled up in a shiny buggy. In went Miss Cornelius, off lurched the horse, and the foursome drove to neighboring Remlap for their double wedding, blessings or no. The two couples have remained in touch for 60 years. After a few years of moving about, both families settled down in East Lake, where Jesse Phillips worked for L & N Railroad, and Forney Mize was employed as a carpenter. 16 July 23, 2007 The Phillipses later moved to Montgomery but have returned to be with their old friends and "conspirators in the get-away" for significant anniversaries such as the 50th and 60th. Benton Cornelius? He finally warmed up to his son-in-law. "It took 11 years, though." Mrs. Phillips said.

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