The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1869-03-17
Obituary.

Mr.. EDrToR:-The decease of Mr.. JOS
EPH MATTHEWS, Senior, which you an
nounced last week, deserves more than a
passing notice. MIR. NJ. was aworthy mem
Der of the editorial fraternity and a practi-
cal Printer of three score years; and ten
and at the time of his death had attain
ed the age Of 81 years, 8 months & 81 days.
he was born at Bristol, England, on the
18th of September, 1857, and was Baptised
according to the forms and ceremonies of
the Episcopal or established Church" of
England.
AT the early age of nine years he entered
upon his profession, and soon thereafter was
regularly indentured, according O law,
with an elder Notwithstanding him faith
fully for the term of seven years. The
printing office was the school inwhich
he graduated, after having received but he
simplest rudiments of IN English education.
At the age of 90 he was married to an es-
Unable lady, Miss SARAH S~HARLAND, WAC
for 80 years was an affectionate wife shar-
ing his joys and sorrows, and died in Roches-
ter, Stark Co., o. in 1916. Before reach
ing his majority Mr.. NJ. established himself
in the printing business, and was f o T
many years editor and publisher of the
"Bristol City Directory" and the "Bristol
Guide" which publications he conducted
with marked ability and continued until
1888. In that year he emigrafed to The
United States, with his wife and family of
Elk children, who all survive him, and &C.
cupy honorable positions in society. He
settled near Bethlehem, Stark County, Ohio,
and was the proprietor of the town of Ro-
chester, in 1884. In June, 1851, he held
a correspondence with Father Mathew, the
great apostle of Temperance, who was then
travelling in the United States, who acknow-
lodged himself 'proud of the relationship, f"
and regretted his inability from failing health
to visit this portion of Ohio. He was not
ga success, " in amassing earthly possessions,
but paid more attention to intellectual pur-
suits drawing upon those i~nexhaustible
treasures of knowledge, which are a never
failing source of true wealth to the pure in
heart. he was of a poetic turn of mind,
and left on record many very creditable
productions, in poetry and prose. He new
er accepted official station, though often re-
quested so to do. He was for many years
Al earnest member of the United Brethren
or Morayian Church, and frequently traven-
ed more than a Sabbath days journey" to
unite with them in their religious deyotions.
he was a Christian in the fullest and
bIoa1est acceptation OF the word; and was
always ready with the ''open hand of Char
ity, " to relieve the distresses of his fellow
man. To his benevolent disposition alone
was attributable his lack of what the world
calls wealth" He was, up to the last
moment of his life, in full possession of all
his mental faculties to an extraordinary de-
gree, and loved to dwell upon the glories of
thef future state of existence, which was so
near at hand, and which he accepted as the
Summer Land, "e"where the wicked cease
from troubling and the weary are at rest. n
The evening of his days was calmly spent
in pleasant family intercourse and in read
ing the Bible and other spiritual" books
and communications, which treat not on
ly Of the dead past, but of the living pres
emit and the ever glorious future. In this
exalted state of mind he passed away from
the cares and infirm tiles which flesh is heir
to, to thai 'higher life, " of which he was a
faithful exemplar while here, and has now
entered upon that real life of true progress
and reform. which is we trust m store for
all mankind. He was inferred i n-the Gene
terry near this city, on Monday last mourned
by an attectionate family and large circle
of friends.
s'To trace each feature Of departed WORTH
Distinguished excellence In fitting terms
POurtray, aud virtues eminent, proclaim.
How vain the taskl Alone. then, let the
hand
OF gratitude inscribe this simple truth
Beloved Of all he lived. by all lamsnted,
died." .