Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1872-09-12
4 Tribute to the Mother OF the vice
President

On tho 11,h instant, Mt tn, resi-.
dence of her son, Hon. SCHUYLER
Colfax, in South Bend, Ind, after
long and painful illness (cahcor) lied
| Mrs. Hannah d., wife of George w.
Matthews, in the sixty eighth year OF
her age Seldom has our country
been called upon to mourn the lo.s
OF so estimable and patriotic Chris
tian lady, endowed as she was, With
talent far beyond the allotment ofor-
dinary women. Her career was an
eventful one. Born in the city in
1903, her grandfather was Delama-
| ter, her father Stryker, both belong.
ing to tho ancient Kinckerbocker
families of New York. Miss stryker,
at the early age of fifteen years, mar
ricd Schuyler Colfax, son OF General
William Coltax, of New Jersey, who
died three years after, leaving her a
widow with ono daughter (who died
in infancy, in very Strengthened cir.
cumstances. Schuyler Coltax was
born soon after his fathers death.
She then lived with her mother, Mrs.
Stryker, who kept boarding honsc
at No, 81 North Moore street. She
strove by every honorable devise to
give her son the best possible public
school education, as well AS that which
in after life proved OF so much avail
| character.
Often in his speeches, during his
long and honorable career as member
Of Congress, Speaker of the House.
and as Vice President, has he alluded
with pride to the teachings OF that
noble, true, Christian mother, who,
through every struggle of her widow.
hood, had pointe his compass and
checked his track upon the ocean of
fame for political honor and private
esteem among his fcllow-c -citizns.
How well his course was 'trayersed'
may be known from the fact that
through all his political and private
career his bitterest enemies never ac.
cused him OF dishonesty, ingratitudo
Or partiality, and no purer patriot,
brighter statesman, or more devoat
Christian lives this day to illustrate
the power of a mothers example over
the youthful mind of the future man.
In 1884 she married Geo. w. Mat.
thews, Esq, then merchant in this
city, and IN 1886 they removed to
Indiana. By him she had FIVE child
rcn, four girls and one boy, all of
whom Except one daughter) are now
living, married and respected. She
was a devout member of the Reform.
ed Church, as is every child OF hers.
For years during Mr.. Colfax's widow
erhood, and more especially during
his Speakership, she presided over his
house hold, receiving at his receipt
ions, and thus she became one of tho
most popular and esteemed ladies OF
Washington. She was highly Eonor.
ed with the confidence OF President
Lincoln, who often in the darkest days
of rebellion consulted her upon the
most important subjects then convuf-
sing the Union. He placed the most
implicit confidence in her advice or
decision. She had a most vivid rec-
ollectlon of Harlem and its old Re-
formed Church, and less than year
ago, in one of her letters to the writer
she speaks of the old landmarks,s
now'tast fading away. with as much
precision as could the oldest inhabit-
ant. From the cradle to the grave
she was scarcely ever absent from
her idolized son, and it is to be hoped
his future will be as bright as his
past, and at the end of his llfe's jour-
ney they will meet in Heaven to part
no more.