Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1880-09-04
AFTER FAITHFUL SER
VICE.
Dr. william G. Matthews, at
the Age of Seventy-fiye, is
Summoned to Receive His
Reward.

he dedth OF Dr william y.
Matthews, which was briefly no
iiced yesterday morning, occurred
al Lagrange. Ky, 1t 9:i5 Tuesday
night, after an illness Of only one
hour. Dr. Matthew's had hee" in
bad health for number 81 years,
bis constitution gradually failing
him as lie grew oder. He lad
during the day beer in compare.
lively easy condition. In when he
retired TO his room aeoat iaif-past
So'ciock complained ol feeling un-
welt. He grew wore SO rapidly
that physician was semi for, and
everything possible done to relieve
his sufferings, which for snort
time seemed to ne very violent.
All was unavailing, however, and
although the suffering seemed to
cease, he died quietly in short
lime.
DR. Matthe VS. was probably the
Oldest minister in the Presbyter-
ian Church in Kentucky, and has
for long number of years been
prominently connected with that
cause here. He was born III Gran
vile county, North Carolina, Sep
TENDER %, 1906 When about two
years of age he removed with his
father, Rev. John Matthews, to
Shepherdstown Jefferson county,
Va, where he grew up and receiv-
ed his early education. He was
educated at jefferson College, Can
0onshurg, Virginia, aud after
graduating at that institution, he
graduated in theology at Prince
ton, n. J. His father had ia the
meantime been pastor at Martins
bur. Va, but being appointed
Professor OF Theology at Hanover
College, Hanover. Ind, he rem0v-
ed to that place in 1929, shortly af-
Ter DR.. William Matthews was or
dained minister. After the elder
divine came West, his son was
Immediately called to fill the pull
pill he had vacated, and the young
man shouldered the work just
where his father had left il. On
the Odd of August, 1881. DR.. Mat
theWs married Miss S. Hunter,
daughter of Col. Hunter, of Mar
tinsburg, distinguished Virgin
ia family. In 1886 DR.. Matthews
and his wife and children came
West, he having accepted a call in
Madison, Ind. He was pastor in
Madison until 1912, when he re-
moved to Winchester, Clarke c0un-
ty, Ky, where he ministered I'M
til 1917, when he took charge of
the church in Shelbyyille, XIV.
Here he preached for twenty three
years, until March, 1870, having
charge of the church during the
political eruptions at the close of
Ghe war, and remaining with the
Northern branch when the final
split came. In 1870 he took
charge of the Fourth Pre3byier-
ian church in this city,on Hancock
street, Here he was pastor for
nine years, bat his health was
gradually failing him, and ia the
spring of 1876 he retired from the
ministry, after fifty years of faith
ful service. DR.. Matthews was a
divine Of broad and comprehensive
learning, and possessing an earnest
Oratory togather with clear logic
and sound reasoning, his ministry
was always marked as unusually
successful. His reputation as a
preacher was known far and wide
throughout kentucky and the
West, and with age he lost nothing
of his vigor and thought but rather
gained.
DR.. Matthews is brother of Rev.
John D. Matthews, who recently
had charge ofthe Portland Presby-
yterian church here, and also a
brother of Rev. Robert C. Mat
thews pastor of the Monmouth ILL.,,
Presbyterian church. DR.. Matthews
wife aud life companion, died
in this city in lIarch, 1873, and
since that time he has seemed to
rather wish to be taken too. He
leaves a family of five children:
Mrs. B. P. Finly, widow fthe late
DR.. John G. Finley, of this city;
Mrs. DIR. VIM. NJ. Hanna, of Hen
derson, KY, John E. Matthews, of
Philadelphia; w. ID Matthews, of
cortland, Oregon, and Miss Sue
M. Matthews, the latter being the
only member of the family with
him at the time of his death. The
remains will be taken to Shelby
vile tomorrow morning and the
funeral services will be held in the
Presbyterian church there at 10
Am. After which the body will
be inferred in the cemetery there