The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1896-12-17

Samuel Mather was born In Eng
land, Aug. Esd, 1929, and was conse-
quently more than 67 years of age at
the time of the accident last Friday.
In early life he entered an apprentice
ship in a machine shop in the old
country and learned the trade COM
pletely. Afterwards he came to the
United States, settling in Virginia for
while, and in 1856 he removed to
Hastings, this State, where his father
ran machine shop until his death, in
1868. In 1858 Samuel Mather went
on farm, and continued in that oc-
cupation until early in 1865, when he
enlisted in the Union army. After be-
ing discharged from service he again
pursued farmers life, and in 1873 he
moved to Yellow Medicine county,
where he purchased one of the finest
farms in that county, and soon after
wards acquired a great deal more of
valuable land surrounding it. His
historian states that in 1880 he owned
1000 acres of land in Yellow Medicine
county, and at that time about 500
we're under cultivation. He was mar
ried to Catharine Depue in 1853, and
they had six children, three alone sur
viving. The Echo postofice was
started in 1878 at, his place.
Sam Mather, as be was more famil-
iarly known, has been an eccentric fig
ure on the Western frontier. He was
considered one of the best turner's of
a dollar" in the early west and this
reputation he kept until his death.
Although quick to make a dollar he
was quick to spend it. He was shrewd
enough, however, to continually keep
his income above his expenditures,
and by this process he amassed a
great deal of wealth, and was consid-
cred one of the richest men in Echo
or surrounding country at the time of
his demise. Frequently, in early days,
he came to Redwood Falls, and re-
newed old acquaintences in the most
congenial manner, and all of them
we're glad to have him come. When
the St. Louis railroad extended west
from Morton it passed through his
farm. He was quick to seize the op-
portunity of giving the company its
right-of-way and depot grounds for a
townsite, and soon a portion of his do
main was transformed into the pres
ent village of Echo at good pecuni-
ary profit to himself He was boom
er for the town, and wherever he went
his home patriotism continually crept
out.
Later he became interested in the
Bannon quarries, on the st. Paul &
Duluth, near Hinckley, and he invest
ed quite large sum of money in the
same. 1t is understood that they we're
returning handsomely on the invest
ment. It was there where Mr.. Mather
was killed.
In politics Sam. Mather was Re-
publican. He has been a member OF
the Republican county committee for
several times and was chairman of
that committee up to few years ago.
He was jealous Republican, support
ing the ticket to the last man and al
most unforgiving to the professed Re-
publican who would not do so. He
indulged in many heated political dis
cussions in defense of his party, and
it is told of him that when farmer in
his section told him how much better
times be had over in Canada than he
was having here, Sam replied:
"Why don't you go back hover
again, if you think so--much of
that country?"
The query stopped the discussion
from the Canadian point of view.
| Tried that new se1f-washinp soar