The Springfield herald., 1897-06-18
Obituary..

OBITUARY.
Alex r.. Mathews was born in
Cass county, Illinois, April II 1929
and died in Baca county, Colora-
do, June 6, 1897. His home was
III Cass county until the winter of
1850 81, which he spent IN Jasper
county, Iowa. After spending a
year at home. he started i'll the
spring of 1852 by wagon train a
cross the plans to California.
where he engaged in mining until
1857, when he returned by water
VIA the Isthmus OF Panama to his
old home Ill Illinois. On July 29th
OF the same year lie married Miss
Mary j. Lawrence, of Cass county.
Five children were gwen them,
-four OF whom are now living: Lew
is F., county clerk Baca county,
Colorado; Charles NJ, ranchman,
Pasadena, California; George E..
ranchman. Villas, Colorado; Fred
r., clerk OF the district court. Baca
county Colorado. Millard F., the
oldest died March 4. 1882. Mr.A.
II. Mathews was converted in 1868
and joined the Methodist Protest
ant church, OF which he was a
member and official tor several
years. He was for most of his life
a member of the |. .. o. F., and
while a member of the Lynnville,
Iowa, Lodge No. 322, served for
several years as treasurer. AT the
outbreak of the war he was desir-
Gus of joining the army, but as two
of his older brothers We're enlisted
and their families and his were to
be provided for, it seemed clearly
his duty to remain at home and
manage affairs. He moved with
his family. IN 1886, to Morton
county, Kansas; and in 1888, to
Colorado, where he has since re-
sided and been engaged in farm
ing and stock raising. He joined
the NJ. +. church in Baca county,
and remained In that connection
until his death.
Though never seeking promi-
nence he always gave the church
ready support IN spiritual and es-
peciallv in temporal work. He
believed in the family altar, and
strove to lmpart religious instruc-
ton and to set a Christian example
before all.
About two years ago tumo--
Gus cancer appeared on his face,
and some time later paralysis affec-
ted part of his face and neck. Spe.
ciallsts were consulted and an op,
Grafton was undergone in Chicago
and various forms of treatment
were given from time to tme-in
fact every effort was made to cure
and relieve him, but the disease
made constant progress from the
first and became worse and more
painful. Finding that medical
skill could not effect cure nol
relief, and that he was daily be
coming weaker, he became some
what reconciled to his lot, saying
many times, ~ wish might &C
home to rest and be spared SC
much suffering; but all is we'll! all
Is well!' He always enjoyed the
devotional services, which were
often held by pastors and friends
at the residence during the latter
months of his suiferings, and often
would request his iavorlte songs
to be sung: when the Roll is
Called up Yonder I'll be There .
'sI'll Soon be ut Home Over There
etc. He was conscious until the
last week, when little by little he
passed into what appeared to be a
deep sleep which continued until
death. Ills faithful wife and three
sons were at his bedside to the
last.
Funeral services were held at
the residence five miles south OF
Villas, Rev, w. H. Konkel deliver
ing the sermon, from the VIII
Chap. Luke, 4l-56 verses, read
from the old family bible. The
burial service was conducted at
the Springfield cemetery by the
writer. REV. WIN. N. MITCHELL.