Warren sheaf., 1901-08-29
A PIONEER GONE.
llathias Swanson, of Big Wood, Dies
Suddenly at His Home in This Citt.

sO"SU LIS
earthly career. -. .
About six o'clock last Sunday af-
ternoon, while he sat in his cozy
home in this city talking to a friend
he suffered an attack of apoplexy
from which he never rallied. He was
assisted to his bed, and medical as
slstance summoned in haste, and
while ne wasapparently conscious at
least at times, though deprived OF
the power OF speech, yet his powers
gradually weakened, and by 1890
O'Clock at night he brea thed his last.
4 Mr.. Sw ansOn was one of the sturdy
pioneers Of this county. He was
born in Norway, Sept. 9th, 1882,
hence q would soon have COM
pleted his Goth year. He emigrated
to America in 1860, lived a few years
in Wisconsin, then moved to Kandi-
yohi county, Minnesota. where he
lived about a dozen years, or until
1879, when he moved with his family
to Marshall county and took up a.
choice homestead, beautifullyloc
on the banks OF the Lower Snake, in
the town OF Big Woods. Here he
lived and prospered and saw his chill
dren grow up to maturity about
him. About three years ago, he and
his wife moved into Warren, and
built themselves a handsome little
home, where they purposed spending
their autumn OF life serenely, free
from active cares OF life. Besides the
aged wife, who survives him and is
four years his senior, deceased
leaves also six sons and two daugh-
ters, all grown up, to mourn his
death. The sons are, Simon, Henry
NJ, Andrew, Bernhard, Martin, and
Anton Swanson, and the daughters
Mrs. Hans A. Larson, wife of a.
former Register of Deeds OF Marshall
county, and Mrs. H. Strand, whonow
lives on the homestead. All lived in
Big Woods, except Henry NJ. Swan
son, whose home is, in Warren, and
all are useful and we'll to-do members
OF the community.
The funeral was held on Tuesday
and Was conducted by Rev. N. F.
kile, Of the Norwegian Lutheran
church. A brief service was held at
the home after which the remaius
were conveyed to Bigwoods, it being
the wish of deceased to be laid to
rest in the Norwegian Lutheran Gem
etery, which has been laid out on the
old homestead OF deceased. AS the
funeral procession moved along, be-
tween broad fields of golden grain,
that had just been harvested and
stood mostly in shock, the
thought suggested itself that deceas-
ed was part of the human harvest,
struck down by the grim reaper, and
gathered in by the Heavenly Hus-
bandman. AS each kernel of wheat
contains within itself the germ of a
new life, OF other harvests yet to be,
likewise it is the Christians hope
that deceased together with all the
innumerable caravan who have
passed Deaths portals during the
ages past, shall arise to life everlast-
ing on the morning ofthe resurrection.
May this great truth be the solace
OF those who mourn the taking away
OF good old man. The regular fun
eral sermon was preached at the
Biigwoods Norwegian Lutheran
church, and male choir consisting
OF L. N. Loden, E. A. Hjertos, G.. A.
Nelson and Robt. .Engelstad rendered
appropriate music. The church was
filled with relatives, neighbors and
friends who wished to pay their last
tribute OF respect and love to de-
ceased. His six sons were the pail
bears, thus performing the last ser
vice of filial affection possible to him
from whose loins they sprang.
Matthias Swanson was a man cast
in a sturdy Viking mould; tall, man
ly and of powerful physique, yet pos
sessing kind and generous heart,
always willing to do favor or ex-
tend a helping hand to those in need.
In his Bigwoods home he dispensed
hospitality in good old Norwegian
style. Like the patriarch OF old, he
has now been gathered to his fathers.
May he rest in peace.
Here it is-Just the very liberal
plon- ;ucf tho 1o1r, ro+o oe :,+o,oc4