The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1911-11-16
WELL KNOWN CITIZEN DIES.

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The people Of Brookings were
shocked and saddened last Friday ev-
ening when news was received from
Sioux Falls OF the death Of Mathew
T. Wimsey, a well known citizen and
pioneer business man Of this city.
Mr.. Wimsey, in company with Mrs.
Wimsey, had gone to Sioux Falls on
Thursday to attend the good roads
meeting. The trip was made by au-
tomobile and the cold ride evidently
affected Mr., Wimsey, as he COM
planned On Thursday evening that he
was not well and a doctor there ad-
vised him not to attempt the trip
home Friday, as had been arranged.
1t was not thought that he was Sc
riously ill but Friday afternoon he
grew worse and passed away about
five o'clock. The cause of his death
was neuralgia Of the heart, from
which he had been a sufferer for
some years.
The remains were brought to Brook.
ings Saturday night and taken to the
home, where they were viewed by
friends between the hours Of eight and
nine O'Clock Sunday morning. After
wards there were short services, in
charge OF the A. o. u. W., Degree OF
Honor and the Commercial Club Of
B%rookings, and the Episcopal service
was read by the lay missionary, Ralph
E. Gentle. The quartet OF st. Paul's
Episcopal church, composed of Profs.
Ehder and Dunbar and Miss Cath
cart and Mrs. Dunbar furnished music.
Beautiful floral pieces were contri-
buted by the Elks, Workmen, Degree
of Honor, Commercial Club, teachers
of the public schools, st. Paul's church
and Guild and the Brotherhood Of
ST. Andrew and many beautiful offer
ings came from friends. The remains
were taken to the old home at La
Crosse, Wis, on the morning train,
where the funeral was held on Mon
day. The remains were accompanied
by Mrs. Wimsey, Mrs. E. E. Dodge
of Redfeld, an old friend of the fami-
ly, and Geo. P. Sexauer. who repre-
scented the A. o. U. w. and the Com
mercial Club of Brookings. The pail
hoo AVG hnra uynrn nr III rric
]. P. Johnson, H. E. Riley and F.. C.
Neill.
Mathew T. Wimsey was born in
Cincinnati, Ohio, December %, 1852.
In 1863 he came to Fillmore county,
Minnesota with his parents, living on
a farm lear there for several years.
AS a young man he clerked in a store
at Rushford, Mimi, for several years,
leaving there in 1872 and going to
La Crosse, Wis, where he worked for
some time. He then went on the road
for a Milwaukee wholesale house and
remained with them for many years.
He was married to Miss Eva Smith,
who survives him, at La Crosse IN
May, 1879. He came to Brookings
in 1893 and had since made his home
here. The first few years in Brook
ings he was in partnership with c.
G.. Leyse, in the general mercantile
business, but afterward embarked in
business for himself and was a sue.
cessful merchant up to the time of
his death.
Mr.. Wimsey, or Matt" as he was
Familiarity known to everyone in
Bookings, was a most lovable man
and but rarely has the death Of any
one caused such universal regret. He
was jolly, open-hearted and charitable
possessing a large circle Of acquain-
tances, not only in this city and coun
ty, but throughout this section, every
n of whom was his friend. He was
one Of the best boosters that Brook
ings ever had and always gave liber-
ally Of his means and time to any
movement for the benefit of the city.
In general Matt was a good husband,
a good citizen and a good fellow and
one who will be long remembered by
his friends.