Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1916-05-11
REMAINS BROUGHT
HERE FOR BURIAL

Funeral of Mrs. d. w. Matthias, An
Audubon Pioneer, Who Died at
Biloxi, Missippippi, Was Held
Last Sunday Afternoon.
The remains of Mrs. D. w. Matthias
were shipped to Audubon from Biloxi
Miss, last Saturday and taken TO the
home of her daughter, Mrs N. 8.
Hansen. 1t has been only about two
years ago that Mrs. Matthias spent the
summer here. and 1t was with sorrow
full hearts that her ole time friends
learned of her sudden death, an ac-
count of which was given in last
weeks issue of the Republican.
Mrs. Matthias was enc of the carry
settlers In Audubon, coming her.
with her husband in 1878, and for
many years conducted the first hotel
in the town, called the Grant House,
which was located on the corner
where the Audubon Produce Com
Pany is now doing business. When
they left the hotel, they moved 10 the
farm now owned by Albert Spencer,
but II is still frequently referred to
as the Matthias place.
During the years she lived in the
community she made numberless
Intimate friends all of whom knew
htI as a splendid character and
faithful member of the church. She
vas not only faithful to her church,
but just as faithful in believing tina,
IL was her duty as Christian to do
the will of hcr Master at all times.
she was always ready to lend a EeIr-
ing hand in time of need-both in
acts OF kindness and In words. At
the last, while surrounded with her
children, being unable to speak, she
opened her eyes and with pleasant
smile on her face gave them all fare
well. Truly she could say: 30 death,
where is thy sting? o Grave, where
is thy victory7"
The funeral services were held at
the Methodist church Sunday after
noon at 1880 o'clock, Rev. Jackson
officiating. Songs were sung
by mixed quartet and solo by Miss
Esther Larson. The flowers were
many and beautiful, but not more
BEAUTIFUL than the face that rested sc
peacefully among them. Beautiful in
life, beautiful in death, but far more
teautiful in the glorious resurrection
morn. Flowers seem to be the best
we have to express our love
or we wreathe them around the Grad
le. the marriage altar, and the tomb.
Thus would we leave her and in mem
DRY keep her, as sweetly reposing
among the beautiful and fragrant
flowers.
Mrs. Matthias was one of the chart
er members of the Audubon Relief
Corps, and the members of that or
ganization attended the funeral in a
body. On account of illness her sis
ter, Mrs. Mary Compton, of FIT.
Wayne, Ind, and her brother, Sabe
them were able to be present at 1.-THE
funeral.
At the request of the relatives
Rev. Ed B. Cousins, a long time friend
of the family read the following obit-
uary.
AIRS. Emma Matthias was born Oct
ober Is. 1851 at Basil. Switzerland
and with her parents came to this
country when she was about three
years of age. They located at New
Uhlm. Minnesota. When she was
thirteen years of age both her parents
one sister and brother were killed
by the Indians during a massacre at
that place. A'sister, brother and her
self escaped to FIT. Richley, where
they were compelled to stay for two
weeks while the Indians were trying
to burn the fort.
From there she went to live with
an aunt in Ohio and there was mar
ried to d. w. Matthias, who died about
two and half years ago. To this
union were born seven children
three having died. the remaining ones
heing Mrs. N. s. Hansen. of this city;
DR.. d. f. Matthias, Of Natchez. Miss;
Miss Capitola Matthias, of Biloxi
Miss, and Albert A. Matthias. of Gulf
port, Miss. At the time OF her death
she was living in Biloxi, Miss, where
she moved about fifteen years ago.
She was member ofthe First Meth
odist church of Audubon for many
years, and when she moved to Biloxi
she transferred her membership to
the Methodist church there.
Following the death of her husband
her health began to fail and for al
most two years she had been In poor
health. Sunday. April 30th she ap-
peared to be enjoying fair health. bur
about midnight she was stricken, and
despite all medical aid. she remained
unconscious Tor seventy hours and
died at ten o'clock Wednesday even
ing, MAY third. having reached the
age of 81 years 6 months and g days.
Mrs. Matthias was not only a brave
loyal citizen in the defense of right
and justice. but also was a devoted
active. consistent Christian; womln
of sterling qualities. holding the res
meet and confidence of all who knew
her. During her long and useful resi-
dence In Audubon she was a true
home-mother and wife of the noblest
type. She was one Of the strong pill
lars in the church here. and perform
ed an essential part In establishing
and developing the Church OF our Re-
deemer In the early days Of the town
when the organization was in It's in
fancy and during Its healthful steady
growth.
Her memory and the beauty of her
lovely Christian character will ever
be fondly cherished by the earlier
and later residents of Audubon who
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