Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1938-08-18
FUNERAL OF ELI MATSON
WAS HELD HERE TUESDAY

Eli Matson, former well-knowr
resident of this place, and widely
known musician, died Saturday a.
Portsmouth.
The following sketch, prepared
by the deceased's son-in-law, Frank
w. Sheridan, was read at the fu'
neral:
Thomas Eli Matson, only son OF
the late Joseph Matson and wife,
was born near Pennsville, O., Nov
80, 1856. He died in Schirrman's
hospital, Portsmouth, o., Aug. 13,
1898, at Z o'clock p. m. He was in
his S2nd year at the time of his
demise. Mr. Matson, known for his
musical skill, as we'll as his ability
as -plastering, moved to
Malta, O., when mere lad. He at
tended the Malta school, and at an
early age, learned the plastering
trade under the guidance of his
father. In 1876, he was united in
marriage with Lucy Adelaid Hedges,
to which union three children were
born, all of whom are now living,
namely, Ella M, wife of F. w. Sher-
idan, Portsmouth, o.; Cathleen, wife
of Crayton M. Norman, Portsmouth,
O., and Herbert H. Matson, of Chi
cago, Ill. While living in McCon-
nelsville, Mr.. Matson exhibited
great interest in band music, and
no band was fully complete unless
he was playing the tuba In or
chestral work, Mr.. Matson played
the double bass viol He was mas
ter of both. He played for several
A al hon
orchestra, and later was one Of the
country with Orton's circus. Mem
bers of that band were made up OF
McConnelsville talent, namely, Mr..
Matson, G.. w. Derry Partesius,
f.Pat" Wiseman, Charley Fletcher,
Court Savage and Henry Fouch. The
only surviving member of that or
ganization is Mr.. Partesius, of this
city, now in his 83rd year.
Mr.. and Mrs. Matson resided in
McConnelsville until 1905, when
they purchased home in Zanes-
Vile. There they lived until May
6, 1888, when Mrs. Matson passed
across the bar. Since then, Mr..
Matson has been living alternate
weeks with his two daughters, Mrs.
Sheridan and Mrs. Norman in Ports
mouth. Three weeks ago, Mr.. Mat
son, who had been partially blind
for the past Is years, was taken i'll.
He was removed to a private hos
pital, but despite expert care, ne
succumbed peacefully to disease toI
which old flesh is heir. He lapsed
into unconsciousness last Thursday,
and the end came last Saturday ey-
ening.
Mr.. Matson was a life member of
the American Musician Federation,
and when his sight failed him was
a member of the Seventh Regiment
band, GAINESVILLE He loved music
and his home He was quiet, |
peaceful citizen, an ardent Repub-
lican, and a man whose word was
as good as his bond.
The funeral services were held
here from the Seventh Street Churcn
of Christ on Tuesday afternoon OF
this week, the services being con-
Quoted by his eldest grandson, Rev.
Donald NJ Sheridan, of Bartlesvllle,
Okla. The remains were laid to
rest beside the grave of his beloved
wife, in the local cemetery. Pan
bearers were near relatives-Frank
Sheridan, jr., Edward DeAtly, How
ard Dale, George Sheets, Glendon
Baker and Mr.. Youngman.
Those attending the last rites
from afar We're: Mr. and Mrs. Cray
ton M. Norman and daughter Helen
Norman, Mr.. and Mrs. F. w. Sher-
idan and son Frank w. Sheridan,
jr., Mr.. and Mrs. George Sheets and
Shirley Ann, Mr.. and Mrs.
Edward De Atley and daughter
Sandrae Ella, Mr.. and Mrs. Howard
Doll and son "H d. Mr.. and Mrs.
Glen Baker and Mr.. Youngman, all
Of Portsmouth; Rev. and Mrs. DON
aid M. Sheridan and daughters Ellz-
abeth and Martha, Bart1esvllle,
Okla: Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Matson,
Chicago, H., and Mrs. Dell Brown,
only surviving sister, of Columbus,
and Mr.. Young, of Portsmouth. Mr..
Matson is also survived by seven
and eight great
Carrying out an oft-time express"
ed wish of the deceased, a band,
made up of musicians from TINS
place and GAINESVILLE, accompanied
the body, playing, on the way from
the church to the cemetery.