HIGGINS Matt hew F.

HIGGINS

Posted By: Marilyn O'Connor (email)
Date: 4/5/2005 at 20:43:50

Matt F. Higgins Summoned

Citizens of Green Mourn an Untimely Death

"In the midst of life; we are in death". How true and yet how appalling this ancient proverb inpresses mankind.

One week ago last Monday, our fellow-townsman of these many years, Matthew F. Higgins seemed apparently, in his usual health and drove out to the Boyd farm in Bennezette township to attend the auction sale held on that day.
He returned home in the evening and although complained of a pain in his side, was around town the next day attending to business matters and nothing of a serious nature was anticipated.
But in the afternoon he was taken violently ill and his attending physician expressed considerable concern regarding his case. His condition became critical and medical aid, together with the kind ministrations of loving relatives and friends seemed to no avail and death came as a relief to his suffering at 11 o'clock, Monday forenoon.

Matt Higgins, as he was more familiarly known; was a conscientious, kind-hearted, whole-souled, jovial and courteous business man of Greene for many years. He was engaged in the implement business and in connection with this line sold pianos, organs, sewing machines, etc.

No resident of the town commanded a broader acquaintance than did our friend Matt Higgins.
He was a friend to everyone-rich and poor alike.

No man was a better provider for his family than Mr. Higgins. The sunshine of his life was to be surrounded by his family of loved ones and it was at the dawn of life, when the dark visions of death hovered over his bed, that he called his family one by one to his bedside and bade them the last goodbye; imparting to each one kind and loving words of fatherly advice, symbolic of good deeds and love. He died the life of a Christian and was ready to meet his God.

Matthew Francis Higgins, son of Mr. and Mrs. M. Higgins was born at Little Falls, in Herkimer county, New York, on May 24, 1849 and died at his home in Greene, Iowa on April 4, 1910.

With his parents he moved to Wisconsin and from there, the family emigrated to Iowa and settled on a farm south of Greene, where they resided for many years. The family came to Butler City in 1864. For many years past Matt Higgins has been actively engaged in business in this city.

On May 26, 1891, he was united in marriage to Miss Christina Wolf and five children were born to this union; all surviving their father. They are Leo, Louis, Josephine, Paul and Charles; all left to honor and obey the last words and commands of their father and to be under the careful guiding hand of their dear mother. There are also three sisters left to mourn. They are, Mrs Mary Hanley and Mrs. P.W. Hardman of Greene, and Mrs. Thomas Casserly of Colfax, Wash.

The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Fr. Seehy at St. Mary's Catholic church in this city,
Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock, where the many friends gathered together to pay their last respects to the departed.

Interment was at Rosehill in the Catholic cemetery.

The pall bearers were, Emmet, Walter, Albert and Joe Hanley and Charley and Walter Hardman; all nephews of the deceased.

The floral tributes were profuse and beautiful

People from all sections of the country were in attendance at the funeral, to pay their last respects to a man who was always honored and held in the highest esteem.