William Mather 1844-1928

MATHER, NEGUS, JONES

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 12/15/2018 at 08:36:24

27 December 1928 - West Branch Times

William Mather, son of Samuel and Lydia Evans Mather, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, Nov. 11, 1844, and died at his home in Tipton, Iowa, Dec. 15, 1928, aged 84 years, 1 month and 4 days. He was the last survivor of a family of 13 children, the family having come to Cedar county in 1851, within the limits of which he has lived for 77 years.

He was married to Elma Negus Jan. 14, 1871, and in 1921 they celebrated their golden wedding together--a favor few are privileged to enjoy.

His youth was spent with his parents on the Mather homestead east of Springdale. His early education in the district schools was supplemented by two terms in a select Friends school. In early manhood he engaged in teaching school for five or six winter terms and for a time he was teacher in the High School at Springdale. He always took a deep interest in all matters pertaining to education, both for the local community and for higher education, and was an active member of the Board of Directors of Penn College for over fifteen years.

In 1876 he and his brother Charles established a general store in Springdale under the firm name of Mather Brothers, which they conducted successfully until 1896, after which they continued under the same firm name a drug store business only, for some years longer.

For over 30 years William Mather was one of the directors of the People's Bank of West Liberty, Iowa.

In 1874 he was elected secretary of the Springdale Mutual Fire Insurance Co., occupying that position until 1914, when, with his wife, he removed to Tipton. He also took a leading part in building up two state-wide insurance companies, the Town Mutual Fire Insurance Co., and the Iowa Mutual Tornado Insurance Association, being director in these companies for many years.

For twenty-two years he served as township clerk, and during his entire life took an active part in civic affairs, both local and state. In all his activities, both business and political, he displayed an aptitude for successful management, but under no circumstances did he sacrifice high ideals of business integrity of generous service.

In addition to these activities much of his time and attention was given to agricultural interests, which were conducted with sound business judgment, combined with unfailing industry.

For nearly fifty years he was intimately identified with the community of Springdale in all its interests, civic, moral and religious, taking a leading part in securing telephone connections with neighboring towns, improving mail service and other projects for the welfare of the community.

He was a birthright member of the Society of Friends, and the advancement of the cause of Christianity was ever one of his most vital interests, having served as Superintendent of the Sunday school and clerk of the church at Springdale, and active in the Quarterly, Yearly and Five Years Meetings of the Friends church for many years.

After moving with his wife to Tipton in 1914, he became active in the Presbyterian church, though retaining his membership in the church of his earlier years.

It was in the intimacy of the home, as husband and father and friendly neighbor that his kindness and thoughfulness for others was clearly exemplified.

He is survived by his two children, Carl H. Mather of Tipton and May M. Jones of Chicago, and five grandchildren, Maurine Elma and Betheny Mather of Tipton, and Robert C., Wilfred V., and Louis E. Jones of Chicago.