Matthew Richmond, 1834-1921

RICHMOND

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 3/8/2009 at 19:46:18

AT REST
[JMR:15 March 1921]
Funeral Services of Matthew Richmond Held Last Friday

Matthew Richmond was born May 30 in the year 1834 in Mauchline Parish. The town of Mauchline is situated in Ayrshire in the southwest of Scotland about eight miles from the west coast and near the Ayr river. It is the section of country, long famous as the home of Robt. Burns. The subject of this sketch had the honor of beginning life in the land of Bruce and Wallace and Knox. But when Matthew was five years of age his parents with their family came to America and settled at Ayr, Ontario, Canada. Here he received his education and developed into manhood. Even though far removed from the scenes of his birthplace, doubtless the history of the struggles of those old Scottish heroes, for civil and religious liberty, had much influence in the development of that sturdy character of this noble Christian gentleman.

In 1857 he and Margaret Cavers were united in marriage at the little village of Ayr, where they started life together on a farm. Doubtless it was here that his Christian devotion in the home began. The altar fire was lighted.

His father was an Elder in the Presbyterian church in Canada and there is abundant evidence that a devoutly Christian atmosphere pervaded the old Richmond home as the boys James, John, William and Matthew became either ministers or Elders in the Presbyterian church.

In the fall of 1867 Matthew Richmond explored the northern part of the state of Iowa and being attracted by the beautiful prairies he purchased land in Armstrong Grove township and in October 1868, came with his family to their new home on the farm, five miles southeast of the town of Armstrong.

Here it was that his career in this community began. And it was around him, with his goodly wife, that the first system of religious effort gathered. It was by them that the Scotch Presbyterian idea of worship had their beginnings in this community and it was in their cabin home that the pioneer minister found a welcome and received inspiration from their family altar.

With the Richmonds the Sunday school, as well as the church had its beginning in this community. It is a matter of record that Mr. Richmond was selected as the first superintendent. This community can hardly realize what it owes to this good man for his life of wholesome, uplifting influence.

He was elected Elder of the Presbyterian church soon after he came to this part of the country and filled that office continually till the close of his life. Though having advanced to an extreme age he attended two meetings of the session during the past year. His interest in the progress of the kingdom never dimmed. It is not often the privilege of one so old to have an active part in the work of the church so near the very close of his earthly career.

In 1908 he was delegated by the Ft. Dodge Presbytery to represent it in the General Assembly of the Presbyterian church, which met that year in Los Angeles, California, Mrs. Richmond accompanying him on the trip. The Heavenly Father had permitted these two coworkers with his son, to journey long together but Mrs. Richmond passed through the veil to "The Beyond" November 16, 1919, lacking only a few days of eighty-seven years. Thus Mr. Richmond was left to journey on alone, but not for long, a little more than a year had passed till they joined hands again in that "Home Over There." More than sixty-one of their eighty-seven years in this life were spent together.

Their family of six children are all living, Mrs. Nettie Gibbs, Mrs. Anna R. Dows, Miss Robena Richmond and Walter A. Richmond of Armstrong; Will C. Richmond of Charles City, Ia., and John J. Richmond of Portland Ore. All but the latter were present at the funeral.

Mr. Richmond is survived also, by two brothers, James Richmond of Galt, Ontario, Canada and Rev. J. M. Richmond D. D., of Ormund, Florida.

The funeral, which was held at 1:30 pm in the Presbyterian church of which Mr. Richmond had been an Elder from its founding, was largely attended by relatives, friends, and citizens of the community.

The sermon was preached by the pastor, the Rev. Victor B. Demaree from the texts, Pa. 1:1-3, II Sam. 3.38 and Job 5.26

The pallbearers were two sons Wm. C. Richmond and Walter A. Richmond and four nephews, William Weir, Geo. Weir, James Weir and Robert Stewart. They laid the body to rest beside that of his companion in the Armstrong cemetery.

Card of Thanks

We wish to extend our thanks to all the friends and neighbors for the beautiful floral offerings and also for their many acts of kindness during the illness and death of our dear father. The Richmond, Gibbs, and Dows families.

Contributed by: James Richmond. Source: unknown newspaper, v. XXVIII, probably Emmet County.