G. W. Mateer (1904)

MATEER, EDWARDS

Posted By: Kate Hite (email)
Date: 4/2/2010 at 16:35:30

Creston Semi-Weekly Advertiser, 13 Sep 1904 [ACC- a Tuesday]

G. W. Mateer Dead After a Long Seige [sic] of Sickness, During Which Time His Life Has Been Despaired of.

Lived in Creston Many Years Has Filled Official Positions With Credit to Himelf [sic] and to the Satisfaction of Constituents.

[ACC note: The article includes a picture of the dec'd with the caption: G. W. Mateer, Born Oct. 19, 1847--Died Sept 9, 1904.]

The announcement that G. W. Mateer was dead was circulated about the city at an early hour Saturday and caused a great feeling of sorrow among those who have known the gentleman in business, in social affairs and in the ordinary associations in life. Mr. Mateer has been a sufferer from Bright's disease, and for some months has lain at the point of death, and although prepared for the announcement of his demise, the community was nevertheless greatly moved by word of his passing away. For "Wash" Mateer was everybody's friends [sic] and possessed the good will of the community and the affection of his friends in a remarkable degree. He was one of the older residents of this city, having first come to Creston 26 years ago, and with the exception of a few years having lived here with his family since that time. He has been honored by his fellow men in being selected to represent his ward in the city council, which position he filled with a fidelity to the interests of the city which earned for him the complete respect of even his political opponents, and his voice was always heard for good government and his hard, common sense was a tower of strength for advocates of business principles applied to the council proceedings. He was also a prominent member of the Odd Fellow organization in this city, and belonged to the subordinate lodge, the encampment, the Canton and the Rebekah Assembly. He filled all of the chairs in the subordinate lodge, and was one of the most faithful followers of the magnificent principles taught by the order. In the death of G. W. Mateer, Creston has lost a citizen that was a credit to the community, and his family and immediate friends have been bereaved of a loving husband,an indulgent father, a wise counselor and a true friend. Communities can but illy [sic] spare such men, but must bow to the will of "Him who doeth all things well." The death of G. W. Mateer took place shortly before 11 o'clock Friday night at the family home at __ north Vine street. The deceased was born in Indiana October 19th, 1847, and with his family moved to Oskaloosa when a mere child. He resided there for some years and was married to Miss Hattie Edwards in October of 1874, and shortly afterwards moved with his family to Afton, and worked at his trade of harness maker at that place for some years, and in 1878 came to Creston and worked for a time at his trade in this city. He afterwards moved to Red Oak and remained there about four years and then moved back to this city, and has been a resident of Creston continuously since that time. For many years he was employed as a harness maker in the shops if [sic] this city, and about four years ago purchased the shop of George Brockhagen and since that time has been in business for himself. He represented the First ward on the city council for four years, his term of office expiring last spring, and has been prominently identified with the Odd Fellow lodge of this city, being a member of No. 207, in which order he has filled all of the chairs. He also was a member of the Canton, the encampment and the Rebekah. There are two children, in addition to the widow, who survive him, as follows: Clyde, aged __ and Cora, aged __ years.

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