Ole Mathison (1840-1914)

MATHISON, JACOBS, NELSON, NESSA

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 9/16/2020 at 19:17:20

From The Roland Record, Roland, Story County, Iowa, Thursday, January 8, 1914.

OLE MATHISON DIES AT AGE OF 72

Past Away Peacefully at His Home Sunday Afternoon at 1:10.

Ole Mathison was born May 15, 1840 at Mosterhavn in Finnos Norway. Departed this life Jan. 4, 1914. He was married the age of 22, emigrated to this county with his wife and one son and located in Chicago where one daughter was born. In the year 1870 they moved to Hamilton Co. Ia. where his wife died shortly afterwards. Later he was united in marriage to Mrs. Sara Jacobs and to the union six children were born, one died in the bud of life at the age of 13 years.

They took up their abode in Roland, Ia. in the year 1886 where he lived a faithful life until called away by the angel of death. His wife preceded him about two years ago. He was a loyal member of Bergen's church and served as janitor for twenty years, which shows that he was a true servant indeed. And to show their gratitude and appreciation for such loyal devotion to duty the congregation are paying all his funeral expenses. This is brotherly love in the truest sense of the term and an act of kindness that will never be forgotten. Rev. Lerud who delivered the funeral sermon had chosen a very appropriate theme for it was based upon service and is found in Luke II; 29032, "Lord now lettest thou they servant depart in peace, according to thy word for mine eyes have seen they salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people."

There is no language at our command by which we can portray the sincerity of Mr. Mathison's last days on this earth. He appeared to be fully impressed with the idea that the end of time eternity began, which we are told he spoke of, he day before he departed, and that the bright faith which sustained him during those trying hours of suffering would only grow brighter as he journeyed toward the Indefinite, and the final gloom of death be dispelled by the radiance of Gods love. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord." To such a one death is victory and may we all live so that we can look forward to death with the greatest of anticipation and forestate. He leaves to mourn eight children, Lewis, Pete Henry, Carl, Ole, Mrs. Sam Nelson of McCallsburg, Mrs. Abel Nelson of N. D. and Mrs. M. J. Nessa of Story City. The funeral services were held this morning which were largely attended, and the floral offerings were both numerous and beautiful. Interment took place in the Roland Cemetery by the side of his loving companion.