Anders S. Mathre (1832-1916)

MATHRE, THOMPSON, ANDERSON, WEEKS, CRIM, HOVE

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 4/24/2024 at 11:01:57

From Story City Herald February 24, 1916 (page 5)

OBITUARY

Anders S. Mathre.

Anders S. Mathre was born at Mathre, Norway, Dec. 6, 1832, and died at his home in Story City on Feb.6, 1916, being thus two months over 82 years of age.

He came to America in 1847, settling in Illinois. He was married in 1854 to Ingeborg Thompson. To this union were born 11 children, four of whom preceded the parents to the better land. Mrs. Mathre died in the year 1900 at Lisbon, Ill.

Mr. Mathre moved to Story City in 1901, and lived here until death came. He was greatly loved by a large circle of friends and relatives. Simple hearted, kind and generous, he left an example which will have its effect on generations to come.

Anders Mathre had always been actively identified with the church, and he said himself that he could not remember the time that he did not love God. His faith in God influenced his whole life. The things of this world appeared of small significance in him in the light of eternity.

An incident which shows his childlike faith in his fellowmen has been recited. A tramp came in his door one day asking for aid. Mr. Mathre, as was his custom, was ready at once to give him the price of a meal. Finding that he had no change smaller than a dollar he told the tramp that if he would go down town and change the dollar he would have a quarter out of it. The tramp was willing to o this. After the tramp had gone away with the dollar, Mr. Mathre's daughter said to him: "You don't suppose you will ever see that man or the dollar again, do you?" "Why yes; why not?" was the almost surprised reply. And sure enough, within fifteen minutes Mr. Tramp came back with the change and duly handed his quarter! After all, simple hearted folks probably do not get cheated half as much as often as many of the so-called "smart folks" do.

The funeral services were held in the Immanuel church, the sermon being preached by Rev. Heimarck, who also accompanied the remains to Lisbon, Ill., whre they were laid beside the wife in the Lisbon Cemetery. Others who went to Illinois were: Mrs. E. P. Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Hove and Mr. Peter Hove.

The deceased is survived by the following children: Mr. E. P. Anderson, Mrs. L. W. Wicks [should be Weeks] of Helmar, Ill., Mrs. B. J. Crim of Stratford, Mrs. Chas. Hove of Jewell, Miss Lizzie Mathre of this place, Peter A. Mathre of Ames and Halbert Mathre of Nelson, Neb.

The daughter, Lizzie, has kept house for her father the past few years.