Mary (Hiles) Mathews (1824-1883)

MATHEWS, HILES

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 12/28/2010 at 20:32:05

From Story County Watchman January 4, 1884

DIED.--December 30th, after a painful illness, Mrs. Mary Mathews, wife of James Mathews.

In 1856 they emigrated from Hardin county, Ohio to Story county, Iowa. Here they endured the sacrifices and toil of earlier settlers in the development of their home. For twenty-eight years she lived a consistent member of the M. E. Church. But it was in her home life shone most brightly her virtues. She lived to rear her family, and to see them comfortably settled in life, except an afflicted son. For the past year, she suffered severe affliction, yet she never murmured nor complained. Her end was peacefully triumphant; she talked of death with the compsure of one about to take a journey.

After making all arrangements for her funeral, she bade her friends and family farewell, and "fell asleep." As Solomon says of the virtuous woman, we may say of her. "She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also and he praiseth her." The family feel deeply the loss, but their loss is her gain.