Charles Mathews (1841-1917)

MATHEWS, MANGES, CHILDS, VANSCOY, VAN SCOY, NEWBURY

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 3/17/2024 at 15:11:06

From Story City Herald March 22, 1917 (page 6)

GASOLINE ENGINE CAUSES DEATH OF CHAS. MATHEWS

Aged and Respected Farmer Meets Sad End Last Week

Charles Mathews, one of the foremost and best known farmer of Franklin township, met with a fatal accident Wednesday afternoon of last week.

In some manner his coat became entangled in a moving belt running from a gasoline engine, and he slipped and fell, striking his head on the fly wheel, cutting a deep gash in his scalp. He lay in an unconscious state until death claimed him on Friday noon.

Three physicians were summoned, but owing to Mr. Mathews' advanced age, 76 years, and th fact that he had been in poor health all winter, the wound proved too great a strain on his vitality.

The funeral services were held at the home Sunday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock, Rev. Wissler of Gilbert officiating. Interment took place at the Gilbert cemetery.

Obituary

Charles Mathews was born at Jersey City, N. J., Aug. 20, 1841, and died at his home March 16, 1917, at the age of 75 years, 6 months and 24 days.

At the age of one year he moved with his parents to Wisconsin, where he grew to manhood. He came to Iowa in 1871, locating on a farm at Gilbert, later moving to the home he has resided in 32 years.

He was married Feb. 10, 1876, to Miss Sarah Manges, of near Gilbert. To this union 10 children were born. Mrs. Mathews preceded her husband in death Feb. 18, 1898, as did a daughter, Clara, on Oct. 31, 1885, at the age of four years, and a son, Charles, on May 25, 1904, at the age of 22 years.

The surviving children are two daughters, Mrs. Edna Childs and Mrs. Edith Van Scoy, and six sons namely Oliver, John, Ira, Guy, Jay and Harley, all of whom live in this vicinity. Two brothers also survive him--Williams and George--and a sister, Mrs. Caroline Newbury of Burlington, Wis.

Mr. Mathews was well liked in a wide circle, and a host of friends and neighbors greatly regret his departure.