Owen D. Mathias died 20 Feb 1936

MATHIAS, COOK

Posted By: Volunteer - Karen DaPra
Date: 4/8/2003 at 05:52:27

FORMER HARDWARE DEALER AND TRAIN MASTER WAS MASON FOR HALF A CENTURY

Funeral services for Owen D. Mathias, former Keosauqua hardware merchant, were held from the Burnett funeral home in Keosauqua Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock in charge of the Rev. M. E. Hayes, pastor of the Keosauqua Methodist church. Music was by Mrs. Ruth Liddy and Mrs. Ruth Reeve.

Burial was at the Oak Lawn cemetery, the bearers being Robert Dorothy, Karl Fleming, Larry Vardman, George Sommerville, Wesley McNamar [sic] and Clyde Richardson.

Mr. Mathias, who was 73 years old, died at his home in Keosauqua February 20. He was born on a farm near Douds and grew to young manhood in that vicinity, where he attended the Mathias school and the normal school.

He came to Keosauqua and attended the high school and later clerked in the Manning stores at Douds and Leando. Going to Janesville, Wisc., he took a telegraphy and business course, and his first work was at Hanover, Wis., as railroad agent. He became a dispatcher at Escanaba, Mich., and then trainmaster in 1902.

Irregularity of hours resulted in a physical breakdown from 1905 to 1910, during which time he remained on a farm which he owned at Saginaw, Mich. When he had recovered he returned to Keosauqua and operated a hardware store until 1920.

He was united in marriage to Margaret L. Cook in 1886.

Mr. Mathias was a Mason for more than fifty years, and held many high lodge positions. The O. D. Mathias chapter of the Order of Eastern Star was named for him.

(Photocopy of this obit found on page 173 of Obit Book "A" of the Van Buren County Genealogical Society's collection at the Keosauqua Public Library in Dec 2000. Name of newspaper and date of obit not given.)

I am NOT related and am posting this obit for those who may find this person in their family history.

[Original post 17 Jan 2001]