Matthew ("Matt") Mier 1865-1936

MIER, RUFFING

Posted By: John Evan Davis (email)
Date: 9/23/2012 at 20:17:18

Ottumwa Courier March 25, 1936
Matt Mier, 70, Veteran Coal Merchant, Former Police Captain, Dies
A former Ottumwa police captain and prominent coal dealer, Matthew (“Matt”) Mier, 70 of 915 E. 4th St., died at the St. Joseph hospital at 4:50 AM today. Mr. Mier had been ill for about a year, and was taken to the hospital three weeks ago. For two months prior to that he had been at the home of his son George Mier, 821 Jay St. He was born near Albany, New York, March 29, 1865, coming to Ottumwa as an infant. He lived here since that time. For several years during his early life, he had farmed, both with his father and for himself. In April, 1907 he became captain of police here, holding that position until April 1912. For the last 18 years he has been the head of the Matt Mier coal Co. Surviving are three sons, Mike and George of Ottumwa, and Walter of Chicago; two brothers, Jake and George, both of Ottumwa route 5; a sister, Mrs. Mary Ruffing, St. Joseph, Missouri, and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth and a son Jake. Short funeral services will be held at 8:30 AM Friday at the home of his son Mike, 1329 N. Court St., and at 9 AM at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The Rev. J. H. Courtney will celebrate the requiem high mass. Burial be made in the Calvary cemetery. The body will be taken to the Mike Mier residence at 5 PM today.