AMSBERRY, Matthew J. (1837-1911)

AMSBERRY

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 2/3/2016 at 12:10:17

Matthew J. Amsberry
(Feb 15, 1837 - Jan 10, 1911)

Obituary
The news, though not a surprise, yet it was a shock that was heralded through the town of Milo. Jan 10, at 9 o’clock p.m., announcing the death of Brother M. J. Amsberry. The deceased was born Feb 15, 1837, in Mason Co., West Va. But the family moved from the old home to Marion Co., Iowa in 1859.
He was married to his first wife in 1863, Miss Greenlee. To this union were born four boys and two girls; the four boys surviving the father.
He professed faith in Christ and joined the Baptist church near his home in 1870. Bro. Amsberry was married to his second wife, Miss Isabell M. Taggart, Dec 6, 1885. To this union were born three children and all survive the father’s death. The deceased was a member of a family of eight children, five boys and three girls. An older brother is still living. In 1888, with his family, he removed to Warren Co., and settled three miles east of Milo. In 1894 he brought his letter from the Baptist church and united with the Presbyterian church, and was a consistent member all through his Christian life. He had served as deacon in the Presbyterian church, but at his death he was ruling elder.
The last move he made was to Milo in 1904. Bro. Amsberry’s Christianity was not of the aggressive type; but it was of the living kind. He was the same sincere and earnest Christian just seven days in the week. If he could not say a good word about a man or a neighbor, he could not say an unkind word. In his death the town of Milo has lost a splendid and an honored citizen; the community a friend and a neighbor; the church an exemplary Christian and a good elder; the home has lost a father whose place can never be filled, a kind and loving father who suffered and sympathized with those who were near and dear to him.
The funeral was preached by the pastor assisted by Rev Fair, in the Presbyterian church in the presence of his children, relatives and a host of friends. At the cemetery the burial services were concluded by the Masonic order in a most helpful and impressive service. Among the last words of the Brother were these, “I am so tired, I do so want some rest, when the doctor comes I am going to ask him to give me something to make me rest.” But it was the great physician that came and said, “Come with me, and I will give you rest.” Asleep in Jesus; peaceful rest; whose waking is supremely blessed; no fear, no woe shall dim that hour; that manifest the Savior’s power.
[copied from a list of obituaries by Rev Charles S. Fair]