MATHEW, Cyrena (1867-1885)

MATHEW

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 2/7/2018 at 23:45:42

Cyrena Mathew
(July 18, 1867 – March 25, 1885)

Indianola Herald, Indianola, IA, Thurs., Apr 2, 1885, p.2, col.3
OBITUARIES
DIED – At Fort Dodge, Wednesday morning March 25th, 1885, Miss Cyrena Mathew, of Indianola.
Miss Cyrena Mathew was born in Washington County, Iowa, July 18th, 1867. For some six years she had been a resident of Indianola. While visiting her sister, Mrs. O. E. Whitlatch of Ft. Dodge, Iowa, she was taken seriously ill of typhoid intermittent fever, which in spite of all the best medical skill could effect, caused her death in the brief space of three days. Her mother was summoned by telegram, but failed to reach her in time to be recognized. The deceased was converted and baptized four years ago at Des Moines, IA. Since that time she lived an earnest Christian life and held with firm grasp her Christian hope. Whilst it seems sad for one so young, before whom life was opening with such promise, to die, the one who is prepared, to live well here is prepared also for the life eternal. For the one how is in Christ to “die is gain.” “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” The departed left a large circle of friends both here at her home and at Ft. Dodge, where she had been but a short time. The remains were brought to Indianola Thurs by evening. The funeral services, which were attended by a large number of friends of the family were held at the house of her mother, Mrs. Otey James, Friday at 10 o’clock a.m.
[same date, col.2]
The death of Miss Rena Mathews was very sudden, and for that reason a blow falls with greater severity upon her family and friends. Her mother, Mrs. Otey James, was summoned to her side, but before she could reach her the daughter was unconscious and remained so until her death. On Monday she was complaining, but feared nothing serious. In the evening physicians were called and they at once pronounced the case dangerous and probably fatal. (There is a report, without foundation, circulated her that the death was caused by blood-poisoning, resulting from the use of corn medicine. The physicians had no such idea, but pronounced it a case of typhoid intermittent fever.) Wednesday morning, March 25, at 6 o’clock, she died. The funeral services occurred at her mother’s home, Friday, at 10 am, conducted by Rev. T. S. Bovell. A large number of her young friends were present. Mr. and Mrs. Chas. E. Whitlatch and Edson Mathews, of Ft. Dodge were present at the funeral. Her other brothers in Nebraska and western Iowa were not able to be present. Miss Mathews was preparing herself for the procession of teaching, and being ambitious and energetic, had a bright future before. She was of a cheerful disposition and at the same time thoughtful, earnest and conscientious. Her early death, at less than eighteen years of age is very sad.