Harrison Matthews 1814-1899

NATTHEWS, BOUGHTON, KANE, LEOPER, DAVIS

Posted By: Beverly Gerdts (email)
Date: 6/8/2021 at 08:02:56

Columbus Gazette, Columbus Junction, Iowa
Thursday, March 9, 1899
Page 5

Harrison Matthews was born in Greenbrier county, Virginia, February 3, 1814, and died at the home of his son, W. B. Matthews, near Wyman, Iowa, February 20, 1899, being 86 years and 17 days old. his parents removed from Virginia to Ohio while he was an infant, and here he resided until 1843, when he removed to Iowa, settling near the present site of Wayland. Prior to his removal to Iowa he was married at Urbana in 1837 to Miss Mary E. Boughton, whom preceded him to the better world on the 12 of November, 1877. Five children were born to them, all of whom survive their parents, all were present at the funeral except the daughter residing in Kansas. They are, in the order of their age, Mrs. Jennie E. Kane, Chester county, Illinois; W. B. Matthews, Wyman, Iowa; Mrs. Delia A. Leoper, Columbus, Kansas; Mrs. Emma Davis, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; F. W. Matthews, Cameron, Mo.

Mr. Matthews had been a farmer by occupation all his life, though for the past twenty years he has been physically disabled for active labor. During the past few years he has been in much feebler health, and has seldom been off the farm. To appreciate him one must know him. He was of a retiring disposition, yet thoroughly independent in his thoughts and views, but never disposed to arrogantly assert himself. Those who were privileged to come into close contact with him found him a warm hearted man, interested in all the world's progress, a man who had a christian experience and was not ashamed of his profession.

For 62 years or more he has been identified with the Methodist church, but he did not trust in this nominal relation for his salvation, but had a living faith in a personal God and Savior. When asked a day or two before his death if all was well he made a reply in the affirmative and said the Lord had been with him all his life. To such a man death has no terrors. He trusted in Him who gave him victory over death. The funeral was held at the home of W. B. Matthews at 1 p. m. Rev. Hanks of this city conducting the exercises and Rev. Black of Wyman. The interment was made in the Beauchamp cemetery.