BODY BROUGHT HERE FRIDAY

ED MATTHIESEN CAME FROM CALIFORNIA WITH BODY OF CHRIS MATTHIESEN FOR BURIAL

Ed Matthiesen arrived on the 2 o’clock train from Omaha last Friday afternoon, bringing with him the body of his uncle, Chris Matthiesen, whose death occurred in Los Angeles on Feb. 14th. It was taken direct to the cemetery from the train and committed to its last resting place by Rev. Chas. D. Hering.

Mr. Matthiesen lived at the Cecil hotel and died sometime during the night. In the morning the maid noticed that his door was still locked which was most unusual for he arose at about 6 o’clock, ordinarily. At noon when he hadn’t gotten up, the door was broken in and he was found dead, with no indication of the slightest struggle.

The doctor said it was from a rupture of a blood vessel in the brain, owing to his advanced age, 78 years and 15 days. He had been as well as usual Friday when he called at the home of Mrs. F.H. Matthiesen, as he did very often. So he passed over without illness or suffering.

He was born on the isle of Alseh January 17th, 1850 and came to this country in 1869, the first of the three brothers. He worked on the Union Pacific railroad construction gang at first. Later he started a store in Stanton, going from there to Wisner. From there he came to Blair to go into partnership with his brother, Fred H., buying out John Logan.

They conducted a very successful general store until they sold out in 1902. They built the building now known as the Masonic temple, occupied by the Masonic lodges on the upper floor and J.L. Pounds and Guy Hinkley on the ground floor. Since that time he has made his home here, in Chicago, and in Los Angeles.

He was never married and leaves an only sister, Miss Louise Matthiesen of this city, besides two nieces, Meta and Bertha Matthiesen, of Los Angeles, and one nephew, Ed Matthiesen, of this city.

#2-The Tribune 9 Feb 1928

Dies At Los Angeles

Former Resident Passes Away Following Health Decline

Word reached Blair from Los Angeles Sunday of the death of Chris Matthiesen which occurred Saturday evening following a general decline in health covering a period of several months.

It was expected that the remains would be interred in the coast city and Mr. and Mrs. Ed Matthiesen left Monday for Los Angeles to attend the last sad rites.

Chris Matthiesen was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, on January 19, 1850, and was 78 years old. He came to American in 1869 with his brother, the late F. H. Matthiesen, opened a general merchandise store in Blair which they continued to operate until the early nineties.

Mr. Matthiesen had never married and since retiring from active business has spent the greater portion of his time in Los Angeles and Chicago. He was a frequent visitor at Blair however, and always claimed this city as his home. He had many friends here among the older citizens who will learn of his death with much regret.

#3-Pilot 8 Feb 1928

Ed Matthieson’s Uncle Dead

Chris Matthiesen Passed Away at His Home in Los Angeles Last Saturday Night

Ed Matthiesen had a wire Sunday morning announcing the death of his uncle, Chris Matthiesen at his home in Los Angeles, Calif., and he and Mrs. Matthiesen left Monday for that place to attend the funeral services.

He didn’t know whether burial would be out there or here, since Mr. Matthiesen had said that he preferred cremation of the body. It wasn’t known when Ed left whether this had been made a request or just what his last wishes were in regard to the disposition of his body or the place of burial.

Deceased was born in Alsen, Germany, January 18th, so was just past 78 years of age. He came to this country in about 1874 and went into partnership with his brother, F. H., buying out Charley Logan’s interest in the firm. The firm of Matthiesen Bros. conducted a general store, building the brick building now known as the Masonic Temple, J. J. Pounds and Gay Hinkley occupying the two store rooms below.

They closed out their business in about 1894 and some years thereafter the F. H. Matthiesen family and Chris, who never married, moved to Los Angeles, Calif., where F. H. passed away some ten years ago. Chris divided his time between Los Angeles and Chicago, usually stopping her on the way between the two places and kept up his acquaintances in that way.

Another brother, Matthias, lived on a farm west of town for a number of years, moving to this city later and passed away here. But one member of the family now survives, a sister, Miss Louise Matthiesen, who lives on west Colfax street.

#4-Matthiesen, Chris, 78

Published in Enterprise on 9 February 1928

Ed Matthiesen received word Sunday of the sudden death of his uncle, Chris Matthiesen at Pasadena, California and left Monday morning for that place, Mrs. Matthiesen accompanying him.

The deceased was a resident of Blair for many years but during his later years, he has made his home in California, returning at intervals to visit relatives and friends.

The deceased was born in Alsen, Schleswig Holstein, Germany in January 1850 and has been in very good health up to the time of his sudden death.

He is survived by one sister, Miss Louise Matthiesen of this city, one nephew, Ed Matthiesen, and two nieces, Meta and Bertha of California.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

Find a Grave Memorial #111496511