Samuel C. Matthews Called

Samuel C. Mathews, aged 88 years, passed away at his home in Blair on Monday, July 23. Mr. Matthews came to Nebraska forty years ago and for years farmed north of Blair.

He celebrated his sixty-sixth wedding anniversary last September and the occasion drew much attention and friends and relatives vied with each other in doing honor to them.

He was born in Missouri in 1840 and in 1861 was married to Lucinda Newkirk of Leesville, Ind., and came to Nebraska twenty-seven years later.

These who survive him are the aged wife, and four sons and two daughters, Thornton and Henry of Florence, Oscar and Atta of Blair, Burtis and Edgar of British Columbia and a daughter, Etta, who is a teacher in the Omaha schools. Besides these thirty grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren are left.

The funeral services were held from the Methodist church Wednesday afternoon at two o’clock and interment was made in the Blair cemetery.

Mr. Matthews was a man who held the respect of all those who knew him and the large number in attendance at the last sad rites and who followed the remains to the last resting place, was mute evidence of the love and respect in which he was held.

Obituary #2

Pilot, July 25, 1928

S. C. MATHEWS BURIED TODAY

PASSED AWAY AT HIS HOME IN THIS CITY AT THE ADVANCED AGE OF 88 YEARS.

Samuel Christopher Mathews passed away at his home in this city Monday, aged 88 years, 3 months and 16 days. He had been bothered with heart trouble for several months but was seriously ill only a few days.

The funeral service was held at the Methodist church at 2 o’clock this afternoon, Rev. A.B. Vanderlippe, of Omaha, officiating. There was a large attendance of old neighbors and friends and the floral tributes were many and beautiful. Burial was made in the Blair cemetery.

Mr. Mathews was born in Laurance county, Indiana, April 7th, 1840, and grew to manhood’s estate in that state. He was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda Newkirk in September of 1861, and eleven children were born to the union, three of whom preceded him in death, Elmer and Myrtle at the age of two years and Maude at the age of 35.

In 1884 the family moved to Kansas, where they lived for two and one-half years, coming to this county in a prairie schooner at the end of that time. They settled on a farm north of Blair and lived there until they moved to this city about 25 years ago.

Besides his wife he leaves eight children: Thornton of Omaha; Edgar of Kearney, Mo.; Mrs.Laura Kindred of Omaha; Oscar of Blair; Etta of Blair; Mrs. Harry White of Omaha; Burtis of British Columbia; and Henry of Howe, Nebr. There are also thirty grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.

Mr. Mathews was baptized and brought up in the Methodist church and was affiliated with that church all his life. He was a very fine example of Christian manhood and was therefore a citizen of the highest type and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Obituary #3

Tribune, July 26, 1928

Aged Citizen Dies

S.C. Mathews Was Pioneer of Washington County

Samuel C. Mathews died at his home on east Colfax street on Monday afternoon following an illness of a year’s duration. The deceased was born at Leesville, Indiana, in 1840 and in 1861 he was married to Miss Lucinda Newkirk of that city. In 1888 the family came to Nebraska and located on a farm near Blair. He was one of the pioneers of Washington county and endured the hardships so common to the early settlers. He was extensively engaged in stock raising and held a wide acquaintance throughout the eastern part of the state and had many friends who highly respected him.

He leaves to mourn his loss besides his bereaved wife, seven children, Thornton, Henry, Oscar and Atea of this city; Bertis of British Columbia; Edgar of Missouri and Etta, a teacher in the Omaha public schools.

Funeral services were held from the Methodist church yesterday afternoon at 2:00 o’clock, the Rev. Vanderlip of Florence officiating, after which burial was made in the Blair cemetery.

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

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