(veteran)

OBITUARY - Rev. Mathias Campbell was born in Vege county, Indiana, Jan. 25th, 1883, twelve miles from Terre Haute, and died at the Soldier’s Home in Burkett, near Grand Island, Nebr., Nov. 20th, 1915, aged 82 years, 9 months and 25 days. He was converted when sixteen years old, under the labors of the celebrated Richard Haney, more commonly known as “Dick” Haney, of Illinois. Brother Campbell first united with the Methodist Episcopal church.

On account of the talent and earnestness which he manifested in church work, he was urged to prepare himself for the ministry, but having to assist in the support of the family, and not having the necessary means to provide the schooling which he thought requisite, caused his early desires and hopes to be abandoned.

He passed through Nebraska in 1860, on his way to Denver, Colo., where he settled and where he was married to Clara E. Young, Oct. 9th, 1866.

After the Civil War in which Bro. Campbell served his country as a Union soldier, he returned to Nebraska and settled in Plattsmouth. Here he took up Christian work and began by lecturing on temperance, which led him directly into the definite work of the ministry. On account of the age limit then prevailing in the church of his choice, he became a minister in the United Brethren church at Seward, Neb. He came to Blair in 1880 and took charge of the U.B. congregation here, and built the first United Brethren church here.

He continued in his ministerial work as long as his strength would justify. Four years ago he and his good wife went to the Soldier’s Home at Burkett, remaining there until the time of the last roll call to which it was possible for him to respond.

This good man leaves a wife and three children, besides a host of friends and comrades to mourn for him. The children are Charles, of Winnebago, and Bert and Mrs. Theo. Therkelsen of Blair.

Funeral services were held from the Methodist church in Blair Sunday afternoon at 2:30, Rev. J.W. Lewis officiating. A large number of his comrades were present and a great concourse of sympathizing friends. A quartette composed of Miss Ethel Mead, Mrs. Anna Martin, Dr. Mead and Asa Dixon jr., sang songs which the deceased had selected for the occasion. The scripture readings and the text for the sermon had also been so selected. - - Contributed

# 2 - - from the Tribune, November 24, 191, the same obituary as above but added this sentence at the end:

The above referred to Mathias Campbell was one of the best known men in the county and was known as a conscientious Christian by all who knew him.

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

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