Obituary of Matthias Sides - Montgomery County, Illinois "Nokomis Free-Press" DIED October 27, 1899 At the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Flora Robertson, in Nokomis, Il., Friday October 27, 1899, Matthias Sides, aged 78 years, 4 months and 12 days. The funeral services were held at the Methodist Episcopal Church, Sunday, October 29, at 2 o'clock p.m., conducted by the pastor, Reverand J.S. Tull. Matthias Sides was born in Stanley County, North Carolina, June 15, 1821. In 1845 he was united in marriage with Miss Bost and three years later, settled in what is now known as the Lipe Settlement in Montgomery County, Il, as a farmer. From that time until his death Mr. Sides continued a resident of Montgomery County, engaged most of the time as a farmer, though for several years in the late fifties he, with Solomon Smith as a partner, operated the first grist mill established in Nokomis. It was located on Pine Street, between State Street and the railroad, about where the post office now stands and was burned in 1860. Immediately after the fire Mr. Sides partner disappeared and Mr. Sides was compelled to meet the debts of the firm alone, which left him almost destitude. Taking up farming again, by hard work and economy he accumulated considerable property, which, several years ago, he divided among his children, retaining sufficient to provide for himself and wife. When 23 years of age he joined the Lutheran Church and was a member of the Methodist Church in this city since 1896. At the time of his death, Mr. Sides was probably one of the oldest settlers in this part of Montgomery County. He was the father of twelve children, eleven of whom, with his widow, survive. The children are Mrs. Flora Robertson, William E. Sides, Adolphus Sides, Mrs. Lucinda Kerr and Mrs. William Montgomery Gage of Nokomis; Daniel Sides of Golden City, Missouri; Emanuel Sides of Pana; Mrs. Ida Deal and Mrs. Laura Raymer of North Carolina; Mrs. Nettie Isaacs of Harvel and Emerson Sides of St. Louis, Missouri. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Barb Clayton