Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Mathews, Hiram B. 1916
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Marilyn Ransom mlnransom@chartermi.net August 26, 2010, 5:35 pm

The Portland Observer, Thursday, May 25, 1916


Portland was doubly shocked Saturday—first by the suicide of Wm. Smurr and 
then, a few hours later by the sudden death of Hiram B. Mathews, who passed 
away during the noon hour while sitting in a chair at the home of his brother, 
George, just west of the village.  Heart disease was the cause.  Mr. Mathews 
had been affected for the past two years and of late had failed noticeably.  
However, it had not become generally known that the man was ill and his death, 
therefore, occasioned great surprise.

Mr. Mathews was a big, robust, good natured citizen, and always had a cordial 
salutation for everyone.  People of all ages with whom he associated will miss 
his companionship profoundly.  Although more than 63 years of age at the time 
of his death his friends would not have guessed that he was over 50.  He was 
unusually well preserved for a man of his years and until a short time ago was 
the perfect picture of health.  

Mr. Mathews was born in Rush township, state of New York, April 13, 1853.  He 
was a lad of but five years when his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Barney Mathews, 
migrated to this section from the east and settled on the 130-acre farm 
situation on the Orange-Sebewa townline road which has always been known at 
the Mathews homestead.  Mr. Mathews owned the place at the time of his death, 
having bought it years ago from the estate.  He was actively engaged in 
farming until about five years ago, when he sold off most of his personal 
effects at auction and entered retirement.  

Since that time he has made several trips to the homes of his sisters in 
California and New York state.  One sister, Mrs. Nettie Smith, whom he visited 
frequently, died in February three years ago at her home in Corfu, N.Y.  The 
other, Mrs. Lodema Cole, of Berkeley, Cal., left for Portland immediately upon 
learning of her brother’s death, but failed to reach here in time for the 
funeral.  The three brothers surviving Mr. Mathews are Charles S. and George 
B. Mathews, both of Portland, and John T. Mathews, who resides at Ithaca.  Mr. 
Mathews had been stopping at the home of his brother, George, for about two 
weeks.

Rev. C. E. Pollock, of the Methodist church, officiated at the funeral 
services, which were held at the place of death Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 
o’clock.  Burial took place on the family lot in Portland cemetery.  Those 
from out-of-town who were here for the funeral were John T. Mathews, of 
Ithaca, Mrs. Gordon Hicks, of Allegan, and Mrs. Orvis Kenyon and Miss Thelma 
Smith, both of Corfu, N.Y.


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