Obituary of Elizabeth MATHER-HUGHES

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Mike Hughes
<  mkhughes@execpc.com  >  on Oct 25, 1999

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Surnames:  HUGHES, MATHER, PHILLIPS, KNOWLES, 
FIELDING, WARNER

The following article is Elizabeth's obituary from the Hudson Star-
Times dated February 3, 1893.

Died:  suddenly in Minneapolis, Minn., Mrs. Elizabeth Hughes, 
while visiting her daughter, Mrs. Norman Phillips Jan. 28, 1893;
aged 76 years, 9 months and 1 day.  Buried from her home in Hudson,
Wisconsin Jan. 30; Rev. C.T. Burnley of the Presbyterian church
officiating.

Deceased was born April 27, 1816 in Brooklin, Windham county,
Connecticut; met and married James Hughes in Jackson Standard,
still published that place; went to St. Paul in early spring of 1849, 
where she assisted her husband in the publication and management
of the Minnesota Chronicle, the outfit of which was the first printing
establishment taken to St. Paul.

Her maiden name was Elizabeth Mather, (a direct descendant of the
Richard Mather family in this country), who was born in Lawton,
Lancashire, England, in 1596; was parish minister of Taxteth,
Lancashire; was silenced in 1634 for non-conformity, and went to
New England in 1635 as a Pilgrim Father with a large following;
became minister of Dorchester, Mass., in 1636 and did much to
settle church discipline until his death in 1669.

Mrs. Hughes was mother of twelve children, nine of whom are living,
and seven being present at the funeral.  The other two were too far
away to reach here in time.  This large family she raised, trained and
educated with little or no help in the early days of Hudson city's
history.  But she did her duty faithfully and well.  She saw her large
family grow up and fill responsible positions of trust and capacity in
the world about her.  A quiet noble, christian woman she left an 
impress for good upon all with whom she came in contact.  The
summary of a worthy son, in referring to her, but expressing the
opinion of everybody who knew her:  The best mother in the world;
too much cannot be said her praise.  Though but little seen or known
by the later generation, on account of her retiring nature, the old
settlers all knew and appreciated her sterling worth.  Though the 
notice was short many were on hand at the funeral to pay their last
respects to a tried and true friend.

Among the relatives present at the funeral on Monday afternoon 
were; Mr. and Mrs. N.F. Phillips, Mr. and Mrs. C.E. Hughes, L.A.
Hughes, Mr. and Mrs. E.M. Hughes, George R. Hughes and daughter
Jessie, E.P. Hughes and daughter Mabel, and Miss Elizabeth Hughes;
Mesdames Perly and Charles Knowles were also in.