- The grim reaper, death, claimed another of Stephenson county's old residents last evening, the third within a week. William H. Matter, a citizen of Stephenson county since 1845, and of Freeport since 1894, passed away last evening at 7:40 o'clock at the family residence, 10 Harlem avenue. Uremic poison was the cause of his death. Though he had been ailing for the past year he had only been confined to his bed since Sunday morning. Few of his many friends here knew of his illness. This pioneer resident of Stephenson county was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, March 20th, 1836, and was in his 89th year when he was called. He was a son of Isaac and Hannah (Lemker) Matter. The Matter family came west April 16th, 1845, the trip to this section of the country being made by boat down the Ohio river from Pittsburgh to St. Louis, then up the Mississippi and Rock Rivers to this vicinity. They settled on a farm in Buckeye township. With all the family hard at work they were quite successful. When they first passed through Freeport there were no churches here, a few stores and houses making up the village. Only necessities could be purchased in the few stores there were. Household goods and cooking utensils were purchased at Galena or Chicago, both of which were "big" cities in these days. Mr. Matter made many trips to this city for provisions and his memories of the old town remained clear to his last days.
Mr. Matter was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Meyer, in this city, July 3rd, 1862. Five children were born to this union, two of whom survive. Mrs. Matter passed away August 7th, 1912. Following their marriage they settled on a tract of land in Buckeye, near the old Matter farm. They worked hard and through earnest endeavor became successful. A larger tract was purchased and at the time of Mr. Matter's retirement in 1894, he had accumulated a considerable fortune. Since his retirement he has lived in ease such as his labor earned him, in this city in a cozy home on Harlem avenue. When Mr. Matter first came to this vicinity he joined the little Zion Evangelical church in Buckeye township. He attended the services of that church continually until his removal to Freeport, and since then he has been a member of the First Methodist church. Mr. Matter throughout his long life was a consistent Christian. His devotion to his family and his friends was sincere and he was a highly respected citizen in the community where he so long made his home.
Surviving him are his two daughters, Cora A. and Estella H., both at home. His children who are deceased are as follows: Mrs. C.A. Bolendar, who died in 1901; Mrs. J.H. Frank, who died August 28th, 1914; Isaac N., who died in 1882. Besides his children the following brothers and sisters survive him: Jonathon Matter, of Freeport; D.J. Matter and Mrs. W.H. Cameron, of Jewell, Kansas. There are also six grandchildren surviving: William, Lorne, Lester, Margaret, Naomi and Carl Franks. Funeral services will be held from the home tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock. The Rev. W.C. Millikan of the First M.E. church will officiate Interment will be made in Oakland cemetery. C.E. Brubaker is in charge of the arrangements. The pallbearers are as follows: J.W. Sanderson, H. Capp, J. Groff, Frank Furry, I.J. Kiplinger and C.A. Cadwell.
Another Obit
William H. Matter, one of the pioneers of Stephenson county passed away last evening at 7:30 o'clock at his home, 10 Harlem avenue. Death was cased by uraemic poisoning. Mr. Matter has been in failing health for the past year but was able to be up and around until last Sunday, when he was confined to his bed.
Deceased was the son of Isaac and Hannah Lemker Matter, who emigrated to Stephenson county when this county was first being opened up to settlers. Mr. Matter was born in Dauphin county, Pa., March 20, 1836. He came with his parents to Illinois in 1845, the family settling in Buckeye township, where they took up a piece of land. In coming west the Matter family traveled by steamer down the Ohio river to Cairo and then up the Mississippi river to Dubuque, thence overland by wagon to Buckeye township, passing through Freeport on April 16, 1845. At the time when Mr. Matter came to Stephenson county, Freeport was but a village, there were no churches, and but two stores, the stock of which was very limited, household goods, cooking utensils, and cloth all came by stage coach from Galena or Chicago, as there were no railroads entering Freeport at that time. It was a rare treat for the children to accompany their father to Chicago when he drove to the city with a wagon load of produce. Mr. Matter was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Meyer, July 3, 1862, in Freeport. After his marriage he settled on a tract of land in Buckeye township near the home of his parents, which he farmed successfully until 21 years ago when he retired from active work and moved to this city. There were five children born to this union, two of whom survive. Mrs. Matter passed away on August 7, 1912. Mr. Matter was an upright, christian gentleman, a good father and a kind and indulgent husband. He numbered his friends by the score and was known for miles around as being just and right in all his dealings. His death will be mourned by many of the older residents of this county with whom he was personally acquainted. He was raised in the Evangelical faith and was a member of Zion church, which his father helped to construct 60 years ago after moving to Freeport he became affiliated with the First Methodist Episcopal church of this city of which he has been a steadyfast member for 20 years.
He is survived by two daughters, Cora A. and Estella H., both residing at home, and the following brothers and sister: Jonathan Matter of Freeport, D.J. Matter and Mrs. W.H. Cameron of Jewell, Kansas. Also six grandchildren, William, Lorene, Lester, Margaret and Karl Franks. The deceased children are Mrs. C.A. Bolender, Mrs. J.H. Franks and Isaac N. Matter. The funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock from the late home. The Rev. William C. Millikan will officiate. The pallbearers will be J.W. Sanderson, H. Capp, J. Groff, Frank Furry, I.J. Kiplinger and C.A. Cadwell. Interment will be made at Oakland. C.E. Brubaker is in charge of the arrangements.
Contributed by Roger Cramer