Dixon Hollow - Another old resident of Livonia has passed away, leaving many friends to whom his name will always stand for uprightness, Grove W. Mather was born in 1834, the son of Norman Mather. There were six other children. The five living are the Rev. Frank Mather, district superintendent of the Methodist church in California, John H. of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Mrs. Sisson of Bristol, Mrs. Congdon and Mrs. Benham.
Mr. Mather died at Minneapolis Wednesday of last week, Mr. and Mrs. Mather had been at the home of their daughter Ellen in that city for several months, and though in his usual health he was unable to rally from an attack of pneumonia.
The following facts in relation to this Chirstian gentleman will be of interest to many here. Mr. Mather was twice married, his first wife being Ellen, daughter of the late Dr. Willard Doolittle, of the town of Richmond, to whom he was married April 11, 1861. Mrs. Mather’s death occurred October 20, 1862, and on November 12, 1863, he married her sister, Phylla Doolittle.
Of the five children, three are living, Ellen Mather of Minneapolis, Mrs. Persis Cone, whose home is near Lake George, and Olin Mather, who lives on the farm homestead. Besides these he leaves his wife and five grandchildren.
Mr. and Mrs. Mather united with the Congregational church of Honeoye about 1873, and he had held many prominent and important offices connected with the church, being a deacon for many years, and still holding that office at the time of his death.
The remains were brought to his late home Saturday, accompanied by his wife and daughter, and joined en route by his brother John. Mrs. Mather’s brother, Truman Doolittle, of Albion, Michigan, also came to the funeral, which was held from his late home Monday afternoon at one o’clock. The Rev. Gordon Henshaw, pastor of the church with which he had been so actively associated for so many years, officiated.
The burial was in the family lot in the West Richmond cemetery. Mr. Mather was for many years associated with his father in the woolen manufacture near their home in the south eastern part of the town. Mather’s mills did a flourishing business in those years, the process of their manufacture beginning with the raw product and proceeding to the completion of the woolen cloths made by them. The mill was situated on the outlet of Canadice lake, from which it derived its power. Later it was converted into a factory for making butter tubs, carried on by the son.
He was for years an ardent and active Republican in politics, but later identified himself with the Prohibition party.
|
|